《Floating Island - Triple S Talent》 Chapter 1: Earths Last Breath Lein''s desk was a chaotic testament to his relentless workload, strewn with stacks of papers and the ever-present hum of hisputer. The room, silent but for the rhythmic tapping of keys, seemed to hold its breath as he toiled over the financial report that had to bepleted by day''s end. The screen''s glow highlighted the tension etched on his face. Suddenly, breaking the monotony, a vivid blue panel materialized in the air, hovering like a holographic projection. Its luminescent glow cast an otherworldly light across the cluttered desk, and bold, striking text pulsed on the screen, demanding attention. The room, once a shrine to mundane tasks, now felt charged with unexpected intrigue. [The Earth''s time has ended, all humans will be transferred to the Divine Sky Realm in 1 minute] "Hah...?" Lein''s fingers froze above the keyboard as he blinked several times, trying to discern if this was an illusion or reality. The soft hum of office activity suddenly felt distant and surreal. He nced around the room and noticed that his coworkers were also staring at the same blue notification. Faces that had been serious and focused moments ago were now painted with anxiety and confusion. "Hey Lein, did you see that blue panel?" asked Dito, his voice trembling. Dito''s desk was right next to Lein''s, and his usuallyposed demeanor was now shaken. "Yeah, it says the Earth is going to be destroyed," Lein replied, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Is this some kind of joke?" Dito let out a bitterugh. "A joke? Who has time to pull off something like this?" Around them, their colleagues tried to ignore the notification, forcing themselves to concentrate on their work despite the rising tension. Skepticism hung heavy in the air; few could bring themselves to believe the message. Across the room, a manager attempted to calm the staff, insisting that it was likely just a technological glitch or aputer virus. However, across the globe, every nation received the same information. People from all walks of life, professions, and ages reacted differently. In a high school, students in the middle of their final exams suddenly whispered in panic. There was something strange, though. Middle school students did not see the notification. Only those aged 15 and older could see it. In a hospital, a doctor paused his surgery to nce at the blue panel that had appeared before him. "This... can''t be possible," he murmured, looking at the nurse beside him, whose face had turned deathly pale. Panic began to ripple through the world. The notification spread rapidly across social media and television news, creating a wave of mass hysteria. Time continued to tick away, and as the final minute passed, Lein felt his heart pounding. In the usually quiet office, the ticking of the wall clock grew louder and more ominous. Thest second ticked by, and... Suddenly, every human vanished from their location. Lein felt nothing but a strange sensation as if he was being sucked into a void. He lost consciousness momentarily. The world descended into chaos. A school bus driver disappeared mid-route, leaving the bus to careen uncontrobly into a five-story building. A ne crashed mid-air as both pilots vanished. These incidents led to widespread destruction on Earth. In a yground, a mother watching her children vanished along with them, leaving behind slowly swinging swings and toys scattered on the ground. Moments after humanity disappeared, a catastrophic earthquake shook the. The Earth''s crust cracked, volcanoes erupted, and the destruction continued until the Earth itself shrank and disintegrated into ash. Chapter 2: Arrival in the Divine Sky Realm On a floating ind high above the clouds, a young man with short ck hairy sprawled on the ground, his body heavy with fatigue. His 170 cm frame rested on the wild grass, and his tan skin glowed faintly in the ethereal light. His eyes fluttered open, revealing andscape that seemed to blur and shimmer. Surrounding him was a vast expanse of emptynd, covered only by wild grass. The ind, no more than 100 square meters, floated in an ocean of clouds that obscured anything beyond a short distance. The ethereal glow of an otherworldly sun bathed the scene in warm light. But the surreal beauty was lost on him as he pressed a hand to his temple, trying to quell the dizziness that washed over him. He groaned softly, his movements slow and deliberate as he attempted to rise. His vision swam, and he blinked rapidly, trying to clear his mind and make sense of where he was. Peering through the haze, he could see only the edges of the floating ind and the imprable wall of clouds beyond. The emptiness of the ind and the disorienting shift to the Divine Sky Realm left him grasping for any sign or clue. He scanned the ground and the horizon, hoping to find something¡ªanything¡ªthat might offer an exnation or direction. As Lein''s vision began to stabilize, he noticed a faint glimmer in the center of the ind. Focusing more intently, he realized it was a transparent orb, shimmering slightly under the golden light. Curiosity piqued, he cautiously approached the mysterious object. The orb hovered just above the ground, almost pulsating with an inner light. Leaning in closer, he examined it from all angles, trying to discern its purpose or origin. The orb''s smooth, ssy surface reflected his puzzled expression. Tentatively, he reached out, fingers brushing against the cool, ethereal surface, wondering what secrets it might hold. As Lein examined the orb more closely, he noticed a faint panel hovering above it, disying information in a holographic format. [Region Orb] Owner: Insert the name of the Sovereign Region Speed: 1 square meter per second Region Size: 100 square meters Seeing the panel''s description, Lein was reminded of the video games he had yed during his teenage years. "Have I been transported to an Isekai?" he wondered aloud. A mix of excitement and fear welled up inside him. The thrill of his childhood dreaming true¡ªentering a game-like world¡ªwas tempered by the memories of frustration, sadness, and disappointment that came with gaming. Just imagining the potential pain sent a shiver down his spine. Pushing the thought aside, Lein''s eyes suddenly narrowed with panic, his heart nearly stopping. "What about Nita?" he thought frantically, worry for his sister overpowering his thoughts. Before he could dwell further, a figure materialized from thin air. A girl, bearing a striking resemnce to Lein, appeared before him. She stood at about 155 cm, with silky ck hair and an oval face that highlighted her beauty. Her expression was pale and disoriented, mirroring Lein''s initial state of confusion. "Nita..." Lein murmured, rushing to check on her. His hands trembled slightly as he touched her shoulder. Nita''s eyes fluttered open. Fear and panic shed across her face, but these emotions quickly faded when she recognized her brother. Yes, this was Nita, Lein''s younger sister, who had just graduated high school and worked at a retail store. Their lives had been closely intertwined, supporting each other since they lost their parents in a workce ident when Nita was just ten. They had lived in a small rented house in the city, trying to save on living expenses. Now, standing on this mysterious floating ind, their familiar world seemed so far away. "Brother, where are we?" Nita''s voice quivered as she stood up, looking to Lein for answers. "Stay calm, Nita," Lein replied, trying to sound reassuring despite his own uncertainty. "I don''t know where we are either, but there''s no danger right now." Their uncertainty was short-lived. The same system voice they had heard on Earth echoed around them again. [Wee to the Divine Sky Ind Realm] Sessfully entered Region #2344... Loading status panel... Obtaining beginner''s chest... Evaluating talent... Acquired talent (Infinity Duplicate - SSS)... Lein shivered as he saw the letters "SSS" in the talent description. He knew he had received something extraordinary and quickly checked it. (Infinity Duplicate - SSS) - Duplicate 1 item into 1000. - Cooldown: 1 hour. Duplicate any item in the universe, the survival talent of the creators of the universe. The description seemed simple, but the implications left Lein breathless and amazed. Wasn''t this a talent that defied the heavens? If a god could create one, Lein could create a thousand. What concept surpassed that of a god? A small smile crept onto Lein''s face. If he could harness this duplicate talent, it wasn''t impossible for him to be a king. A king whomands. "Oh, Nit. Did you get the same notification?" Lein asked, ensuring his sister received the same system information. "Yes, brother, but the system said no talent was found," Nita replied, sadness creeping into her voice despite not fully grasping the concept of talents. "Don''t worry about it," Lein reassured her. "Look, what talent did I get?" Lein exined his overpowered talent to Nita. Even Nita, who wasn''t much into games, found the concept of multiplying by 1000 astonishing. Besides acquiring talents, the system also loaded a status panel. [Status Panel] - Sovereign''s Name: Insert name - Level : 1 (0%) - Attributes: Strength 3, Agility 2, Intelligence 1, Resilience 3 - Equipment: - - Features: Market, Chat, Friends. Seeing the line "Insert name" for the Sovereign, Lein recalled the same prompt on the Region Orb panel. He entered "Lein." He briefly considered using a gaming alias but dismissed the idea, recognizing the reality of their situation. Wouldn''t it be grand if his real name became known across the universe for being the strongest? "Okay, it''s good enough," Lein muttered, ignoring the status and checking the chat. [Regional Chat #2344] (Hani) Help, save me... (Penabur) Be careful, this is not a game; death is the end of your life... (Randi) Someone, I''m at location x:7a81k600 y:16u84r00... (Bunta) Thank goodness my family is with me; I will protect them... (Doni) I found another ind; is it safe to enter?... (Zaki) I''m from Jakarta, where are you all from?... (Gegeh) Don''t fall off the ind, you will die... [System: Asep has died]... From the chat, Lein saw the number nine hundred thousand and something. He guessed it was the poption of Region #2344. The chat provided a wealth of information: how to operate inds, existing dangers, the situations of other Sovereigns, and more. Lein noticed that death notifications appeared frequently, suggesting that thousands had already perished. The regional chat was bustling and active, messages from Sovereigns constantly filling Lein''s panel. Feeling informed, Lein closed the chat. Next, he examined the market feature, which intrigued him given his talent''s reliance on it. "An interdimensional trading feature, limitless and boundless. Haha," Lein chuckled, inspecting the market panel. [Market] - Sandi: (100 grams of deer meat) - Bintang Mm: (100 ml of water) - Hugo: (rabbit hide) - Rade: (iron sword) (light leather cloak) There were already over 100 shops listed. People were clearly exploring. Lein quickly closed the market panel and checked the Friends feature. [Friends] - Friend List: - - Search Friend: Enter name It was straightforward. Lein didn''t fully understand its use but added Nita to his friend list. [Sessfully added (Cute Cat) as a friend] Yes, Nita''s name was "Cute Cat." She believed it would bring good luck, and Lein could only shake his head. In truth, she likely wanted to keep her identity private. Having explored all system features, thest task was to open the beginner chests. The chests had been in front of them all along, one for Lein and one for Nita. Lein opened his first. [Sessfully opened (beginner chest)] - Long wooden sword x1 - Water 100ml Both chests contained the same items: a sword and 100ml of water. "The system is quite stingy," Lein muttered in frustration. But his spirits quickly lifted. Why worry about scarcity when he could duplicate items a thousandfold? "Ahhhhhh..." Lein shouted in realization. He had forgotten his talent could duplicate the beginner chest. "Idiot..." He cursed himself. "Hahaha... It seems you''re more worried than I am, brother," Nitaughed, gently patting his head, mimicking how he hadforted her earlier. Lein''s nerves settled. No problem, he could still duplicate the essential water. However, he decided to dy this task. He wanted to explore and try his luck for more valuable items to duplicate with his talent. Lein and Nita discussed their n briefly. Once ready, they stood, gazing at the white clouds surrounding them. "Ready?" Lein asked, looking at Nita from the side. Nita was enthusiastic, raising her sword high and pointing it forward. "Let''s go!" And so, the siblings set off on their adventure, destined tomand the universe. Chapter 3: Lein and Nitas First Fight Lein''s ind continued to slice through the clouds, carving a path with relentless determination. The ind moved at a steady pace, parting a square meter of clouds every second. The ethereal beauty of the shifting clouds, backlit by the golden glow of the otherworldly sun, would have been mesmerizing if not for the pressing uncertainty that gripped Lein and Nita. After two minutes, they had traversed 120 meters, the expanse of emptynd behind them gradually disappearing from view. The journey persisted for another three minutes, the anticipation building with each passing second, until a substantial clearing of 100 square meters emerged. The dense clouds dissipated, unveiling a goblin-infested ind of equal size. Ten green goblins, each about a meter tall and wielding crude wooden clubs, upied the newly revealed terrain. Their guttural grunts and growls filled the air, a stark contrast to the serene silence that had preceded them. The goblin ind appeared more vibrant than Lein''s sparse, grass-covered home. Tall, sturdy trees stretched ten meters into the sky, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. In the center of the ind stood a small straw hut, its simple construction hinting at the rudimentary lifestyle of its inhabitants. The sight was both intriguing and menacing, the goblins'' beady eyes glinting with hostility as they took notice of the intruders. Lein and Nita''s eyes widened as a status panel for the goblins appeared in their vision. (Goblin Tribe) - Level 1 - Attributes: Strength 1, Agility 1, Intelligence 0, Resilience 1. "Weak¡­" Lein muttered under his breath, a mixture of relief and determination filling his voice. With his strength at 3 points, these goblins seemed as easy to defeat as kicking a ball. Yet, he remained cautious; numbers could still pose a significant threat. The edges of Lein''s ind met the goblin territory with a subtle thud. The goblins, with their sharp, menacing eyes, red at Lein and Nita. They had been roasting a deer over an open fire for breakfast, the savory aroma wafting through the air, but paused at the sight of their new adversaries. Their guttural growls grew louder, and they gripped their clubs tighter, ready for battle. Lein and Nita prepared themselves, gripping their long wooden swords tightly. The weight of the weapons was reassuring, a tangible source of strength. (Long Wooden Sword) - Strength +1 The swords boosted their confidence, adding an extra point to their strength. The siblings exchanged a quick, determined nce, their unspoken resolve clear. "Now," Lein whispered, his voice steady despite the tension, and then he charged forward, his movements swift and purposeful. The goblins formed a defensive line, their clubs raised, bracing for Lein''s assault. Their eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and anger, the unfamiliar threat unsettling them. Tskkk¡­ Tsahh¡­ [ Killed Goblin Tribe Member: EXP +1 ] [ Killed Goblin Tribe Member: EXP +1 ] Lein''s first strike was swift and lethal, taking down two goblins instantly. The wooden sword sliced through the air with precision, its impact decisive. Arghhh¡­ Arghhh¡­ The remaining goblins roared in anger, surrounding Lein and striking him with their clubs. The crude weaponsnded with dull thuds, but Lein''s agility allowed him to evade the worst of the blows. Lein didn''t stay still. He rolled back, distancing himself from their attacks. His movements were fluid, a result of both instinct and training. The goblins pursued, determined not to let him escape, their snarls filling the air. Tsahh¡­ Another goblin fell, decapitated. Nita, having struck from the side, quickly retreated to observe the others. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she remained focused, her eyes scanning for the next opportunity. They knew their advantage well. Even with 3-4 strength points, a direct confrontation with ten goblins could be fatal. They used hit-and-run tactics, striking swiftly before retreating. Their strategy was effective, their movements coordinated and precise. Arghh¡­ Despite their fury, the goblins were helpless. They couldn''t match Lein and Nita''s agility. The siblings moved like a well-oiled machine, each strike calcted, each retreat measured. [ Killed Goblin Tribe Member: EXP +1 ] [ Killed Goblin Tribe Member: EXP +1 ] Two minutester, all the goblinsy dead. The battlefield was littered with their bodies, the air heavy with the scent of blood and sweat. "Huftt¡­ Finally¡­" Lein panted, wiping sweat from his brow. His breath was heavy, and his clothes were soaked. The adrenaline coursed through his veins, leaving him both exhrated and exhausted. Nita, not far away, looked simrly exhausted. The battle had drained them both. Her hands trembled slightly, but she managed a small, victorious smile. They rested for a few minutes, then began to tally their spoils. The goblins'' crude belongings were scattered around, a testament to their primitive lifestyle. First, they each gained 10 EXP points, increasing their EXP by 1%. The incremental progress was a small but satisfying reward for their efforts. They had expected just EXP, but as they approached a goblin corpse, a system notification appeared. [ Goblin Tribe Corpse: Extract materials? ] "Yes," Lein replied, his curiosity piqued. The goblin''s body lifted slightly, glowing before turning to ash. A shining object materialized, catching the light. [ Acquired Energy Crystal +1 ] Curious, Lein examined the crystal. (Energy Crystal) A crystal formed by natural energy. The crystal felt cool in his hand, its surface smooth and wless. He wondered about its potential uses and value. Closing the system panel, Lein continued extracting from the goblin corpses. Nita joined him, assisting with the remaining bodies. Each extraction yielded a small reward, the materials varying in type and quantity. "Brother, I''m done," Nita called out, her voice tinged with both relief and excitement. Once finished, they gathered the fallen materials. The spoils of their battley before them, a modest but valuable collection. Energy Crystals +3 Goblin Blood +2 Goblin ws +1 Not all corpses yielded items upon extraction. The randomness of the rewards added an element of surprise to the process. Lein and Nita then explored the goblin ind. The trees, now devoid of their goblin protectors, rustled peacefully. The straw hut at the ind''s center beckoned, its contents promising further discovery. Inside the hut, they found a region orb simr to their own. Its ethereal glow was both familiar andforting. This time, there were two options. Take over the territory Destroy the territory *Note: Taking over the territory will merge the goblin ind with the sovereign''s ind. *Note: Destroying the territory grants several square meters ofnd and resources instantly. Weighing the options, Lein chose to take over the territory. He believed expanding the ind was more beneficial than instant resources. The potential for long-term growth and stability outweighed the immediate gratification. Besides, he could still harvest resources from the goblin ind over time. The thought of integrating the goblin''s vibrantndscape with their own was appealing. Upon choosing to take over, Lein''s ind grewrger, though its shape was no longer a perfect square. The new terrain added variety and potential for future expansion. "Brother, I''m thirsty," Nita''s voice was raspy, her earlier excitement giving way to fatigue. "Hmmm¡­" "It seems we need to duplicate the 100ml of water first," Lein mused, holding the small bottle. The necessity of basic resources became increasingly clear. [ Water 100ml: Duplicate? ] "Yes." Suddenly, 1000 small bottles of water appeared out of thin air, scattering around them. The sheer volume was overwhelming, the sight almostical. "Whoa¡­" Nita''s eyes widened, a mix of astonishment and gratitude in her gaze. She grabbed one and drank eagerly, quenching her thirst. The cool water was a wee relief, her parched throat finally soothed. Lein, too, was amazed by the sight. The sheer potential of his talent began to sink in. "This is absurd," he thought, a smile tugging at his lips. "Couldn''t I dominate the trade with this talent?" Lein pondered, his mind racing with possibilities. Currently, most items in the market traded for resources, especially water. The scarcity of such a vital resource made it incredibly valuable. He checked the market for a while. Indeed, water was highly valued. The listings confirmed his suspicions. [ Market ] (Iron Sword) 10 Energy Crystals, epting resources especially water and equivalent items¡­ (Long Bow) 500ml of water¡­ (Hard Leather) 1 Energy Crystal, epting water¡­ Imagine a family of four; they would need 4 liters of water a day. The demand was staggering, the opportunities endless. "Hahaha¡­ Nita, let''s rest for a bit," Lein said, heading back to the main ind. The prospect of leveraging his talent to secure their future filled him with renewed energy. Nita nodded, following her brother. The journey ahead was uncertain, but with each step, they carved out a path to survival and, perhaps, greatness. Chapter 4: Shopping at the market. Got a silver chest Returning to the main ind, Lein and Nita eagerly examined the market. Their goal was clear: to purchase full-body equipment to strengthen themselves. Bing more powerful would elerate their leveling up. The higher their level, the greater their chances of obtaining valuable materials. That''s when Lein''s extraordinary talent would truly shine. Lein navigated to the equipment section of the market, his eyes scanning for long-range weapons. His fingers flicked through the listings, asionally using filters to narrow down his search. After a few minutes, his eyes lit up as he found the Evo Bow. (Evo Bow) - Strength +10 - Explosive Arrow: Arrows will explode on impact, dealing +30 damage. The Evo Bow was priced at 20 Energy Crystals. Lein quickly did the math. The current exchange rate for water to Energy Crystals was 1:100, meaning 100 ml of water was worth 1 Energy Crystal. With his vast supply of water, Lein''s worth was effectively 1000 Energy Crystals. Without hesitation, Lein essed the market''s request feature, filtered specifically for water, and exchanged 10,000 ml of water for 100 Energy Crystals. [ Sessfully exchanged 20 Energy Crystals for Evo Bow ] [ Sessfully exchanged 10 Energy Crystals for 1000 Wooden Arrows ] A one-meter-long, green bow materialized in front of Lein. The bow looked luxurious and strong, with soft bird feathers adorning its ends and a string that was both sturdy and stic. "Hahaha, perfect," Leinughed, feeling the weight of the Evo Bow in his hands. The explosive power of the bow meant he could annihte a group of ten goblins in mere seconds. Lein resumed scrolling through the market items. [ Sessfully exchanged 14 Energy Crystals for Flowing Cloak ] (Flowing Cloak) - Resilience +8 - Agility +2 A long, blue-green cloak appeared out of thin air and fell into Lein''s hands. "Nice¡­" Lein thought to himself, admiring the cloak. It boosted two attributes simultaneously, a rarity even in the entire market. Lein continued browsing for another ten minutes, eventually acquiring three more pieces of equipment: Wind Boots, ss Gloves, and Courage Headband. (Wind Boots) - Agility +9 - Resilience +2 (ss Gloves) - Strength +6 - Resilience +5 (Courage Headband) - Resilience +4 - Intelligence +1 With these new acquisitions, Lein now wore four pieces of equipment and wielded a formidable weapon. He felt his body surging with newfound strength. He checked his status panel. [ STATUS ] - Name: Lein - Level: 1 (1%) - Attributes: Strength 19, Agility 14, Intelligence 2, Resilience 23 - ss: Beginner - Skills: - - Equipment: (Evo Bow), (Wind Boots), (Flowing Cloak), (ss Gloves), (Courage Headband) - Talent: (Infinity Duplicate SSS) - Features: Market, Chat, Friends Lein spent a total of 72 Energy Crystals to buy all his equipment. These were the best items he could find in the market. If there had been stronger gear avable, he would have bought it, but who would be foolish enough to sell top-tier items at this stage? "Brother, look," Nita called out hopefully. She was now also fully equipped, her attributes not far behind Lein''s. [ STATUS ] - Name: Cute Cat - Level: 1 (1%) - Attributes: Strength 8, Agility 9, Intelligence 21, Resilience 14 - ss: Beginner - Skills: - - Equipment: (Guine''s Staff), (Soft Boots), (Midnight Cloak), (Smart Gloves), (Forgetful Cap) - Features: Market, Chat, Friends "Great, you look taller," Lein remarked, ending his statement with a yful tone. "Brother!!! Ugh¡­" Nita felt both ttered and insulted. She raised her staff, a white light forming at its tip. "Danger!" Lein eximed, eyes wide. He ran, dodging to avoid bing the target of Nita''s magic. "Okay, okay¡­ Sorry, stop!" "Nita¡­ I apologize¡­ Mercy¡­" Lein kept shouting, pleading for forgiveness. Seeing her brother''s silly antics, Nita paused. Humph¡­ She sighed, flicking her long hair back with her small hand. As Nita stopped, Lein cautiously approached. "Hehehe, amazing," heplimented, carefully choosing his words. He praised her a few more times, feeling that if he hadn''t run, he might have met an untimely end. "Enough!" Nita snapped, pressing her finger to her lips, signaling him to stop his exaggerated praise. "Do you think I don''t know?" Nita''s gaze was still sharp. "Heheheh¡­" Lein scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. His sister had grown up, no longer easily fooled by such tactics. "Alright, now that we''re ready. Let''s go hunt those monsters," Lein raised his right hand high, hoping for a cheer from Nita. All he got was the sound of the wind as Nita walked past him. Lein followed, trailing behind her with a silly grin, insisting she respond to his motivational words to keep their spirits high. And so, the siblings ventured into the sea of white clouds once more. ___ [ Killed Sharp-Toothed Wolf: EXP +5 ] [ Killed Sharp-Toothed Wolf: EXP +3 ] ¡­ On an ind spanning 900 square meters, a fierce battle was underway. A young man shot arrows every five seconds at a pack of wolves. [ Sharp-Toothed Wolf ] - Level 5 - Attributes: Strength 9, Agility 9, Intelligence 5, Resilience 6 - (Wolf''s Roar): Increases attack power for a few seconds. Nearby, a young woman wielding a long staff unleashed a continuous barrage of white ice energy. (Hailstorm) A powerful spell, the energy at the staff''s tip created a massive hailstorm covering an area of 25 square meters within five seconds. [ Killed Sharp-Toothed Wolf : EXP +4 ] [ Killed Sharp-Toothed Wolf : EXP +5 ] These were Lein and Nita. The wolves before them were the eighth group of monsters they had encountered in the past hour. In that hour, Lein and Nita had leveled up twice, reaching Level 3. The 900-square-meter ind was home to approximately 90 wolves. [ Killed Sharp-Toothed Wolf : EXP +5 ] With the death of thest wolf, Lein and Nita finally rxed their tense muscles. As usual, after each battle, they extracted materials from the monster corpses. Each holding a bup sack to collect the dropped items, they wondered if the system would eventually provide them with proper bags or if they needed to craft them themselves at a higher level. They buried their curiosity and continued extracting materials from the wolf corpses. Each extraction emitted a white light, revealing various items. But this time, the corpse Lein was handling glowed with a golden light. [ Acquired Silver Chest +1 ] Lein''s eyes widened in disbelief and awe. Nita, noticing the golden glow, approached, her eyes fixed on the 30 cm long and 20 cm wide silver chest. "What''s in it?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement and curiosity. Chapter 5: Open 1000 silver chests "Brother, we''re going to be rich... Ummm..." "Yes, brother will duplicate it first" Lein and Nita had returned to the top of the main ind at this time. Lein''s duplicate skill was active, and he would duplicate the Silver Chest they got. [Silver Chest, duplicate 1000 times?] Just like when Lein duplicated 100ml of water, Silver Chests kept popping out of empty air and falling to the ground like worthless stones. Seeing the silver chests appearing like there was no end to them, Lein felt that he would be able to stay alive just by staying on the floating ind. Even if he couldn''t level up with that, all the support materials would greatly increase his strength. At least people wouldn''t think of him as a bully. Nita didn''t even wait for instructions from her brother; she had already opened the first chest. [Sessfully opened the silver chest, obtained materials] - 1000ml water - witch''s hat x1 - white stone x8 - spear of harmony X1 "1 liter of water..." When Lein saw the 1000ml water, he immediately imagined the water emerging from empty air just like when he duplicated the 100ml water. In addition, 5 white-colored stones aroused Lein''s interest. He immediately examined them. (White stone) Newly used to perform forging to themon level. "Ahhh... I remember." He immediately took out his Evo Bow weapon. He saw that there was a forging feature on the bow''s description panel. [Evo Bow forging, requires ] - white stone X1 - energy crystal X10 *Note: 70% sess rate, failure will lower the forging rate. "Ok, I''ll forge itter," said Lein while observing the remaining crates that were veryrge. He then picked up one of the chests and opened it. [Sessfully opened the silver chest, obtained materials] - wheat seeds x10 - harmony flower x1 - mid-levelir - archer wolf (Mid-levelir - archer wolves) Their of the archer wolves. Summon 5 archer wolves every day. "There''s hope for building an army," Lein muttered to himself. Lein opened the silver chest again, and so did Nita. From a distance, their ind glowed brightly continuously. [Sessfully opened the silver chest, obtained materials]... [Sessfully opened the silver chest, obtained materials]... ... Nita would notify her brother when she found a good item, then group them together. 15 minutes passed, and finally all the chests were opened. There were many items that they got. Starting from... Weapons: Yama greatsword, hard spear, battle shield, crystal cloak, steel helmet, wind cloak, terror boots, judge''s hammer, .... Combat weapons: auto bow turrets, small cannons, me throwers, elven guard turrets, lookout turrets, ... There are about 600 more of each weapon type, not to mention an equal number. Then they also got resources... Food resources: 100ml water, 100gram venison, 500gram buffalo meat, 500ml water, .... Material resources: hard stone, light stone, malinggo leaf, exact flower, fine stone, light steel, gold bar, wooden board, fine sand, ... In addition, the number of supporting materials is thergest... Support materials and items: iron smelter blueprint, medium main hall blueprint, wood cutting blueprint, broken robe blueprint, small healing pill, medium healing pill, 100cm gauze, 500cm coarse cloth, ... In total, there were over 2000 materials and support items. If observed from afar, the main ind was not as cluttered with piled-up materials as usual. This was because they found a very useful item. (Medium storage crate) - 150 storage slots - endurance 10,000 points Very efficient... They stored all the equipment they got into 20 storage chests. Another support item that they really liked is the bag. (Medium bag) - 50 slots It''s a simple attribute but very useful when traveling. It''s easier than paying for a storage crate that''s almost 1 meter in size. The storage chest provided better equipment than their current equipment, so they reced it and increased the attribute by 50% more. "Nita, help brother to build a tower defense" "Ok brother" Nita went to the center area of the ind and began to think of a location to build the tower. Meanwhile, Lein headed to the edge of the ind. His ind is currently almost 60,000 square meters, or more than 240 meters in side length. (Blueprint of stone wall) - rough stone - fine stone - sand - water *Note: form a tower line to the edge of the ind *Note: the amount of materials needed depends on the size of the ind. [Build a stone wall, sure?] "Yes" Lein immediately agreed and chose yes. [Sessfully built the stone wall, construction time 2 hours] Lein saw the system notification, and the countdown time started. 1:59:56 1:59:23 1:58:49 ... "Good..." Lein said casually. He thought it would be finished right away, but he didn''t expect it to take time. "Alright then, let''s build another building," Lein remembered the warrior''s den. [Building a mid-levelir - archer wolf, sure?] [Sessfully built a mid-levelir - archer wolf, construction time 6 hours] "Yes" [Building medium Main Hall, sure?] [Sessfully built medium Main Hall, construction time 5 hours] "Yes" The two siblings continued to build the buildings they got from the material crates. Time passed, and finally, the construction of the territory waspleted, just waiting for the construction time to finish. "Hufhhh... Finally finished," Lein, who was sitting on the ground, released a sigh of relief. He scanned the entire area, and the circr light from the system filled the entire ce. Yes, that circle of light was the construction area that took time. The more Lein saw, the more satisfied he was with the results. His SSS-level talent was indeed heaven-defying. The regional chat went on as usual, except that nearly 2 hours after the arrival of the humans, the system''s alerts about the dead were drastically reduced. Humans were undoubtedly adaptable. It''s only a matter of time before humans rule the divine celestial realm, some people thought. Lein conducted an evaluation of his progress. His strength increased by 50 after recing some equipment, and had already reached level 3. Opening 1000 silver chest gave nearly 5000 items, producing nearly 34,000 energy crystals. His territory was growing rapidly, with over 50 buildings under construction. Defense towers, warrior nests, support buildings, and other buildings. Checking the Infinity Duplicate skill, there were still 15 minutes left. He would continue to duplicate the silver chest for now. But before that, he had to level up with Nita. Chapter 6: Strength increased: Attack the bull tribe Lein''s floating ind continued to break through the clouds, moving slowly and steadily. The wind blew past Lein''s face. Beside him, Nita stood tall, no matter what they were thinking at the moment, only the two of them knew. Two hours living in the divine sky realm gave them the feeling of being newborn, living in a strange realm. Several times Nita felt lonely because she had never seen another human being besides her brother. She even still couldn''t believe it and felt like this was all a dream. Lein continued to calm her down, he was quite satisfied with the starting line they started. Seven minutes passed and finally their ind stopped and collided with another alien ind. [bull muscle tribe ind] - area 4900 square meters - easy defense - medium strength - level 6 Bull Ind has a fence made of 1 meter high wood. Then several guard towers are watching from the top of the tower, directing their attention and already in a state of readiness. More than 20 bull warriors are standing in front of the fence ready to face the threat from Lein''s ind. [bull muscle] - level 6 - attributes: strength 16, agility 12, intelligence 8, resilience 14 - (Hammer Boom) For 10 seconds, the attack deals a st effect around, increasing the attack damage. "Brother, this time it seems like it will be difficult, they are prepared and have defensive buildings," said Nita worriedly. Lein looked at her with a strange look. "You talk like you don''t see your status, Nit," Lein replied casually. Yes, their abilities have increased because of the equipment from the silver chest. [STATUS] - name : Lein - Level: 3 (40%) - attributes: str 38, agi 31, int 9, res 42 - equipment: (vampire sword), (fiber shoes), bat cloak), (rough fiber glove), (hard rubber helmet) - Talent: (infinity duplicate - SSS) - Features: Market, Chat, Friends Lein''s main weapon has changed, this is because he found a very unique red sword, this sword has a very strong ability. (vampire sword +5) - str +10 +(2) - (blood energy): every time you kill an enemy, the enemy''s blood will be absorbed, and increase the str value +2 each stack. maximum 10 stacks,sts for 5 minutes after absorbing bloodst time. "eheheh..." Lein chuckled looking at the red sword in his hand, he even felt the dark aura of the sword. In addition, he had forged the vampire sword to +5, increasing the weapon''s status and damage by 5%. Although it cost a lot of energy crystals and white stones, it was worth it. A weapon that has been forged to +5 will emit a white light that greatly increases the sharp aura of the weapon. Seeing her brother''s very confident appearance, Nita became more rxed. Her status was only slightly below Lein''s, even her weapon was also very powerful, no less powerful than a vampire sword. (Corpse Stick +2) - Int +10 - (temporary life): resurrect all corpses that have been killed and be warrior lords for a maximum of 10 minutes, gaining 50% attributes while still alive. (corpses cannot use skills) "Now," Lein began, but hadn''t finished speaking. He was already advancing towards the group of bull men on the other side of the ind. The bull warriors didn''t expect Lein to be so aggressive. They also raised their swords and maces, charging forward. The watchtower fired fire arrows, 10 of which flew towards Lein, the rest towards Nita who was at the back. Shahhh... [kills bull muscle exp +9] [kills bull muscle exp +12] One sh, the muscr bull''s head fell very easily. Blood came out and hit everyone, not to mention the vampire sword. As soon as the blood touched the sword''s surface, a red aura enveloped the sword. Lein felt an immediate increase in strength, his muscles contracted and became more energetic. Lein was not daydreaming, he saw the swording from beside him, quickly ducked and darted to the side. He shed back towards the nearest muscle bull. Just like splitting a sponge cake with a cutting knife, the bull''s body split and fell limp and helpless. arghhh... aghhhh.... The muscle bulls were angry, none of their attacks hit Lein, they immediately hit the ground and rampaged. boom... bomb... "Danger," thought Lein silently. He immediately ran away. "Brother, watch out..." Nita shouted from afar. Her wand had been raised and ck energy had condensed at the tip of the wand. Immediately, a huge ball of light floated and flew towards the group of angry bulls. duar.... The ck energy exploded, releasing ck light afterwards. The grass on the ground was no longer visible, reced by ck blood. From the ck blood rose monsters simr to muscle bulls, but ck in color. They looked around, and then rushed to attack the remaining muscle bulls. The bull warriors'' eyes shrank, fear enveloping their bodies. They originally thought this was a easy battle, as their opponents were just two young humans. But reality said otherwise, not only did they lose, but it seemed that these humans wanted to consume them all. One by one, all the warriors outside the fence were dead. Lein and the other corpses then broke through the wooden fence. Inside the fence, more than 100 bull warriors were ready, while the civilians of the bull muscle tribe could only hide inside their houses and watch from afar. Seeing the scene, Lein and Nita both hesitated. They imagined they looked like bad guys. "Sir, why did you attack our tribe?" one of the leaders asked Lein. They were actually speaking in a strangenguage, but somehow Lein and Nita could understand what the leader was talking about. Lein''s dreamy eyes became clear at this moment. Not intending to answer the bull leader''s question, he charged forward and shed with all his might. "Attack..." the bull leader shouted angrily. sahh... tsangg.... The sound of cutting meat continued to be heard. The distant attribute made it seem like Lein was walking on shallow water. [kill bull muscle exp +10] [kill bull muscle exp +12] He decided to exterminate this muscle bull because he was in no condition to choose. The muscle bulls asked like that because they didn''t have enough strength to kill Lein. Lein was actually a little sorry to see the muscle bull tribe, but he didn''t want to be hypocritical with himself. Every 10 seconds Nita released a st of her ck magic, and all the dead monsters would revive. The intense battle ended quickly in just 5 minutes. All that was left were the civilians of the muscle bull tribe. After the battle was over, Lein and Nita discussed further and decided to let the corpses summoned by Nita''s sword finish off the rest. The corpses of the warriors understood Nita''s intentions and wishes. They then rushed into the houses and finished off the remaining muscle bulls. As usual after a battle, Lein and Nita performed the extraction of the bull''s corpse. [Muscle bull corpses, extraction ?] "Yes." [Extractionof bull muscle corpse sessful, obtaining...] - hard skin x2 - bull''s tooth x1 - energy crystal x2 The materials from the bull corpse are mostly some parts of the bull''s body. asionally it will drop equipment blueprints, energy crystals, etc. The process of extracting the corpses and collecting all the fallen materials to be stored into the crates took 10 minutes. Next, Lein and Nita checked the entire bull ind area for other materials, as well as hidden items. Another 10 minutes passed and finally Lein and Nita returned to the main ind after taking over Bull Ind, increasing the size of Lein''s floating ind. "Brother... rest first, I''m tired and hungry," said Nita as she walked with her body bent. "Yeah... I''m tired too, let''s rest for a while," replied Lein. Chapter 7: Reached level 10, Tier 1 promotion Argh... Shah... The nging of metal, the crashing of bodies, the roar of mes and the various sounds of battle fill an ind of 14,000 square metres. Two humans are fighting hundreds of furry gori monsters. (Gori Fur) - level 10 - Attributes: str 31, agi 27, int 12, res 24 - (Heavy Fist) : Increases fist strength by 2 and deals critical blows to vital areas. The goris, 1.5 metres tall, felt helpless against the two humans. This is because the two humans are Lein and Nita. Even though their level is only level 6, their attributes are worth an average of 30 points, higher than the attributes of a level 10 gori. Lein danced with his sword, each sh causing the gori''s massive body to fall one by one. Not to be outdone, Nita''s staff continued to unleash ck me attacks, resurrecting the corpses of the fallen goris. [kills Gori Fabric exp +34]. [kills Gori Fur exp +31]. The Gori Ind they are currently on is the 40th ce they have invaded, and they have spent over 5 hours there. During these 5 hours, Lein and Niat have already advanced to level 9 (99%). It is estimated that they will advance to level 10 when theyplete Gori Ind. In addition, Lein has duplicated the silver chest 5 times in 5 hours. Gives another 5000 silver chests. The contents of the silver chest are no joke, the materials thate out are always beneficial and will directly increase their strength and the strength of the ind significantly. [Kill Bull Muscle exp +35] [Congrattions, you have reached level 10.] [Tier 1 Promotion Mission has opened]. "Huh..." Lein heaved a sigh of relief. They had finally reached level 10 and unlocked the promotion mission. Out of curiosity, he made a detailed promotion mission. [Tier 1 Promotion Mission] - Crystal Aura x1 - Crystal Energy 10,000 - Level 10 Heart Monster - Protector "That''s all?" Lein was a bit incredulous at the details of the promotion mission. He thought it required him to pass the trials and then choose a ss. All of the mission requirements are already in lein''s possession. (Elven Archer Aura Crystal) Gives the ruler the aura of a powerful elven archer. *Note: Activates level 1 promotion missions. A white crystal the size of an adult''s hand now appeared in Lein''s hand. He had many such items. Swordsman Aura Crystal, Fire Mage Aura Crystal, Holy Priest Aura Crystal, etc. He also had the level 10 monster Heart Protector. They have attacked inds with Guardians on several asions. Usually, Guardians have higher attributes than warrior-level monsters. "Nita, you''ve seen the promotion mission, right? Which crystal did you choose?" Lein asked Nita, who was standing next to him. "Hm, I want to be a ranged attacker. I think archers or mages would be good too" Nita had tried both bow and staff type weapons and she liked them. Lein nodded and told her to choose the aura crystal he would use. Lein also thought hard about which aura crystal to choose. There are several options, for example, in the Swordsman crystal: (Aura Crystal: Swordsman - Void race), (Aura Crystal: Swordsman - Desert race), (Swordsman - Dragon race),... There are also cultivation aura crystals, support aura crystals, etc... Lein tried to find information about the promotion mission in the regional chat, but strangely enough, there was no detailed information. All they knew was that level 1 promotions happened when they reached level 10. Lein immediately decided on his choice and finally chose (Crystal Aura: Swordsman - Holy Human Race). The reason was simple: of all the crystals he got, there were only a few that had holy words in them. So he chose the human vour. Nita has also finished choosing, she chose (Crystal Aura: Archer - Elf Realm race) "Nita, big brother will go first. You after, okay?" Lein asked Nita next to him. "Um, um..." Nita nodded her head. Then Lein handed over the promotional item on the system panel. [Tier 1 promotion mission, handing over promotional items?] "Yes." As Lein agreed, he felt his body being pulled by a force, his vision instantly darkened, and then he saw that he was looking at apletely different scene than before. "Brother?" Nita asked confused. She saw Lein standing there 1 second ago, but now he was gone. Nita''s worries didn''tst long, it would be strange if it happened on Earth, but it was a different world now. He stopped thinking about it and then took out all the bodies of the goris they had killed earlier. [Fur Gori Corpse Extraction Sessful, Obtaining...] - Hard feathers x2 - Gori tendon x1 - x6 Energy Crystal ... ___ Lein, on the other hand, was standing on a huge white altar. In front of him was nothing but an old man dressed in pure white. "Are you awake, young man?" The old man asked kindly. Lein looked at the old man and couldn''t help but feel depressed, he felt that the old man in front of him was dazzling and gave off a pressure that made him depressed. It was like a huge storm and Lein was at the centre of it. The old man saw that Lein was in great pain, then he waved his hand and Lein was finally able to look at him. This time it was different, he felt that the old man in front of him was his own grandfather. He even wanted to hug him and sit on hisp. "Mbluh... Mblehh" Lein shook his head, not wanting to be affected by the old man''s aura. "Come, you want a promotion, don''t you?" The man immediately shot the contents of Lein''s mind. Lein shuddered and was once again surprised by the old man. "Yes sir, I want a promotion," Lein replied humbly. "Easy, easy," the man waved his thin white hand. "You just need to test your talent on this tool," the old man continued, pulling a strange stone out of the air. The stone is 1 metre high and has numbers written on it. (Initial Universe Stone) The Universe Power contained within can calcte an individual''s destiny, talents and abilities. "How do I use it, sir?" Lein asked, looking at the old man in front of him. "Just ce your hand on the stone, the higher the number the better," the old man exined, then he took out some crystals, a total of 9 crystals of different sizes. The crystals floated in front of the old man, he proudly took them out and let Lein inspect them. (Crystal Core: 1st level - 100 points) - Level cap: 20 - Additional exp +10%. - Skill 1: (Strong sh) shes powerfully over 10 metres. Cooldown 5 minutes. - Skill 2: (Sword Energy) Increases attribute for 10 seconds. Cooldown 3 minutes. - Skill 2: (Double sh) Attacks twice, dealing critical damage. Cooldown 2 minutes. (Crystalline Core: 2nd level - 200 points) (Crystal Core: 3rd level - 300 points) ... Level 1 is the smallest crystal and has the lowest points. And the Eternal Crystal is thergest, costing 1500 points. "How?" The old man asked patiently. He seemed to have done this a lot. Lein, who currently held the Immortal Crystal - 1500 points - was trembling, he felt as if he had been caught stealing. The old man smiled kindly. "Hufhhhhhhh..." Lein breathed a sigh of relief, he thought the old man knew what he was doing. Lein''s heart was beating very fast at the moment. In the Eternal Cristal Core he saw that there was a duplicate function. "Can I duplicate the item I''m holding, even if it''s not mine?" Lein asked silently. He seemed to have found a bug in his SSS talent. [Crystal Core: Immortal, duplicate 1000 times?] "Yes." Immediately, the duplication was sessful, and inside Lein''s bag were 10 slots filled with Immortal Core crystals. "What? ....." Lein''s heart trembled with fear. For when he performed the duplication, the old man sensed that there was something strange about lein and the immortal crystals. The old man withdrew all the crystals, and Lein''s body remained motionless. Chapter 8: System blocked, Infinity Duplicate: version 2 10 seconds passed in silence. Then Lein found the strength to move again. Lein''s heart was still trembling, just a few thoughts from the old man in front of him could crush him. "Forgive, forgive," the old man waved his hand, his smile returning. "Aha ha ha ha..." Leinughed awkwardly, his voice cracking. "Alright, go ahead..." The old man instructed Lein to test his strength on the test stone. The stone was metallic ck and did not reflect light. Lein ced his hand casually, hoping that nothing bad would happen. The numbers on the stone began to move... 15.. 23... 60... 140... The old man continued to watch, his eyebrows slightly raised. 200... 270... 600... This time the old man could not stand still. He approached the line and, without blinking, scrutinised the numbers on the test stone. 1200... 1500 The stone emitted a bright golden light. The old man''s eyeballs bulged, as if he had just seen something that should not be seen. "No way... Immortal Talent?" The old man''s tone shook. It didn''t take 1 second after the golden light shed. A middle-aged man appeared. The middle-aged man had an extremely terrifying aura, a hundred... no, a thousand times that of the previous white old man. "Grandmaster Dou Du, is this from the new?" the middle-aged man asked the old man. "Yes, sir, it has been less than a day since it appeared," the old man replied respectfully and humbly. "All right, leave it to me... You go back first," the middle-aged man waved his hand to let the old man return. "Yes, sir, I''ll go," the old man immediately disappeared. Now it was just Lein and a middle-aged man. Lein studied the middle-aged man in front of him. A crown of 9 stars sat firmly on his head, a golden robe unrolled neatly behind his back. The man''s eyes were so calm, Lein even felt that the man could know every detail of his body and everything he was thinking. "Scary," Lein said to himself. "Son, what''s your name, where are you from?" The man was very friendly, his voice was even pleasant to hear. "My name is Lein Sir, I am from Earth," Lein answered obediently, without hiding anything. "Ahhh I remember. You are a race that has a system, is that so?" The man asked for confirmation. At that moment, Lein felt as if his brain had been struck by lightning. He had not expected the man in front of him to be aware of the existence of the system. Lein''s mind immediately turned to checking the system. He could not open the system. "Whataaaaaa!!!!?????!" Lein eximed inwardly. (Infinity Duplicate: Version 2) *Update patch: - Improved system security - Increase multiplication to 10,000 "Crazy....!!!!!" Lein shouted louder in his heart. He felt that the talent (Infinity Duplicate) was not from an ordinary system, but from another higher system. But whatever it was, Lein was happy with system, his strength would increase even more. "Kid, you haven''t answered my question yet," the middle-aged man continued to casually observe Lein. "Ahh yes sir, right system," Lein replied to the man. "Well, I''m sorry for temporarily blocking it." The man understood Lein''s concern, so he exined. "Some people with systems have talents that can trick the Touchstone." "There have been cases of someone with S-level talent manipting the numbers on the touchstones." A middle-aged man exins like a guide. "Would you like to test again?" The man pointed at the stone. "Good sir" Lein was not afraid, for some reason he had great faith in the strange system. Once again Lein put his hand down and the numbers on the stone changed. 100... 300... 400... 800... 1300... 1500... This time the man''s face changed... He couldn''t hide his shocked expression. "Is this the age of human awakening?" A very sharp light came from the man''s eyes, his eyes seemed to radiate a very strong intention. But the man''s shock didn''tst long, as he seemed to imagine some terrible events, then shook his head. "Very good, very good," the man tested. Then he took out 5 objects. They are: Immortal Crystal, a bottle of White Potion, a golden sword, two golden talisman papers. "ept them, I hope you don''t have any misfortune and can continue to grow". "If fate allows, we will meet again" The man did not wait for Lein to answer, he waved his hand and Lein disappeared from the white tform, leaving only the middle-aged man. Soon a throne chair appeared and he sat down, his face returning to its original state. Then he tilted his head to the left and leaned on his left hand. A wine ss appeared out of nowhere, he shook it and drank casually. "Go on..." A word came out of the man''s mouth... A burst of golden power emanated from his body, the surrounding space curved into ripples of water, and soon a huge portal appeared, big enough to fit a throne. As the throne entered the portal, there was only total darkness. But for the man, the scene inside the portal was as bright as daylight. He smiled a little, then their chair moved slowly into the portal. ___ Lein regained consciousness. He looked around at the familiar surroundings. Yes, he was back on his ind. "Brother..." Nita ran over and hugged Lein from a distance. "Hmmm... What''s wrong, bro? Why did you suddenly disappear?" Nita released her hug and asked curiously. Lein understood his sister''s concern and exined the situation he found himself in. From going to the huge altar, meeting old man Dou Du, testing the talent, earning 1500 points, meeting the crowned man, and returning. Lein also talked about the upgrade to his Infinity Duplicate talent. For his part, Nita is the person he trusts the most in this and other worlds. So there was no hesitation in telling her about the oddity of his system. Even the powerful man was unable to block the system after the upgrade. "It''s scary, thank goodness you''re okay." Nita only heard the stories, but she felt how scary the ce was. "Alright, time to check the results of the trip to the scary ce," said Lin with a big smile. To be honest, he was very curious about the things the strong man took out. Something that came out of such a strong man, even if it was just the tip of his hair, would still be valuable to them. Chapter 9: Lein and Nita promoted to Sovereign - Tier 1 Lein first looked at the description of the golden sword. (The Divine Sword - Part 1) - Level: 20 (Growth) - Attribute : Str 73, int +56, agi +70, res +78 - (Holy Blessing) All body wounds healed, base attribute +20%, damage increased by +20%, for 1 minute. Cooldown 10 minutes. "I told you, this sword must be unusually broad," Lein said happily. He was very satisfied when he saw the half-metre long golden sword in front of him. It was extremely sharp on both sides, had a pointed tip, and had a strange writing pattern on the centre of the de. Lein had opened nearly 3000+ silver chests, he knew that the attribute limit of equipment was 2 types. But the divine sword gave 4 attributes at once, with an average of 70 points. The active skill is also very terrible. It heals all wounds, increases attributes and damage, and even people with no talent can easily kill monsters. Next is the white herb in the clear bottle. (Blessing Potion) - Attribute +100 (random) *Note: Can only be taken 5 times. "The usual wild... Good stuff again," Lein said casually. Excitement could be heard in his voice. Then he imagined his double talent, 10,000 potions like this, wouldn''t he be rich overnight? Hhhh... Another item that Lein was curious about was the 2 paper amulets. (Golden Step Talisman) When activated, the body will move to a location within a 1km radius. (Golden Shield Talisman) Activating the talisman will form a shield that can withstand the full power of master-level creatures. "Master level?" Lein asked silently. Will you be a master when you reach level 20, 30? Or the level above. But whatever it is, the higher the master''s position, the more he likes this shield talisman. With these two talismans, he can go anywhere without fear. And thest major item is (Crystal Core: Immortal Level) - Race : Holy Man - Species : Swordsman - Level limit : Eternal level. - Additional exp +90%. - Skill 1: (Divine sh Shadow) Each sh creates 5 sh shadows with 80% of the main sh power. No cooldown. - Skill 2: (Sky Shattering sh) creates a sword aura 100 metres long. Ignores 50% of enemy defences, self heals 50% of damage. 10 minutes. - Skill 3: (Area of Light) Creates an area of light in a 100 metre radius. Increases all attributes by 100%, negates enemy healing, +100% damage to dark creatures. Lasts 10 minutes, has a 1 hour cooldown. "Wuohhh... Too evil..." Despite having seen it when he entered the altar with old man Dou Du, Lien still felt breathless when he saw the Immortal Level Core Crystal. "Great brother, let''s promote quickly" Nita couldn''t wait to see her brother promoted. [(Swordsman Core Crystal: Sacred Human Race - Immortal Level), do you want to absorb it for promotion to Tier 1?] "Yes." As soon as Lein''s body was raised, golden light rained down on him. Lein''s mind seemed to be electrified at that moment. But the feeling did notst long and faded after a while. From Nita''s perspective, her brother seemed to radiate light. Then the aura that was released was also very strong, Nita even felt a little threatened. "I''m sorry, I''m not used to this new power yet" Lein said while scratching his head. "Brother, you look more handsome" Nita said with a meaningful look. Although she felt that her brother was very different after the promotion, She always teased Lein that he was ugly and unattractive. "Silly girl, do you realise?" Lein shamelessly epted Nita''s praise. Nita rolled her eyes as if she were going to throw up. "By the way, I want a promotion too, Bro?" Nita asked Lein. Lein also thought hard about how Nita would be promoted. He wasn''t sure about Nita''s talent, because she didn''t have any. "Nit, what if you use the same Swordsman Core Crystal that I use?" Lein asked back. Nita thought the same thing, she was unsure of her talent. "I''ll still try, brother, after all there is brother," Nita said as she lifted her chin and put her hands on her waist.ist. "Alright, get it over with... Brother will be waiting here." "Ok." Lein watched his sister disappear, then turned his attention to his floating ind. It''ste afternoon now. 10 hours after the humans arrived. The two of them had already reached level 10. Moreover, their ind was already highly developed. A high stone wall surrounds the ind. The 30-metre high Main Hall is the main building and the centre of attention. The Main Hall stands majestically in the centre of the ind, 30 metres high with traditional Chinese imperial architecture. The building is made almost entirely of selected wood, with a curved roof decorated with dragon and phoenix ornaments. Columns carved with dragon motifs add to the grandeur, whilerge, intricately carved doors wee visitors. In addition to the main hall, there are dozens of other buildings used for the production of raw materials, such as smelting, woodcutting, herb processing, wheat milling, and many other raw material processing buildings. In the southern part of the ind is a military area where 40 Nest buildings have been constructed. (Werewolf Nest), (Mountain Witch Nest), (Angry Rhinoceros Race Nest), (Warrior Ant Nest). In addition to the Warrior''s Lair, there are 5 types of defence towers on the ind. (Lightning Tower), (Fire Tower), (Automatic Bow Tower), (Dragon Cannon Tower), (Watchtower). All these buildings cost a lot to build, but that wasn''t a problem for Lein. While waiting for Nita, Lein checked the human chatter. (Regional chat #2344) - (Wiko Suryo): Hello everyone, I am the current President of Indonesia, today I dere the creation of the Indonesian Alliance. - (white stone): Hello Mr Wiko, I would like to join the Alliance. - (Teh Yung): I want to join, what are the requirements... Where is the location. - (Raden Tui): I am Raden Tui. I hereby dere the Garuda Alliance established. - (Jogo): Great, Raden Tui has formed an alliance... Rumour has it that his talent is S-level. - (Fruit Melon) : I''m already level 10. I want to join the alliance too... ... Human adaptation is very fast, they understand that only by uniting can they survive. Only certain people like Lein can live alone on an empty ind. Lein actually wanted to form his own alliance. As well as helping to reduce the human mortality rate, he wanted to organise a trade in items. After 10 minutes, Nita finally showed up. "How?" asked Lein curiously. "Hihi... Look," Nita showed me the crystal she had received. (Crystal Core: King Level) - Race: Elven - Type: Archer - Level cap: King level - Additional exp +60%. - Skill 1: (Arrow Explosion) Each arrow shot explodes, causing damage in a radius of 10 metres, +30% damage. No cooldown. - Skill 2: (Nature Archery Dance) draws power from nature, movement speed +200%. Can perform two high jumps in the air, damage +50%. Lasts 2 minutes. Cooldown 10 minutes. - Skill 3: (Sun Core Arrow) Shoots a sharp arrow that can lock the target, +100% damage and ignores 50% of the enemy''s defence. Cooldown 1 hour. "An arrow that can lock on to a target?" Lein gaped at the description of Nita''s 3 ancient elven archery skills. Hearing her brother''s amazement, Nita was so proud that she struck a casual pose. "Hurry up with the promotion Nita, next we have to form an alliance. Don''t lose to these people." "Okay bro." Just like when Lein was promoted, Nita experienced the same thing. After the strange circumstances had passed, Nita felt a change in her body. "This is fun, I feel lighter," said Nita, jumping up and down. Lein could only respond with two big thumbs up in praise of Nita. After getting used to their powers. The two of them walked towards the wake of the main hall. Chapter 10: Main hall of the island Entering the main hall building, Lein was dazzled by the splendour of the room, filled withvish ornaments. In the centre of the room was an elegant long table, where guests were graciously received. On either side of the room were long tables, ready for important meetings and discussions. Lein went further, noting the grand staircases to the right and left of the reception desk, inviting visitors to explore the floors above. The main hall consists of five impressive floors. Floors two to four are filled with well-organised blocks of rooms, each ready for different activities and gatherings. The top floor is the most special, designed with unparalleled luxury, just like the offices of CEOs in skyscrapers on Earth. Nita walked slowly, her eyes taking in every detail of the building and the ornaments that adorned the room. Her admiration was written all over her face, unable to hide the sense of awe that surrounded her. Every corner of this building seemed to tell a tale of splendour and luxury, enchanting all who entered. Lein had now reached the fifth floor. There he found arge table with a ck upholstered chair behind it. He straightened up and sat down. "Ahh... very soft," Lein felt veryfortable on the soft chair. On their way to inspect the entire contents of the main hall, Lein and Nita decided to form the World Market Alliance organisation. The formation process was quite simple: first gather a few people, then decide on the main headquarters of the Alliance, then announce it to everyone in the regional chat. In addition to the major powers, there were many smaller powers that formed their own organisations. Lein was confident in his ability to form an organisation that could grow and be the strongest. "Where do I find reliable people?" Lein asked himself. He would not ept people indiscriminately. Humans were very greedy, covetous and hypocritical creatures. He did not want to set a bad example by epting people who could not be trusted. "Arghhh..." Lein felt a little frustrated. He kept thinking hard, trying to find a way, but he could not find a solution. He hadn''t even met any humans after moving to the Divine Sky Realm. "Knock knock." A knock came from outside the door. Lein knew it was Nita, his sister. "Come in." Nita entered the room and sat down on the chair next to the ck chair Lein was sitting on. "Brother, how are you? Did you make it?" Nita asked casually. Lein was telling her about the problem he had with recruiting confidants. "Heheh... You forgot your beautiful sister," Nita got up from her chair, walked to the centre of the room and danced like a princess. Lein tapped his forehead with his left hand. "That child is acting up again..." Lein said to himself. After a few rounds, Nita''s dance was over. She bowed her head, lifted the hem of her shirt slightly and said, "Leave it to Nita, brother. I invite you to join the group I have created." "This group I originally created to find equipment, I know them all. Almost all the good stuff that isn''t on the market I got from them." Nita continued to exin, then invited Lein into her private group. [You are invited to the group by Cute Cat (Princess Nita)] "ept." "By the way, what kind of group name is this?" Lein frowned slightly at the group name. But he was already used to Nita''s silly antics, so he didn''t have much to say. [Group Chat (24) : Princess Nita] - (Efan): Hello Brother Lein, wee to themunity of Princess Nita. - (Hana): Hello Brother Lein. What city are you from? - (Dion): Sister Nita, I have a new item here. Have a look (small teleportation blueprint). - (Cute cat): Sorry, everyone, this is Lein, my brother. - (Cute Cat): @Dion, let''s trade, brother Dion. - (Takni): Haha... He is the brother of sister Nita. Wee, brother Lein. - (Lein): Hello everyone... Dion, where did you get the teleportation item? - (Dion): I got it from the golden chest, brother Lein. I was lucky. "Golden chest..." Lein said in a long tone. He had thought that only he had received many benefits, such as meeting a strong man wearing a crown. But there were other people out there who had also received their respective fortunes. He must not let his guard down. Lein continued to chat with the people in Nita''s group for a few minutes. He wanted to know more about the group members, such as their location on the ind, their family and their status. When he had enough, Lein closed the group chat and turned his attention to the teleportation description. Lein desperately needed the teleportation blueprint item in front of him. (Small Teleportation Blueprint) Opens a teleportation portal between rooms. Maximum distance 25 km. Construction material: - Luminous Stone x1000 - Energy crystal x100,000 - Blood of a gluttonous whale x10 - Iron Rod x1000 *Note: Construction time is 6 hours. Lein checked all the materials in the market system. All the materials were avable, consuming a total of 250,000 energy crystals. He had no problem with the amount of energy crystals used. He immediately bought 10 packets of teleportation materials. "Big brother... When will we gather?" Nita''s voice came from the side. "In three days everyone should be gathered." Lein had already done some simple calctions. When he had browsed the regional chat earlier, someone had said that the area of region #2344 was about 480,000 square kilometres. Under normal circumstances, the speed of the ind was 0.5 m/s. So if they travelled for 10 hours a day, they would cover 18 km. Lein felt that 24 people would be enough as a core group. All the members of the group were trustworthy people, at least for the time being. They had their own talents, too. "Okay, brother." Nita then made an announcement to the group. Everyone responded enthusiastically, but there were five people who could not join because they already had their own alliances. Nita told Lein. Lein just nodded his head. She didn''t want to force people to join, so there was no need to bother. Grorhh... Gurgrur... The sound of stomach rumbling could be heard. Nita smiled and said, "I''m hungry, how about some grilled meat, brother?" Nita''s invitation was most appropriate. Lein immediately nodded his head. The two of them went down to the first floor and built a campfire away from the main hall. The 10,000 square metre area in the centre of the ind waspletely paved with a floor of stone tiles, not suitable for enjoying the dark night. It was already dark, around 8pm Earth time. Nita skilfully carved the deer, then added some spices. Then she ced it on the zing fire. "Brother. Do you think Auntie and Uncle are doing well at the moment? And has Aunt Lena recovered?" Nita mentioned several names with each question. "Nita, calm down... There wille a time when we will definitely meet them. Besides, have you forgotten how they behaved when we were on Earth?" Lein continued to exin, giving Nita a different perspective. He didn''t want his sister to grieve for people who had no sympathy for her. Hearing her brother''s exnation, Nita calmed down and felt more rxed. "Brother, take your grilled meat," she handed some skewers of grilled meat to Lein. "Thank you..." Lein politely epted and immediately popped them into his mouth. "Delicious..." And so it was, the two sibling spent the dark night eating grilled meat, apanied by the sound of a roaring campfire. Chapter 11: New Event Started Morning, 5th floor of the main hall, Lein Floating Ind. A young man and a woman could be seen standing on the balcony, enjoying their time together. The woman, who was shorter than the young man next to her, was casually looking at the scene in front of them. asionally the woman would point in a direction, and then the two of them would talk andugh together, as if they were sharing good memories. A light breeze blew through their hair, adding to the warmth of the atmosphere on the balcony. Yes, they were Lein and Nita. Today was the second day after moving to the Divine Sky Realm. The view from the balcony was soothing. The wind was blowing strongly, refreshing the atmosphere. Down below, various important buildings were almost allpleted. There were houses, restaurants, shops, a ten-storey inn, roads stretching in all directions, neatly arrangedmpposts, beautiful flower gardens, and various other supporting facilities, all perfectlypleted. This scene reflected the progress and beauty of Lein''s Floating Ind. In addition to the magnificent city buildings, there were also some very intimidating defences. Sturdy towers stood guard over every corner of the city, creating an aura of inescapable vignce. On closer inspection, several officers patrolled the towers. They were not ordinary officers, but werewolves with sharp teeth, ready to face any threat. Their presence adds a sense of mystery and wonder to the city, reminding us that behind the beauty and progress there are forces ready to protect. The night before, Lein and Nita continued to build the ind with great enthusiasm. They n to create a bustling city full of life. Lein had a special vision behind this n: he wanted to create a ce where people with strange and extraordinary talents could trade and exchange unique items in the city he founded. In addition to building the ind, Lein had activated the Infinity Duplicate talent 10 times. All of the items he received from the crowned middle-aged man during the promotion had also been directly duplicated 10,000 times. (Divine Sword - Part 1) x10,000 (Blessing Potion) x10,000 (Golden Shield Talisman) x10,000 (Golden Step Talisman) x10.000 (Crystal Core: Immortal Level) 10,000 Yes, because the Infinity Duplication talent has been upgraded to version 2. Increase the duplication to 10,0000. Apart from these five items, Lin has also duplicated the Silver Chest, for a total of 50,000. Even if he and Nita opened all the chests 24 hours a day. It still took them 3 days to open 50,000 Silver Chests. There was a reason why Lein made crazy duplicates of Silver Chests. He only hoped to get unique items from the contents of the silver chests. Nita, who had been silent the whole time, asked. "Brother... Do we have to give this city a name?" "Yes, I think it''s a good idea. Do you have any good name ideas?" Lein agreed, 10 teleportation portals were enough to support the transport of people. Nita thought for a while toe up with a good name. After a while she raised her index finger. "Ah... How about the City of Life? Doesn''t that sound cool?" Nita made a suggestion. It wasn''t really a suggestion. Nita seemed to be pleading at the moment, sping her small palms together and then giving Lein a pleading look. "Come on... Brother please... :)" Lein nodded, only able to surrender. "Okay... You can announce it right now. The sooner the better." Lein made a suggestion, then continued. "The city needs inhabitants, too, so it won''t be lonely, and it will be taken care of." "Thanks brother, you''re the best," Nita was so happy to hear her brother agree, she hugged Lein tightly. ???... Lein felt that Nita''s hug was quite long, so he pushed her away a bit and said "That''s enough, go about your business". "Hahaha..." "Thank you, brother." Nitaughed, then let go of his hug. Not waiting any longer, she hurried downstairs to make preparations. --- The military area, behind the main hall. Lein looked at the over 200 soldiers standing in front of him. The soldiers in front of him were neatly lined up in groups. All of these soldiers were from the 50 Lairs that had been built. Werewolf x50, Mountain Witch x50, Angry Rhino x50, Warrior Ant x50. (Werewolf) ss: Swordsman Level: 10 (max) Attribute: Str 72, Int 46, Ag 66, Res 57. Skills: (War Roar) Roar to increase attack +5%, max stack 20%. Buffsts 1 minute, cooldown 15 minutes. (Mountain Witch) ss: Magic Level: 10 (max) Attribute: Str 34, Int 71, Ag 46, Res 55. Skills: (Earth Maniption) Maniptes the ground within a 10m radius, reducing enemy movement by 10%. Cooldown 10 minutes. (Grumpy Rhino) ss: Berserker Level: 10 (max) Attribute: Str 79, Int 33, Ag 53, Res 78. Skills : (Rampage Mode) Increases Str +10%, Res +10% for 1 minute, cooldown 10 minutes. (Ant Warrior) ss: Swordsman Level : 10(max) Attribute: Str 72, Int 46, Ag 66, Res 57. Skills: (Paralysing Poison) Attacks enemies with poison horns, poison effect for 1 minute, reducing HP by 0.2% per second. Cooldown 15 minutes. These soldiers are all level 1 when first summoned. Their levels will then be increased until they reach the Lord''s level cap. Each level up cost 1,000 Energy Crystals. In total, Lein had spent 200,000 Energy Crystals. After checking on the soldiers'' condition, Lein nned to explore other areas of Floating Ind. However, he stopped when he heard a message from the system. [Event: Rise of the Sovereign Begins!!!] [Void monsters will attack each sovereign''s ind for 7 days.] [Killing Void monsters will give you Killing Points, which can be exchanged at the Market Event]. [Event Rankings Released] [Event duration 6 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes...]. "It''s finally here..." Lein had expected the system to release an event like this. Whether it was to help the Sovereigns or to conduct a test, Lein didn''t care. All he cared about was what was in the Market Event. [Market Event] - Materials: (Wooden Cupboard Blueprint - 10,000 points), (Iron Pickaxe - 5,000), (Straw Rope - 2,000),... - Resources: (Fine stone - 1.000 points), (Pillow leaves - 1.000 points), (ck sand - 1.000 points), ... - Weapons: (Dark Iron Sword - lvl 10 - 200.000 points), (Dragon Muscle Shield - lvl 15 - 300.000 points), (Jungle King Bow - lvl 20 - 400.000 points), ... - Chests: (Gold chest 1.000.000 points), (Silver chest 100.000 points), (Wooden chest 10.000 points), ... Chapter 12: Void Beast Invasion "The golden chest..." Lein said in a low voice. He finally had the chance to acquire the Golden Chest. Apart from chests, the materials and equipment on sale at the market were very varied. Although he already had most of them, Lein still felt the need to buy them when he had more points. Next, Lein checked the ranking event. [Event Rank] 1-3 : Energy Crystal 1,000,000, Territory Artefact, Multi-space Teleportation Blueprint, Earth Dragon Nest. 4-10 : 300,000 Energy Crystal, Sun Cannon Blueprint, Great Teleportation Blueprint, Sky Gori Nest. 11-50 : 100.000 Energy Crystal, Automatic Bow Tower Blueprint, Small Teleport Blueprint, Werewolf Lair. 51-100 : 50.000 Energy Crystal,... 11-500 : ... 501-1000 : ... ... The event ranking list goes up to the 10,000th rank. "Multi-space teleportation?... artefact?..." Lein read the rewards for the first rank over and over to make sure he hadn''t misread it. Just hearing the name would tell any fool that it wasn''t just any item. Whatever it was, it had to be one of the top 3 ranks. As Lein thought about his future ns, he saw the rank event board filling up. [Rank Event] 1. Sergei Dragunov #328 - 150 2. Shining Star #6712 - 80 3. Huang Yu #4192 - 50 ... "Fuck... Ranking the entire region? Won''t thepetition be really tough?" Lein shouted inwardly. Even with his SSS-level talent, he was a bit unoptimistic. This was because his talent was not specifically forbat, but rather for long-term development. God only knew what high-levelbat talents the other billions of humans had acquired. Lein had made up his mind not to look down on other humans. "Big brother... There''s a monster..." From afar came Nita''s cry. ... "What''s wrong?" Lein ran towards the main hall and then his steps stopped. He saw a huge Rock Ind appear in the distance. The rock was greyish in colour and had a rough, hollow texture. Even from a distance, strange monsters of various shapes and sizes emerged from the holes. The size of the floating rock was 100 metres in diameter. It was currently moving slowly towards the edge of Lein''s Ind. "Dangerous..." Lein said in a low voice. "Brother... What shall we do?" Nita asked tremblingly from the side. Neither of them had expected the event the system was referring to to be like this. "Calm down Nita... Don''t worry, our condition is already very goodpared to other humans," Lein tried to reassure Nita. "Quickly help brother to replenish all the energy in the defence tower..." Lein ordered Nita, then he also went to the military area to mobilise the monster army. "Yes, brother!" Nita rushed to the nearest tower. [Charge the energy of the Auto Bow Tower x1000 Energy Crystals?] "Yes." Nita did not see the number of energy crystals. After finishing one tower, she ran to another nearby tower. ___ A huge ind floated in the sky, a dozen timesrger than Lein''s ind. Therge ind was surrounded by other smaller inds. On the main ind, magnificent and varied buildings stood, creating a lively and dynamic atmosphere. People walk the streets, trade, dance, cycle and engage in various other activities. At first nce, the ind looks like a thriving modern city. Yes, this is the main ind of the Indonesian Alliance. You can tell by the red and white g flying proudly in front of the main hall building. Behind the hustle and bustle of the city''s streets, the ind''s sovereign are holding an important meeting. Main Hall - Conference Room. The conference room was presided over by anky but well-built middle-aged man. His gaze was rxed yet profound, and the batik shirt he was wearing added to his noble aura. The middle-aged man was the current president of Indonesia, Wiko Suryo. In front of him sat military officers and ministers. All of them had once been sovereign, but out of a strong sense ofmunity, they had joined forces with Wiko Suryo and destroyed their ind orbs in order to rebuild the Indonesian state in the form of an alliance. The structure of the country remained as it was on Earth, but those officials and ministers who did not have enough power and level would be removed from thepetition. "Mr President, currently more than 60,000 people have joined the Alliance," reported a Minister of Poption and Civil Registry. "In addition, some alliances have refused to cooperate in dealing with the Void Monster disaster." Wiko Suryo nodded, indicating that he was listening carefully. Then a stern-faced middle-aged man spoke, "Mr President, after several safeguards, the power of the void monsters proved to be many times stronger than ordinary monsters." "Ordinary void monsters have an average attribute of over 50. There are also high-level void monsters with over 250 attributes." The stern man who spoke was themander of the Indonesian Alliance Army. Wiko Suryo nodded again, indicating that he understood. "Alright... Continue to recruit Alliance members and monitor the movements of the Void Monsters. Remember our nation''s identity of unity," he instructed the ministers and other high-ranking officials. The conference continued until it was adjourned 30 minutester. The meeting of Alliance officials did not only take ce in Region #2344. It took ce in all regions. ___ A huge floating ind could be seen in the cloudless sky. It was ten timesrger than Lein Ind. There were beautiful buildings everywhere, tall buildings, schools, restaurants, beaches, all on this ind. The huge 100 metre high wall gives a very dominant feeling. The 25 metre high defence towers give you the feeling that you are always being watched. This huge floating ind belongs to the United States Alliance. In front of the main hall stood a young man with white skin. Seven palm-sized stars floated around the young man. The stars were transparent and bright white in colour. In front of the young man, dozens of people were gathered in a rxed discussion. The talents of some of them could be seen at a nce. Some carried golden bows with gleaming ck arrows. Others sat on unicorn horses with long sticks in their hands. At the far end of the group, a middle-aged man, apanied by a man who looked very much like him, watched intently in silence. "All of you must have received the same information about the New Event system," said the starry-eyed youth at the front. "As long as you help me be number one, I will be very grateful to you all." "I can do it, what if the conditions are with the Alliance shares?" someone asked with a bit of curiosity. "Of course, I can do it," the man replied without hesitation. Of course, he didn''t hesitate because he was the current President of the American Alliance. William Anderson - S-level talent, prince of the stars. William was basically a nobody on Earth, but because of his extremely powerful talent, the people made him the President of the Alliance. Such arrangements aremon. Of course, such a thing would not happen if the person (president) did not have a high enough talent, at least S level. As it was, all the organisations were preparing for the event of the Lord''s Ascension, oh no, more like the Void Monster Disaster... Chapter 13: Lein Island vs Rock Island (Void Monster) Lein and Nita watched Stone Ind approach. Both of their hearts were uneasy, though they tried to remain rxed. They believed in their status and strength, but the sudden change brought about by the New Event was still an unexpected surprise to them. At that moment, Lein checked his status [STATUS] - Name: Lein - Level : 10 (8%) - Attributes : Strength 261, Agility 203, Intelligence 156, Resilience 217 - Profession : Swordsman - Skills : (Divine sh Shadow), (Sky Shattering sh), (Area of Light) - Equipment : (Divine Sword), (Cloud Shoes), (Gout Mantle), (3-Coloured Glove), (Dragonskin Helmet) - Talent: (Infinity Duplicate SSS) - Features: Market, Chat, Friends Lein''s total attribute is 837 points. Of course, this is very reasonable considering the (Blessing Potion), which randomly adds 100 attributes. Lein and Nita have already drunk 5 bottles, so they have gained 500 attribute points for free. In addition to the attributes, Lein saw the new skills he had gained and couldn''t wait to try them out. At this point, Lein was not alone with Nita. Behind them, up to 200 soldiers were confidently preparing. "Brother... They''re getting closer!" Nita said worriedly from the side. She never took her eyes off the Void Monster that would soon be approaching. Duar... The sound of the inds colliding could be heard... Stone Ind merged with Lein Ind. Hundreds of monsters entered Lein Ind''s territory. A bat-like monster about a metre tall flew by, its broad wings and sharp fangs in its mouth making the weak tremble and unable to stand. [Stone Bat - Warrior] - Level: 20 - Attribute: Str 88, Int 55, Ag 81, Res 63 - (Sharp Voice) emits a high frequency sound, mentally weakening the enemy, silencing them for 5 seconds. Next was a tree monster that walked with its roots. The ck branches were twisted and very sharp. [Dead Earth Tree] - Rank: 15 - Attribute: Str 58, Int 41, Ag 49, Res 61 - (Trapping Roots) Ejects 10 sharp roots, trapping all enemies for 10 seconds. As well as monsters in animal and nt form, there are also Void Monsters in human form. Lein saw a humanoid Void Monster standing calmly among the crowd of monsters attacking Lein Ind. The humanoid monster wore a ck mask and seemed to be observing the entire situation on the ind. It seemed to have thoughts like a normal human. [Dark Mask - Protector] - Level: 20 - Type: Assassin - Attribute: Str 130, Int 122, Ag 152, Res 98. - (Shadow Body) Turns into a shadow, +50% movement speed, 10% increased damage, 50% reflexes. "Wow... Protector level monsters," Lein said to himself. As the name suggests, the attributes and skills of humanoid monsters are very powerful. "Brother..." Nita said Lein''s name in a deep voice... Nita was quite calm at the moment. Before, she was very worried about therge number of monsters. But after seeing the characteristics of the Void Monsters, she rxed again and had a lot of confidence. "Stop acting cute Nita, no one in their right mind would be fooled by your face" "Hihihi... But I''m still cute, right?" Nita was very rxed at the moment, even daring to joke with her brother like that. The Void Monster continued to approach, eventually reaching 200 metres from the centre of the ind. The city''s defence tower rumbled and a very loud explosion was heard. Siuuu... Bommmmm... [Auto-Bow Tower kills (One-Eyed Wolf | level 10) exp +69, Kill points +10] [Fireball Cannon kills (Red Kijimu | Level 12) exp +78, Kill Points +12] ... System notifications kept popping up on the system panel. "The exp is that high?" Lein asked silently. Even when he was level 9, level 10 monsters only gave 30 exp. But this time the monsters were giving almost double the exp. After a while, Lein seemed to have an epiphany. He had almost forgotten about his promotion to Swordsman - Tier 1. With the Immortal level Crystal Core, he gained 90% additional exp. "Brother... I''m attacking, don''t daydream. You''ll lose experience." From the side, Nita had already raised her ming red bow forward, then she pulled the bowstring, and the ck arrow flew through the body of one of the void monsters. [Sessfully killed (Autumn Leaf | level 14), exp +83, Kill Points +14] Attributes totalling over 800 points are no joke. 1 normal arrow instantly killed a level 14 monster. "Hahaha... let''spete, whoever kills more will win!" Lein shouted with a broad smile. He didn''t stand still, but immediately ran and lunged forward. Sashhh... Shasssss... [Sessfully killed (Autumn Leaf | level 16), exp +173, Kill Points +16] Two quick shes from his sword instantly knocked down a group of nearby monsters. Upon closer inspection, each of Lein''s shes was followed by five shadowy shes that were barely visible to the eye. The speed and uracy of his attacks were impressive. "So powerful," muttered Nita, watching her brother''s actions from the sidelines. Lein''s spirit red even more. Then he ran straight to the centre of the monster crowd and faced them fearlessly. In addition to his extremely high STR, Lein''s defence was also extremely strong. Even the few attacks that hit him could not harm his body in the slightest. The current 200 soldiers did not remain idle; they spread out and dealt with the void monsters that were increasingly entering the city area. In the distance, it could be seen that the ground within a radius of ten metres was turning to mud, slowing the movement of the Void Monsters passing through. If there was only one mountain witch, it might not be a problem, but what if there were 50 mountain witches? That meant an area of 70 x 70 metres would be filled with mud. Unlike the mountain witch. Grumpy Rhino, Warewolf and Ant Warrior fight head-on. asionally, Void Monsters will be kicked out of their group after being hit by Grumpy Rhino. Also, sometimes a Void Monster will fall for no reason, only to be followed by a 1-metre ant. The poison in the ant''s horns is very powerful. The battle between Lein Ind and Stone Ind continued unabated. Stone Ind continued to release void monsters, with over 1000 monsters in just 1 minute. The ind''s defence towers continued to fire relentlessly even after the cooldown had expired, and their explosive power greatly reduced the number of Void Monsters. Void monsters may seem weak to Lein and the defence towers, but they have still done to doing damage to the ind. There are already 4 defense towers destroyed, more than 10 soldiers dead at this point, and some of the town buildings destroyed. Visibly, the monsters have not yet entered the city. However, void monsters with ranged attacks can still have an effect on town buildings. Chapter 14: Item that gives Exp Battles between the Sovereign Ind and the Void Monster Rock Ind are going on everywhere. Somewhere in the sky, a 100 x 100 metre ind could be seen merging with the Rock Ind of the same size. There were several defence towers on the ind, and dozens of Nest Soldiers protecting the ind from the attacks of the Void Monsters. "Hilmi, stay with the others" A man with an untidy face and arge shield shouted to a young man far ahead. The young man heard his father''s words and quickly retreated. He rejoined the two women fighting the Void Monster. The young man ran through the crowd of monsters, trying to reach his mother and sister. What he didn''t realise was that at that moment, a very powerful arrow shot out. From a distance in the monster area. It was a monster with long ears, big eyes, and a grey bow, smiling broadly. [Gou Gou - Protector] - Level: 20 - Species: Archer - Attribute : Str 186, Int 102, Ag 138, Res 108 - (Arrow 3yers) Each arrow that hits the enemy gains ayer of poison, then ayer of dizziness when theyer is frozen. Eachyersts 5 seconds. The young man who was running realised that something was wrong, but he didn''t understand what it was. He seemed to be making a decision in his heart. Then he disappeared from his ce and was reced by an elephant-shaped void monster that appeared from nowhere. A powerful arrow shot straight through the elephant monster''s body. "That was close..." The young man who had disappeared reappeared with his mother and sister. "Hilmi, you were careless this time." His mother, who was holding the staff, stopped for a moment to scold the young man. "Sorry mum, it won''t happen again" The young man said with a remorseful face, then prepared to fight again. Lein''s fears were true. Though his talent was terrifying, other people''s talents were not useless. ___ "Get ready! Fire!" A loud shout echoed from the top of the extremely high city wall. Rows of men lined up neatly, bows in hand, and unleashed a volley of arrows. Sui.....si.... Thousands of arrows rained down on the attacking void monsters. A Void Monster suddenly floated higher than the other monsters. The Void Monster with the veil spread out both hands. A transparent, convex barrier appeared. The size of the barrier continued to grow to 100 metres. "Sh*t..." "Cannon Squad.... Ready.... Fire!" A stern, wrinkled man shouted again. This time it was the cannon troops on the wall and throughout the cannon tower that moved. Hundreds of cannonballs flew towards the army of void monsters. Once again, a human-looking Void Monster appeared. It made a hand gesture and then brought its palms together. A 100 metre long piece of earth was lifted from the ground. The earth continued to rise until it finally stopped at a height of 100 metres, surrounding most of the iing cannons. "Damn... These Protector level monsters are quite clever". It was true, the void monsters blocking the onught of the archer and cannon troops were Protector-level monsters. This time, there were over 100 Protector-level monsters. This was directly proportional to the size of the Void Monster Stone Ind, which was 1,500 x 1,500 metres. The Sovereign Ind was no lessrge, measuring nearly 5,000 x 5,000 metres. "Everyone... Attack..." The wild man shouted again. But this time, the moving troops werepletely different. They were all sovereigns with formidable spirit and strength. "Hey,e on... It''s time for our chance." "Yeah, I can''t wait to get the points." These few sovereigns spoke casually. Then they all rushed out of the city towards the wave of void monsters. Some flew, some disappeared, some ran, some went underground. Only the system and they themselves knew what skills they possessed. ___ Lein Ind [Sessfully killed: Dark Mask - Protector, exp +4600, kill points +2000]. Protector-level Void monsters are no different from ordinary monsters to Lein. After 15 minutes of fighting, all the void monsters finally died. Lein Ind was a mess of void monster corpses, and the outer city buildings were almost half damaged. "Brother... We can take out the monster corpses" "5,000 more corpses will take a very long time." Nitained from the side. Just imagine, it takes at least 2-3 seconds to extract 1 corpse. If there were 5,000 more corpses, it would take almost 3 hours. Hearing Nita''s words, Lein also felt a bit dizzy. "It looks like there''s no need to extract for now." "Burn the bodies and reduce them to ashes. Our top priority now is to repair the ind". Lein sacrificed the materials and energy crystals from the monster corpses. But their priorities were now changing. He even nned to increase the number of towers to over 200. "Okay, brother." "By the way, there are already 3 group members who have made a teleportation portal." "Do you think we should start opening our teleportation portals?" During the battle, some people in the group (Princess Nita) sent a message that they wanted to know the portal ID on Lein Ind. To connect the portal, only the Portal ID was needed, it was that simple. "Yes, please, take care of everything. I''ll check the Rock Ind." ___ Lein ran straight for Rock Ind, where the Void Monster appeared. Up close, the surface of Rock Ind appeared to be rough stone, with no soil at all. Every 20 metres there was a hole 3 metres in diameter. Lein stepped into one of the holes to see what was inside. It was quite dark inside, so Lein''s eyes could barely see any further. He took out a torch with an energy crystal power source. The inside of the hole was clearly visible, all rough rock. There was a long passage leading to the core of the ind. Along the passage was what looked like arge cocoon. The fishy slime and odour made the walls of the passage slippery and smelly. The cocoon had been torn open, indicating that something hade out of it. It was likely that the Void Monster had emerged from this cocoon. Lein went deeper into the passage, and as he went further, a branch appeared. But whichever branch he chose, they all led to the core of the stone ind. Lein continued down the passage, through the branches, until he reached the deepest part of the ind. There was nothing in the core of the stone ind except for a fewrger cocoons and a ck Orb, which was cracked in the centre. Lein approached it and looked at the description panel of the ck orb. [Alpha Orb] - Remaining energy 92 There was no useful description on the Alpha Orb. Unlike the Ruler Orb, which could be taken over or destroyed. The Alpha Orb offered neither. Lein was about to close the panel when he saw the number 92 drop to 91. "Is the Rock Ind getting energy from this ck orb?" Lein guessed in his heart? "Then destroy it." Lein really wanted to destroy the Rock Ind. If this ck orb was the source of its energy, then destroying it would destroy the Rock Ind faster. Lein didn''t wait long, shing at the ck orb with his sword. [Destroy Alpha Orb. Exp +91] "What?" Lein shouted inwardly. But he didn''t have time to look any further. There was a huge rumble, and Rock Ind was about to be destroyed. "Damn it... I''ll die if I fall from the ind." Lein cursed his actions, then ran at full speed to leave the Rock Ind. Chapter 15: World Market Alliance. Level up quickly. "It worked too..." Lein stood on his floating ind and took a deep breath as he thought about what happened when he destroyed Orb Alpha. "What would happen if I destroyed it while it was still full of energy?" he muttered. There was a strong belief in him that he could do it. He was very sure of his power. "All right, I''ll give it a try when the timees," he told himself, taking his mind off the ck orb for a moment. His gaze turned to the Main City in the distance. The damage to the city was almostpletely repaired and the corpses were no longer there. This was all thanks to Nita, who had been working non-stop with the help of the werewolf warriors. "Brother!" Nita''s voice sounded in the distance. Two people stood beside her. To her left was a young man of Lein''s age, and to her right a middle-aged man with a muscr build. Lein blinked, trying to make out their identities, as the gentle breeze from his floating ind swept across his face, bringing new hope. ___ Main Hall - Living Room - 1st Floor In the spacious living room, four people sat around a table discussing their grand n. "Brother Lein, I''m very interested in bing part of the World Market Alliance" said the middle-aged man named Takni excitedly. "Yes, I''m interested too," added the young man called Efan. At the previous meeting, they had nned to form the World Market Alliance, an organisation that would establish a tradingwork throughout the Sky Divine Realm. Any human with a system could ess the market system, but the main drawback was that all the goods sold there were of low quality. To solve this problem, Lein had made a brief note of his organisation''s grand vision. World Market Alliance Goal: - To sell high-level equipment at below-standard prices. - To purchase high-level goods at above-standard prices. Benefits: - 50% discount on the purchase of items from the WM Alliance store. "Alright, if you agree, please sign this letter," Lein said, handing over the paper Nita had carefully prepared. "Princess Nita is as detailed as ever," Takni praised with a smile. Takni and Efan did not hesitate. They were very excited to see how serious Lein and Nita were about this alliance. Efan felt very happy in his heart. For Efan, Lein had a very bright white light. He was very surprised when he met him for the first time. The tablet in front of him showed why: [Lucky Eye - A] - (Lein) Luck level, maximum. One of the reasons why Efan dared toe to Lein Ind without fear was because he had the gift of Lucky Eye. Thest time he saw such a white light was when he found the Golden Chest on an ind he had raided. The brighter the Lucky Eye''s judgement, the better the effect. After they had signed the contract, Takni asked, "Brother Lein, when will we begin? "Once your ind and mine have merged, the city will be officially operational," Lein replied. As core members of the World Market Alliance, they had to willingly leave their ind and join Lein''s ind. In return, Lein wouldpensate them with top-quality equipment and protection. Their task as core members was to search for high-level items. The meetingsted only 10 minutes before Efan and Takni returned to their ind through the teleportation portal. They were also in a defensive situation against void monsters. "Nita, let''s get ready... We''re going to level up quickly," Lein said with a big smile on his face. "What''s wrong, brother? Tell me..." Nita pleaded curiously. "I found an item that gives exp!" Lein said immediately. Nita''s eyes widened with excitement. The more she listened to Lein''s exnation, the more excited she became. ___ Lein Ind Lein Ind was currently moving at a steady 1 meter per second towards the approaching Stone Ind. Lein didn''t want to wait; he wanted to destroy the Stone Inds as soon as he saw them. The more time he wasted, the less experience he gained. Five minutes passed, and finally Lein Ind and Stone Ind came together. The current size of Lein Ind was almost 700 x 700 meter, while the Stone Ind in front of it was 1500 x 1500 meter, which was huge. Without waiting for the Void Monsters to attack, Lein and Nita immediately activated their skills and rushed towards Stone Ind. Lein casually shed at the level 10, 15, and 20 normal monsters, killing them all with a single sh. Not to be left behind, Nita shot arrows in all directions. Each arrow killed a void monster. However, the void monsters did not remain silent. Ten Protector-level monsters tried to block them. One of the human-shaped monsters with a bird''s beak activated its ability, creating a tornado of sharp feathers. [Tornado Bird - Protector] - Level: 20 - Species: Magic - Abilities: Str 136, Int 202, Ag 114, Res 117 - (Feather Tornado) Creates a 10m diameter feather tornado for 1 minute. Lein shes at the iing feather tornado. Due to the difference in strength, the tornado disintegrated easily. "Kuakk..." Sensing danger, the tornado bird retreated immediately. "You want to run?" Lein jumped up and shed at the Tornado Bird''s neck. [Sessfully killed the Tornado Bird - Protector, exp +4100, kill points +2000] The Protector monsters watching from a distance were afraid. However, Lein sensed that one of them had greater strength. In the centre of Stone Ind, a little boy with a red horn on his head stood. [Demon Child - Protector]. - Level: 20 - Species: Swordmaster - Skills: Str 316, Int 227, Agi 286, Res 239 - (Demon Clones) Produces 3 clones, each specialising in STR, AGI, RES attributes. Each clone inherits 150% of the attributes. --- "1000 attribute points in total?" Lein muttered to himself. This time he had to be careful. "Big brother... The monster with the horns is dangerous," Nita, who was already next to Lein, felt the same way. The red-horned monster looked at the other 12 Protector monsters, they seemed to be whispering. Suddenly they all attacked at the same time. Lein didn''t have to hold back this time. He immediately activated his strongest skill. Within a radius of 100 meters, a bright light illuminated the ground, a great vital energy filling the entire area. (Skill 3: Area of Light) - Creates an area of light in a 100 meter radius. Increases all attributes by 100%, negates enemy healing, +100% damage to dark creatures. Lasts 10 minutes, 1 hour cooldown. Lein''s attributes have now reached 400 points each. The first protector monster came, a snake that sprayed acid in a 10 meter radius. The other monsters came one by one, showing off their best skills. While Lein fought at close range, Nita hovered at a distance, firing explosive arrows. Nita''s speed was so high that her second skill gave her 200% speed. (Skill 2: Nature Archery Dance) - Draws power from nature, movement speed +200%. Can perform two high jumps in the air, +50% damage. Lasts 2 minutes. Cooldown 10 minutes. [Sessfully kill Torus - Protector, exp +5140, kill points +2000] A Protector monster falls every 30 seconds. Lein and Nita had the upper hand at the moment. The demon child didn''t stay still, activating the clone skill. Soon, three simr creatures appeared. One had almost 500 STR, another clone had 340 AGI and thest had 358 Resilience. "Big brother, I''ll take care of the clone with AGI," Nita didn''t wait for Lein''s answer. The arrow skill that could lock on to a target had already been released. A glowing white arrow shot towards the clone with the highest AGI. The clone with the highest AGI tried to dodge, but the arrow continued to follow it. "Arghhhh..." The clone died, but there was no system message. Lein felt it was time to end this battle. The demon child began to panic at Lein''s sudden surge of power. "It''s toote..." Lein unleashed his second ability. (Skill 2: Sky Shattering Divine) - A 100 meter long sword aura appeared, shing at the enemy. A sword aura appeared and shed at the demon child as he tried to escape into the pit. But it was toote. The sword aura crushed the demon child and caused great damage to Stone Ind. [Sessfully killed the Demon Child - Protector, exp +640, kill points +2000] "Nita, quick, let''s go to the core!" shouted Lein. The two of them rushed towards the core of Stone Ind, even though there were still many void monsters outside. Inside the Stone Ind room was the same orb Lein had seen before, still in good condition, not cracked. [Alpha Orb] - Remaining energy: 92,890 "Still so much..." Lein felt that Stone Ind still had a lot of energy, so the void monsters would continue to appear. Lein took out his hand to check the Orb System panel. He tried to duplicate it, just like when he duplicated the Crystal Core. [Alpha Orb, duplicate 10,000 times?] "Hahahaha..." Leinughed happily. "What''s up, bro?" Nita was curious. Lein did not exin and immediately performed the duplication. Light appeared from the Crystal Orb and 3600 Alpha Orbs instantly appeared in his pocket. Another 6300 Alpha Orbs continued to fall from empty air. Lein checked one of the Orb Crystals and found that it was indeed an exact match. However, there was something strange. The remaining energy kept decreasing by 1 point each time, even the Alpha Orb in the bag. "Nita, destroy all the ck Orbs in front of you," Lein ordered. Nita immediately destroyed the orbs with her arrows and a system message sounded. [Destroy Alpha Orb. Exp +91,460] [Destroyed Alpha Orb. Exp +91,438] [Congrattions, your Ruler level has reached 11] [Congrattions, your Ruler level has reached 12] The two of them continued to smash the orb, while the system continued to issue exp gain notifications and the asional level up notification. Chapter 16: Reach level 20, Cultivator? The Alpha orb kept breaking, and system notifications continued to appear on Lein and Nita''s system panels. [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased to 17. +100 Empty Attribute] ... [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased to 18. +100 Empty Attribute] ... [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased to 19. +100 Empty Attribute] ... [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased to 20. +100 Empty Attribute] ... [A Sovereign level has reached the Tier-1 limit. Please proceed with promotion.] A different notification appeared on their system panels. They no longer received experience points after reaching level 20, the maximum level for Tier-1 Sovereigns. Their levels had reached 20, but many Alpha orbs remained. [Alpha Orb] - Remaining energy: 37,213 The remaining energy continued to deplete rapidly. "Brother... what if we share these with old man Takni and Efan?" Nita suggested. "No... we''ve already discussed this. We must be cautious about the abilities we possess. Understand?" Lein replied firmly, ensuring Nita wouldn''t face troubleter. Nita was a bit disheartened, but her brother was right. Revealing to others that they had many Alpha Orbs would invite the greed and suspicion of others. With nothing else to do in the core of Rock Ind, Lein and Nita left and returned to Lein''s floating ind. ___ Upon returning to the main ind, Lein checked the promotion requirements. [Tier-2 Promotion Mission] - Silver Badge - Sacred Human Race (Cultivator) - 100,000 Energy Crystals - Level 20 Monster Heart - Commander Rank "Cultivator??..." Lein was curious about the mention of a cultivator in the Sacred Human Race. Could the old man and the middle-aged man with a crown he encountered during his Tier-1 promotion be cultivators? But why did the crowned man know about the system? Lein was a bit worried. Wasn''t the system supposed to be a secret, only possessed by chosen individuals? At least that''s what the novels he read suggested. "Nita, is the Nature Elf Race in your promotion mission also a Cultivator?" Lein asked Nita beside him. Nita nodded; she also didn''t know what was going on. "Let''s not take the promotion mission for now. Let''s finish the Void Monster Invasion Event first." Lein adjusted his priorities. He then checked the leaderboard. [Event Ranking] - 1. William Anderson - 211,400 - 2. Bai Qi - 208,129 - 3. dmir Nova - 200,488 - 4. Kim Un - 193,331 ... - 9. Wiko Suryo - 167,684 - 10. Elena - 167,076 The event had only been running for three hours, and people''s points had already surpassed 200,000. Lein nced at his points and could only smile wryly. He hadn''t focused on killing monsters for the past three hours; he was busy reaching the void monster ind, which was over 1,000 by 1,000 meters in size, to harvest Alpha Orbs with abundant remaining energy. - 34. Lein - 89,087 - 38. Cute Cat - 86,361 Seeing that his kill points were only half of the 10th rank, he didn''t feel disheartened. After reaching level 20, his confidence had been restored. [STATUS] - Name: Lein - Level: 20 (1%) - Attributes: STR 632, AGI 520, INT 479, RES 408 - Profession: Swordsman - Skills: (Divine sh Shadow), (Sky Shattering sh), (Area of Light) - Equipment: (Divine Sword), (Winu Shoes), (Heart Cloak), (Adhesive Gloves), (Green me Helmet) - Talent: (Infinity Duplicate SSS) - Features: Market, Chat, Friends Raising from level 10 to 20 gave a total of 1,000 empty attribute points. Additionally, all his equipment had been upgraded to white grade, providing a +5% attack bonus. Materials were not a problem for Lein. He still had many unopened empty silver chests. These numerous silver chests were the reason Lein was so confident in establishing the World Market Alliance organization. Lein and Nita didn''t linger. After a short rest, they would chase points and destroy every passing stone ind. "Feel this!" A young woman drew her bow with all her strength, aiming at a ck flying monster bird. Swoosh... swoosh... The arrow shot through the air and struck the monster bird right in the forehead, causing its head to explode. The contents of its head scattered like pieces of gravel. Not far from the woman, a young man wielding a glowing sword danced among many monsters. Each swing of his sword resulted in a monster being cleaved in half. Gruuuu... gru... A tree monster at the back of the horde grew furious, shaking all its branches and leaves. The falling leaves hovered in the air, then flew like thousands of bees towards the young man with the glowing sword. Each time a leaf struck a werewolf warrior or an ant soldier, it exploded with great force, creating a st radius of up to 10 meters. Imagine the devastation if thousands of leaves exploded simultaneously. Sensing the impending danger, the young man nced around, spotting the thousands of leaves moving towards him. "Hmmm, I thought you''d stay idle until all your minions were dead," Lein said calmly. He then gripped his sword with both hands, swinging it from behind. A brilliant light emanated from the golden sword, extending up to 100 meters. Without hesitation, the young man swung it forward, cutting through the iing leaves. Swoosh... whoosh... crack... The sword light sliced through the thousands of leaves, piercing through the monster horde and eventually reaching the tree monster at the back. Rghhh... The tree monster looked resigned, its eyes vacant. Thest thought it had was how a human could possess such immense power. "Your sword light is indeed very powerful," said Nita from a distance, praising her brother Lein''s sword technique. They continued attacking the void monster inds until the evening. Their points surged to 800,000, cing them in the top 20. "Phew..." "Nita, let''s take a break," said Lein, shing thest remaining monster. --- As usual, Lein and Nita had set up a small camp outside the main city. They enjoyed being outside the city, as it felt like living in nature. Green grass covered the ground, and there were several trees, including some fruit trees. Nita had nted several fruit trees and flowers around the ind. Even though they were no longer on Earth, Nita still fulfilled her childhood dream of bing a princess. "Brother, Old Man Takni and Efan''s ind will arrive tomorrow," Nita began, wanting to discuss the World Market Alliance. She continued, "I''ve instructed them to sell items under the World Market Alliance name in the system shop. They are only selling basic items there." "Besides that, I''ve asked them to recruit members who want to join. If they wish to trade luxury items, they shoulde to our ind." Nita continued talking about the alliance situation and exined it to Lein. "Good job, Nita. Everything is going ording to n. I hope this city will be more lively," Lein approved of all Nita''s actions. The core ideas of the alliance were still Lein''s. Due to his age, Lein was more mature, and Nita had always respected her older brother since they were young. Chapter 17: Alliance members gathered At 7 AM on Lein''s ind. As usual, Lein and Nita were sitting on the balcony, enjoying the bright and beautiful morning. Lein''s ind had grown considerably, now spanning almost 4000 x 4000 meters. The city had undergone significant improvements. Defense towers had been added, troop barracks built, production buildings increased, and support areas such as ygrounds, hotels, restaurants, and even educational facilities were established. They nned to officially announce the establishment of the World Market Alliance and inform all sovereign''s in regional #2344 that Lein''s ind was open to the public. "Brother, they will arrive in an hour," Nita said while sipping her tea. By "they," she meant the members of the group (Princess Nita) who had agreed to join Lein''s ind. Their inds would also merge with Lein''s ind. "Yes, we should get ready then," Lein replied calmly. Outside the walls of Life City (the name of Lein''s city), 1200 soldiers were lined up neatly, fully armed. The weapons they used were provided by Lein for free, obtained from opening silver chests. (Werewolf) Type: Swordsman Level: 20 (max) Attributes: STR 328, INT 308, AGI 311, RES 294. Skill: (War Roar) Roars to increase attack by +10%, stackable up to 25%. Buff duration 1 minute. Cooldown 10 minutes. (Mountain Sorcerer) Type: Sorcerer Level: 20 (max) Attributes: STR 281, INT 348, AGI 271, RES 261. Skill: (Earth Maniption) Maniptes earth within a 15-meter radius, reducing enemy movement by 15%, duration 1 minute. Cooldown 10 minutes. (Angry Rhino) Type: Berserker Level: 20 (max) Attributes: STR 351, INT 271, AGI 285, RES 325. Skill: (Rage Mode) Increases STR +15%, RES +15% for 1 minute, cooldown 10 minutes. (Warrior Ant) Type: Swordsman Level: 20 (max) Attributes: STR 324, INT 283, AGI 337, RES 301. Skill: (Paralyzing Poison) Attacks enemies with poisonous horns, poison effectsts 1.5 minutes, reducing HP by 0.3% per second. Cooldown 15 minutes. In order to create 1200 level 20 troops, Lein spent a total of 2000 energy crystals per level. 1200 troops cost a total of 24,000,000 energy crystals. And as usual, Lein didn''t need all the energy crystals, he had an almost unlimited amount by selling discarded items on the system market. Lein intentionally stationed them outside the city to show thoseing to Life City not to act recklessly. With the strength of 1200 level 20 soldiers, only a fool would cause trouble. Additionally, more than 200 sturdy defense towers were erected inside and outside the city. (Auto Bow Tower) - Attack: 1200 - Attack speed: 2 arrows/second - Defense: 10,000 - Range: 500 meters (Cannonball Tower) - Attack: 5200 - Attack speed: 1 cannonball/10 seconds - Defense: 12,000 - Range: 300 meters (Lightning Tower) - Attack: 10200 - Attack speed: 1 lightning bolt/30 seconds - Defense: 15,000 - Range: 300 meters ... There were a total of 5 towers on Lein''s ind, all the best he could obtain. However, he couldn''tpete with the top alliance towers, who had probably opened countless golden chests. In their free time, Lein and Nita spent their time opening chests, forging weapons, nting flowers, building territorial structures, and many other activities to enhance the ind and its equipment. An hour passed in the blink of an eye. Lein and Nita were waiting leisurely at the front of the main city, weing several inds approaching. From afar, ten inds of various sizes were approaching. Thergest measured 15,000 x 15,000 meters, two others were over 10,000, and the rest ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 meters. Lein hadn''t expected the recruits to have indsrger than his own. Of course, these individuals wouldn''te without benefits. Lein had promised them all that if they joined his territory, he would provide them with a full set of elite level 20 equipment (green equipment or +10 refine), 10 Blessing Potions (100 empty attribute, max 5 times), and a high position in the World Market Alliance. Lein, of course, wouldn''t give them benefits without expecting something in return. His first requirement was an S-rank or unique A-rank talent. As the ind with 10-meter high stone walls merged with Lein''s ind, several dozen people and over 100 soldiers stood ready outside the walls. Lein saw the leader, an old man in a pristine white robe with a long white beard, and deep, calm eyes. Lein guessed that this old man was a schr back on Earth. The old man led his people towards Lein''s ind. After a moment, the two groups met, and Lein spoke first, raising his right hand. "Wee, Mr. Haikal. It''s a pleasure to meet you." The old manughed warmly and shook Lein''s hand. "It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Lein." Mr. Haikal then introduced several people behind him, all of whom were part of his extended family. He had three children, all of whom were married. Since the system gathered people with blood rtions in the nearest area during the first teleportation, they all joined together, with Mr. Haikal as the leader. Lein then checked Mr. Haikal''s panel. [STATUS] - Name: Haikal Emanuel - Level: 12 - ss: Magic Lein was quite surprised to see Mr. Haikal''s level of 12. He was curious about Mr. Haikal''s attribute values, but the system didn''t disy other sovereign''s attributes on the information panel. Mr. Haikal was an S-rank talent sovereign, so Lein valued the old man highly. Lein didn''t know the specifics of Mr. Haikal''s S-rank talent, but during the contract signing, Mr. Haikal had provided information about his talent level and capabilities. Not long after Mr. Haikal arrived, other inds began to appear. Thest ind to arrive was thergest, measuring 15,000 x 15,000 meters. This ind radiated a sacred aura, even more so than Lein''s holy sword aura. Additionally, a 100-meter high white wall blocked the view of the city inside. Chapter 18: 1st Alliance Meeting, Blessing Potion Distribution The ind filled with the aura of holy light finally stopped and merged with Lein''s ind. The city gates opened, revealing five people who stepped out and walked toward Lein''s ind. From their appearance, it was clear they were a family¡ªtwo adults and three children. The leader of the group was a woman with a white headscarf. Her face was fair and smooth, with a prominent nose and calm, rxed eyes. Her ck hair peeked slightly from under her white scarf. This woman seemed to be the eldest daughter of the family. Beside her was a slightly younger girl, probably around Nita''s age, and a boy who looked about 12 years old. With steady steps, the family approached Lein and the other sovereigns who had arrived earlier. It didn''t take long for them to meet and introduce themselves. The presence of this family added a serious yet friendly atmosphere, and Lein could sense the sincerity in their every movement. Friendly smiles and meaningful nces adorned this meeting, signaling the beginning of a harmonious cooperation under the World Market Alliance. With their arrival, Lein felt a wave of mixed emotions¡ªhappiness, enthusiasm, and hope. He knew that this alliance would bring many positive changes to his territory. "Hello, Brother Lein, I am Laras," the woman said warmly. Lein somehow felt as if they had known each other for a long time. "Hello, I''m Lein. Nice to meet you," Lein replied, returning her greeting and shaking her hand. Upon hearing the woman''s name, Laras, Lein''s mind recalled something. Yes, this woman was the sovereign who ranked 6th on the event leaderboard. "It seems I''ve gained a strong ally this time," Lein thought to himself. During a chat in the group (Princess Nita), Lein had already suspected. But after seeing her in person, he was 100% convinced they were the same people. Then, Lein looked at everyone present, totaling more than 150 people, and said, "Since everyone is here, how about we discuss inside the city?" Lein invited everyone into the city. The city gates opened, revealing a majestic and well-organized cityscape. "It seems this man wasn''t lying..." said the woman with the aura of light, admiring the splendor of Lein''s city. "Brother Lein seems to have quite deep secrets," remarked a young man with a ck and red sword in his hand, his tone serious. Some members of the group were also very impressed and amazed by the state of Lein''s city. How could they not be, as Lein had spent hundreds of millions or even more than a billion energy crystals to decorate and strengthen the ind. Which sovereign could generate hundreds of millions of energy crystals even less than three days after moving to the divine sky realm? Their admiration wasn''t just for the physical grandeur of the city but also for Lein''s intelligence and vision in building a strong and harmoniousmunity. This was the beginning of a new era that promised many opportunities and challenges for everyone involved. --- Currently, inside the meeting room in the main hall, 12 people were seated around a round table to discuss various issues regarding the World Market Alliance. Lein, as the meeting leader, spoke first. He delivered a few words of greeting before stating the discussion topic for this meeting. "Once again, I thank you all for joining and bing part of the World Market Alliance," said Lein, looking at everyone with a respectful gaze. He then continued, "The first topic we will discuss is thepensation I promised earlier." Lein pulled out 50 Blessing Potions from his Spatial Bag. Immediately, 50 transparent bottles appeared in front of everyone. Lein then distributed five bottles to each of them. "Hahahah... Brother Lein is indeed trustworthy," said the old man Takni from one corner of the table, his voice full of appreciation. "What?! Isn''t this potion equivalent to raising the level by five?" eximed a young man with blue hair. The young man, named Dion, was the sovereign who had sold the teleportation blueprint to Nita. "A very pure and powerful potion," said the woman with the aura of light, staring at the potion with enthusiasm. If others saw the panel in front of her or even Lein, they would undoubtedly feel envious to their core. (Blessing Potion) - Attribute +200 (random) *Note: Can only be taken 10 times. Laras didn''t show how happy she was inside. She simply took the potion and put it in her bag calmly. "Next, I will provide you all with a full set of level 20 elite equipment," Lein then produced 10 packages of equipment wrapped in green light. "Wuohhhh... level 20? Elite tier?" several people eximed in awe. "How many crystals did Brother Lein spend to forge all this?" asked a female sovereign with ck braided hair. Lein looked at Hana and said, "Not much... not much... Sister Hana, don''t worry about it, this is just my generosity." Lein spoke honestly; he didn''t find it difficult to forge elite-tier equipment. If he could obtain higher-quality stones, it wouldn''t be impossible to forge them. Lein distributed 10 sets of equipment to the 10 people around the table. Laras, observing from one end of the table, saw the equipment given by Lein. First, she looked at the weapon, but she didn''t check its status for long before putting it in her bag. However, when she looked at other equipment like robes, shoes, headgear, and gloves, a small smile appeared on her face. (Heavenly Light Robe) - Level: 20 - Attribute: Str +84, Int +132, Agi +92, Res +108 - (Body of Light) Increases light damage by 10%, restores health by 0.2% per second for 30 seconds, reduces dark damage by 25%. Cooldown 10 minutes. If Lein saw the attributes on Laras'' panel at that moment, he might feel his talent was slightly useless. All the attributes from the Heavenly Light Robe in front of him were twice as much as usual. Why not, all the equipment given by Lein had light attributes ording to Laras'' request. Everyone temporarily checked all the equipment they had received. Lein and Nita sat quietly, observing them all closely. After a while, they finally sat back downfortably. "Hahah... apologies, Brother Lein. The equipment you gave was a bit beyond our expectations," said the old man Haikal with an appreciative tone. "Yes, Brother Lein," Efan agreed. "Alright, let''s not exaggerate. Next, we will discuss the operational activities of the World Market Alliance," Lein said calmly, then pulled out some notes to continue the discussion. Chapter 19: Formation of the World Market Alliance The alliance meeting continued with fervor. Lein, the main speaker, enthusiastically outlined the duties and roles each member must undertake. He detailed the long-term benefits of joining the World Market Alliance, such as increased trade and ess to broader resources. Lein emphasized that merging their floating inds did not mean destroying individual inds. Instead, it meant staying within the same area so that if any member needed help, others could quickly provide support. This created a strong sense ofmunity and solidarity among members. Moreover, Lein assured that the development of individual inds would continue as usual. Members could still upgrade their territories, levels, and make various improvements without interference. However, as core members of the World Market Alliance, they would work together as if on the same ship, sailing towards amon goal. After an intense and productive hour-long discussion, the meeting concluded. Each member returned to their respective territories, trying to adapt and embrace the uing changes in their environment. They returned with renewed vigor and a better understanding of their roles within the alliance. ___ Lein, currently in the main hall with Nita, prepared to announce the formation of the alliance and the opening of the City of Life. The ten other members were also ready in their territories to make the same announcement to their followers. Immediately, Lein wrote a message in regional chat #2344. [Regional Chat #2344] (Lein): Good morning, everyone. I am Lein, the leader of the World Market Alliance, announcing that the World Market Alliance has been officially formed. Additionally, as the sovereign ''sof the City of Life, I am pleased to announce that the City of Life is now open to the public. Please use portal ID #id42877 to ess it. (Hana): The World Market Alliance is epting new members. Experience the benefits of joining by visiting our main base on Brother Lein''s ind. (Dion): We offer level 5 weapons for 10 energy crystals, level 10 weapons for 100 energy crystals, level 15 weapons for 500 energy crystals, and level 20 weapons for 1000 energy crystals. Weapon forging is avable up to Elite level. (Laras): Come, and your beloved family will not be in danger. ... The ten other members helped Lein promote the establishment of the World Market Alliance. Thousands of responses poured in when the announcement was broadcast, especially when Laras sent her message. Laras had many fans due to her high kill points, cing her in the top 6 rankings. (Ucok): Look... aren''t those equipment prices too cheap? The system shop prices average 10-200 crystals for level 5 equipment. I would transfer if I had teleportation. (Night Hero): Did I see correctly... Goddess Laras is also a member of the World Market Alliance? She is ranked #6 on the leaderboard! She might be the strongest person in our region. (Deken): Brother Lein, where is your location? I don''t have a teleportation portal. (Mawar): Amazing, the strongest alliance ranking in the region seems like it will change this time... (Hendro): Congrattions to Brother Lein. The Peace Alliance sends its regards! (Wiko Suryo): Congrattions, Brother Lein, Indonesia is proud to have talents like you. The response from various small sovereigns was very positive; they were pleased with the benefits offered by the World Market Alliance. Those without portals could only travel hundreds of kilometers with their inds. Besides small sovereigns, many alliance leaders also congratted them. Lein did not expect Wiko Suryo himself to extend congrattions. The Indonesia Alliance was the strongest in the #2344 region, supported by Indonesian military soldiers. ... Not long after the announcement, several people appeared at the teleportation portal. They were all amazed by the appearance of the City of Life, standing majestically with beautiful buildings and impressive architectural structures. As they looked around, they also saw another very bright city, Laras''s City of Light, shining with luxury and beauty. Additionally, they noticed a city with a peaceful aura, Old Man Haikal''s city. These two cities were also open to the public since Lein''s city alone could not amodate the massive influx of people. People kept appearing, and within minutes, more than 5,000 people had entered the city. Inside the city, there were many enjoyable buildings and ces. Lein had previously arranged for the families of the ten other members to ensure the security andfort of the neers. "Look, that tower looks very powerful," a young man said as he gazed at the lightning tower with sparks crackling at its tip. He felt a bit intimidated by the tower''s power. "Yes, how did Lord Lein obtain such a strong tower in just two days?" his friend standing next to him replied, amazed at the speed and strength of the tower''s construction. At that moment, a family emerged from the portal and looked at the surroundings of Lein''s ind with admiration. "It''s much safer here, not a single Void Monster Ind in sight," said a middle-aged man to his family. He hade here specifically to check the ind''s environment. If it was safe, he would decide to move his family here for their safety. The man had nned from the beginning to run a business in the divine sky realm to survive. However, he was a bitte when the Indonesia Alliance first opened, and the cost ofnd and buildings had be very high there. So, he was willing toe early to the World Market Alliance to try his luck in business here. Others also had big ns for the City of Life. A young entrepreneur, full of enthusiasm, intended to open businesses in the City of Life. He nned to set up shops and markets selling daily necessities and expand a wide tradework. Meanwhile, a family of former educators from Earth nned to establish an education system in the City of Life. They wanted to create schools simr to those on Earth,plete withprehensive curriculums and quality teachers, to educate the city''s young generation. Additionally, a talented artist nned to open an entertainment business in the City of Life. He aimed to present dance, opera, TV shows, and various other forms of entertainment to entertain the city''s residents. With his passion and creativity, he hoped to build an arts and culture center that would attract many people. Lastly, an adventurous man nned to form an adventurer''s association. He wanted to create a ce where adventurers (sovereigns) could get missions, coborate, and trade. With this association, he hoped to build a solidmunity that supported each other in facing various challenges in the divine sky realm. With these grand ns, the City of Life not only became a safe ce to live but also a center of activity and innovation that attracted many people toe and settle there. Chapter 20: Leins Ascent to 12th Rank One hour after the opening of Lein Ind, more than 10,000 people had already arrived, either using the portal oring directly with their own inds. Nita had asked Lein several times about the process of managing citynd, as many sovereigns had submitted requests to buy or leasend. There were also those who wanted to invest in Lein Ind by providing materials or energy crystals. However, all these requests were rejected by Lein. He wasn''t selling shares of the ind, only openingnd purchases or leases for now. --- At 12 noon, a small ind measuring 100 x 100 meters was seen moving calmly through the cloud-filled sky. On that small ind stood a young man with a light sword in his hand, his gaze rxed yet firm. The young man was Lein. He decided to use a smaller floating ind to search for stone inds with void monsters on them. He left the management of the main ind to his sister, Nita. His first goal of establishing an organization that manages trade routes in the Divine Sky Realm had reached its initial step. Although the alliance''s grand objective hadn''t been achieved yet, Lein was confident it would be a reality in the future. Currently, his next goal was to be number one on the event leaderboard. He was curious about the leaderboard prizes and the gold chest. Besides him, Laras and Old Man Haikal had also left their main inds to increase their points. Now, in front of Lein, a stone ind with an area of 1200 x 1200 meters came into view. Slowly but surely, the two inds would merge in 3 minutes. Lein was ready. With his average status of 600 points, he could easily take down 100 protector monsters on the stone ind, as well as more than 50,000 regr monsters at levels 10-20. Three minutes passed, and finally, the two inds merged. Without waiting long, Lein charged forward to face the approaching void monsters. The void monsters were just as enthusiastic. They attacked Lein in overwhelming numbers, like a flood. [Uura Vutu - Warrior] - Level: 16 - Attribute: Str 76, Int 43, Agi 76, Res 53 - (Lightning Ball) Throws a lightning ball, causing shock effects if the enemy''s status is lower. [Ogre Void - Warrior] - Level: 18 - Attribute: Str 87, Int 33, Agi 61, Res 69 - (Mace Throw) Throws their mace at the enemy with great force, +25% damage if the enemy''s status is lower. Lein saw the void monsters in various shapes and formsing with their diverse powers. However, in the face of vastly superior power, they were nothing more than fallen leaves from a tree. [Sessfully killed (Ogre Void, level 17), exp +93, kill points 17] [Sessfully killed (Guto Oyo, level 19), exp +107, kill points 19] ... The sound of kill notifications echoed in Lein''s ears, but since his level was already maxed out, his exp points didn''t increase at all. Lein, who was engrossed in ying the regr void monsters, now saw a protector monster appear in the distance. The void monster resembled arge lion, wielding a fire staff in its grip. [Fire Lion - Protector] - Level: 20 - Type: Magic - Attribute: Str 144, Int 187, Agi 171, Res 126 - (Fire Aura) Transforms into a red fire form, Attributes +25%, Magic power increase 50%, Burns the area within a 10-meter radius. The lion roared loudly, spewing fire from its mouth, creating a threatening heat wave. Lein dodged nimbly, zigzagging to avoid the fire attack. Quickly, he jumped high and attacked from above, swinging his light sword with full force. The lion tried to block with its fire staff, but Lein''s attack was too swift. Lein''s light sword cut the fire staff in half, and with the next quick move, he plunged his sword into the lion''s heart. The lion roared in pain before finally falling to the ground, dead. [Sessfully killed Fire Lion - Protector, exp +4350, kill points +2000] However, shortly after the fire lion''s demise, another protector monster appeared. The next protector monster had the head of a shark. This monster had the ability to create an ocean within a 100-meter radius. Lein, initially confident, soon found himself in trouble when the monster created an ocean within a 100-meter radius, trapping him in water. Struggling, Lein tried to regte his breathing and find an opening to attack. The monster glided quickly through the water, attacking with its sharp teeth. Lein managed to dodge several times, but small wounds began to sap his stamina. In a desperate situation, Lein decided to use his second skill, Sky Shattering sh. With a powerful strike, Lein created a 100-meter long sword aura that shattered the monster''s defense. The attack ignored 50% of the enemy''s defense and healed Lein by 50% of the total damage dealt. The shark monster was split in two, and the ocean vanished, leaving a rejuvenated Lein. [Sessfully killed Red Shark - Protector, exp +4850, kill points +2000] "Haha... these void monsters have some bizarre attacks," Lein said, catching his breath. He was quite surprised by the Red Shark''s skill that created an ocean within a 100-meter radius. It would have been fatal if his attributes were the same as the shark''s. Lein continued searching for stone inds with void monsters to catch up on his kill points. --- Until nighttime, Lein didn''t return to the main ind as it would take too much time. So, he camped on the small floating ind for the next few days. Over the course of 8 hours from noon to night, Lein had cleared hundreds of stone inds. He was now ranked 12th with over 2,500,000 points. Meanwhile, Laras had dropped to 8th ce, and Old Man Haikal was in 31st ce. The leaderboard didn''t show exact positions due to the diversity of talents and items possessed by the sovereigns. Before sleeping, Lein read several messages from Nita. Nita informed him that the main ind was getting busier with many people intending to settle there. Additionally, some sovereigns had already established their own businesses in the City of Life. Nita also told Lein that she received information from Laras to be cautious of the Garuda Alliance. They had tried to recruit Laras before but were tly rejected. Unlike other alliances, the Garuda Alliance seemed to hold a grudge against them. Chapter 21: Missed the top 20: A new beginning A floating ind measuring 100 x 100 meters leisurely drifted through the clouds. On this ind, a young man sat on a chair, with a table beside him holding a ss of wine. The man was Lein, enjoying the beautiful morning. The warm morning sun bathed his muscr body. Yes, this was the seventh day in the Divine Sky Realm. [Event: Rise of the Sovereign] [Event duration: 0 days, 1 hour, 12 minutes...] The event time was down to just over an hour. Lein opened the event leaderboard and his expression turned indifferent. [Event Ranking] 1. William Anderson - 136,490,000 2. Bai Qi - 91,721,000 3. dimir Nova - 85,034,000 4. Kim Un - 55,648,000 ... 26. Lein - 23,800,000 31. Laras - 21,738,000 He could hardly believe it. He had been very proud of his SSS-level talent, something that defied the heavens. But it seemed his talent did not lie inbat. His instinct to create a trading organization had been spot on. Lein was curious about the powers those other people possessed. Did they also have SSS-level talents? Lately, he had been losing sleep over these thoughts. Realizing there was no chance of making it into the top 20, Lein decided to return to his main ind. He stood up and entered the only portal on the floating ind. ___ At that moment, atop a circr altar, a young man with ck hair and a golden sword at his hip emerged from a 10-meter portal. Lein observed his surroundings and saw many people. He had missed this ce. He had not returned to the main ind once in his quest to climb the rankings, but all his efforts had been in vain. Stepping off the portal altar, Lein saw the bustling city streets, lined with street vendors and buildings like hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and more. "Hahaha... I seem to have pushed myself too hard. Isn''t this vibrant ce my dream?" he thought to himself. Yes, Lein had been trying his luck at bing a sovereign, a king, an emperor, like in the novels. With his SSS-level talent, he thought he could do it. But reality was different. "Alright, I wonder how Nita is doing?" Lein was curious about his younger sister, Nita. ... "Hey, stop... I said stop!" A uniformed man grabbed a young boy by the shoulder. "Give it back," the man demanded, extending his hand. "What? I didn''t take your stuff!" The boy didn''t give up, his hand trembling in his pocket. He stared defiantly at the uniformed man without fear. "Are you trying to cause trouble? I''ll show you the power of a level 13 mage," the uniformed man threatened, his body glowing white. A ck staff appeared in his right hand. The boy activated his own equipment, a wooden sword materializing in his hand. He was only level 3. Before the uniformed man could use his skill, an elderly man in red robes appeared. "Master Ruyi, let it go. He''s still young. He''s also my student from the Red Flower Magic Academy." "I''ll rece whatever he took," the old man continued. "Alright, I won''t pursue this further. Ask him what he stole," the uniformed man replied, visibly annoyed. "Aldi... What did you take?" the old man asked the boy. The boy seemed to relent, showing respect for the elderly man before him. He pulled out a ck pouch containing 10 Energy Crystals. "Sorry, Teacher Damas, but my mother needs these crystals," the boy exined, tears streaming down his face. "Don''t cry. I''ll visit your hometer," Teacher Damas reassured the boy, then tossed the ck pouch to the uniformed man, adding 5 extra Energy Crystals aspensation. "The matter is settled here," the old man dered. "Thank you, Master Damas," the uniformed man grumbled before walking away. Lein had watched the entire scene. He had wanted to intervene, but the old man had acted faster. "Red Flower Academy?" Lein mused aloud. He decided to continue exploring the ind. Lein felt the creation of the academy was justified. His floating ind now spanned over 120 x 120 km. Combined with the total area of the floating inds of the 10 members of the World Market Alliance, the alliance''s total area was 150,000 square kilometers. A huge ind, with only 50-100 thousand residents, leaving many areas still uninhabited. Lein continued his journey through the vibrant Life City. After wandering through several streets, he arrived at a three-story restaurant. He entered and was warmly greeted by a male waiter. The waiter was very efficient and polite. "Wee to Rudi Resto. Please, sir..." The waiter guided Lein to a table and offered the menu. Grilled Fish with Sambal, Tofu Fried Rice, Grilled N Soup... Seeing the menu, Lein couldn''t help but be astonished. "What is this? Is this Earth?" For a moment, the menu shocked him, which was very simr to those in Earth''s restaurants. "Excuse me, sir, is there nothing to your liking?" the waiter asked, noticing Lein''s distraction. "Sorry, sorry. I''ll have the Spicy Crab and hot tea," Lein replied, still deep in thought. He couldn''t believe what he was seeing. During his six-day absence, Nita hadn''t mentioned anything like this. She had only said everything was going well. There were no void monster attacks, no dangers, and the city was thriving. "Did she do this on purpose?" Lein wondered. A broad smile appeared on his face. The restaurant''s atmosphere was very tranquil, with the sound of a mini fountain adding a peaceful, harmonious touch. Lein looked around, seeing other patrons, young couples, families, and some individuals. Their attire varied, almost resembling Earth''s fashion. "Yeah... The system is indeed convenient. Equipment only appears when activated," he thought. Like in the earlier conflict between the uniformed man and the boy,bat equipment is only activated when used. In normal conditions, only regr clothes were visible. Within five minutes, Lein''s order arrived. A crab the size of a human head was served with steaming hot broth that looked fresh and delicious. "Your order, sir. Please enjoy," the waiter said, carefully cing the dish before leaving. "Thank you." Lein tasted the crab soup. "Wow... This is incredible... I''ve been missing out for six days," Lein cursed his choice. "Damn you, Nita. I''ll get back to you someday," Lein muttered, ming Nita for his misfortunes. Chapter 22: End of the Event After finishing at the restaurant, Lein continued to stroll through the city streets to clear his mind. An hour passed, and finally, the system announcement came. [Event: Rise of the Sovereign has ended] [Congrattions to Sovereign William Anderson for achieving 1st ce] [Congrattions to Sovereign Bai Qi for achieving 2nd ce] ... The top 10 rankings were announced to the entire region. Finally, the system revealed Lein''s result to him. [Congrattions, Sovereign Lein, for achieving 26th ce] [Sovereign has earned] - 100,000 Energy Crystals - Automatic Bow Tower Blueprint - Small Teleport Blueprint - Werewolf Lair ... Lein saw his rewards appear in his inventory. He felt deeply disappointed this time. However, he epted his situation with an open heart, using this experience as a valuable life lesson. "Brother... Where are you?" At that moment, a personal message from Nita appeared. "What''s up? I''m just wandering around the city," Lein replied. "It''s nothing, brother. Don''t give up, I''ll always support you," Nita said without mentioning the rankings, simply expressing her unwavering support for Lein no matter what happened. "Thank you, you''re quite mature this time... Hhhh," Lein responded, shaking his head. Sometimes, his little sister could be quite annoying. Yet, she was the biggest reason he worked so hard. He wanted to make her happy and ensure she didn''t face any difficulties. Aside from Nita, several messages from the alliance group also appeared. [Group #world market alliance] - (Laras): Brother Lein... Congrattions, we all support you. - (Haikal Emanuel): Mr. Lein, don''t be discouraged. Great things often start small... - (Hana): Keep your spirits up, Brother Lein. - (Dion): Brother Lein, don''t give up. We support you. - (Lein): Thank you all. I''m fine. Of course, all the alliance members knew of Lein''s grand ambition to be number one. On several asions, they wondered why Lein hadn''t returned for six days. "Huffff... Hahhhh," Lein took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "Alright... I need to be more realistic next time." "I should focus on my strengths. No one can be number one in everything," Lein said to himself. Lein was contemting where to go next when someone suddenly bumped into him on the side of the road. "Ouch... I''m sorry, sir," A woman in her twenties stood up after falling. Papers she was holding scattered everywhere. The woman was dressed in formal ck attire, appearing to work for apany. Initially, Lein was curious about who dared to bump into him on this bright morning. (Status) - Name: Sofya - Level: 1 - ss: Magic But seeing the poor woman, he could only sigh inwardly. "Let me help," Lein said, helping her gather the fallen papers. "Thank you very much for your help, sir," the woman looked very embarrassed, quickly taking the papers from Lein''s hands. "Do you work at the World Market Alliance?" Lein asked the woman, noticing the emblem of a golden coin with a straight sword in the center on her attire. It was the emblem of the World Market Alliance. "Yes, sir," the woman said, slightly catching her breath and bing calmer. She observed the young man in front of her. His calm, kind eyes and slightly long ck hair blowing in the wind made her heart beat faster. "What''s the matter? Let''s head to the office together. I happen to work there too," Lein offered. "Alright... alright," to avoid his gaze, Sofya quickly agreed without thinking. They walked leisurely down the street. During the walk, Sofya followed closely behind, not saying a word. "Excuse me, I don''t know the way. Could you lead?" Lein turned and asked Sofya. "Ahh... okay, sir," Sofya immediately walked ahead, nervously and quickly. Lein was slightly confused by the woman''s behavior. He truly didn''t know the way to the main office of the World Market Alliance. They walked for 15 minutes before finally reaching a very tall building, around 15 floors high. The entrance was massive, yet even with such arge door, it was still crowded. "Excuse me, sir, I need to go in first. I might bete," Sofya excused herself without waiting for Lein''s response, running toward the main office of the alliance. "Brother!" A loud shout suddenly echoed. A girl in green clothing descended from the 15th floor. Without hesitation, Nita floated down,nding conspicuously in front of everyone. "Brother, you''re finally back. I missed you so much," Nita hugged Lein tightly. "Who is that? Is that the sovereign of the ind?" "Yes, I heard Princess Nita has an older brother." "Her brother is quite handsome... Hhhh." "Is her brother married?" "Hey, stop talking nonsense, he can hear you." Light discussions from around filtered into Lein''s ears clearly. "Nita, stop that, people are watching," Lein gently pushed Nita away. "Let them, I''m not afraid of them," Nita remained as arrogant as ever. "Enough... let''s go inside," Lein grabbed Nita''s hand and entered the alliance office. At this moment, a woman was hiding behind the receptionist desk. Yes, Sofya was inplete shock. The person she ignored was the ind owner and the actual leader of the alliance? "Oh my God, what is happening. What a terrible day," Sofya could onlyin, not knowing what to do. She just hoped she wouldn''t be fired from her job as a receptionist. ¡ª¡ª¡ª 15th floor, main office of the Alliance. Lein and Nita were sittingfortably at the conference table. Nita exined everything about the alliance''s progress. First, the alliance had established partnerships with the top 5 alliances in regional #2344 to supply weapon materials, building materials, and strategic items. Second, several branches of the alliance''s stores had opened in the 10 busiest cities in regional #2344. Third, the total alliance members had reached over 8,000. 1,000 of them were level 10, and 10 were already level 15. The main members of the alliance, Laras and Old Man Haikal, had reached level 17. The rest remained at level 16 for now. Today, Old Man Haikal and Dion went to the Indonesian Alliance to deliver transaction goods. "Thank you, Nita, you''ve worked hard," Lein praised Nita''s management skills. He was slightly puzzled about where she had learned to manage an organization. Over the past six days, Lein had multiplied gold chests a hundredfold. Even now, there were still over hundreds of thousands of gold chests in the warehouse. The results from the gold chests had undoubtedly brought significant changes. Lein himself was shocked when he first saw the transformation of his floating ind. Thanks to the gold chests, the World Market Alliance became the number one alliance in regional #2344. Nita proudly lifted her chin when Lein praised her. "By the way, when will we attempt the promotion test, brother?" Nita asked curiously. Lein had actually been considering taking the promotion test for a while. He then checked the promotion panel. [Promotion Mission Tier-2] - Silver Badge - Holy Human Race (Cultivator) - 100,000 Energy Crystals - Monster Heart level 20 - Commander rank Lein was still missing the Silver Badge. Even after opening tens of thousands of gold chests, the Silver Badge remained elusive. Chapter 23: Daily Life on the Floating Island The sky stretched out endlessly, its vast blue expanse boundless. In the midst of the sky''s silence, arge ind floated motionlessly, as if held by an unseen force. This ind was immense, nearly the size of Java in Indonesia, its shape resemblingnd lifted high into the sky. From below, the ind''s terrain was clearly visible, revealing its rough and rocky underside. One striking feature of the ind was a transparent, dome-like shield covering its upper part, protecting it from external elements. This shield glistened under the sunlight, reflecting light like crystal. Therge ind was not a single mass. At its centery the main ind, thergest part, surrounded by thousands of smaller inds scattered around it. In the sky surrounding the ind, many flying boats bustled about,ing and going endlessly, carrying passengers and goods from various ces. **** To the north of the main ind was the Gatekeeper Ind, tasked with guarding the entrance to therge ind. This ind measured 1000 by 100 meters, floating motionlessly like a fortress in the sky. On it stood several houses and fearsome, advanced defense towers equipped with thetest technology to ensure security. "Good morning, Mr. Tera. We would like to conduct a routine inspection," said a man with a stern face. Arge sword hung on his back, giving the impression that he was a seasoned warrior. "Badge..." Mr. Tera responded curtly. The old man in the gray robe scrutinized everyone who approached with sharp eyes. The stern-faced man respectfully handed over his gold badge. As amander of the Gold-tier guards, he felt a bit of pride. However, in front of the gatekeeper of one of the four main gates of the World Trade Alliance ind, he could only bow, suppressing his usual arrogance. His duty as a Gold-tiermander was to ensure the area within a 10-kilometer radius of the ind was safe from danger. Monster inds could appear at any time, so without routine patrols, foreign monsters could threaten the smaller inds and the survivor flying boats. Mr. Tera examined the gold badge carefully, then looked at the guard team members behind the stern-faced man. Seeing nothing amiss, he nodded and said, "Report back before 6 PM." "Yes, sir..." replied the stern-faced man. He then turned and walked toward the flying boat docked near the ind, followed by a hundred team members. The boat was 200 meters long, armed with 200 cannons, and equipped with lightning towers and automated bow turrets inside. Its design was impressive, showcasing the strength and sophistication of their defense technology. After all the team members boarded, the flying boat slowly lifted off the ground and began to float, heading towards the area they needed to secure. Inside the boat, the team members checked their equipment, ensuring everything was ready for the mission. They knew that although this task was routine, danger coulde at any time from unexpected directions. The sky above the main ind remained calm, but tension lingered among the guards. They understood that their responsibility was not only to protect therge ind and the thousands of smaller inds around it but also to maintain the strength and safety of the alliance established here from external threats. ... A week had passed since the first event in the Divine Sky realm. The main alliance ind had been operating regrly, and everyone was beginning to adapt to their new lives. The life and habits they once had on Earth were starting to form again. Schools, colleges, hospitals, entertainment centers, television, flying boats, and various other technologies were emerging. The primary energy source was no longer electricity but more efficient energy crystals. System panels like regional chat and market were still in use as usual. However, unlike at the start of their transition, the pace of messages was no longer as rapid. The market feature was still widely used, but valuable items rarely appeared. Within an hour of posting a valuable item, the seller might be eliminated before the item could be sold. While everyone was going about their daily lives, Lein, along with Nita and three other alliance members, had just finished destroying a monster ind. On top of the monster indy many corpses of wide-handed goris, each over two meters tall. Among them was one wide-handed gori, ten meters tall, with muscles rippling all over its arms. Yes, it was a Commander-Tier gori. "Brother Lein, this is the 46th ind we have destroyed. Not a single one has dropped a silver badge," said an elderly man named Haikal, gazing at a ck book floating in front of him. The book emitted a dark aura, and staring at it too long could make an ordinary person fall asleep or even lose their memory. "Yes... I suspect the silver badges are not dropped by monsters but might be obtained bypleting certain missions!" Laras, standing nearby with arge cross on her back, spoke up. Hearing their spection, Lein nodded lightly. They had been searching for six days and had also inquired with other alliances in regional #2344. No one had any useful information. "Alright, since there are no results, let''s continue searching for a little while longer. If we still find nothing, we''ll have to wait for the system to provide a clue," said Lein. Everyone nodded in agreement. They then extracted all the gori corpses and took over the ind. Once everything was done, they returned to their own ind and continued their hunt for the silver badges. Chapter 24: Event: Race War Begin, Regional Borders Removed Morning on the Main Ind of the World Market Alliance Children were running around the green open field, filled with flowers, shady trees, and yground equipment. Vendors surrounded the park, selling their snacks to the visitors. "Careful, Lius, slide down slowly," a mother said to her son, who was about to go down a half-meter slide. Her husband, standing beside her, was also worried. "Hold on tight, son, trust your dad," he said. Scenes of happy families like this could be seen throughout the park. Everyone was enjoying afortable and peaceful life. Children yed, and parents watched with joy, creating a truly serene atmosphere. In stark contrast to the main ind, a tense atmosphere filled the room inside a flying ship. "Damn it... I told you to retreat. Why are you all so stubborn?" shouted a man with a longbow angrily at everyone in the room. He looked furious, his eyes red, and his fists clenched tightly. He red at each person around him, as if wanting to crush them with his gaze. "I''m sorry, Captain. We were too greedy," a young man said fearfully but bravely tried to calm the angry captain. "Sorry? Sorry for what?... Do you think they cane back to life with your useless apology?" the man with the bow continued to berate his crew without mercy, looking as if he had lost something precious. --- "Sis Laras, how about we go to Meanos Mall? I heard there are lots of good things sold there." "Hmmm... sounds good. Let''s go," Laras replied. The two women in the flying car were discussing where to go next. They were Nita and Laras, who had grown very close over the past few days. Nita felt that Laras was like an older sister who cared for her, making her feelfortable around her. Soon, they reached a very crowded area. The main road was 10 meters wide, and the tallest building in the area was 25 floors high with a very aesthetic appearance. Nita and Laras parked their car at one of the buildings and walked towards the mall entrance. As they entered, they were greeted by a vast space. White lights illuminated the entire area, and people bustled about non-stop in front of them. "It''s huge... I didn''t expect a mall this big to be built in just 15 days," Nita said, her mouth forming a big O. She was the main brain behind managing Lein''s main ind, but due to the many responsibilities and tasks she handled, she forgot to try out amazing things like Meanos Mall. "Haha... let''s go. Look, there''s a jewelry seller over there," Laras said, pulling Nita''s hand and heading towards a jewelry store. --- Unlike Nita, Lein was currently in a very quiet and spacious room. The room was brightly lit with white lights. This room was filled with racks containing gold chests, neatly arranged like bookshelves in a library. Yes, this was Lein''s main storage room. The materials he possessed were countless at this point. Imagine, 10,000 chests opened 24 times a day for 15 days equals 3,000,000 gold chests. Which regional alliance could produce 3 million gold chests? Even during the first event, with a gold chest priced at 1 million points, obtaining 3 million gold chests would require 3 trillion kill points. [Do you want to open a gold chest?] "Yes." [Sessfully opened a gold chest, obtained:] - White stone x4 - Medium well blueprint - Hard iron sword Items immediately dropped from thin air: a white stone, a blueprint, and an iron sword. Lein gathered the dropped materials and ced them in the chest beside him. Opening chests and organizing the items into gold chests was Lein''s daily routine. Since his bag was full, the items from the gold chest fell from thin air. Lein tirelessly and unboredly continued to open the next gold chest. Since his failure to be in the top 20 in the first event, he had rid himself of the arrogance of obtaining an SSS-tier talent. He had be someone with calcted and realistic ns and would not do anything without a clear strategy. --- On a floating ind with a size of 3 million square kilometers, in a grand room, there was a 10-meter high ck portal with an endless ck water flow. Suddenly, someone emerged from the portal. A young man with a broad smile stepped out. He looked around and nodded. "Awesome... Lord William has finally returned." "Wee back, Lord." "William, how was the journey to the realm of the Gods?" someone asked. William shook his head and replied, "Calm down, I''ve just returned. Hold an emergency meeting in the Alliance Main Hall in 10 minutes." "Yes, Lord," a woman in a tight suit and ck skirt responded promptly, noting down and contacting someone. Ordinary people might not know, but the same event was happening in two other ces in the divine sky realm. Each person emerging from the portal had an intimidating power, seemingly worlds apart from level 20 rulers. --- Back on Lein''s ind. Lein was in the Alliance Main Hall, reading reports on his desk. He had information on the total permanent poption of 240,000, the formation of hunter associations, guilds, and martial arts organizations, and the security and crime rates on the main ind. As the main owner of the alliance, he had full control over what happened. Therefore, he needed to know everything that was going on and how the ind was developing. The heavy data-gathering tasks were handled by the 10 core members. It was almost 12 noon, so Lein wanted to leave the Main Hall to grab lunch at his favorite restaurant, Rudi Resto. Before he could stand up from his chair, the long-silent system notification appeared in his view. [Congrattions to the Sovereign who are still standing]... [The Race War Battle Event has begun] [Event duration: 29 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes] [Regional boundaries have been removed]... [Regional chat has been removed, Blue race chat has been added]... Chapter 25: Top 3 Earth Alliances, Event Reward Lein''s Ind, Life City Lein saw the system announcement that had just appeared. He read it carefully, paying attention to every detail. The first thing he noticed was the removal of regional boundaries, meaning that all humans on Earth could now meet. In other words, the strong individuals from the previous event would be facing him. He was very curious about how powerful these people were. Deep down, Lein also wanted to duplicate the items they had obtained as the top three in the previous event. Lein then shifted his gaze to the system panel. The system indicated that regional chat had been removed and reced with the Blue Human Race chat. [Blue Human Race] - (William Alexander: Supreme Overlord) Earth Paradise Alliance is recruiting individuals with B-S rank talents. Regardless of your country, race, or gender, as long as you have an A-rank talent or higher, you will be epted. S-rank talents will be core members. - (Bai Qi: Supreme Overlord) Hello everyone, we wee all. Come and grow together with the Eternal Life Sect. For Chinese citizens, join us and receive free level 10 equipment. - (dimir Nova: Supreme Overlord) For sovereign with a total status of over 1000, the King of Hell Alliance is opening opportunities. - Jackson: Awesome, all humans can finally join. Dad, I''m in region #5622. Add me as a friend. - Usami: Cherry Blossom Market is selling high-level medicine. Come and save your precious life. - Meng Hao: Abyssal Vanguard Sect is epting disciples. - Haruka: Did any of you find a portal appearing on your ind? Where do these portals lead?... - Diki: My friend already entered the portal, but he hasn''t returned... - Xiao Yu: Look at the top 3 chats, their names are glowing. What''s with the titles after their names? Do they have any real effect?... - Hubert: The rewards for the top 3 this time seem several times crazier than the previous event. What does it feel like to be in the top 3?... Most people felt happy because now all humans could meet and were no longer restricted as before. They were almost all talking about the ongoing event. A very striking and different feature of the chat this time was the three golden chats at the top. The three names belonged to the top three in the previous event. Their chats never moved down like banner notifications. Even their messages had golden borders and dragon icon at the ends. "Sigh..." Seeing the arrogant benefits provided by the system, Lein could only sigh. He remembered how arrogant he was topete with those people without conducting any investigation on them. "Patience... patience..." He reassured himself several times before finally calming down. He then shifted his gaze to the leaderboard. [Event Rank] - Top 1-3: Super Territory Artifact, 100 million crystals, epic chest, ancestral dragon''s nest. - Top 4-10: Regr Territory Artifact, 10 million crystals, gold chest, sky griffin''s nest. - Top 11-50: 1 million crystals, gold chest, hell monkey''s nest. - ... As usual, the leaderboard did not disappoint. The items listed were always new and had very impressive names. Lein didn''t look any longer. He then sent a message to the 10 core members of the alliance and to Nita, informing them of an important meeting. *** On the northern streets of Life City, there was a small bar with a few people inside. "Mr. Ari, weren''t you nning to join the World Market Alliance?" an old man asked the elderly man next to his chair. "Yes... but I won''t apply now. I want to join this new event first," replied the old man with a long white mustache. "Hahaha... at your age, do you still have hope ofpeting with those young people? Wouldn''t joining the World Market Alliance ensure a good life for your grandchildren?" "Fool... we are not on Earth right now. Do you think the miracles and wonders you see every day make sense to an earthly human like you?" the old man with the mustache looked at his old friend with a mocking gaze. "But..." "Enough... enough... you won''t understand. Just run your farming business like a robot without a future." They continued their conversation as old friends. In another room, a sturdy woman was reporting to an old man sitting at arge desk. "All main forces have returned to the city, sir. ess to the portal is very easy as it appears randomly in opennd," the woman said in a firm and clear tone. The old man nodded and said, "Is there any movement from the ind owners?" "So far, none, sir. But it seems they will hold a big meeting in a few minutes." The old man sped his hands on the table, then rested his head on his sped hands. He seemed to be pondering something. After a long silence, the old man said, "Speed up all preparations and try to investigate with new organizations from outside the region." "Yes, sir." The random appearance of portals was one of the reasons everyone was talking about the new event. Not only ordinary people, but guilds, alliances, associations, and major organizations were discussing the same thing. As the main owner of the ind, Lein did not restrict these people. The more they developed, the happier Lein would be. *** Main Hall of the World Market Alliance, Conference Room A very spacious white room. The walls are red-brown with beautiful, neatly engraved patterns. Statues of various mythical animals and flowers with different aromas fill the corners of the room. Arge chandelier in the center of the ceiling adds a majestic feel to the room. There are not manyponents in this room except for decorations and arge, long table with 10 big chairs lined up along the sides. At the front of the table, there are 2 special ck chairs. Lein and Nita sat in the two ck chairs, while the 10 other alliance members sat in the red chairs along the sides of the table. All ten members were present, knowing how important this meeting was. Chapter 26: World Market Alliance Plan - Member Growth Lein looked at everyone present. It had been 15 days since they moved to the divine sky realm, and everyone had be stronger. Lein could see their growth and development just by looking at their appearances. In the front right seat sat Mr. Haikal with his ck magic. A thick ck book always floated around himtely. Mr. Haikal was quite famous among the upper echelons on Lein Ind. Next to him, on the front left seat, sat Laras with a calmer and gentler demeanor than usual. Therge cross on her back gave off an unavoidable sense of threat. Besides its massive size, the cross also calmed the hearts of those who saw it and emitted a strong positive aura. The other members hadn''t been idle for the past 15 days either. In the middle right seat was a young man with a Y-shaped staff, the green fire at the tip never extinguishing. Next to him sat a middle-aged, muscr man with his upper body exposed, clearly a cksmith. Indeed, this man, Gusti, was famous for his S-rank talent in weapon crafting, never disappointing. Other members didn''t unt their weapons like Laras, Mr. Haikal, Gusti, and Budi with his green fire staff. However, the most notable member was a little girl in the back left seat. The girl had short, straight ck hair, fair skin, and innocent eyes. Lein initially didn''t think she had a system, but when she demonstrated her ability to summon a skeletal dragon, Lein was convinced and allowed her to join the World Market alliance. Initially, the girl was quite shy, but after Nita visited her house several times and yed with her, she became less afraid and a bit braver. "Wee and thank you for attending this meeting," Lein began. "First, let''s discuss the event and how it works." Lein opened the meeting and addressed the first topic, identifying and understanding the current event. "Yes, Mr. Lein. Some of my subordinates mentioned that the portals lead to ces where a certain race is located. There, a war is happening, and if we help them, we will earn contribution points," Gusti spoke first. As a cksmith, he had a widework. "Yes, Mr. Lein. I also heard rumors that the contribution points we earn can be exchanged for silver badges. This way, we can break through level 20," said Mr. Haikal from the side. Other members also shared and conveyed all the information they had. They didn''t hold back because they had received a lot of help from Lein. As the number one alliance in regional #2344 previously, it would be foolish to antagonize Lein. After much discussion, they finally obtained a big picture of the ongoing event. Portals would appear randomly across the ind, which had an area of 100,000 square kilometers. The destination and direction of the portals varied; therger the portal, the higher the level of the racial battle it led to. Additionally, after entering a portal, a one-hour waiting period was required before the return feature appeared on the status panel. Entering a portal consumed 100 energy crystals, with the cost increasing depending on the portal''s size. Contribution point exchanges were carried out by the race they helped, meaning the higher the level of the race, the better the items exchanged for contribution points. Additionally, sovereigns could obtain missions from creatures in the race''s realm. "Alright, I think that''s enough about the event. Next, does anyone have thoughts on how we should participate in this event?" Lein felt the event discussion wasplete and moved on to the World Market alliance''s n for the Race War Battle event. "I suggest entering the portals in groups or teams, Mr. Lein. We don''t yet know the situation in the realms we will enter, so it would be safer to go withpanions," Mr. Haikal expressed his thoughts, prioritizing everyone''s safety. "I agree with Mr. Haikal. Some of our members are not 100% specialized inbat, like Mr. Haikal and Princess Laras," Dion, who had been silent, finally spoke. He was confident in his A-rank talent (Enhancement - A), but he still considered the alliance members as family and felt they should protect each other. Other members also joined the discussion, debating the steps they should take and how to be the top 3 in this event. After several minutes of discussion, they agreed on a few things: Mr. Haikal would lead a team of 5 members, and Laras would lead another team of 5 members. Lein and Laras would go solo. Regarding bing the top 3, Lein suggested focusing on earning as many contribution points as possible for now. They would discuss detailed ns after experiencing the racial battles firsthand. The final topic was each member''s strength, as they needed to know each other''s capabilities to form teams. They also shared items if anyone needed them. Lastly, before closing the meeting, Lein distributed a pair of talismans he obtained from a crowned man during the Tier-1 promotion test. (Golden Step Talisman) When activated, the body will move to a location within a 1km radius. (Golden Shield Talisman) Activating the talisman will form a shield that can withstand the full power of master-level creatures. After about an hour and a half, the alliance meeting concluded. Lein and Nita then returned to the main hall of Life City. On their way to the main hall of the city, Lein and Nita walked along the main street. The road was made of sturdy white bricks. As it was the city center, it was very crowded. Lein and Nita were ustomed to walking and enjoying the beauty of the city they had built. "Brother, how about we stop by Fresh Water shop?" Nita pulled Lein''s hand and pointed to a ce nearby. There was a two-story building with a ss front. The logo matched the name, showing a clear ss with ice cubes and water flowing out like a tsunami. "Ah, you''re still a foodie at heart. Let''s go." Lein sighed. No one could resist Nita''s food cravings. They headed to the building just like everyone else. "Hello, Princess Nita. Where are you headed?" "Princess Nita, you''re getting more beautiful. Can we take a picture?" Indeed, the world''s technology had almost matched, and even surpassed, that of Earth. Although social media hadn''t been developed yet, devices for taking pictures were starting to appear. It was only a matter of time before human civilization advanced a thousand times beyond what it once was on Earth. Chapter 27: 5 types of power systems Rudi Restaurant, Second Floor Lein and Nita were currently dining together at Rudi Restaurant. "Brother, do you think they will be hostile towards us?" While eating, Nita asked Lein who was sitting across the table. "No, do you think it''s that easy to make enemies?" Lein replied casually while continuing to eat his food. A while ago, he received a private message on behalf of the Earth Paradise Alliance. They stated that they wanted to cooperate with the World Market alliance. However, Lein politely declined. It wasn''t just from Earth Paradise; there were over 10 alliances that invited the World Market alliance to cooperate, but Lein rejected them all. Lein actually didn''t have a problem with cooperation, but these top alliances wanted the World Market alliance to be a subordinate alliance, giving 20% of the World Market alliance''s earnings. Lein wasn''t arrogant, but he truly couldn''t agree to such terms. It would be foolish to cooperate with others without adequatepensation. Because of Lein''s refusals, Nita was a bit worried. In most stories like this, rejection often ends in hostility. But once again, this was the real world. "Nita, have you obtained information about thergest portal size?" Lein asked. "Yes, Brother, there are several in Sister Laras'' city of Light." Nita obtained information from alliance members in the information department that portals varied in size. Thergest portal found so far was 20 meters high. "Good, finish your food quickly, and let''s head out." "Okay, Brother." They continued eating for another 30 minutes before finally leaving the restaurant and heading to the city of Light on the western part of Lein Ind. --- Southern Area, City of Light In the sports field, full of fresh green grass, there was a 20-meter-high blue portal. The portal was surrounded by barrier ropes, and there were 4 guards ensuring that ordinary people did not enter. As the alliance leader, Lein had arranged for the 20-meter portals to remain inessible for the time being. The dangers within had not yet been confirmed, so Lein and the core members would check them first before allowing public ess. "Wee, Mr. Lein, Princess Nita," the head guard greeted them. Lein nodded and said, "Thank you, please ensure that ordinary citizens do not enter until we give the order." "Understood, Sir." Lein nced at Nita beside him. Her face was filled with strong curiosity. Her gaze was fixed on the portal as if reading the thousands of possibilities on the other side. "Let''s go in." They slowly but surely entered the portal, eventually being swallowed by the blue portal. [Multi-Space Portal: Are you sure you want to enter?] "Yes." Lein recalled that the top 3 prize in the previous event was also a multi-space portal. Did this mean that the top 3 yers had entered the portal before the other rulers? Before Lein could finish his spection, the portal had already swallowed him from the ind. --- A vast field, portal inds neatly lined up in the middle of the field. Every now and then, people would emerge from the portals. The people who emerged had various appearances. Some carried bows, some had halos of light, some were cloaked in dark mes, and some took the form of animals like wolves and bears. All sorts of creatures emerged from the portals. "Haha... Finally, I''m back. I''ll kill that ugly monster this time." "After upgrading my equipment, I''m sure I''ll get a lot of contributions." "Those Beast Masters are too arrogant with their monsters. And those stupid yers, why are they helping those damn Beast Masters..." Non-stop conversations of people emerging from the portals could be heard. Most of them seemed to be at war and eager to earn contribution points. Not far from the portal field, there were several small posts guarded by guards in matching uniforms. Their hair was neatly tied, and their cloaks bore a crossed sword emblem. At these small posts, some people who had just emerged from the portals headed straight there. After some light conversation, the guards handed over bronze badges to the people in front of them. A few guards stationed on the outer perimeter were having a discussion. "Look, it seems the Faithwardens are joining the summon this time." "Yes, I also feel Lord Gou is prioritizing the war with the Beast Masters this time." "Are you stupid? This battle involves Royal-level artifacts." The guard''s friend was annoyed and scolded his friend a bit. "Yeah, but... Why are small forces like ours involved in such a big war?" "Again, you''re showing your ignorance. Do you think everything you see here is free, without cost?" "By mobilizing small forces, if we win, it will greatly reduce the cost of war." "That''s enough, get back to work..." Since his friend had no warlike thoughts, the guard kept grumbling and stopped talking to his clueless friend. ... Lein and Nita now emerged from one of the portals. They saw many people of various kinds, styles, and auras. They felt they had moved to a ce very foreign and far from home. The surrounding aura was strong, even Lein, with an average attribute of 500 points, was overwhelmed and trembled inside. "Is this a higher realm?" "Brother, it seems very dangerous this time. I feel like they could attack us at any moment," said Nita from beside him. She kept looking around, seeing all sorts of people. "Wee, Sir, is this your first time in Guandu Realm?" A guard noticed Lein and Nita''s movements and approached them. Lein looked at the guard who had asked. [Status] - Name: Ju Kun - Race: Cui Race - Power Core: Cultivator - Level: Foundation Establishment Even the status panel disy had changed. "A Cultivator," Lein said in his heart. "Yes, this is our first time here," Lein answered honestly. "Wee, Sir, I am Ju Kun, and I will guide you." Ju Kun had a friendly appearance. He guided Lein and Nita to one of the posts. Along the way, Ju Kun provided an overview of the ce they were in and the current situation. They were in one of the top sects in the Wulin Empire located in Guandu Realm, the Heaven''s News Sect. Heaven''s News Sect was one of the tens of thousands of sects guarding the southern part of Guandu Realm. Guandu Realm was the realm of the Cui race, who were Cultivators, and they were currently at war with the Torvu race. The Torvu race were Beast Masters from the Tuwu realm. Cultivators are beings who gain power by harnessing energy from the universe. In contrast, Beast Masters specialize in taming Star Beasts to gain power. Lein was also very surprised when Ju Kun mentioned that there were 5 types of Power Cores in the vast universe. The 5 Core Powers are: 1. Faithwarden: Beings who gain power from faith energy. 2. Cultivator: Beings who gain power from natural energy. 3. yer: Beings who gain power from the will of nature. 4. Star Beat: Star beings who gain power from their bloodline. 5. Beast Master: Beings who tame star beasts. Chapter 28: Faithwarden vs Player Lein and Nita were currently at one of the posts. The supervisor in front of them asked a few questions such as their names, power cores, and origins. The power core referred to the source of their power, so Lein answered "System." Their origin was the Divine Sky Realm. After getting the information, the supervisor then issued a bronze badge and handed it to Lein and Nita. [War Badge] - Name: Lein - Power Core: System | Tier-1 - Rank: Bronze - Contribution Points: 0 - Origin: Divine Sky Realm Nita received a simr bronze badge. After their business was finished, they both left. "Excuse me, Mr. Ju, where can we earn contribution points?" Lein asked Ju Kun, who was outside the post. "Mr. Lein, you can go to the War Office to take on missions." Ju Kun pointed towards the city gate. "Mr. Lein, you can exit the portal area, walk straight along the main city road, and after a few minutes, you''ll find the War Office." "Thank you, Mr. Ju." Lein thanked him, then he and Nita walked towards the city gate. ... Passing through the gate, the surroundings were quite crowded. "Excuse me,ing through." "Come on,e on, there''s a discount promotion today." "New menu items, boost your stamina." The shouts of the crowd continued to be heard, making Lein feel like he was in a city environment. "Brother, look at that tower, it''s so tall," Nita said, pointing her finger towards a tall tower in the middle of the city. The tower was very tall, its top not even visible. "We''ll have one like that someday," Lein said casually. They then walked for a few minutes before finally arriving at a 10-story building, 100 meters wide. Several soldiers and creatures from different races wereing in and out of the War Office. "Hey, move aside, do you think you''re special with that weak light?" Two groups were currently shing near the entrance. The speaker was a muscr man with arge spiked mace on his back. The one shing with him was a young man holding a long swan-feather. The most striking thing about him was the white halo above his head. Yes, the young man was a Faithwarden. "Tch... Who are you to order me?" The young man with the halo didn''t flinch, provoking the muscr man. "Hahaha... A little brat like you..." Before he could finish his sentence, the muscr man activated all his equipment. Helmet, armor, boots, and gloves covered his muscr body. The blue mace grewrger, and golden spikes emerged. The muscr man swung the spiked mace with great force, aiming at the young man with the white halo. The young man with the halo didn''t stay idle. The halo behind him expanded and quickly formed a transparent barrier in front of him. The spiked mace shed with the transparent barrier, making a loud noise. The impact caused a strong gust of wind. Lein watched from a distance, unable to contain his surprise at the power of the two individuals. "What on earth, do they not know there''s a Guardian Tower in our area?" Lein thought to himself. In Lein''s view, the transparent barrier shattered, unable to withstand the momentum of the golden spiked mace. A cracking sound was heard, and then the mace hit the young man with the white halo. The young man flew 20 meters and crashed into one of the building walls. "Brother, why didn''t the Guardian Tower activate? Does this city not have an automatic Guardian Tower?" Nita asked curiously from the side. She also didn''t expect the two individuals to take action in a crowded ce within the city. Others didn''t interfere with the fight, watching silently from the side. "Once again, the yers and Faithwardens. They''re like dogs and cats." "Ugh... Enjoy the show, want to bet?" Some discussions from the side reached Lein''s ears. It seemed he gathered some important information; yers and Faithwardens didn''t seem to get along. The young man with the halo felt pain in his chest, but it didn''tst long. His eyes currently glowed golden. The long swan-feather in his hand floated in front of him, then lifted upwards. Feather quills appeared out of thin air. Feathers continued to emerge until there were more than a hundred, then a thousand, and they kept increasing. "Hahaha... That yer is going to lose this time." "Damn, is the Faithwarden going serious?" "I''m worried the Mayor will show up this time to settle the issue." Discussions from the side continued to provide new information for Lein and Nita. The young man with the halo''s swan-feather filled the sky above him. The feathers then flew down towards the muscr man at high speed. Like a rain of arrows, the muscr man''s body became the target. "Flowing Mace." A few words came out of the muscr man''s mouth. The mace in his hand moved fluidly, and all the iing feather arrows were casually deflected. Seeing that his feather attack was ineffective, the young man with the halo, who was 20 meters away, suddenly moved quickly and appeared behind the muscr man. The white halo above his head flew over the muscr man''s head. A bright light enveloped the muscr man. "Damn... This damned Light Prison again," the muscr man cursed. He wasn''t worried. A clock as big as a ball came out of his bag. The clock''s hand turned, and the number 5 appeared. From an outsider''s perspective, the entire area within a 1 km radius had currently stopped. Mayor''s Office. "Sir, there''s a fight between a yer and a Faithwarden again." A female assistant reported to the middle-aged man behind arge desk. "Again?" the middle-aged man saidzily. "Yes, sir. The yer even used his time artifact." "Tell Elder Zein to handle them," the middle-aged man seemed very reluctant to hear the report. Hezily delegated the matter to Elder Zein. "Yes, sir," the woman said respectfully. She then broke a long talisman. Back to the fight in front of the War Office. When the clock started, the surroundings'' time stopped. Some individuals with special abilities were not affected. Like a human with snake eyes and a young man with a ck sword at his waist. Lein and Nita were also unable to move. However, their thoughts were still active, watching the fight between the two individuals. Chapter 29: Elder Zein: Nascent Soul Cultivator The muscr man nced at the young man with the white halo. A wide smile appeared on his face. "Haha... You''re done this time." He then pointed the tip of his mace at the young man. The mace seemed to move, revealing sharp teeth at its end. Like a snake, the tip of the mace opened its mouth wide, more than a meter, and then devoured the young man with the white halo. The mace chewed briefly with its sharp teeth, then swallowed with great relish, its tongue licking its lips as if it had eaten the most delicious meal ever. Hahaha... The muscr manughed loudly. He felt like he had won a historic battle. He then noticed the clock''s hand had stopped, and the number on the clock showed 0. Therge clock then disappeared into thin air. Time returned to normal, but the muscr man sensed something was amiss. "Why aren''t people cheering?" he thought to himself. As he had suspected, when he looked back, the young man with the white halo stood there casually. "Hahaha... Besides big muscles, what else do you have?" the young man mocked. Without waiting long, the white halo floated back up into the sky. However, this time it was different. Like a sun shining brightly, the white halo formed a domain. "Hahahaha... Let''s see where your arrogance is now." The young man with the white halo''s aura increased at a palpable rate. Even the mayor felt the chaos intensifying. "Run... Get away." "Crazy, that guy has awakened the seed of faith. Stay away if you don''t want to get involved." "Mr. Bang Lu, someone call Mr. Bang Lu." "That yer is finished." Panicked screams dispersed the onlookers who had been watching the fight from the sidelines. Who would have thought a brief encounter in front of the War Office would spark such a big battle? "Miss, do you want to keep watching?" Not far from the corner, an old man who looked like a servant asked a young girl in white. "Yes, I''m curious about Yol''s new power," the girl said with interest. Her hair and eyes were white. Other than that, she looked like an ordinary girl on the city streets. The girl''s gaze remained fixed on the young man with the white halo. At that moment, the young man with the white halo moved his swan-feather quill, the tip of which was very sharp, exuding a pure white aura. The muscr man was a bit overwhelmed this time; his mace kept shing with the swan-feather quill. "Damn... A few months ago, this guy hadn''t even awakened his seed of faith." "Hey, Petri... If you stay idle, I''ll kill you when we get back." The muscr man red sharply at a young man with a bow on his back. "Hahaha... Rod, you made a mistake and brought trouble to me?" The man with the bow on his back replied. Despite his words, he still took the golden bow from his back. Petri''s equipment glowed, all in blue. Soon, the man with the bow ran, then soared high into the sky. He drew his bow and aimed it at the young man with the halo. "What is it? You''re asking for help from your lowly friend now?" the young man with the halo mocked. A ck arrow flew towards him. Feather quills appeared out of thin air, blocking the arrow. "Damn, why do these people always have weird powers?" the young man with the white halo said. The feather quills he summoned did not block the ck arrow. It was like a hot knife meeting butter. Not staying idle, he moved and attacked the bowman with a rain of feather quills like before. This time, the rain of feathers was different; he received a strength buff from his halo domain. Two yers against one Faithwarden. The fight continued, and people had already moved away by now. "Everyone stop." An old man in a white robe appeared. He floated in the sky. A powerful oppressive aura filled the entire area. Even the young man''s white halo domain was shattered. Their attacks all fell, inactive. Especially the three of them, the oppressive force was so strong that theyy hugging the ground like lizards. "Sorry, Elder Zein, sorry... we were wrong." "Forgive us, Elder Zein." The three of them struggled to apologize. Elder Zein ignored them. He just continued to stare at them. Then he added more pressure. Blood now flowed from the mouths of the three. The sound of cracking bones was also heard. "Elder Zein, forgive the chaos caused by Young Master Yol. We will providepensation," a woman in the group of the young man with the white halo spoke. "Shut up..." Two words came from Elder Zein''s mouth, his eyes still fixed on the three hugging the ground, their bodies soaked in blood. "But..." Before the woman could finish her sentence, the same strong pressure pressed down on her like the three. Now four people felt the pressure that made their hearts feel like they were being electrocuted. The power exerted by Elder Zein rendered them unable to think clearly anymore. Fear, regret, and the hope that someone would help filled their minds. "Haha... Just because you have a little power. Seeking death in the war zone." "They got what they deserved." "Elder Zein is as strict as ever." Lein watched everything from start to finish. His heart pounded when Elder Zein first appeared. [Status] Name: Zein Wafu Race: Cui Race Power Core: Cultivator Rank: Nascent Soul (master). "Master!!???" Lein shouted in his heart. He then remembered the golden talisman he had received. The talisman could withstand a full attack from a Master-level being? He had more than 100,000 of such talismans, didn''t that mean he had 100,000 life-saving tools? This certainly made Lein very happy. Their security level would significantly increase. But it also indicated that the middle-aged man with the time crown was very powerful. He could even issue protective talismans like that casually. "I give you three seconds to call someone who can give me rity," Elder Zein still stood calmly with his hands behind his back. As soon as Elder Zein said this, the pressure slightly decreased. Although their bodies were severely damaged, with broken bones and internal organs, they still mustered the remaining strength to send information to their organizations. "Yes, sir... Yes." "Yes, Elder Zein..." From afar, the girl with white hair was sitting at this moment. She somehow got a chair to sit on. "Very interesting... and exciting... That idiot Yol!!!" the girl said with irritation. "Yes, Miss, I hope Mr. Idris does note," the old servant seemed worried about something if the mentioned Mr. Idris arrived. Chapter 30: List of missions of the Cui race Not long after the terror caused by Master Zein, two individuals with auras matching his appeared. The first was a woman with red hair, dressed in bright purple. Upon arrival, she ignored Master Zein and went straight to the muscr man to help him. A bottle materialized out of thin air, which she poured into the mouths of the muscr man and his friend, the bowman. Lein watched from afar with admiration in his heart. The woman before him was a yer like him, her aura no less powerful than Master Zein''s. [Status] - Name: Rica Vol - Race: Human Race from Tydac - Power Core: yer - Level: Master "Bro... that woman is so strong." Even Nita, standing beside him, felt a sense of awe. What would it be like to have such power? After the red-haired woman appeared, another person came¡ªa tall old man with long robes, neatly tied hair, and a well-groomed long mustache. He waved his hand casually, and holy light enveloped Yol, the young man with the white halo. All of Yol''s injuries disappeared, and he could even open his eyes now. "Since you have arrived, let''s talk at the Mayor''s Office." "I must inform you that, due to the actions of your subordinates, the Northern Fortress has been destroyed." As soon as Master Zein said this, the eyes of the red-haired woman and the old man with the long mustache narrowed. The three of them then disappeared without further ado, and everything returned to normal. As if nothing had happened, everyone resumed their activities. "Did you hear Master Zein''s words? The Northern Fortress is destroyed." "Yes... I''m worried it''s only a matter of time before those Beast Tamers reach the Main Fortress." "How could it be so easy? Let''s take on a mission together." The discussion snapped Lein and Nita out of their reverie. They quickly headed into the war office. The war office was very spacious. In the middle, there were many counters with clerks behind them. On the sides, there were several boards where missions were posted. All sorts of beings with strange powers moved around, looking for members, discussing, and rxing in the area to the left. "Nita, over here,e on." They both headed to the board that seemed to be where the missions were listed. "Feel free to browse," a female clerk guided everyone who came to take on a mission. Lein and Nita directed their attention to the board full of writing. They couldn''t understand the writing, but at that moment, their system panels disyed information they couldprehend. [Cui Race Missions: Combat] - Patrol at fortress #8 for 8 hours. 10 contribution points. - Fight and enter the main battlefield for 5 hours, contribution points +70. - Guard and defend at fortress #3 for 10 hours, contribution points +50. - Participate in the assault n, contribution points +200. - ... [Cui Race Missions: Achievement] - Eliminate a tier-1 Torvu race member, contribution points +1. - Eliminate a tier-2 Torvu race member, contribution points +10. - Eliminate a tier-3 Torvu race member, contribution points +100. - ... "Brother, whichbat mission should we take?" Nita found it difficult to make a choice because she had no idea about the current war situation. "Let''s take the mission to enter the battlefield with +70 contribution points," Lein replied. "But brother, isn''t that a bit excessive, entering the battlefield directly?" Nita felt her brother was being a bit reckless this time. "Don''t worry, we can escape with the golden talisman," Lein insisted. "Brother, we did the same thing before. Are you really confident in yourself?" This time, for some reason, Nita disagreed with Lein''s n. Seeing Nita''s disagreement, Lein was a bit confused. It was not like his sister to be like this. However, as someone who had experienced a painful defeat before, he decided to follow Nita''s advice this time. "Alright, alright, Nita is smart... So where to next?" Lein conceded and listened to Nita''s n. Nita smiled and then said, "First, we need to explore the city of the Heaven News Sect. With your talent, we will surely achieve satisfying results." Hearing Nita''s exnation, Lein was enlightened. He felt his brain was very dull for being too focused on the system. "Brother, remember... the system is not something luxurious like in novels." "Everyone has it; it''s just a way for us humans to process power." "What we need to focus on now is taking advantage of all the opportunities as best as we can." Nita continued to exin, hoping her brother would not be too rigid and only focus on the system like a robotic clerk. "Haha... My sister is indeed smart as usual. Forgive your slow brother," Lein was not upset by Nita''s lecture. He was grateful and remembered back to their days on Earth. Only his sister was his friend in difficult times and always supported him. After discussing further, Lein chose the patrol mission with +10 contribution points. Immediately, the female clerk handed over a kind of bank card with all the mission information written on it. "Excuse me, miss, where can I exchange points?" Lein asked the female clerk. "Please go to the exchange section over there, sir," the woman pointed her hand to the center of the room. Indeed, several people looked very happy aftering out from the exchange desk. "Thank you." Lein and Nita walked while observing the people passing by. The appearance of the yers was typically marked by the main weapons they used. Most of them carried swords and magic staffs. It was alsomon to see yers with shields on their backs. From their observation, Lein and Nita noticed that ordinary people without prominent equipment were cultivators. Essentially, cultivators were humans. In the war office, it was not umon to see people with human forms; they were the Star Beasts. Then there were those with the most distinctive aura and appearance¡ªthe faitwardens. The aura they emitted was very different from that of most people. After observing several times, Lein and Nita discovered that some faithwardens also had a dark aura, which was in stark contrast to the aura of the young man with the white halo from before. Chapter 31: Tou Pavilion, Multi-Space Portal Lein and Nita looked at the list of exchangeable items on the scrolling screen. [Contribution Points Exchange] - Silver Badge: 30,000 points - Tetan Sword: 17,000 points - Mountain Armor: 13,000 points - Damage Talisman: 2000 points - Purple Stone: 100 points - Folew Flower: 100 points - Reu Defense Tower: 19,000 points - ... There were thousands more items on the exchange list. "It seems difficult to get a badge just by doing patrol missions," Lein said, pondering how to earn 30,000 contribution points. "Come on, let''s explore the city first," Nita urged from the side. "Alright... Alright... Let''s go." They left the war office and started thinking about where to go. ... "Hehehe... How could I forget a ce full of items like this," Lein thought to himself. They were now at thergest treasure pavilion in the city of Heaven''s News. Tou Pavilion stood tall at the center of Heaven''s News, boasting ten floors. Many people wereing in and out of the pavilion. Most of them were tier-1 and tier-2 beings, with asional tier-3 individuals appearing with a haughty demeanor. Even though they were at the Golden Core stage, these cultivators could livefortably in the city. Not only cultivators, but Faithwardens, yers, and Star Beasts also frequented the pavilion to shop for equipment. asionally, someone in human form would emit a powerful dragon aura, indicating a significant background in the cultivation world. When Lein and Nita entered the first floor, they saw numerous ss disys surrounding the area. The weapons hanging on the walls were equally luxurious and impressive. "Brother, have you seen that huge bull head?" Nita pointed at the bull helmet hanging on the wall. (Hell Bull Helmet) - Level: 25 - Attribute: RES +120, STR +76 - (Breath of Courage): Increases stamina by 25%, increases RES attribute by 25% for 1 minute. "Yes... A special equipment for Tier-2 rulers," Lein said as he walked towards one of the disys. Besides the helmet, there were many weapons of various shapes and attributes. (Murder Staff) - Level: 35 - Attribute: INT +371, AGI +296 - (Breath of Courage): Releases a massive energy explosion in a 25-meter radius, dealing an additional 200% of total INT damage. "Wee to Tou Pavilion. How may I assist you?" a male attendant greeted politely. "I would like to see the most expensive items in this pavilion," Lein asked directly. The attendant''s expression changed slightly. He thought Lein was being a bit arrogant and ignored him. After all, how could you trust someone who hadn''t even reached Tier-2 to make such a bold request? Seeing the attendant''s silence, Lein felt confused. "Brother... They''re not part of the system. They don''t even know us," Nita whispered from the side. "Sorry... Sorry... I was just joking," Lein apologized sincerely. He then took out a bag full of 10,000,000 energy crystals. The attendant frowned and checked the bag''s contents. A wide smile soon appeared on his face. "Sorry, sir, I didn''t recognize you earlier." Hastily apologizing, the attendant ran to the back to retrieve something. "Please have a look, sir," the attendant said, presenting a bag full of items. [Small Bag] - Intercontinental Ship: 14,000,000 energy crystals - Advanced Lightning Tower: 8,000,000 energy crystals - Fu King''s Sword +10: 2,500,000 energy crystals - ... Lein was interested in all the items except Fu King''s Sword. Even so, he bought everything, feeling there was a slight difference between system items and cultivator items. "What''s the total?" Lein asked casually. Hearing Lein''s words, the attendant almost fainted. Did he just catch a big fish? Even with a 1%mission, he would profit greatly. "Sorry, sir, I can''t handle such arge transaction. I need to call Elder Wan," the attendant said, heading to the back to fetch someone. Soon, an old man in a white robe appeared. [Status] Name: Wan Lu Race: Cui Race Power Core: Cultivator Level: ???. "Demon!!!! Someone above a master?" Lein and Nita were shouting in their hearts. Their hearts were pounding. "Young friends, sorry to keep you waiting." Elder Wan was very friendly, not emitting the slightest pressure. "Hahaha... It''s no problem, Elder Wan," Lein could onlyugh nervously. "No need to worry. I''m just doing some routine checks," Elder Wan said, scanning Lein''s entire body with his gaze. Lein feltpletely defenseless under Elder Wan''s examination, standing still as if being searched without clothes. "Good, you may proceed with the transaction at Tou Pavilion." Lein felt relieved hearing Elder Wan''s words. He worried his talent might be discovered, not about the system''s existence. "Then, I''ll leave it to you, Elder Wan." Lein handed over a bag containing 67,000,000 energy crystals to Elder Wan. In return, Elder Wan gave him a bag with seven items. "Hahaha, young master Lein is very straightforward," Elder Wanughed, having checked the bag''s contents and found the value matched the agreement. "May I ask if young master Lein is interested in another deal?" Lein hadn''t expected Elder Wan to offer another deal. He was a bit cautious but nodded in agreement. "Well... What do you think, young friend? Are you interested?" Elder Wan took out a round object with strange writing and a portal image inside. [Multi-Space Portal] Forms a dimensional path between spaces. Maximum distance: 10 spaces (1 space = 1,000 trillion km). Lein''s eyes widened at the item before him. "1 trillion km?" Lein thought to himself. 10 spaces mean approximately 10 trillion kilometers. Isn''t this distance almost the same as the diameter of the Milky Way gxy? What kind of existence is capable of creating a device with such a vast teleportation range? "What do you think?" Elder Wan asked, seeing Lein''s interest. "How many energy crystals are needed to exchange for it, Elder Wan?" A small smile appeared on Elder Wan''s face. "This portal cannot be exchanged for energy crystals. It requires 5 Blessing Potions." Elder Wan continued to smile warmly, waiting patiently. In contrast to Elder Wan''s calm demeanor, Lein''s heart was pounding. Nita was no exception. Chapter 32: Elder Wans Hidden Mission "Brother..." Nita tugged on Lein''s sleeve, very worried. Lein still couldn''t ept how Elder Wan knew about his potions. He was also surprised that the Blessing Potions were so valuable. "Hmmm, alright, but I don''t have 5 right now. I only have 3 potions." Lein tried to gamble. He felt Elder Wan didn''t know exactly how many Blessing Potions he had. But somehow, Elder Wan could smell the potion''s scent on his body. "Three is fine. You can give the other twoter," Elder Wan said calmly. "Additionally, I also want the Silver Badge." Lein found Elder Wan easy to talk to. Since Elder Wan said they were making a deal, Lein tried to negotiate. Sure enough, Elder Wan took out a silver badge. "Hahaha... Of course. I almost forgot that you are a yer." "Take it. This item isn''t very valuable to us cultivators." Two Silver Badges appeared in Lein''s hands. [Silver Badge] A warrior''s medal of bravery, having passed the trials of Gayun. Lein didn''t understand what Gayun was or how difficult it was to obtain it. So, he quickly put it in his bag. At the same time, he also took out the three Blessing Potions he had promised earlier. As he took out the three Blessing Potions, Elder Wan made a strange gesture. His hand formed a particr pattern, and then their surroundings changed. They were now in apletely different dimension. "Hahaha... Young master Lein, very good... very good." Elder Wan nced at the three potion bottles for a few seconds. He then opened them and inhaled the blessing aroma deeply. "Thest ingredient... Even if it''s just three." Elder Wan sighed deeply. "Young master Lein, when will you provide the remaining two?" Lein felt the old man in front of him really needed the Blessing Potions. But he truly couldn''t take out more potions. He was worried about arousing others'' suspicions. Elder Wan noticed the difficulty on Lein''s face. Suddenly, Lein''s eyes widened this time. [Elder Wan''s Hidden Mission] - Name: Wan Lu - Rank: S - Description: Provide Elder Wan with two Blessing Potions - Reward: 1,000,000 contribution points. "Damn... What kind of item am I holding that it has such a high value?" Lein screamed in his heart. He nced at his sister Nita beside him. "Did you see that?" Lein asked. Nita didn''t understand what her brother was asking, she raised her eyebrows as if asking Lein to exin further. "Ahem... Alright." "I will provide the remaining two potions in 25 days." Lein had done the calctions in his head. He neither refused nor gave them too quickly. [Sessfully epted mission (Elder Wan''s Hidden Mission). Deadline 25 days] "Agreed," Elder Wan smiled broadly. He then released the istion barrier around them. Lein saw their surroundings filled with equipment disys once again; they had returned. "Young master Lein, it was a pleasure doing business with you. Before we part, please ept this tinum Token from Tou Pavilion." Elder Wan took out a transparent token. It was shaped like a royal shield but in a small size, about the size of an adult''s palm. Without waiting any longer, Elder Wan disappeared from Lein''s sight. [Tou Pavilion Token - tinum] A token only held by a few lucky rulers and highly respected by Tou Pavilion. This token can be used wherever a Tou Pavilion stands. - Owner: Lein - Validity: Forever - Benefits: Prioritized customer at Tou Pavilion and highest privileges. "Nice item... what happens if I duplicate it?" Lein nced at the transparent token in his hand, amazed by the token he held. They had not been in Guandu for a day, yet they had already be tinum-level customers at one of thergest pavilions. "Brother... Why did Elder Wan act like that?" Nita was still confused about how someone with power above a master negotiated with them as if they were equals. "I don''t know either. Let''s just consider ourselves lucky this time." Lein didn''t think further; he really didn''t know why Elder Wan didn''t rob or force them. Whatever the case, it was good for them. They then left the pavilion and intended to try promoting to Tier-2. *** An old man appeared on a floating ind high above the sky. The ind was beautiful, with all kinds of natural beauty visible. Waterfalls, forests filled with lush trees, clear rivers with smooth stones, and all kinds of star creatures enjoying life on the ind. However, on the entire ind, there was only one white pce in the middle. White swans filled the courtyard, long stairs, and magnificent statues adorned the steps. Currently, someone was walking through those long stairs with determined steps. After a few minutes, he reached the pce door and stood still. He just stood there without a sound, without movement, firmly waiting for something. A moment passed, and finally, a voice was heard from inside the pce. "Elder Wan, what important news brings you here?" The voice from inside the pce contained a magical power, soft yet reaching Elder Wan''s ears clearly. "Lord Pavilion, I found thest item you requested." Hearing Elder Wan''s words, a young man suddenly appeared in front of him. The young man was bare-chested. His pants looked like a skirt trailing to the ss floor of the pce. The thin pants gave a soft, rxed, and smooth feeling to those who saw them. The Blessing Potion floated in front of the man, then he asked, "Where did you get it?" Elder Wan exined everything he went through to obtain the Blessing Potions. He dared not hide anything, even exining Lein''s situation without adding or subtracting anything. "Very good... By the way, give this item to the little guy when he provides the other two potions." "And also, do not cause him any trouble." The old man took something out of thin air, then disappeared in an instant. Elder Wan looked at the item left by the young man. "It seems I won a big bet this time," Elder Wan smiled slightly. He then turned and walked down the stairs. Chapter 33: Promotion to Tier-2 Leaving the Tou Pavilion, Lein and Nita explored several other ces around the city of Heavenly News. They visited crowded ces such as restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, martial arts dojos, and schools. Naturally, all the buildings and their atmospheres were very different from the social norms of Earth. For example, on Earth, they still used motorcycles with several wheels. However, in the world of Cultivators, they preferred to use animal-powered carriages. Additionally, most flying objects like airships and flying beasts were quite expensive. So, it was not surprising to see several pushcarts around. "Brother... How about we proceed to Tier-2 next?" Nita was already quite tired from walking around the city, so she felt it was time to proceed. "Hmmm, yeah, let''s rent a ce for now," replied Lein. They soon went to one of the inns in the city center. They saw a 10-story inn and made a reservation for one week, spending 1,500 energy crystals. Hotel Room, 7th Floor. "Brother, can you duplicate the silver badge?" Inside the hotel room, Nita asked with high curiosity. "Yeah... wait a moment." Lein then opened his status panel, and the cooldown for his Infinity Duplicate Talent was over. [Duplicate (silver badge) x 10,000. Are you sure?] "Yes." As usual, there was no hindrance. With a short burst of white light, 10,000 silver badges soon filled the storage space within his ring. Yes, Lein and Nita were no longer using system bags. The high-level bag they previously used could only hold 1,000 item slots, with each slot holding 100 stacks. But when they visited the Tou Pavilion earlier, they bought a Space Ring with 100 cubic meters of storage for 10,000,000 energy crystals. "Hahaha, it never disappoints," Lein said, looking at all the Silver Badges in the storage space and taking a deep breath. "Alright... 50% of our goal has been achieved," Lein said casually. Their goal this time was to find a silver badge to proceed. But this time, not only did they get the silver badge, they also obtained many high-quality items. Lein felt that he needed to explore higher realms to quickly gain the strongest power. With his duplication talent, he could copy any item owned by powerful people. He even thought of duplicating the items used to create systems if possible. Lein didn''t wait any longer and opened the promotion panel. [Proceed to Tier-2, consuming items:] - Silver Badge - 100,000 Energy Crystals - Level 20 Monster Heart - Commander Rank Are you sure? "Yes." Lein agreed casually. He suddenly felt a power entering his body. He could feel his blood flowing through every vein inside him. It wasn''t painful but felt very strange, like a worm entering his body and moving freely. That strange feeling didn''tst long, soon reced by afortable feeling. His body felt full of power. [The ruler has sessfully promoted to Tier-2] [Sub-skills have been unlocked, please fill them wisely] Lein was curious about his status increase, so he opened the status panel. [STATUS] - Name: Lein - Level: 20 (1%) - Attributes: STR 1732, AGI 1580, INT 1338, RES 1691 - ss: Swordsman (Holy Human, 90% exp) - Skills: (Divine sh Shadow), (Sky Shattering sh), (Area of Light) - Sub Skill: - - Equipment: (Divine Sword +10), (Two-step shoes +10), (Night Splitting Cloak +10), (Fierce fighting gloves +10), (Durable Helmet +10) - Talent: (Infinity Duplicate SSS) - Features: Market, Chat, Friends "Sub-skills?" Lein said, confused. "Do Cultivator skill books also count as sub-skills?" He had actually seen some skill books when he went to the Tou Pavilion, but there were no features other than general information. "Yes, brother, maybe we should try buying some skill books and trying them out," Nita also thought the same. "Yeah... Besides, we''re not in a hurry. Come on, you should also proceed to Tier-2." "Okay, brother." Nita did the same, agreeing to the system prompt. Soon, Nita held Lein''s hand, startled. "Brother..." Nita said, looking at Lein worriedly. "Calm down, don''t panic... Brother felt the same earlier." Nita seemedforted and calmed down again. The promotion effect didn''tst long. Nita looked at Lein and nodded. She then exined all her attribute status to Lein. [STATUS] - Name: Cute Cat - Level: 20 (3%) - Attributes: STR 1684, AGI 1613, INT 1377, RES 1562 - ss: Archer (Nature Elf, 60% exp) - Skills: (Arrow Explosion), (Nature Archery Dance), (Sun Core Arrow) - Sub Skill: - - Equipment: (Light Moon Bow+10), (Poof movement shoes +10), (Cloud dancer robe +10), (Shooter''s gloves +10), (Core Helmet +10) Lein and Nita both gained an additional 500 points in each attribute. All their equipment had also been reced with the best avable items, each upgraded to +10. Forging was very difficult, requiring someone with a forging talent for a high sess rate and many resources. Not only energy crystals, but rare colored stones were also needed. All of that only applied to others. Lein didn''t even employ someone with a forging talent to upgrade his and Nita''s equipment to +10. He did it himself with a very low sess rate, spending many times the usual resources. "Brother, look, the event ranking has changed." Hearing Nita''s words, Lein opened the Event Ranking board. [Event Ranking] 1. Raden Tutu - 3600 2. William Anderson - 1450 3. Rikamu - 1250 4. Bai Qi - 750 ... 8. Laras - 430 "Sister Laras?" Lein asked, surprised. But after thinking about it, it made sense. He felt Laras had a special talent forbat. "It seems we''re falling behind again," Lein said, making a sad pose. Pakkk... A punchnded directly on Lein''s stomach. The punch wasn''t strong, but it made Lein surprised and slightly embarrassed. "What''s wrong, Nita?" Lein still looked confused, not knowing what was happening. "Hmm... Arrogant... Don''tin if you''re not on the ranking again," Nita turned away. "Hahaha... Alright, alright... Sorry, brother was just joking." "Let''s find suitable skill books for us." Nita still looked indifferent, but she walked towards the door. Lein raised his hand as if asking, "What did I do wrong?" Without thinking any longer, he followed her out. Chapter 34: Buying skill books at Tou Pavilion Tou Pavilion, 5th Floor Unlike before, when they were served by a regr attendant who hadn''t even reached foundation cultivation, this time Lein and Nita were attended by an elder at the nascent soul level. The elder before them was the branch head of the Tou Pavilion in Heaven News city. Both of them were currently examining hundreds of booksid out before them. Each book contained skills that could be used to fill the sub-skill slots on their status panel. After reaching Tier-2, each skill book now disyed more detailed information. "Brother, this one looks good, doesn''t it?" Nita handed Lein a thin, brown book for him to inspect. (Fatal Shot) Attack the enemy''s weak point, dealing additional damage. - Level: 1 (0/10,000) - Base Damage: 1,200 - Rarity: Rare - Cooldown: 1 minute - Requirement: Level 20, Archer "Yes, it''s quite good for sneak attacks." "But don''t focus solely on attack skills. Pay attention to speed and defense skills as well," Lein advised. "Alright, brother." --- "Excuse me, Mr. Su, how much is this book?" Nita asked the branch head, whose name was Su Gohu. "A rare-level book is 1,000,000 energy crystals, an elite-level book is 250,000 crystals, and amon-level book is 50,000 energy crystals," Su Gohu replied. Nita nodded and then learned the skill (Fatal Shot). [Learning skill (Fatal Shot). Are you sure?] "Yes." There was no unusual effect; the skill book simply disappeared into thin air after being used. The skill name (Fatal Shot) also appeared on Nita''s status panel. "Amazing... But brother, how do we level up the skills?" Lein was also puzzled by Nita''s question. Suddenly, the branch head in front of them spoke up. "Mr. Lein, Princess Nita... You can level up skills using skill stones." The branch head pulled out a cube-shaped ck stone. [Insight Stone] Contains universal insights and can be absorbed. - Insight Points: 100 - Insight Level: Low - Type: Universal The branch head then exined how to obtain insight stones and their effects. Insight stones are obtained by killing certain creatures, whether monsters or beings with power cores. Most insight stones are "untradeable," meaning they cannot be used by others. However, universal-type insight stones can also appear, though they are very rare. Due to their rarity, their prices are extremely high. The price of a low-level universal insight stone is 10 high-level energy crystals. "High-level energy crystals?" Lein asked, confused. "Yes, Mr. Lein. One low-level energy crystal is equivalent to 1,000 medium-level energy crystals. And one medium-level energy crystal is equivalent to 1,000 high-level energy crystals," the branch head exined in detail. He also mentioned that this is just a general conversion rate, and in reality, no one would exchange one medium crystal for 1,000 low-level crystals. Essentially, crystals have certain purity levels at each tier. While the conversion is generally 1 to 1,000 based on quantity, it does not reflect the quality. "Alright... Can I exchange for high-level energy crystals?" Lein asked. "Of course, since you are our tinum customer, Mr. Lein. However, please note that the exchange is limited to 100,000 high-level crystals," the branch head exined thest part nervously, fearing he might offend the tinum customer before him. "Hahaha, of course not... I just want to exchange for 10 high-level crystals and 100 medium-level crystals." Lein pulled out a bag containing 11,000,000 energy crystals. "The rest is for you." Lein deliberately overpaid by 400,000 pure crystals out of pride. He thought of being extravagant this time. Seeing the extra crystals, the branch head was surprised and stood still for a moment. But he tried to act as normal as possible. "Thank you, Mr. Lein." For the branch head, as someone at the Nascent Soul level, a million crystals might not mean much. But earning a million crystals in a single transaction still made him somewhat pleased. It was very rare for someone to tip that much in a single transaction. Lein didn''t really care about how many high-level crystals he bought. As long as he had one high-level crystal, he could obtain 10,000 more within the next hour when the cooldown of the Infinity Duplicate talent was finished. And if he duplicated 1 high crystal 10 times a day for 10 days, he would get 1,000,000 high-level crystals, 10 times more than the maximum amount he could exchange at Tou Pavilion. Lein continued to look for skill books suitable for the swordsman ss. (Double sh) Quickly shes twice, dealing double damage if it hits the same target. - Level: 1 (0/10,000) - Base Damage: 2,700 - Rarity: Rare - Cooldown: 2.5 minutes - Requirement: Level 20, Swordsman (Sword Aura) Activates a sword aura for 1 minute, increasing damage and attack speed by 20%. - Level: 1 (0/10,000) - Base Damage: 1,000 - Rarity: Rare - Cooldown: 10 minutes - Requirement: Level 20, Swordsman Not limited to the swordsman ss, he also bought as many rare-level books as he could. With this many skill books, he was confident they would greatly aid the development of the people on his ind. Moreover, it could potentially help some individuals with low-level core crystals to acquire more powerful primary skills. (Light Barrier) Forms a transparent barrier for 5 seconds, reducing iing damage by 10%. - Level: 1 (0/10,000) - Base Defense: 5,400 - Rarity: Rare - Cooldown: 2 minutes - Requirement: Level 20, Universal (Fast Jump) Quickly performs a high and far jump within a 100-meter radius of the user. - Level: 1 (0/10,000) - Base Speed: 1,500 - Rarity: Rare - Cooldown: 1 minute - Requirement: Level 20, Universal They spent 20 minutes selecting 10 sub-skills to use and also bought dozens of other books to duplicate. The branch head handed them a bag containing dozens of skill books, while Lein handed over a small bag containing 128 million energy crystals. "Thank you, Mr. Lein. Don''t hesitate toe back anytime," the branch head said with a warm smile. "No problem, Mr. Su. We wille again," Lein replied. Lein and Nita then left the pavilion and tried toplete the patrol mission they had taken earlier. Chapter 35: Toward the Battlefield A massive airship, 1000 meters long and 100 meters wide, floated peacefully in the sky. The ship was ck, adorned withrge cannons along its walls, and protected by a transparent shield that enveloped the entire vessel. Onboard this warship were many individuals, teleporters who had arrived in the Guandu realm to assist the Cui race in their battle against the Torvu race. Lein and Nita were among them. "Brother, how much longer do you think it will be until we arrive?" Nita asked as she continued to eat the curly noodles in front of her. They were sitting in one of the ship''s restaurants, which was as luxurious as those found on major inds. "Maybe about an hour more. We don''t need to rush," Lein replied calmly, taking a bite of spicy crab. Since moving to the Divine Sky realm, Lein had developed a strong liking for seafood. Suddenly, Lein paused his eating when someone approached their table. "Excuse me, is this seat taken?" asked a young man standing beside the table with a girl. They seemed to be a couple. Their status appeared in Lein''s view. [Status] - Name: Grey Sol - Race: Sky Elf - Power Core: Faithwarden - Level: Blessed Initiate [Status] - Name: Eliane - Race: Sky Elf - Power Core: Faithwarden - Level: Blessed Initiate "A Tier-2 Faithwarden?" Lein thought, slightly surprised by the young couple before him. "Yes, it''s free," Lein answered casually. There were two empty seats at their table, so Lein didn''t mind if someone else took them. The restaurant was nearly full, so it was natural for others to look for a ce to sit. "Thank you... sorry for the intrusion," Grey said as he sat in one of the empty chairs. There was no arrogance in his tone, instead, he seemed quite humble. "I''m Grey, and this is my friend Eliane," Grey introduced himself. Lein and Nita initially had a low opinion of Faithwardens due to the tense rtionship between Faithwardens and yers. However, the humble demeanor of this couple slightly altered their perception. The couple then sat down and ordered their food, making the atmosphere a bit warmer and friendlier. During the journey, Lein and Nita engaged in deep conversation with Grey and Eliane, getting to know each other better. "Where are you from?" Lein asked with curiosity. "We''re from the Natri Ulum realm," Grey replied. "There, the Faithwardens are the dominant sovereign." Lein listened attentively, intrigued by a realm he had never heard of before. "So, what brings you to the Guandu realm?" Nita asked, trying to understand the couple''s purpose. "We want to enhance ourbat experience and seek new opportunities," Eliane answered enthusiastically. "The Guandu realm is a ce full of challenges and opportunities." As the conversation progressed, Lein began to understand more about the Faithwardens. Their power stemmed from the influence they spread. The more beings that believed in and worshiped them, the faster their power grew. "A strong Faithwarden can possess incredible power based on the faith of their followers," Grey exined. "It''s not umon for some to achieve immortality in the minds of their followers." Lein and Nita felt the holy aura emanating from the couple. If they hadn''t already had their system and were at a lower level, they might have be followers of this pair. "Our realm is the Divine Sky, and the main power core there is the yer," Lein shared information about their origin. "yers develop very quickly. Some have reached the Master level in just one year." Grey and Eliane were surprised to hear Lein''s story. Of course, Lein lied and didn''t want to reveal the real situation in the Divine Realm. He didn''t want to invite trouble to the Divine Realm. "Amazing! Are there really people with such power?" Grey said in awe. "Yes, indeed, Brother Lein," Eliane added. "My father once told me that yers have extraordinary potential." The conversation continued throughout the journey. Lein and Nita felt increasingly close to Grey and Eliane. They found new friends in their first adventure into the outside world. ... The massive airship sailed for 1 hour and 20 minutes before finally reaching a veryrge ind. The shipnded at one of the airship ports on the edge of the ind. The passengers disembarked in an orderly manner. From the surrounding chatter, Lein learned that they were now at Fortress Ind #13, a fortress quite far from the front lines. ording to their n, they would only be conducting a patrol mission to check the situation. "Brother Grey, are you also on a patrol mission?" Lein asked Grey. "Yes, Brother Lein. We don''t dare go straight to the front lines on our first outing for experience," Grey exined. "Alright, how about we patrol together?" Lein suggested. "Good idea, more people means more safety," Grey agreed, and Eliane beside him nodded in agreement. The four of them didn''t wait any longer and headed to the temporarybat post not far from the port. The fortress ind, true to its name, had only a few tent posts as resting ces and some simple temporary houses. "Team #17, please patrol the area marked on this map. You can use ship number #76," the post officer handed a map to Lein and the others. "Thank you," Lein said, taking the map and then leaving the post with the others. They headed to the warship port. In less than five minutes, they arrived at the port. It was bustling, with many people also looking for their ships. The ship they would be using wasrge enough to amodate 100 people. "Let''s go," Lein called out, waving to the others as he walked towards the ship. *** The enormous ind stretched endlessly. From a distance, colorful lights illuminated almost every second. Loud explosions and thunderous roars were heard, apanied by the constant roars of dragons and howls of lions. Two groups were fiercely fighting, trying to annihte each other. Near the mountains, two groups shed fiercely. One group was led by an old man with a ck book floating in front of him. The other group was led by a woman with long silver hair. "Hahaha... Just a lowly yer. Still Tier-2, yet already entering the main battlefield," the silver-haired woman mocked from a distance. "Why do you talk so much? Show me the power of the Beast Masters," the old man with the ck book replied calmly. There was no fear in his eyes, only a fighting spirit and a desire to showcase his power. Yes, the old man was Old Man Haikal, a core member of the World Trade Alliance. Lein had sent them each a Silver Badge for promotion a while ago. Chapter 36: Encountering the Torvu Race "Mr. Haikal, you seem more energetic after getting promoted," said a man with arge hammer from the side. "Hahaha... Of course. When else can you feel such power at my age?" Old Man Haikalughed heartily. But suddenly, his pupils shrank. Arge w appeared in his vision with terrifying power. "A silent attacker?" whispered Old Man Haikal. His body was suddenly engulfed in ck mes. No, more urately, his body turned into ck mes. The red bear w struck empty air. Old Man Haikal reappeared a considerable distance away. "Seems like bear meat is good for bone health. How about I roast some?" Old Man Haikal said casually. The silver-haired woman was shocked but quickly resumed attacking with her beasts, not giving him time to cast his spells. "Troublesome," muttered Old Man Haikal. He quickly chanted some spells, and the surrounding environment turned pitch ck. "Retreat, move back within a one-kilometer radius," Old Man Haikal ordered the others. The silver-haired woman couldn''t see anything but didn''t panic. She raised her right hand, and a hologram of a bat monster appeared. Arge bat with a wingspan of 10 meters appeared. The woman jumped onto it and also summoned an owl-shaped monster. She wasn''t foolish enough to summon beasts that had no advantage in the dark night. "Troublesome," said Old Man Haikal, seeing the numerous monsters the woman summoned. His body turned into mes again and swiftly moved towards the silver-haired woman. ck mes spread in all directions, filling the area where the woman was. Their battle continued with no one knowing who would win. *** Meanwhile, Laras''s team was in a very different situation. Arge cross, 100 meters tall, stood upright on the ground, emitting an aura of light that enveloped the area within a one-kilometer radius. Whenever a team member was severely injured, their wounds quickly healed. A woman with two orbs of light in her hands became the center of attention. A 20-meter-tall elephant was constantly being attacked by the woman with her light orbs. Yes, the woman was Laras. She became the star of the battle in that area. "Look, since when did our Fortress #41 get assistance from the center? Didn''t they say there would be no help for three hours?" said a Faithwarden soldier. "Yeah, I also heard they are yers," responded another soldier. "Even though they are usually very annoying, remember... we are at war with the Crev race right now." The Faithwarden soldiers'' conversation was audible around. Initially, they thought Laras was a Faithwarden because of her cross weapon and terrifying light powers. But when their lives were at stake, they suppressed their dislike. "Sister Laras is very strong," said Dion from a distance, admiring Laras''s new power, now at Tier-2. "Yes, if you think about it, isn''t the alliance leader even scarier?" said Old Man Takni from the side. Hearing that, Dion swallowed hard. "How did the alliance leader get so many Silver Badges, even before one day after the event appeared?" he wondered. If Lein bought using contribution points, he would be the number one yer on the leaderboard. But in reality, Lein wasn''t even in the top 20. Filled with strong curiosity, Dion could only wait and continue fighting the enemies that came. *** A ship pierced through small clouds in the void. On the ship, four people were casually discussing. They were Lein, Nita, and the couple Gray and ine. They had been flying for four hours without finding any Torvu race enemies. With nothing else to do, they could only chat and y some games. Lein and Gray were currently ying chess with 144 squares, simr to chess on Earth, but with more pieces. Meanwhile, Nita and ine sat at the front of the ship, chatting warmly. "You know, I was never allowed to go far without my father''s supervision every day," ine said with a sad tone. "Even to y with my peers, I always had to be apanied by a guard." ine was the only child of a mayor. As an only child and a girl, she received very high and ssy care. However, behind that care, her childhood freedom was very limited. Not a day without supervision, she only had time to herself when she slept. Nita felt moved hearing this. She remembered the difficult times living with her brother Lein. Hearing ine''s story, Nita felt even more grateful for her life. They continued their light conversation, while Lein and Gray continued ying chess. Suddenly, the silence was broken by the sound of a magic projectile speeding through the void, surrounded by small lightning bolts. Gray, who was previously rxed, stood up quickly, staring in the direction the projectile came from. "Sorry, Mr. Lein, wait for my turn for a moment," Gray said seriously. He approached the ship and stood still. The projectile arrived at high speed and nearly hit their ship. But Gray was ready with his hands raised, creating a 10-meter-high portal. Silence... It was as if nothing happened, Lein and Nita watched in amazement. "Teleportation power?" Lein thought to himself. "Amazing... Brother Gray is very strong," praised Nita. Gray just smiled thinly hearing the praise. He knew that Lein and Nita''s strength was not inferior to his. In the distance, a man with a face full of beast tattoos cursed angrily. "Damn... Our hideout is exposed..." he said. The man had been hiding in the area for three months, but finally, his hideout was exposed due to his own failure. "Let''s attack those bastards..." He ordered nine other ship captains. The long-idle ship engines roared back to life. The ships started moving, slowly heading towards where Lein and the others were. "Prepare... They will arrive in three minutes," ine warned. "Why should we wait? We also need to prepare," said Lein while taking out severalrge objects from his bag. The items he took out wererge ck cannons, one meter long, with golden-coated muzzles. "What are those, Brother Lein?" asked Gray curiously. "Nothing, just some small toys," Lein replied with a smile. Seeing Lein didn''t intend to exin further, Gray turned to Nita hoping for an exnation. "Those are cannons usually used for ind defense, Brother Gray," Nita exined briefly. "I know, but how do you have so many?" Gray was surprised to see more than 20 cannons had been taken out. He knew those cannons were very expensive, not to mention the operational costs that required arge amount of energy crystals. However, he suppressed his curiosity and helped Lein set up the golden cannons. Nita and ine also helped mount the cannons on the ship''s walls. The atmosphere turned tense, everyone preparing for the uing battle. In his heart, Gray felt both admiration and a bit of worry. This battle would be a test for all of them. Chapter 37: Encounter a Tier-3 creature A fleet of ships of varying sizes appeared from a distance. On top of these ships, a white g with a dragon''s head fluttered arrogantly. "Captain, there are only four of them, each with Tier-2 strength," reported a female officer in a firm tone. "Two yers and two Faithwardens. Their ships are nonbat, equipped with 20 high-level cannons and around 100,000 points of defense." The captain, a disheveled man with messy curly hair, stared sharply at the Lein''s ship in the distance. His eyes radiated a cold light. "Good... These little bastards dare to expose our hideout with such a small force?" The captain grinned fiercely, skillfully ying with a small knife in his fingers. The knife suddenly struck the table in front of him. "Load all the fire cannons, battlesers, and thunder bombs. Don''t leave a single scrap!" the captain shouted, his voice loud and full of anger, startling the female officer. "Yes, Sir," she replied, trembling. *** On the Lein''s Ship "Damn... There are ten of them," Grey muttered, surprised to see ten ships in the distance. The smallest ship was 100 meters long, while the gship in the middle was 500 meters long. Lein felt troubled. "Ten ships with the smallest being 100 meters?" he sighed deeply as he looked at the cannon in front of him. Lein checked the cannon data: [Fire Cannon] - Type: Ship defense weapon - Power: 3,000 - Firing speed: Every 1 minute - Range: 10 km - Defense: 15,000 - Energy consumption: 300 energy crystals "It seems I have to use that weapon," Lein thought hard. Lein pulled out an altar with a sharp triangle standing on it. At the tip of the triangle, there was a transparent round ball. [Sky Punishment Mortar] - Type: Ship defense weapon - Power: 50,000 - Firing speed: 5 shots, 1-minute cooldown - Firing range: 100 km - Defense: 100,000 - Energy consumption: 10,000 energy crystals "What??? Sky Mortar?" ine eximed from beside him. She had seen this weapon when she followed her father to an imperial event, where their ship was suddenly attacked, and the destructive mortar saved them. "Ten thousand energy crystals? True to its name," Lein chuckled. This sky mortar was one of the items from the Tou Pavilion. Besides high-level ships, this pavilion also provided special ship defense weapons. [Sky Punishment Mortar: Duplicate 10,000 times? Confirm?] "Yes," Lein answered firmly. Immediately, 10,000 mortars appeared in his storage ring. He began to pull them out one by one until five mortars stood firmly. "Brother Lein, you hide too well," ine and Grey said almost simultaneously, surprised. "It''s nothing, Brother Grey. Come, help me set up these mortars quickly," said Lein while installing mortars in several empty areas of the ship. The instation required attention, likerge nails on each side, taking time if done alone. They didn''t have time to remove the previous fire cannons, so they set up the mortars wherever they could. In less than a minute, five mortars were installed. "Let''s destroy that Beast Master," Lein said, handing a bag of energy crystals to ine and Grey. The mortars began consuming the energy crystals, the transparent balls at their tips lighting up, the light growing brighter. *** Meanwhile, on the enemy ship. "Warit, how is it? Are the weapons loaded?" the Captain asked his female officer. "Still in process, Sir, 1 minute and 12 seconds more," she answered timidly. "Why so long? I told you all weapons should always be loaded!" The Captain gritted his teeth in frustration. Their current distance was about 34 km from the Lein''s ship. "How about we attack directly, Sir? There might be valuable items on them?" one of the subordinates suggested. "Hmm, that''s true," the Captain pondered. He initially wanted to destroy the Lein''s ship out of anger, but his subordinate''s suggestion made sense. "You''re right... Besides, our position will be easily tracked if we use the ship''s attack." "Everyone, increase to maximum speed. Hijack that ship!" the Captain ordered. However, they froze witnessing a massive energy surge from the Lein''s ship. "No!!! Destruction Mortar!!!" they screamed in panic, but it was toote. The light had already shot out, striking them instantly. Explosion... "Boom... Bam... Boom..." Five massive explosions shook, followed by five simultaneous explosions. The sts were so powerful that they shook the ss walls of the Lein''s ship. A mushroom cloud 100 meters high formed. [Killed (Lapur Tu - Beast Bonding) exp +2,700 points, +1 contribution] [Killed (Trull - Spirit Link) exp +12,500 points, +10 contribution] [Killed (Ramuan retu - Spirit Link) exp +11,700, +10 contribution] [Killed (Gazer - Alpha Command) exp +123,900, +1000 contribution] Kill notifications flooded in. Most were Beast Bonding, Tier-1 soldiers of a Beast Master, then Tier-2 Spirit Link, and some Alpha Command with over 100,000 exp. Alpha Command was Tier-3 Beast Master. [Congrattions, Ruler level increased. Level 21, Attribute points +250] [Killed (Qal mu - Tier-2) exp +13,100, +10 contribution] Besides Beast Masters, Lein also saw notifications providing information about yer kills. Lein guessed the Beast Masters were also assisted by yers from other realms. Lein estimated that each ship had at least 50 people. With a total of 10 ships, that meant over 500 people. For someone with Tier-2 strength, this was a nightmare. But for Lein, they were all exp points. A few secondster, the exp notifications stopped. "Brother, look, some are still alive," Nita''s voice sounded. Grey and ine also saw it. A white Griffin flew in the void, its size more than 50 meters. Other beasts like a red bat and a fish with 8 wings were also visible. "Damn... True enough. You almost made me die, damn it," the Captain muttered, breathing heavily. If he had beente summoning his protective turtle star, he would have turned to ash. The Captain then directed his beasts toward Lein. He couldn''t wait to tear apart the person who had made him so miserable now. The Griffin flew very fast, followed by 5 other stars. In line with the level of the Beast Master who summoned them, these wild beasts were veryrge and strong. "Danger, Brother Lein, that''s a Tier-3 creature," Grey said, trembling. Lein watched the six beastsing from a distance at very high speed. "Brother Grey, thank you... But you need to leave now," Lein said seriously. The person in front of him was a Tier-3 Beast Master. [Status] - Name: Voirel - Race: Torvu Race - Power Core: Beast Master - Rank: Alpha Command "But Brother Lein..." Grey felt very troubled. Not because he didn''t want to help, but the presence of Tier-3 creatures was indeed very terrifying. "Sorry Brother Lein... Why don''t we leave together?" ine suggested. "We have our own way. Besides, that person surely won''t just watch and let us go without effort," Lein replied. Grey and ine didn''t wait any longer. They saw a great me spew from the Griffin''s mouth. Immediately they took out a portal and entered together with ine. Chapter 38: Kill Alpha Command level creatures Meanwhile, Nita and Lein took out ind cores from their storage rings. Immediately, a 500-meter ind appeared. Arge fire burst forth and destroyed the 100-meter ship where Lein previously stayed. Now, they were on the ind with a teleportation talisman. Voirel saw the vast ind emerge and a sinister smile spread across his face. "Very well, you indeed have many tricks up your sleeve. Soon, all of that will be mine." He was unafraid and flew toward Lein''s ind. The 500-meter ind that Lein had brought out wasn''t really 500 meters. It was just an ind core where rulers appeared initially. However, he had tens of thousands of ind blocks and quicklybined them with the ind core. Thus, the ind he stood on was a t, emptynd with nothing on it. "Nita, get ready... Don''t waste the golden defense talisman and the teleportation talisman," Lein said, ncing at Nita beside him. "Yes, brother." Nita was excited. All the equipment on her body glowed blue. A long green cloak, thin red gloves, and lightce-up shoes. All this gear enhanced Nita''s natural beauty. Lein could only admire his sister''s beauty. Of course, the pride he felt was the pride of having sessfully protected, cared for, and watched over her all this time. "Brother... stop staring at me." Nita felt her brother''s gaze from the side. "Hahaha... alright... don''t let your guard down." Lein chuckled and then activated all the equipment on his body as well. White steel armor, shiny silver boots, and a long golden sword. All this equipment boosted Lein''s strength to the maximum. Voirel had nownded on the ind. Immediately, he summoned dozens of other beasts. Previously, he had only called flying creatures. A giant gori, a fire wolf, a 100-meter-long python, and many other beasts appeared. "You will die today, hahaha!" [Armored Gori] - Attribute: 2400 STR, 1800 INT, 2180 AGI, 2370 RES - Skills: (Strong Punch), (Earthquake Leap), (Rampage) [Dos Land Python] - Attribute: 2215 STR, 1792 INT, 1764 AGI, 1966 RES - Skills: (Peaceful Constriction), (Tail Strike), (Sticky Slime) [Fire Mane Lion] - Attribute: 2484 STR, 2172 INT, 2004 AGI, 1688 RES - Skills: (Lion''s Fury), (Killing Move), (Agile Body) Seeing Voirel summon his many beasts, Lein did not panic. Once again, he took something out of his bag. What emerged were golden warrior dolls shaped like fully armored humans. [Golden Warrior] - Attribute: 1476 STR, 920 INT, 1355 AGI, 1316 RES - Skills: (Double sh), (Deadly Stab) [Golden Warrior] - Attribute: 1476 STR, 920 INT, 1355 AGI, 1316 RES - Skills: (Double sh), (Deadly Stab) "You think you''re the only one with an army?" Lein chuckled. He had obtained these golden warrior dolls from the Tou Pavilion. He felt that these dolls would greatly enhance his strength without much effort, so he had duplicated them beforehand. Currently, Lein continued to pull golden warrior dolls from his storage ring. The number already exceeded 1,000 and kept growing. Although the golden doll''s attributes were lower than the beasts summoned by Voirel, their sheer numbers¡ªover 10,000 in Lein''s storage¡ªcould deal significant damage to the beasts. Voirel was increasingly shocked by the things Lein produced. His desire to kill him and obtain all those items grew stronger. He no longer stood still and ordered all his beasts to attack. The griffin Voirel rode charged forward, clearing out the golden warriors. From the sky, a massive w formed and quickly headed towards Lein. The w cut through the air, producing a sonic sound. Lein was prepared; his boot skill was already active, boosting his AGI attribute by half, breaking through 2,000 points. "Stop dodging, are you out of tricks?" Voirel mocked from atop the griffin flying over the ind. "Dare to harm my brother?" From afar, Nita had already drawn her bow strongly. Skill 3: (Sun Core Arrow) Shoots a sharp arrow that can lock onto the target, +100% damage, and ignores 50% of the enemy''s defense. Cooldown 1 hour. A ck arrow shot through the air. Voirel tried to dodge and moved away, but the arrow kept following him. "Annoying," he muttered. He raised his right hand, and a hologram of a golden turtle appeared. The turtle roared, startling Lein and Nita a bit. When Nita''s arrow hit the hard shell of the golden turtle, a big explosion urred. Crack... Crack... Yes, the golden turtle shell cracked. The turtle fell hard to the ground. "Damn it, I''ll kill you!" Voirel saw his turtle fall. He descended and flew directly toward Nita. A serrated silver sword appeared in his hand, emitting a powerful aura. Nita tried to dodge but couldn''t. Voirel''s speed was almost 1.5 times the strength of the beasts he summoned. Nita''s figure was split. "Hahaha, one down," Voirel breathed victoriously. However, his eyes widened in shock. An absolute protective light appeared. When his silver sword touched the transparent shield, it was like a sharp knife slicing through water, with no effect. Taking this opportunity, Nita moved away and leaped back. "A protection talisman, huh?" Voirel proved himself to be a tier 3 creature. With just one sh, he knew what was happening. "How many more do you have, huh?" Voirel didn''t give a chance, lunging again with his silver sword. At this moment, a very bright light filled a 100-meter area. Lein, whose attributes had doubled, tried to block Voirel while Nita shot from afar. "What is this? As far as I remember, the aura was still very young," Voirel looked at Lein in confusion. His gaze became very serious this time. His sword and Lein''s continued to sh, causing small fireworks. Each of Lein''s shes gradually wore down Voirel''s defense, while the opposite happened to Lein, whose protective talisman kept activating. Fortunately, the golden talisman he possessed activated for a few seconds, not based on iing attacks. Lein suffered almost no damage during his sh with Voirel. Voirel retreated and leaped back. He summoned his griffin again. "I won''t let you!" Lein didn''t want the annoying man to ride his mount again. He then activated his second skill. Skill 2: (Sky Shattering sh) Creates a 100-meter-long sword aura. Ignores 50% of enemy defenses, self-heals 50% of damage. Cooldown 10 minutes. From afar, Nita kept shooting, not allowing Voirel to call his mount again. "Damn it..." Voirel''s aura surged rapidly. ck aura enveloped his body. "What? What''s happening?" After he transformed, possessing a ck aura, he indeed felt an increase in strength. However, Lein''s attack felt even stronger. A very long and powerful sword light was unleashed at this moment. The sword light seemed to split the heavens, heading toward Voirel. "Impossible, what talent has this kid awakened?" Voirel looked on in disbelief. The sword light split Voirel, who had a ck aura. "So foolish, how can you activate dark power when I am in light area mode?" Lein muttered softly. As expected, the system notification was heard. [Killed (Voirel- Alpha Command) exp +141,500, +1000 contribution] [Voirel dropped (silver storage ring)] "What? Silver??" Lein shouted in shock. He currently only had a regr storage ring. Chapter 39: Nitas Hope The third skill of the Holy Human race, true to its name, provides a twofold increase in power. Meanwhile, the second skill is designed to eliminate enemies with a single strike. Earlier, he had seen Voirel activate a ck aura. When Voirel activated this aura, his strength indeed increased. However, he didn''t know that his second skill had a passive ability that would deal double damage to dark creatures. "How lucky this time. Without Voirel''s dark aura, I might have had to use other items," Lein said with a relieved sigh. Of course, he had many items at his disposal, even countless ones. However, items that could threaten a tier-3 creature were not many. Some he considered using included the Sky Mortar and Intercontinental Ship. "Brother, are you alright?" Nita had already approached, slightly worried earlier. But thanks to the golden defense amulet, her concern greatly diminished. "Yes, and you?" Lein asked in return. "Of course, I''m fine ;)" Nita was as enthusiastic as usual. When they fought Voirel, she began to understand her own strength even more. It was certainly a pride to be able topete with a tier-3 creature. Although the greatest help was given by the golden amulet. "Haha¡­ Alright." "Let''s finish off those beasts." Lein looked at Voirel''s summoned beasts, which easily defeated thousands of golden puppets. They immediately charged towards the beasts, attacking as much as they could. [Killed (Fire Lion), exp +1800, contribution points +10] [Killed (ck Crow), exp +1900, contribution points +10] These monsters gave less exp than tier-2 creatures, and added 10 contribution points. sh... Swish... Sizzle... Lein''s first skill passive attack was still very effective. The five additional sword shadows after the main attack provided a sort of "finishing," giving the final touch and killing the beasts. From a distance, arrows that were very fast, fierce, and terrifying brought fear to the beasts. Not only were they very strong, but the arrows could also explode. Nita jumped and moved around in the air. She could be said to be floating, but still, she had to touch the ground after a few moves. Her arrows were terrifying, and her Arrow Dance skill allowed Nita to attack quickly from any direction. [Killed (Golden Python), exp +1860, contribution points +10] ... All the remaining beasts were finally dealt with. It was time to extract the corpses. [Extract corpse (Golden Python), are you sure?] "Yes." [Sessfully extracted corpse (Golden Python), obtained:] - Golden Python Skin - Energy Crystal x23 - Golden Python Blood 10ml - Hard Bone x1 Lein was slightly surprised by the items he extracted. Although their value was low, he still collected them because these items would be very useful for cksmith yers on his ind. Nita also helped to extract Voirel''s beast corpses. In just one minute, all the beasts had been extracted. Then Lein went to where Voirel had died earlier. There was no corpse, only a silver ring with a white sheen. Lein picked it up and checked the panel information. (Space Ring - Silver) - Owner: Voirel - Slot: 10,000 cubic meters *Note: The space ring has an active soul barrier. Please break the soul barrier with Soul Power to change the owner. "Soul barrier? Soul Power?" Lein muttered softly. He had never heard of the term soul before. He tried to enter the silver ring''s space. However, all he found was a dark space with nothing in it. He couldn''t even enter it, or make any move to attack. Lein put the silver ring into his current space ring. "So, what now? Return or continue?" Lein asked, looking at Nita beside him. "Hmm... It''s best if we return and report," Nita suggested. Lein agreed. Then he took out another small boat from his bag, about 50 meters long. But before leaving, he went to the Ind Orb in the middle of the ind. [Ind Orb] - Owner: Lein - Ind Speed: 5 square meters per second - Ind Size: 500 square meters - Action: (Take over)(Destroy) Since he wanted to get Ind Blocks, he needed to choose (Destroy). [Destroying territory (Lein - 500 m2). Obtained 23 ind blocks] 23 ind blocks, each 1m2, appeared inside. The ind blocks didn''t appear physically, in the storage space, the ind blocks were like cards with the number 7800 written in the upper right corner. The maximum number that could appear after Lein''s observation was 10,000. After finishing destroying the ind, they boarded the small boat and headed back the way they came. Lein''s empty ind was left behind. Humanity already knew that an ind that had been destroyed would copse and fall within a few minutes. Lein''s small boat moved quickly across the void. Although it seemed like a void, there was still air, and even wind that made Lein and Nita''s hair flutter continuously. "Brother, is it possible to bring the dead back to life?" Nita''s sudden question made Lein freeze. For some reason, he felt that Nita was not her usual self at that moment. Lein looked at his sister at the front of the boat. That straight back reminded him of when they were young. He still remembered when he picked up Nita from elementary school. It was one week after their parents'' departure. On the way home, Nita asked, "Brother, when is Moming back? I miss Dad?" At that time, Nita asked with a face full of hope and longing. In her mind, her parents were on a work trip and hadn''t returned yet. Lein deliberately made up a story about their parents'' death to Nita; he didn''t want his 10-year-old sister to be sad because of the loss. At that time, Lein answered very positively. He said that Mom and Dad woulde home and bring delicious fruits and snacks. Faced with Nita''s question now, Lein wanted to say something. But he didn''t. He didn''t want his answer this time to cause another disappointment for Nita. "Sniff..." ... Now, sobs could be heard. Yes, Nita was sobbing quietly. She was trying to hold back her tears. Her gaze was straight ahead, staring into the endless dark void. Her expression was nk, as if she was thinking about something. Suddenly, she felt a hand patting her shoulder. Then, that person sat beside her. Lein sat beside Nita, patting and hugging her with one arm. asionally, Lein nced sideways at his sister''s face. Nita''s gaze was still nk, staring straight ahead. Lein was confused, not knowing what to do, not knowing what to say. So, he just stayed by her side in silence. Suddenly, he felt a head resting on his shoulder. Nita seemed tired, so she leaned on Lein''s shoulder. But her gaze was still nk, with no expression on her face. Her cheeks were still wet, and she never wiped them. And so, the two siblings crossed the vast void with their small boat. Slowly but surely, the boat continued towards its destination. Chapter 40: Renting a Plot of Land in Heavenly News City "Wee, sir. How can we help you?" A female receptionist greeted Lein and Nita. "We''d like to report something rted to a mission," Lein replied. He then exined their journey during the patrol and also mentioned destroying the flying ship with the Sky Mortar. "Alright, sir. I will make a record of it," the receptionist said while working on something behind the desk. A few minutes passed, and the female receptionist finally spoke to Lein. "Thank you for the report, sir. You have earned an additional 5,000 points as a mission bonus." "Please check your War Badge." Lein was curious about the number of contribution points he had, so he checked his War Badge. [War Badge] - Name: Lein - Power Core: System | Tier-2 - Rank: Silver - Contribution Points: 11,200 - Origin: Divine Sky Realm A small smile appeared on Lein''s face when he saw his contribution points. They had been in the Guandu realm for less than six hours, yet his points had already exceeded 10,000. He then checked the Event Ranking panel. [Event Ranking] 1. William Anderson - 21,850 2. Jackson - 17,600 3. Bai Qi - 13,000 4. Mizayo - 12,750 5. Lein - 11,200 ... 16. Laras - 4,600 ... 21. Nita - 1,300 "Rank 5" Lein''s day brightened a bit when he saw his name on the event ranking. Several congrattory messages popped up. - (Laras) Congrattions, brother Lein, for entering the top 10. - (Dion) Brother Lein... Amazing, thank you for the silver badge you gave me. - (Haikal Emanuel) Young master Lein is extraordinary, keep it up, young master Lein. ... Everyone in the World Market alliance chat column also sent encouraging messages. [Alliance Chat: World Market] - (Pandawa) Amazing, our alliance leader is very strong. - (Warni) Rank 5?... Wow.... The Indonesian alliance can''t even enter it!!! - (Strongest Man) The alliance leader earned 11,000 points in 6 hours? I can''t even get 100 points. - (Sherly) Alliance leader... Please take care of the alliance for Nita. - (Herman) Hey... If the alliance leader stays in the top 10 until the end of the event, I''ll share 10,000 energy crystals with 10 people. ... The World Market alliance already had more than 6,000 official members. Only official members could enter the alliance group chat. The entire alliance chat was filled with praise for Lein. He only replied with thanks and told them to keep striving and not to becent on the first day. "Alright, thank you, miss. The points have been added." Lein thanked the female receptionist, and then they left the war office building. "Nita, what do you think about building a store in the Guandu realm?" Lein asked Nita, who seemed a bit better than before. "Good idea, brother... It''s okay," Nita replied casually. Her voice was back to normal, and there was even a cheerful tone to it. However, her face still looked a bit gloomy. "Okay, before that... Let''s eat something at a restaurant first," Lein said enthusiastically, raising his right hand high. Hearing the invitation and the excitement from her brother, Nita let out a smallugh. "Let''s go!!!" Nita seemed to have gained some positive energy. She also raised her right hand and shouted with joy. And so, the siblings headed to one of the restaurants in the Heaven News city area. *** Eastern Part of Heaven News City A middle-aged man was exining the rental prices ofnd and buildings to a pair of young people. The young people were Lein and Nita. They nned to rent a ce to establish a branch of the World Market Alliance Store. "Mr. Sun, what is the rental price for this ce and building?" Lein asked, pointing to an area on the map. "This building and area are quite busy, young master Lein. The lowest price is 350 mid-tier energy crystals per month," said Sun Fute, thendowner, providing some price details. Lein made a quick calction. 3,500 mid-tier crystals are equivalent to 3,500,000 energy crystals. This means if they sell level 20 weapons at 5,000 each, they would need to sell 700 weapons every month, or 23 weapons every day. Since the price was eptable and considering that the environment of Guandu was a mid-tier realm, Lein agreed. "Alright, sir. Let''s make a one-year agreement," Lein said. Mr. Sun was very excited to hear that Lein was making an agreement, and a one-year agreement at that! When else would he get such a wealthy client like young master Lein? Mr. Sun took out a contract paper, which exined the one-year agreement. Lein would have permission to operate in the agreed area. After signing, Lein took out a pouch containing 42 high-tier crystals. Yes, Lein only had 10,000 mid-tier crystals. Mid-tier crystals were not urgent at the moment. For Lein, high-tier or mid-tier crystals were the same. "Hehehe... Young master Lein is very generous." Mr. Sun''s eyes sparkled when he saw the 42 high-tier crystals in the pouch. "Thank you, Mr. Sun." "Thank you, thank you, young master Lein." They shook hands andpleted the agreement. "If there''s nothing else, I''ll take my leave," Mr. Sun said respectfully. Lein now realized that besides strength, wealth also brought respect from people in the cultivation realm. "Old Sun''s days are numbered," Lein thought. Lein watched Mr. Sun leave, then turned his gaze to the three-story building in front of him. The building''s surface area was 30 meters wide and 50 meters long. When they entered the building, they saw high-quality wooden walls. The building was dust-free, seemingly maintained and cleaned daily. Although there was no furniture or decorations, Lein was very satisfied with the building''s condition. "What do you think, Nita?" Lein asked his sister beside him. "It''s very nice, brother. When will we move in?" Nita replied. "We will furnish and essorize it tomorrow, then instruct some alliance members to guard the store," Lein exined. They checked other parts of the building up to the third floor. On the third floor, there was a fairlyrge window. The view outside the window was truly stunning. Lein and Nita could see the neatly lined houses of Heaven News City''s citizens along the city''s main street. The crowded activity of people passing by, buying and selling with the shops along the roadside, was clearly visible from the third floor. Chapter 41: A Stroll in the Evening "Wee, sir." A guard with a silver sword at his waist greeted a man and a young girl as they exited the portal. The ones stepping out of the portal were Lein and Nita. They decided to return afterpleting only one mission on the first day of the event. After all, it was already 8 PM. Even though it was nighttime, the city''s surroundings and the entire ind weren''t dark, except for a few areas intentionally kept as forests. "I have written some notes about the Guandu Realm. Document them and inform the head ofmunications," Lein instructed the guard while handing over a few sheets of paper. As the ind''s owner, he was the supreme ruler and didn''t need to do everything himself. "Yes, sir," the guard replied respectfully, taking the documents from Lein. "Brother, let''s take a leisurely walk," Nita suggested from behind. She didn''t want to use a vehicle all the way to their house. Enjoying the city''s environment at night was a trendy activity. The night sky in the Divine Sky Realm was thousands of times more beautiful than the sky on Earth. Thousands of stars could be seen clearly, and some stars had stunning colors. "Let''s go." They then left the square and took public transportation. After reaching a less crowded area, Lein and Nita got off. "You don''t need to, young master Lein," the bus driver said, refusing the money Lein offered. "Take it," Lein insisted, extending his hand. Reluctantly, the bus driver took the money, looking at Lein with admiration. "Goodbye," Lein said as he got off the bus. Nita watched her brother from beside the vehicle, her face showing an expression of curiosity. "Wow... How cool..." Nita said with a meaningful look on her face. "What? Isn''t it good to do good deeds?" Lein defended himself. He didn''t think it was strange to insist the driver ept his money. "Yes, you are very kind." "You''re like a prince in a novel..." "Pffft... hahaha..." As they walked, Nita''s teasing continued. Sometimes, sheughed heartily. She found her brother very amusing when he did something unusual. On Earth, her brother often ran away without paying for public transportation, so seeing him behave differently now was very funny to her. They walked for a few minutes through the city''s nearby park. asionally, they saw bus stops with people waiting for the next bus. The roads were now covered with coarse ck stones like asphalt on Earth. The sidewalks were made of smooth stones. At night, the air was quite cold. asionally, Nita and Lein''s hair was blown by the night breeze. The two walked in silence along the empty night road, their shadows cast by streetlights and the moon following them. "Brother, thank you..." Nita said calmly. "What are you saying... Do you think I do all this for nothing?" Lein responded as if he had heard something strange and the answer was obvious. "Hahaha... Alright... You are indeed the best brother in the world," Nita said, hugging Lein briefly with one arm. "By the way, you''re turning 25 this year, right?..." Before Nita could continue, Lein cut her off and said, "Enough, don''t go on." "Hahaha..." Nitaughed heartily. "Don''t worry, brother. If you need help... I have many connections here," Nita said, winking. Lein didn''t respond. He knew his sister was teasing him. They continued their walk to the next bus stop. *** Lein''s Private Storage Room. It had be his habit to check his storage area daily. He prioritized the items to duplicate and nned his future development. Lein had important notes about the items he obtained today. At the top of the list were the items he bought for 67 million energy crystals: a territory defense weapon, a golden puppet, and an Intercontinental Ship, among others. He nned to duplicate each item at least once. He also obtained items during his second visit to the Tou Pavilion. He acquired hundreds of skill books, including: That is : (Fast Movement - Rare), (Steel Body - Elite), (Strong sh - Common), (Eagle Eye - Elite), (Fire Arrow - Rare), (Double Layer Shield - Rare), (Thunder Strike - Elite,(Mystic Barrier - Rare), (Shadow Step - Common) ... He nned to duplicate each skill book at least once. that way he had at least one item as a duplicate source Other items Lein obtained during his journey included mid-level and high-level energy crystals, (Insight Stone - Low) to enhance sub-skills, and a silver ring from defeating the Alpha-Command Master Beast Voirel. He routinely duplicated high-level energy crystals. He even felt he could buy every item in the Guandu Realm, provided they could be bought with energy crystals. Lein highly valued the (Insight Stone), giving it a high priority for duplication. Next, he examined the (Space Ring - Silver) in his hand. He wondered if he could duplicate a soul-bound ring. [Duplicating (Space Ring - Silver) 10,000 times, are you sure?] "Yes." A white light shed and then disappeared. A broad smile appeared on Lein''s face. Now, 10,000 silver rings had appeared in his ordinary storage ring. (Space Ring - Silver) - Owner: - - Slot: 10,000 square meters *Note: Please drip your blood to bind the ring "Haha..." Lein''s smallugh broke the silence in his private storage room. How could he notugh? He had obtained 10,000 silver storage rings effortlessly in mere seconds. Huff... For the umpteenth time, he took a deep breath, imagining how powerful his (Infinity Duplication) talent was when it came to items. Although these items didn''t directly increase his power, he could use them to elerate his growth and strength. Lein then checked all the contents of his bag and his notes to sort the items in their proper ces. He had been using storage chests from the beginning, butpared to space rings, storage chests had no advantage. Of course, this was assuming he didn''t obtain a higher-level space storage chest. For now, Lein sorted all items into golden chests. Once he felt everything was in order, he headed to the city hall to check the daily reports. Chapter 42: Establishing a Seed Store - First Branch of the Alliance The Main Hall of the City Lord. Lein, behind the desk, was currently reviewing the daily reports from various city departments. The reports he received had been meticulously organized by Jarwis, an expert in urban development and nning. Jarwis was Lein and Nita''s right-hand man in managing the City of Life. At the top of the report was the Department of Spatial nning and City Layout, presenting information about the city''s areas, public spaces such as parks, sports fields, greenways, etc. Below that was the Department of Infrastructure Development and Management, detailing progress on the city''s infrastructure construction projects. Lein continued to review reports from the Defense Department, which provided statistics on tower construction, nest troops, active soldiers, etc. This was followed by information from the Education Department about nning education for children and young generations, which had to be nned from now on. Finally, Lein checked the Health Department''s section, detailing ns for ess to hospitals, medical equipment, etc. Every day, Lein spent at least 30 minutes reviewing all the reports and adding notes. - (Nita) Brother, let''s have dinner. Continue the work tomorrow. Nita''s private message echoed. "This kid is acting like a mother..." Lein said casually. He recalled his childhood when his mother would tell him toe home every night. Back then, Lein disliked it, but now he wanted to relive those moments. Huff... Lein shook his head, stopping himself from thinking about the past. He then closed the report files and headed to the dining room for dinner with Nita. *** In the morning, Lein and Nita exercised at a field near the city hall. Morning exercise had be a routine for the past few days. "Brother, are we going to enter the Gaundu Realm again? I received information from the alliance that a 50-meter portal appeared in Old Man Haikal''s city, Disaster City," Nita asked Lein while jogging lightly. "Hmmm, first help me find some suitable alliance members to manage and take care of the store we rented in the Gaundu Realm." "I will buy some furniture and arrange the items and goods we will sell." Lein exined in detail. He nned to explore several realms to seek fortune. So, afterpleting the establishment of the first Alliance store, they would enter another portal and explore other realms. "Alright, brother." They continued their exercise until 7 a.m. After that, they split up to find members and buy furniture. ... "Mr. Lein, wee." An old man with a neat appearance greeted Lein. He was currently in thergest furniture store in the city, General Store. The man who greeted him was the store owner himself. "Good morning, Mr. Ruyi. I would like to order some furniture for setting up a store." Lein exined his purpose. Let Mr. Ruyi rmend the best furniture for him. Mr. Ruyi understood and then took Lein to browse the entire area. Mr. Ruyi introduced strong, elegant, and high-quality ss disy cases, sword racks, weapon racks, etc. Buying furniture took about 10 minutes. Nita had also finished her part, and they agreed to meet in front of the Gaundu Realm store. *** Gaundu Realm, Heaven''s News City. "Quick, lift it over there!" "Move to the right." "Clean up, don''t leave any trash behind." Currently, Lein, Nita, and over 30 World Market alliance members were busy arranging theyout of furniture such as tables, disy cases, shelves, paintings, etc. On the top floor, Lein had prepared a special room as a warehouse and equipment storage. He also stored 10 gold chests here, all containing level 5-20 weapons, healing pills, low-level talismans, low-level skill books, etc. Of course, he wouldn''t foolishly sell expensive items like silver-grade space rings or intercontinental flying ships. In addition to the 30 store staff, Lein also employed 20 guards and security personnel, including 15 level 1 yers and 5 level 2 yers. Twenty guards were enough to handle problems caused by street drunks. Additionally, he had given them ess to the chest containing Gold Warrior Dolls, useful for dealing with stronger troublemakers. Setting up the store took about an hour. Everyone was now gathered on the first floor. There were two leaders among the alliance members. On the right was a tall, thin middle-aged man with ck sses and a friendly face. This man was Haman, chosen by Nita as the store manager. Next to Haman was Ocit. Ocit was a 28-year-old man with a muscr build and used a chain with sharp spikes as his weapon. "Alright... Mr. Haman and Brother Ocit," "I will entrust the (Seed Store) to your care. I hope for the best and that it benefits our alliance." Lein shook hands with both of them and then posted the assignment in the Alliance Chat. [Alliance Chat: World Market] - (Lein) Congrattions to Mr. Haman and Brother Ocit, who will be in charge of the first World Market Alliance store operating in the Gaundu Realm. - (Laras) Congrattions to Mr. Haman and Brother Ocit. - (Hana) Congrattions Mr. Haman, Brother Ocit... Best wishes for you... - (Haikal Emanuel) Congrattions on your assignment, Mr. Haman and Brother Ocit ... A festive wee filled the alliance chat. "Thank you, Mr. Lein." "Thank you, Mr. Lein." Both of them sincerely thanked Lein. Not only did they be important people, but before, they were just ordinary Tier-1 yers. Yet, in an instant, they received Silver Badges for promotion to Tier-2. Words couldn''t express their joy. "Nita, how is it? Pretty good?" After the assignment handover, Lein and Nita were now looking at their Seed Store. "Yes... Good... good..." Nita said seriously. The front of the store featured arge ss disy case containing various weapons such as bows, swords, shields, staffs, armor, etc. Colorful pills and talisman papers were elegantly disyed on the case. Inside the store, there were beautiful chairs and tables for visitors to browse. They also saw some natives of the Gaundu Realm entering the store, curious and wanting to see the newly established store. Before long, more and more people came. "Hahaha... See, isn''t this method effective?" Nita said proudly. She suggested giving a 25% discount for the first week to attract initial buyers. After all, their goal wasn''t to make a profit but to obtain unique items and establishworks in this vast universe. "Alright, you are indeed smart..." "Let''s go, don''t bother them anymore." With that, Lein and Nita left the store. They intended to enter another realm and seek their fortune. Chapter 43: Entering the Realm of Xroxx55 The sight of a city full of technology appeared before Lein and Nita as they emerged from the massive 50-meter-tall portal. After resolving the issues with setting up the first branch store in the Guandu realm, they immediately returned to the City of Life and then entered the 50-meter-tall portal in the City of Disaster, owned by Old Man Haikal. They emerged in a very busy part of the city. The area where the portal was located was a designated zone surrounded by boundary lines. Besides them, they also saw others emerging from the portal. As usual, various races and types of power cores appeared. "Honored ruler, wee to the realm of Xroxx55." "Honored ruler, wee to the realm of Xroxx55." ... A woman with short hair, wearing a tight metallic blue outfit, floated above the ground with a white disc under her feet. She greeted everyone emerging from the portal with a warm smile. "Amazing... isn''t this far beyond Earth''s technology?" Nita eximed, awestruck by the cityscape in front of her. ck and metallic blue buildings pierced the clouds endlessly, their unusual shapes adding a sense of grandeur Nita had never imagined. Flying cars soared like birds along their paths, and police officers with special vehicles monitored specific locations. City residents also observed the arrival of various races from the portal. They were equally amazed and surprised by the powerful individuals emerging, a rare sight indeed. Lein tried to find their next direction, his eyes settling on a nearby cubical building not far from the portal. Blue cubes, three meters tall, were neatly lined up around the portal, with people queuing to enter them. Lein and Nita joined the nearest queue and waited their turn. After a few minutes, it was finally their turn. Inside the simple box was a holographic panel. The panel requested Lein to fill in his personal data as he had done when entering the war post in the Guandu realm. Lein casually filled out all his information on the form. After finishing, the holographic panel printed a card that appeared in a box next to the panel. Lein took the ck card and inspected it. [War Badge] - Name: Lein - Power Core: System | Tier-2 - Rank: Bronze - Contribution Points: 0 - Origin: Divine Sky Realm Seeing no difference from the war badge in the Guandu realm, Lein didn''t pay much attention and exited the box. ... "Look, brother, they have a flying ser field!" Nita eximed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She pointed to arge holographic screen showing a flying ser match, a futuristic sport where yers used jet shoes and tried to score goals with a glowing ball. Lein smiled slightly, directing his gaze elsewhere. "Yes, it''s incredible. But we need to focus. We have to find the Odomot race war office." Lein and Nita started walking, following holographic guides floating in the air, directing them to the Odomot race war building. From various pieces of information in the city, they learned that they were in the Odomot race territory, the yer race in the Xroxx55 realm. The Xroxx55 race was currently at war with the Yezor race, the Faithwarden race. They walked through bustling streets, filled with various races and creatures busy with their affairs. The surrounding buildings soared high with sleek, futuristic designs, casting long shadows on the ground. Finally, they arrived at the Odomot race war building. It was one of the most striking buildings in the city, towering with a sleek and futuristic design, dominated by reflective ck ss and glowing blue neon ents that shone at night. The entrance wasrge and automatic, opening smoothly as Lein and Nita approached. Inside, the floor was covered with a shiny material reflecting shadows like a mirror. The lobby was filled with various races from across the universe, each busy with their matters. In the center, a floating reception desk operated by a friendly and efficient AI. Large screens disyed avable missions,plete with engaging holographic visuals. On one side of the room, there were several interactive kiosks where warriors could choose their missions, check contribution status, or obtain important information. Amid the hustle and bustle, Lein and Nita felt excited and enthusiastic. The disyed missions varied from border patrol to exploring new territories. Warriors from various races discussed and conversed, making the ce lively and full of energy. Lein stood before a holographic panel selecting missions when suddenly, a young man with a long, round hat spoke from the side. "Excuse me, are you also here to take a mission?" Lein observed the young man, who looked quite young, then his gaze shifted to an older man behind him, who seemed to be a guardian. "Yes, that''s right. Is there a problem?" Lein asked. He had a bad feeling about this kid. Just from his appearance, it was clear that this boy was not ordinary. "Sorry, but can we do a team mission together?" The young man asked with some difficulty, as if afraid Lein would refuse. He had been watching since Lein and Nita first entered the war office, but now he mustered up the courage to ask. Hearing the sudden invitation from a stranger, Lein rechecked their status panel to ensure nothing was amiss. [Status] - Name: Zhao Feng - Race: Shenlie Zie - Power Core: Cultivator - Rank: ??? [Status] - Name: Liang Wei - Race: Shenlie Zie - Power Core: Cultivator - Rank: Qi Condensation The young man was named Liang Wei, while the older man was Zhao Feng. Once again, Lein felt ufortable meeting someone whose strength was above master level. He disliked dealing with someone who could easily kill him. "Sorry, but we can''t," Lein didn''t want any trouble with these two, so it was better to refuse from the start. The young man looked a little sad upon hearing Lein''s rejection. "Why?" The young man didn''t give up; he wanted to know the reason. "What the... who are you? I don''t even know who you are, where youe from, or what your purpose is," Lein cursed the boy in his mind. "I already have my own team," Lein made a reasonable excuse. "How many people? Are they strong? Is there any vacancy?" The boy kept asking more questions. Chapter 44: The Hidden Mission Reappears Lein felt frustrated, so he said to the old man behind the boy, "Sorry sir, but we really don''t want to form a team right now." The old man looked at Lein calmly, staying silent. "Little brother... what is your purpose, and why did you choose us out of so many people?" Nita asked kindly. "Well... it''s like this, sister. I''m looking for something like this." The boy showed a picture of a purple nt with wide flowers. "I need this flower to heal my mother. She hasn''t left her room for a long time..." The boy''s eyes were filled with tears as he spoke. "Sister, you and your brother are the brightest lights here," the boy said, looking at Lein and Nita with hopeful eyes. "Young master, remember your promise... otherwise, I will have to take you back," the old man, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up when the boy exined his vision. Lein and Nita thought the same thing but decided to set it aside for now, not wanting to cause any trouble with the old man. Nita, touched by the boy''s story, said, "Alright, let''s form a team together." Lein also felt more open after learning the boy''s purpose. However, a question lingered in his mind. Isn''t the boy''s guardian extremely powerful? "Great... thank you, sister!" The boy was delighted, and a determined look appeared in his eyes. He seemed to have a clear goal now. Suddenly, a mission notification appeared on Nita''s panel. [Liang Wei''s Hidden Mission] - Name: Liang Wei - Rank: B - Description: Help Liang Wei find the Soul Grass - Reward: ??? Nita was surprised. She sent a message through the system chat to Lein to ask. As she suspected, only she received the mission. Judging by the mission description, Liang Wei''s mission was unrted to the Race War event. "Alright... wait here for a moment. I''ll select our mission first," Nita said to Liang Wei. [Odomot Race Missions: Combat] - Patrol at fortress #21 for 6 hours. 170 contribution points. - Fight and enter the main battlefield for 8 hours, contribution points +340. - Guard and defend at fortress #47 for 7 hours, contribution points +500. - Participate in the assault n, contribution points +800. - ... [Odomot Race Missions: Achievement] - Eliminate a tier-1 Yezor race member, contribution points +5. - Eliminate a tier-2 Yezor race member, contribution points +50. - Eliminate a tier-3 Yezor race member, contribution points +500. - ... The mission list was not much different from the Cui race mission board, except the contribution points earned were several times higher. After selecting a mission, they left the war office and took the nearest flying vehicle to the airship port in Sra City. *** Empty Space, Divine Sky Realm. A 1,000-meter-long sailing ship sped steadily through the clouds. In the captain''s room, a female officer reported to another woman who appeared to be the leader. "Captain Hana, we are currently heading to the American alliance area in the next 2 hours. All preparations areplete," the female officer exined. "And the high portal ind has been installed at location #23," she added. The ship they were on was a special World Market alliance vessel tasked with opening portal point routes to all other alliances. The person in charge of this grand operation was the core member of the alliance, Hana. "Alright... proceed with the next n," Hana ordered. Besides establishing portal inds, her team''s task this time was to set up alliance stores on other alliance inds. So far, they had built more than 100 alliance sites. In each alliance, they could establish one main alliance branch and dozens of other branches on the ind. Some inds did not allow it and even demanded unreasonable prices. However, with the financial resources of the World Market alliance, this was not an issue. "Report, ma''am. A foreign ind is visible within 1 km," a soldier reported from the captain''s room door. Hana frowned and then went to the control room to see the detected foreign ind. From afar, a 3,000-meter by 3,000-meter ind was indeed visible. On the ind,rge mountains and several flying creatures could be seen. Hana''s team''s ship continued to approach the foreign ind. The visible foreign ind was not a ruler''s ind but a beast ind in the Divine Sky Realm. They had encountered beast inds like this many times before. Naturally, they wouldn''t leave it be. Although the items or materials dropped by the monsters on the ind were not useful to people like Lein and the alliance leaders, they were still valuable to those with lower power levels. "Order team 17 to destroy it and collect all dropped items. Once done, don''t forget to destroy the territory orb," Hana ordered clearly. "Yes, captain," the soldier replied firmly, then turned to inform the military section leader. Shortly after Hana''smand, 10 smaller ships headed towards the foreign ind. From afar, the battle could be seen. It turned out that the foreign ind was inhabited by eagle-like beasts with an average size of 7 meters. [Rock Eagle] - Level: 12 - Attributes: Str 62, Int 41, Agi 49, Res 58 - Skills: (Illusion Feathers) drops soft feathers to create a torture illusion for 1 minute. [Shadow Eagle] - Level: 14 - Attributes: Str 56, Int 39, Agi 45, Res 51 - Skills: (Eagle Shadow) grants temporary strength to the shadow for 1 minute with 25% of the host''s power. "Hahaha... these birds are quite strong." "Come on, this is our chance to get energy crystals to upgrade our equipment." Some soldiers discussed enthusiastically. Victory was certainly in their hands, with the help of 10 Tier-2 leaders behind them. Moreover, if the enemy was too strong, the main ship would attack directly regardless of the materials and resources on the ind. With just a few rounds of divine mortars, a 7,000-meter-long ind could be rendered powerless. [Killed Rock Eagle - Level 13, Exp +67] [Killed Shadow Eagle - Level 10, Exp +31] A series of system alerts rang in the soldiers'' ears, making them more eager to eliminate the eagle monsters in front of them. The battle continued until all the rock eagles were dead. The bodies were extracted for materials, and the entire ind was searched for hidden items or materials. The final task was carried out by the Tier-2 leaders to destroy the Territory Orb. Chapter 45: Buying Exp Bottles at the Vortal Store "Wee, Sir," a guard greeted Lein and Nita as they entered arge building. The building had twelve floors with a futuristic design that left Lein and Nita in awe of its beauty. They entered and were greeted by the sight of people transacting with the store''s attendants. They were in Vortal Store, one of the best equipment shops in Sra City. Before departing on the mission with Liang Wei, they decided to visit this store. The interior of Vortal Store was spacious. Arge roundmp continuously rotated in the center of the ceiling, emitting positive energy that made everyone feelfortable. The walls were adorned withrge, diverse advertisements. Some disyed golden items, silver armor, and luxurious ck weapons, all of which were highly appealing. Just like on Earth,rge discount signs on the wall opposite the entrance greeted everyone who walked in. Observing the discount board for a while would evoke a desire to buy, as if it had a charm that piqued people''s interest. Lein randomly picked a showcase and started browsing the equipment on sale. Inside the ss case, various weapons such as swords, knives, maces, chains, and more were neatly disyed. Besides equipment, there were also other items like healing pills, skill books, and materials. The quality of the goods was even higher than the Tou Pavilion they visited earlier. "Excuse me, Miss. Could you rmend items rted to exp?" Lein asked, trying his luck. "Of course, Sir," the female attendant responded promptly. She turned around, checked the showcase behind her, and retrieved a few bottles to show Lein and Nita. (Tier 1 Exp Bottle) - exp +10 *Price: 1 medium crystal (Tier 2 Exp Bottle) - exp +100 *Price: 10 medium crystals (Tier 3 Exp Bottle) - exp +1000 *Price: 30 medium crystals (Tier 4 Exp Bottle) - exp +10,000 *Price: 100 medium crystals "Damn it!" Lein cursed inwardly. He hadn''t expected items that provided exp to be openly sold. Previously, he treated the Alpha Orb as a priceless treasure, but now, items with 10,000 exp were right in front of him. "Miss, is there a purchase limit for these exp bottles? And what are these exp bottles made of?" Lein asked curiously. "There is no purchase limit, Sir. However, these items can only be used by yers for maximum benefit. If used by other power cores, the benefits will be significantly reduced," the female attendant exined. "These items are special and are not dropped by any living creatures. They are obtained bypleting trials in the Sky Tower," she continued. Lein and Nita listened attentively to the store attendant''s exnation. The Sky Tower was a tower of unknown height that appeared only for seven days each year in specific locations on the yers'' inds. With exp bottles, humans who were not interested inbat and violence could increase their level like other rulers. By increasing their level, the lifespan of humans extended several times. The store attendant''s exnation provided Lein and Nita with valuable information. However, for the woman in front of them, this information seemed likemon knowledge. "Are you neers?" the store attendant asked to confirm. "Your old Earth was destroyed, and now you''re on a floating ind?" she continued. Lein and Nita felt like the female store attendant was revealing their deepest secrets. "Hahaha... Rx, it''smon knowledge. Not only we yers experience this. Anyway, my advice to you is to level up quickly. And if a king election event appears, try to minimize killing among your own race," the store attendant said sincerely. "Thank you, Officer Mei. We are very grateful for your valuable advice," Lein said sincerely, even bowing slightly. "It''s nothing... Rx," Mei replied, waving her hand. "Officer Mei, we will buy all types of exp bottles. Are there higher tiers?" Lein asked. Officer Mei was slightly surprised, then turned around, opened the ss showcase behind her, and retrieved a few more bottles. "Of course, there are, but these bottles can only be purchased with high crystals," Officer Mei said as she lined up the newly retrieved bottles. (Tier 5 Exp Bottle) - exp +100,000 *Price: 10 high crystals Thest bottle lookedrger and had a more premium design. "This is the best bottle that can be obtained from the Divine Tower," added Officer Mei. "Excellent... I''ll buy them all," Lein said, pulling out a pouch containing 103 high crystals. Officer Mei inspected the contents of the pouch and conducted a brief examination. A small smile appeared on her face. "Hahaha, it seems Young Master Lein is quite wealthy." Lein ignored Officer Mei''spliment and then thought about other items he would buy. He felt the yers'' store was more unique than the cultivators'' store like the Tou Pavilion. "Officer Mei, do you have any books you could rmend to us? Higher quality ones would be great," Lein said, hoping for some rare books to appear. Officer Mei quickly checked the back of the showcase again, then retrieved several scrolls. Sheid all the books on the showcase table: three golden books and seven blue books. (Blink Step) Allows instantaneous movement within a 100-meter radius and increases defense for a short time. - Level: 1 (0/100,000) - Base Speed: +30% - Rarity: Legendary - Cooldown: 10 seconds - Requirement: Tier-3, Universal (Arkha''s Shadow) Summons the demon Arkha to assist the user for 1 minute. - Level: 1 (0/100,000) - Base Power : +30% - Rarity: Legendary - Cooldown: 10 minutes - Requirement: Master Level, Magic (Divine Eyes) Enhances eye sharpness, detects enemy weak points, and increases reflexes for 30 seconds. - Level: 1 (0/100,000) - Base Sharpness: +30% - Rarity: Legendary - Cooldown: 3 minutes - Requirement: Tier-3, Universal "Insane... So powerful..." Lein read the skill descriptions several times, ensuring there were no mistakes. "How much are they, Officer Mei?" Lein asked. "Each one costs 10 high crystals for legendary tier and 1 high crystal for rare tier skills," Officer Mei exined casually. "Brother, ask if they have the nt Liang Wei is looking for," Nita suddenly asked from the side. Every item sold in Vortal Store amazed and impressed her. She suddenly remembered the hidden mission from Liang Wei. Only Nita had received the hidden mission from Liang Wei, so Lein had somewhat forgotten to ask earlier. Chapter 46: Liang Weis Timely Assistance "Officer Mei, I have a question. Do you have Soul Grass?" Nita asked hopefully. Officer Mei paused before answering, "Hmm, we currently do not have Soul Grass. It is a rare herb used for soul healing medicine. Additionally, Soul Grass only appears during Spatial Chaos." Lein and Nita had anticipated that Soul Grass was not an ordinary nt, so they weren''t too surprised by Officer Mei''s response. They continued their shopping for a few more minutes, ignoring the prices. As long as an item was important, they would buy at least one. Lein and Nita deliberately refrained from buying in bulk to avoid suspicion from the higher-ups at the Vortal store. Lein and Nita spent another hour purchasing items they felt would be useful for their territory''s development. The first item was a high-grade Insight Stone used to level up skills. The price of one high-grade Insight Stone was 1,000 high-grade crystals. (Insight Stone) Contains universal insights and can be absorbed. - Insight Points: 10,000 - Insight Level: High - Type: Universal From the price alone, it was clear that this stone could only be purchased by those from royal families with unlimited wealth. Ordinary people without status could only rely on untradeable Insight Stones. The second item Lein bought was a territorial defense weapon and several high-grade nests. (Divine Cross Tower) - Type: Territorial defense weapon - Power: 1,000,000 - Firing speed: 5 shots/minute - Firing range: 1,000 km - Defense: 10,000,000 - Energy consumption: 1,000,000 energy crystals (Kai Tribe Warrior Nest) - Summons strong warriors from the Kai Tribe to join and fight for the ruler. - Summoning rate: 10 warriors/day - Strength Bonus: 25% On several asions, Lein inquired about epic chests, but Officer Mei''s answers disappointed him. Epic chests were so valuable that when someone obtained one, they would immediately open it for themselves. Even for master-level beings and above, epic chests were highly useful. Lein wanted to ask about artifact items. The reward given by the system in this event was a territorial artifact, so Lein wanted to buy one if it was avable. However, he stopped himself when Nita''s message suddenly appeared in the friends chat. - (Nita) "Brother, that''s enough for now. We''ve already spent over 2,500 high-grade crystals. More than this will raise suspicion." Lein hesitated, then replied to Nita''s message. - (Lein) "This is thest one :)" Lein looked at Nita beside him. Her face was tense, with furrowed brows and narrowed eyes. Her lips formed a thin line, holding back angry words. Her cheeks were slightly red, indicating her rising annoyance. Lein made a pleading look and a slight wink, then turned his attention to Officer Mei. "Sorry, Officer Mei. What about artifacts? Does the Vortal store sell them?" Lein asked attentively. "Of course we do, but they require a different currency to purchase," Officer Mei replied casually but did not borate. "May I see them, Officer Mei?" Lein asked cautiously. "Certainly." Officer Mei then took something out of her spatial ring. The item was like a multicolored light orb. (Power Essence) The essence of power from nature. The primal energy for all living beings. The item''s description left Lein speechless. "Primal energy?" What kind of item is this, and how do you obtain it? Lein didn''t wait any longer. Secretly, he activated duplication on the Power Essence. [Duplicate (Power Essence) x10,000 times, are you sure?] "Yes." Without any issues, 10,000 identical Power Essences appeared in Lein''s spatial ring. "Oh, this thing?" Lein pretended to be clueless, then took out an item from his storage ring. Officer Mei was truly shocked this time. Wasn''t the young man in front of her still in the early stages? How did he obtain Power Essence? "Sorry, Sir Lein, may I ask where you got that item?" Officer Mei asked suspiciously. From the start, she had treated Lein and Nita like usual customers, especially since they were fellow yers, so she provided slightly better service. But this time, she was very suspicious. Lein had already spent almost 3,000 high-grade crystals. Even a master-level being didn''t have that much wealth. She feared Lein might have obtained the high-grade crystals illegally, such as by killing young lords from high-level powers. A few years ago, a simr mistake urred. A being with the power to destroy a realm with a single breath came to Realm Xroxx55 to seek justice for his disciple. Fortunately, the Supreme Ruler of Realm Xroxx55 made a private deal with the powerful being. Since then, the Vortal store had issued strict warnings to its staff to verify customers'' credibility to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. Lein was sweating bullets. He felt he had crossed the line this time. He then looked at Nita beside him, who had a very frightening expression. "I gave it to him," a voice suddenly spoke. Yes, it was Liang Wei and his servant. Officer Mei looked at the young man, then shifted her gaze to the old man behind him. Her eyes narrowed, and she smiled stiffly. "Senior, I apologize. This junior made a mistake," Officer Mei said respectfully, afraid of offending the old man. In her eyes, the old man behind the young man was terrifying. With just a touch of his finger, her Tier-3 body and soul could vanish from the universe. Lein and Nita saw how Officer Mei reacted to the old man. They swallowed hard, realizing how dangerous he was. "Sister Nita, why did you take so long? I''ve been waiting at the port for over half an hour," Liang Wei said with slight annoyance. "Sorry... Brother Lein and I were buying some equipment for the mission," Nita replied. In truth, she was very upset at the moment. This was all her greedy brother''s fault. "Oh... I see. What did you buy?" Liang Wei epted Nita''s made-up excuse without suspicion. Lein then exined that he wanted to buy an artifact with Power Essence but was suspected by Officer Mei. In his heart, Lein was very annoyed this time. He had caused trouble for everyone. "Officer, please continue... If theyck funds, let me know," Liang Wei said innocently to Officer Mei. "Alright, Young Master," Officer Mei straightened her posture and then looked at Lein and Nita to continue their transaction. Chapter 47: Purchasing pseudo-artefacts Store Clerk Mei then presented three items. The three items were a ck armor with oval-shaped shoulders, a yellow-brown conical hat with rice tassels at the edge, and a one-meter-long wooden fishing rod. Curious, Lein and Nita inspected the status panels of the three artifacts. (Kx Armor - pseudo) - Type: Active Artifact - Level: Damaged - Essence: 78 - Ability: Ignores all iing damage for 1 second. - Price: 16 Power Essence (Diligent Farmer''s Hat - pseudo) - Type: Active Artifact - Level: Damaged - Essence: 59 - Ability: Reduces nt growth time by 24 hours. - Price: 9 Power Essence (Watcher''s Rod - pseudo) - Type: Active Artifact - Level: Damaged - Essence: 34 - Ability: Can fish in chaotic seas, with a 5% chance to catch a Rainbow Fish. - Price: 8 Power Essence Lein and Nita frowned slightly; they did not expect that the so-called artifacts were not as impressive as their name suggested. Of the three items, perhaps only the Kx Armor met the criteria of an artifact. "What''s wrong, Young Master Lein? Are you not interested?" Clerk Mei asked casually when she saw Lein and Nita''s expressions. "No, it''s just that I don''t understand the difference between regr items and artifacts," replied Lein, feeling confused. He thought the quality of the artifacts before him was slightly inferior to his golden sword. "Hahaha... Actually, the artifacts Young Master Lein sees are not true artifacts. These three artifacts are failures, so don''t expect to obtain extraordinary abilities," exined Clerk Mei attentively. Her service level had improved due to the supervision of Young Master Liang Wei and his guard. "Alright, Clerk Mei. I''ll buy all three," Lein said, handing 35 Power Essence to Clerk Mei. Immediately, Clerk Mei smiled broadly and then released the seals on the three artifacts before her. "Anything else?" Lein looked at Nita to ensure everything they had bought was sufficient. "All good," Nita replied, forming an "OK" sign with her right hand. "Alright... Thank you very much for your service, Clerk Mei. I hope we can meet again next time." "You''re wee, Young Master Lein, Princess Nita." Lein, Nita, and Liang Wei quickly left the Vortal Store and headed to the airship port. In Realm Xroxx55 this time, Lein and the others passed through several portals before reaching the war fortress ind. From the war fortress ind, they took a medium-sized sailing boat to patrol. *** A 300-meter-long ship slowly pierced through the clouds, moving through empty space without obstruction. Onboard, a few people were training inbat. "Three" "Two" "One... Start!!!" Nita''s shout shattered the silence. Lein had already moved from his position, running towards Liang Wei. He aimed for his back, trying to sh with the wooden sword in his hand. "Very fast" "But I can see all your moves." Liang Wei didn''t look his usual self, with a serious and slightly more enthusiastic face this time. He saw Leining from the right, his movements like he was spinning in water. As a countermeasure, Liang Wei slightly turned his body. Lein didn''t give up. With a quick leap, he tried to change the direction of his sh, this time aiming for Liang Wei''s left side. But Liang Wei was ready. With surprising speed, he parried the attack with his wooden sword, creating a loud sound that echoed around them. "Good, but not enough," said Liang Wei, smiling. Lein gritted his teeth. Quickly, heunched a series of rapid attacks, trying to throw Liang Wei off bnce. But every attack heunched was always sessfully parried by Liang Wei with extraordinary calm and precision. Liang Wei then changed tactics. With a swift step forward, he approached Lein andunched an unexpected counterattack. Lein was forced to retreat, trying to keep his distance, but Liang Wei didn''t give him a chance to breathe. He continued to press with increasingly intense attacks, forcing Lein to keep defending. Every move Liang Wei made looked so coordinated and calcted. He used every opening left by Lein tounch precise counterattacks. Lein began to feel the pressure. His breathing grew heavier, and he knew he had to do something to change the situation. With a loud shout, Lein jumped into the air, trying to attack from above. But Liang Wei had already predicted the move. With incredible precision, he parried Lein''s aerial attack and used the momentum tounch a finishing blow. Liang Wei''s wooden sword touched Lein''s shoulder gently but firmly. "Gotcha," he said, smiling. Lein stood still for a moment, then grinned widely. "You win this time, Liang Wei. But I won''t give up." Lein and Liang Wei were purely training with their own techniques and physical strength. Lein used a strange ring given by Liang Wei to suppress his power so that their sword techniques were more visible. Liang Wei had recently entered the cultivation world, but that didn''t mean he wasn''t trained from a young age. He had started practicing swordsmanship since the age of 7, and when he awakened his spiritual roots, his sword skills increased even more. "Alright, alright... Brother, don''t be sad. It''s my turn," Nita said from the side. "What can you do? Try it, if you win, I''ll grant you any request," Lein said confidently. Immediately, he became the referee for Nita and Liang Wei. "Three"... "Two"... "One"... --- The sparring practice continued throughout the journey. This patrol went smoothly without any threats like in the Guandu realm. They didn''t even encounter foreign inds as usual; this patrol seemed more like a leisure trip. Lein had a suspicion in his mind. He felt that Old Man Zhao Feng, Liang Wei''s guard, was the cause of all this. Either he had already driven away all the enemies, or the enemies were too scared to approach because of Zhao Feng''s power. But whatever it was, Lein didn''t care as long as hepleted the mission. As long as it didn''t pose a threat to him and Nita, it was fine by Lein. --- Lein''s patrol missionsted for about seven hours before it finally ended. Their flying boat docked at the war fortress ind, their patrol destination. From the war fortress, Lein and the others returned to Sra City to submit their patrol mission report. "Liang Wei, we will return today," Lein said to Liang Wei. Liang Wei was slightly surprised to hear this. "Why? You can stay here, right?" he asked. "We still have some matters to attend to, and besides, we will be back in five days," Lein replied casually. He needed time to process all the items he had obtained. "Oh... there''s something I need help with. How do you unlock the Soul Barrier on a spatial ring?" Lein asked Liang Wei. Though the question was directed at Liang Wei, Lein looked at the old man behind him with hopeful eyes. Chapter 48: Acquiring a Pure Artifact "Hmmm... Brother Lein, you can actually use the soul barrier removal service for the spatial ring at Vortal Shop or the Grand Pavilion," exined Liang Wei. He then looked at Zhao Feng and said, "Elder Feng, please help Brother Lein to remove the ring''s barrier." Zhao Feng seemed to agree and extended his hand towards Lein. "Hand it over..." Lein quickly retrieved the silver ring he had obtained when he killed the Alpha Command level creature during the battle in the Guandu realm. "Here you go, Master Zhao..." The silver ring in Lein''s hand floated into Elder Zhao Feng''s hand. Elder Zhao Feng examined the silver ring for a few seconds. Suddenly, his eyes widened. A red nt floated out of the ring. The nt had several golden stripes on its leaves. In the center, white pollen adorned the stamens. "Soul Grass!?..." Liang Wei shouted loudly. He was about to grab the Soul Grass to take a closer look. However, Elder Zhao Feng kept it away from him. "Don''t touch it, young master. Soul Grass is very sensitive and can be damaged if touched directly," exined Elder Zhao. Liang Wei was not only unoffended, but his eyes were now filled with tears. He was very happy and almost cried with joy. The grass he had been searching for was right in front of him. "Young master Lein, I apologize for the impoliteness. I saw the contents of your ring and found the Soul Grass." Elder Zhao spoke calmly. He indeed intentionally looked inside the ring, which was very easy for him. Moreover, he was well aware of Liang Wei''s special eyes. People with bright auras bring fortune that can defy the heavens. So, he would try anything rted to Lein. Even during the patrol, he killed all the enemies and examined the items on their bodies. Previously, he felt a bit disappointed for not finding anything. But now, he realized he had made a mistake before. He believed he could intervene with the threads of fortune. And it turned out he couldn''t do anything. "Haha... It''s nothing, Master Zhao. We are very happy that the Soul Grass can help young master Liang Wei," Lein replied politely. However, inside, Lein felt a bit hurt. His duplication skill was still on cooldown. Wouldn''t his wealth increase if he duplicated it first? Nita, who had been silent on the side, widened her eyes as she saw the notification panel appear. [Liang Wei''s Hidden Mission] - Name: Liang Wei - Rank: B - Description: Help Liang Wei find information (Soul Grass) - Reward: ??? [Rank increased to S level] [Received reward (Pure grade Artifact)] Sure enough, this time Liang Wei took out a white ring with arge red crystal on the outer side. "Brother Lein, as a token of appreciation, please ept this ring," Liang Wei offered the ring to Lein. "This ring can reduce the mana consumption of skills, it will greatly help you in the future," Liang Wei added. His admiration for Lein was very high at this moment. "Hahaha, alright, I won''t be polite then." Lein pretended not to be surprised. He took the ring and checked the status panel. (Time Ring) - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Pure - Essence: 890 - Ability: Reduces skill cooldown time by 80%. "Crazy... A pure artifact? Reduces all cooldowns by 80%?" Lein eximed in his heart. He then handed it to Nita, letting her see the information about the Time Ring. Nita was no different, her mouth forming an ''O'' shape. "Brother Wei, this item is very valuable," said Nita to Liang Wei. She still couldn''t believe that Liang Wei''s hidden mission reward was so precious. "Sister Nita, I should be the one thanking you. With this grass, my mother will be healed and healthy again," Liang Wei said firmly. "Alright then, thank you, Brother Wei. I hope your mother gets well soon," Nita said sincerely. "Thank you, Sister Nita." "Well, we will be leaving now. We might not meet again in the near future." "But I hope we will meet again in the future." Liang Wei bowed deeply with gratitude. Then he waved to Lein and Nita. "Goodbye." "Goodbye, Liang Wei..." Soon, Elder Zhao Feng tossed the silver ring back to Lein. Then he waved his hand, and a white light enveloped him and Liang Wei. ... They disappeared. "Huft... Very strong." "Yes, too strong." Lein and Nita could only sigh heavily seeing Elder Zhao Feng''s skills. What would it feel like to have such power? As strong as Elder Zhao Feng? After Liang Wei and Elder Zhao Feng left, Lein checked the contents of the now unbarred silver spatial ring. Lein''s consciousness entered the space inside the ring, and he saw many things: silver, gold, crystals, weapons, pills, medicine bottles, skill books, etc. From a quick scan, Lein estimated there were at least 10,000,000 energy crystals, hundreds of weapons, thousands of medicines, several beast eggs, 76 Power Essences, and many other supporting items like clothes, wood, stones, fruits, etc. Lein also saw some horrifying items inside the spatial ring, including several corpses of both animals and humans. Just by looking at them, Lein knew that Voirel was not a good person. Among the many items, one particrly caught Lein''s attention. It was shaped like a ne with a ruby pendant. Lein checked the panel of the ne. (Demon Worshipper''s Ne - Fake) - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Damaged - Essence: 82 - Ability: Transform into a demon worshipper, increasing all stats by 20% for 1 minute. "It seems this was used by Voirel in his final moments," Lein said, recalling Voirel''s death. Lein felt satisfied with the inspection of the silver ring''s contents, then looked at Nita beside him and asked, "Anything else? If not, we will return to the Heavenly Sky realm." Hearing Lein''s question, Nita nodded and said, "Yes, let''s go back." Soon they hurried towards the main portal to the Heavenly Sky realm. On their way to the portal, Lein and Nita saw several people from various races hurrying in the opposite direction. They must be striving hard to go to war to earn ie and advance themselves. Unlike them, his journey had been rtively easy thanks to his SSS-level talent. Of course, this didn''t include the time he faced Voirel. Chapter 49: 50.000 Botol Exp Lein and Nita returned to the Divine Sky Realm as usual. When they emerged from the portal, a familiar sight greeted them: a ten-story building, a highway filled with pollution-free vehicles, and crowded sidewalks with pedestrians. The City of Destruction, World Market Alliance Ind. The City of Destruction belonged to Old Man Haikal. It was located to the south of Lein''s City of Life and not far from Laras'' City of Light. "Old Man Haikal''s City of Destruction almost matches your city, brother. Look at that building, it''s so aesthetic," Nita said, admiring the buildings in the City of Destruction. "Yes, Old Man Haikal is a core member. So it won''t be much different from the City of Life," Lein exined. Lein was not stingy with the ten core members of the Alliance. Each core member greatly contributed to the Alliance''s development and held important roles. Take Hana, for example, who was responsible for establishing the Alliance''s branch storework in the Divine Sky Realm. Then there were Old Man Haikal and Laras, tasked with expansion and exploration of uncharted territories. Next was Dion, who served as the head of the military across all the alliance inds. "Wee, sir." At this moment, two guards approached Lein and Nita. They were overseers responsible for monitoring the portal environment. As usual, Lein provided them with an overview of the situation in Realm Xroxx55. "Give this document to Chief Efan," Lein instructed them. "Yes, sir." The two overseers carefully stored the document and returned to their post to switch shifts with others. Lein and Nita didn''t stay idle; they boarded a bus, amon means of transportation these days. Human development was indeed rapid. As long as raw materials were sufficient, Earth''s situation would soon be replicated. There were actually portals at several points on Lein''s ind, but entering them required energy crystals. Thus, only those with some wealth could enjoy them. "Brother, it feels great to be a ruler," Nita said from beside him. "Hahaha, silly girl. Who said being a ruler isn''t enjoyable?" Lein replied. "What if we just stay on the ind and live peacefully? I don''t want to meet those powerful people anymore." Nita felt a bit overwhelmed this time; they had encountered several strong individuals, and they could hardly do anything. Lein understood Nita''s anxiety. After all, if they continued living like this every day, they could livefortably and peacefully. Although it would take time and a long process, they could stand firm among those powerful races. "Stop worrying about that. As long as we aren''t reckless, we''ll be safe," Lein said confidently. "What? Reckless? I forgot who was reckless before," Nita retorted with a teasing expression. Her brother advised against being reckless, but it was he who had been reckless. "Hehe... It won''t happen again," Lein could only smile sheepishly at his sister''s teasing. On their way home, Lein and Nita observed the activities of people living on Lein''s ind. Some people wore neat suits with standard ck bags in their right hands. Lein could guess that these were office workers. Office workers usually had slightly weaker strength, but they still activated the system. The sry system also used energy crystals. Paper currency was beginning to flourish as a means of conducting small transactions for items like vegetables, rice, meat, etc. The entertainment industry was not left behind either, with some already establishing TV stations and websites for watching entertainment content. The government system also continued to function. Currently, Lein''s city was divided into four different districts. This change urred due to the rapid development of Lein''s ind, which now covered 3,000,000 square kilometers, almost twice the size of Indonesia on Earth. ... During their journey, Lein and Nita stopped to explore several ces, such as entertainment venues, dining spots, and other amusement parks. After getting tired, they used the portal to reach the City of Life before nightfall. Upon arriving at the city lord''s hall, it was already dark. The night sky was beautifully decorated with colorful lights. Lein and Nita were currently enjoying the night sky while grilling some beef and rabbit meat. "Brother, how many Exp bottles have you duplicated?" Nita asked while eating a steak skewer. "Well... During the journey, I''ve duplicated 50,000 Tier 5 Exp bottles," Lein said while taking out a bottle from the silver space ring. (Tier 5 Exp Bottle) - Exp +100,000 Lein was very excited inside. Fifty thousand Tier 5 Exp bottles were worth 10 high crystals. If he sold all 50,000 bottles, he would earn 500,000 energy crystals. "I''m rich... Hhhh," Lein said to himself. "Let''s use them, brother. Is it enough to level up to the next threshold?" Nita asked curiously. Their level was still at 21. "Well... I don''t know either... Let''s try using 100 bottles." Lein looked at the Exp bottles in his hand and confirmed their use. [Consume (Tier 5 Exp Bottles), 100, confirm?] "Yes." [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] ... A hundred exp notifications sounded, and Lein''s exp increased by about 0.3%. "What the...? 10,000,000 exp only increased by 0.3%?" Lein cursed in his heart. He couldn''t imagine how difficult it would be to level up without a cheat-like talent. This time, Lein used 1,000 bottles at once. [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] ... This time, Lein saw his level progress; finally, it increased to level 22. [Congrattions, Ruler level increased. Level 22, Attribute points +250] "Finally..." Lein was very excited. With 1,000 Exp bottles, his level increased by more than one. If he used 9,000 more bottles, he could reach level 30. [Consume (Tier 5 Exp Bottles), 9,000, confirm?] "Yes." Immediately, endless notifications flooded Lein''s status panel. He closed the panel for a while and then handed Nita 10,000 bottles as well. "Nita, you use them too," Lein said to Nita. "Okay, brother." Nita epted all the Exp bottles and used them all at once. Nita experienced the same thing as Lein. Endless notifications flooded her status panel. They both temporarily closed the system panel and enjoyed their snacks leisurely. "Ah... It''s so refreshing." "The stars are so beautiful." asionally, Nita would murmur softly while sitting on her lounge chair, a cotton nket covering her legs. Chapter 50: Reach Level 30 A few moments passed after using more than 9,000 Exp bottles. Lein checked his status panel. [STATUS] - Name: Lein - Level: 30 (1%) - Attributes: STR 3256, AGI 3072, INT 2861, RES 2984 - ss: Swordsman (Holy Human, 90% exp) - Skills: (Divine sh Shadow), (Sky Shattering sh), (Area of Light) - Sub Skills: (Double sh), (Sword Aura), (Quick Movement), (Light Barrier) - Equipment: (Divine Sword +10), (Two-Step Shoes +10), (Night Splitting Cloak +10), (Fierce Fighting Gloves +10), (Durable Helmet +10) - Talent: (Infinity Duplicate SSS) - Features: Market, Chat, Friends "Good, finally level 30. I can use the legendary sub-skills now," Lein was very pleased with his level-up. His average attributes were now above 3000 points. Each level-up from 20 to 30 granted 250 points, and his golden sword also addedplete attributes because it was a growth-type weapon. (Divine Sword - Part 1 +10) - Level: 30 (Growth) - Attributes: STR +465, INT +412, AGI +448, RES +404 - (Holy Blessing) Heals all body wounds, increases base attributes by 20%, and increases damage by 20% for 1 minute. Cooldown 10 minutes. "Hahaha... Everything from that crowned man is excellent," Lein said, recalling the crowned man during his promotion to level 1. He had previously considered giving the sword to Nita, but she had refused because she didn''t like closebat. "Nita, have you reached level 30 yet?" Lein asked, looking at Nita beside him. "Yes, brother. My average attribute is around 2800," Nita exined. Lein found it reasonable, considering Nita''s weapon was slightly inferior. Not long after leveling up, the system''s voice sounded again. [Having reached level 30, the Core Formation Trial is now avable.] Lein didn''t expect that the trial conditions would only be revealed upon reaching level 30. He then opened the description of the Core Formation Trial. (Core Formation) The ruler will undergo a trial to form the sacred sword core (core crystal - swordsman). - Trial duration: 1 hour - Completion rate: 10% grants a 10% attribute buff, 20% grants a 20% attribute buff, up to 100%pletion granting a 100% attribute buff. "So vague, it doesn''t even exin what the trial is like," Lein was slightly annoyed with the notification this time. "Brother, it''s better to wait until your talent cooldown is over, then take the trial," Nita suggested. She also received the same information as Lein. As usual, Lein would take the trial first and then inform her of its contents afterward. "Yes, you''re right..." "By the way, how''s the association doing?" Lein asked. He didn''t pay much attention to the Alliance''s development; all reports were directly given to Nita through private chat. "It''s doing well and developing rapidly." "We''ve established branch stores in the top 30 alliances. All thanks to Sister Hana and her team''s help," Nita continued. She then exined the progress of branch store construction and portal development, as well as the internal development of the alliance. The World Market Alliance was now known by many people for the goods they sold. Besides being cheap, the quality was not inferior either. Additionally, the internal alliance had formed several divisions, such as the training division, defense division, intelligence division, logistics division, research division, and several others. All division heads were selected based on their strength and talents, averaging at grade A. There was even a grade S talent head in the intelligence division. The alliance''s total members currently exceeded 12,000. They came from various regions, but generally from the same region as Lein and Nita. Nita then informed Lein about the developments of other alliances. The top human alliances had formed an organization called the Human Unity Organization. This organization served as a cooperation tform among alliances and was led by the American Alliance. "What do you think, brother? Should we join?" Nita asked while chewing her food. "Of course, as long as it doesn''t cause any harm. The more connections, the better," Lein replied. "Okay," Nita agreed. Nita continued exining and chatting with Lein untilte at night before they finally went to bed. *** Morning, Main Hall of the city. On a vast sports field full of green grass, a girl in sportswear was jogging around the field. The sunlight shone on her body, and sweat dripped from her. "Ugh... So tired," she said, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Not far away, a young man was doing push-ups beside the field. His arms were full of muscle without any fat, and his sweat-drenched body added to his charm. Yes, the girl and the young man were Lein and Nita, doing their morning exercise routine. Morning exercise was very refreshing and healthy. They exercised until 7 a.m., then had breakfast. "Brother, when will you take the trial?" Nita asked from across the dining table. "Mmmm... Soon. Maybe after breakfast..." Lein replied. He had done a lot of preparation before bedst night, especially his talent skill, which was ready to use. A few moments after breakfast, Lein entered the Core Formation Trial. [The ruler will enter the Core Formation Trial, confirm?] "Yes." Immediately, in Nita''s view, Lein disappeared without warning or trace. "Good luck, brother," Nita muttered hopefully. She knew her brother would be fine and had very high attribute points. But still, she couldn''t shake the worry in her heart. Not wanting to stay idle at the dining table, Nita then left the Main Hall to check on the city''s development, the alliance, and other important matters. *** Meanwhile, in a strange ce he had never been to, Lein appeared on an endless green in. Without warning, a system notification appeared. [Core Formation Trial has begun. Countdown 1 hour starts now.] Time remaining: 59:58 Time remaining: 59:47 ... "I have to hurry," Lein said. But he was confused, not knowing what to do! What core was the system referring to? Lein felt frustrated. Two minutes had already passed. He had tried running in one direction, using skills, and asking the system. But there was no answer. "Huft..." Lein felt like he had an idea. He tried to rx and calm himself. He focused his mind inward on his body. "Just as I thought." He saw an object resembling a sword inside his body. However, the object seemed unreal and only appeared faintly. [Holy Sword Core opened... Completion 0%] The sudden appearance of the system panel broke Lein''s focus. When he opened his eyes, he saw a monster resembling an ant emerging not far from him. Chapter 51: Entering Core Formation Trial Lein looked at the ant monster in front of him with anticipation. He had seen many strange monsters in various shapes after numerous battles. However, the monster in front of him was somewhat different because, if he focused on the ant monster, he could see a glowing object inside its chest. The ant monster was about 3 meters tall, with a body segmented by very thin but seemingly strong joints. Its skin was shiny, resembling ss walls. In the ant monster''s right hand was a long, sharp, gray sword, seemingly made from the bones of a long-dead monster. Another frightening aspect of the monster was its pointed beak, 30 cm long. Lein was curious whether the bone sword was sharper than its beak. Lein checked the status panel of the ant monster. [Sword Ant Warrior] - Attributes: STR +1000, INT +1000, AGI +1000, RES +1000 - Skills: (Basic Swordsmanship), (Heart Cleaving sh), (Steadfast Sword Heart) "What the..." "Only 1000 points on average?" Lein couldn''t believe the status of the monster in front of him. Weren''t 1000 points on average too low? "I can crush this ugly ant with my bare hands," Lein said dismissively. His sword was one of the biggest contributors to his strength. He actually considered the sword in his hand to be an ordinary sword, but it turned out to be very powerful. The sword alone contributed 1600 points to Lein''s status. Now, looking at the monster in front of him, even without the Holy Sword, he could slice it into 100 pieces. "Let''s go..." Lein shouted in his mind. With just one leap, he reached the side of the ant monster. sh... Thud... thud... The ant monster was easily and quickly sliced in half before it could react. The top part of the monstery lifeless on the grassy ground. [Sessfully killed (Sword Ant Warrior), obtained core altar] Soon, the monster''s entire body shattered into pieces of white light and vanished. However, a box-shaped object appeared where the ant monster''s body had disappeared. Lein picked it up and opened the information panel. (Core Altar) Soul altar fragment x1 "It seems this is used to form the core," Lein muttered. Sshhh... "Someone''sing," Lein said in his mind, his instincts alerting him to approaching danger. Sure enough, another ant monster appeared, moving very quickly. But to Lein, its movements were a bit slow. This time, it wasn''t just one ant monster; there were 10 of them. [Sword Ant Warrior] - Attributes: STR +1100, INT +1100, AGI +1100, RES +1100 - Skills: (Basic Swordsmanship), (Heart Cleaving sh), (Steadfast Sword Heart) "Increasing by 100 points, huh? Alright,e here," Lein was slightly surprised to see the monster''s points had increased by 100 each. But he wasn''t afraid; he approached the monstersing toward him. ng... zing... Lein''s Holy Sword shed with the ant monster''s bone sword. Slice... Thud... [Sessfully killed (Sword Ant Warrior), obtained core altar]... "So strong." Lein saw the bone sword in the ant monster''s hand break, split in two. Argh... The ant monsters behind didn''t stay idle; they attacked and approached Lein with hostile gazes. Lein moved forward again, targeting the right group of monsters. First, he shed horizontally in front of him, then his sword shadow followed, slicing the three frontmost monsters. Next, Lein ducked his head and shed upward from below, cutting down the remaining ant monsters. sh... sh... Lein''s shes were like a sword cutting through water, effortlessly and silently. The ant monsters appeared panicked and fearful, but they could do nothing. The person before them seemed intent on their deaths. sh... sh... [Sessfully killed (Sword Ant Warrior), obtained core altar]... [Sessfully killed (Sword Ant Warrior), obtained core altar]... In just a few simple moves, Lein wiped out the ten ant monsters effortlessly. As usual, Lein collected the core altars that had dropped from the ten monsters. He deliberately didn''t duplicate them now because he wanted to observe the entire trial process. Besides avoiding the emergence of important items, his main goal was to give his sister, Nita, an idea of the core formation trial. Not long after the ten ant monsters died, another wave of ant monsters appeared, more than 100 of them. Their average attribute points increased to 1,200. Argh... arr... A hundred ant monster soldiers came as if going to war, appearing very coordinated and more intelligent. Some had already activated their main skills, making their auras stronger. But in the face of Lein''s absolute power, he easily destroyed each group of approaching monsters. Lein didn''t even use any skills, only relying on his swordsmanship. [Sessfully killed (Sword Ant Warrior), obtained core altar]... [Sessfully killed (Sword Ant Warrior), obtained core altar]... Two minutes passed, and all 100 sword ant monsters were dead. After collecting the dropped core altars, Lein saw a different type of monster appear. Wolf-like monsters with 10 cm long, sharp fangs. The wolves had very white, slightly thick fur, making them look beautiful. However, their sharp red eyes made them look fierce. [White Lake Wolf] - Attributes: STR +2000, INT +2000, AGI +2000, RES +2000 - Skills: (Wolf''s Fury), (Death Gaze), (Intermediate Swordsmanship) "Jumping straight to 2000?" Lein muttered softly. A hundred wolf monsters with an average of 2000 attribute points, and a hundred sword ant monsters with an average of 1300 attribute points. "Hmmm... it would take time to finish off all these monsters," Lein said while calcting efficiency in his head. He had 53 minutes left, so he had to act quickly. Lein immediately activated one of his sub-skills to speed up the process of killing the monsters in front of him. (Sword Aura) Activates a sword aura for 5 minutes, increasing damage and attack speed by 60%. - Level: 50 (40,300/216,750,000) - Base Power: +500% - Rarity: Rare - Cooldown: 1 minute - Requirement: Tier-2, Swordsman Sword Aura was one of Lein''s skills that increased attack speed. Additionally, he had leveled up the skill to level 50, consuming over 21,000 high-grade Insight Stones. "I''ming..." Lein muttered to himself. Lein''s body disappeared and reappeared without warning in the middle of the monster wave. He then performed several spinning shes, cutting down every approaching monster. Chapter 52: 100% absorption, Soul Altar - Universe [Sessfully killed (White Lake Wolf), obtained altar core]... [Sessfully killed (White Lake Wolf), obtained altar core]... If anyone saw the battle between Lein and the ant monsters and wolf monsters, they would feel there was no fairness in this fight. Lein appeared in one ce and then disappeared, only to reappear in another ce far away, shing ferociously all around. The ant monsters and wolf monsters alike could do nothing, even with their skills asionally emitting red light, they couldn''t touch Lein at all. Two minutes passed, and all 200 monsters were dead, leaving behind corpses that would disappear every few seconds. The grass that was once green was now covered with monster corpses. "Huhhh.. exhausting.." Lein was a bit tired this time. The ant monsters weren''t strong, but their numbers would drain anyone''s energy. It seemed endless, strange monsters with various shapes and strengths kept appearing after Lein finished off the previous waves. "Alright, still got 45 minutes left..." "Let''s go!!!!" Lein shouted with enthusiasm. ... Forty minutes passed, and a battle between Lein and thousands of monster troops ensued. Lein was like a small sugar cube swarmed by thousands of monsters. There were various forms of monsters among the thousands that appeared. Some were shaped like bulls with massive horns, and there were even flying monsters attacking from the sky. [Sea Carrion Bird] - Attribute: STR +3700, INT +3700, AGI +3700, RES +3700 - Skills: (Heart Poison), (Killer Beak), (Wind-Splitting w) [Sword Ant Warrior] - Attribute: STR +3300, INT +3300, AGI +3300, RES +3300 - Skills: (Basic Swordsmanship), (Heart-Splitting sh), (Steadfast Sword Heart) Lein was also in full st this time. Blue equipment covered his entire body, emitting an aura of terrifying power. Every few minutes he would activate his skills. Thanks to the artifact (Time Ring), every skill he had was without cooldown. Sashh... sh.. [Sessfully killed (Sea Carrion Bird), obtained (altar core)]... [Sessfully killed (Red-Toothed Ogre), obtained (altar core)]... ... Various types of monsters fell one by one due to Lein''s ferocity. Although there were some monsters with attributes averaging almost 4000, Lein could still hold on thanks to the healing effect from his holy sword. Four more minutes passed, and finally, a system notification appeared on Lein''s panel. [Test time is over, you have 5 minutes to form the core] 04:59... 04:55... After the system warning, no more strange monsters appeared, leaving Lein alone on a grass field soaked with blood. "Huhhh... finally," Lein muttered wearily. He then checked the number of altar cores he had obtained. (Altar Core) Soul Altar Container Piece - Quantity: 34,000 "So many hhhh.." Lein shouted with satisfaction. His battles had paid off. "But how do I use them?" Lein was now worried again as the time continued to count down. Huff... Lein refocused on the sword image in his chest. [Starting absorption (altar core) progress 1%] [Starting absorption (altar core) progress 2%] ... Lein watched the progress panel of the sword image increase rapidly, even reaching 10 in 17 seconds. He also felt that all the altar cores in his storage ring were drastically reduced. [Starting absorption (altar core) progress 99%] [Starting absorption (altar core) progress 100%] [Starting absorption (golden altar core) progress 1%] "Golden tier?" Lein shouted in his heart. Lein immediately exited his focus mode and checked the number of crystal cores he had. (Altar Core) Soul Altar Container Piece - Quantity: 24,000 "10,000 regr altar cores, then for the golden one... could it be 10,000 as well?" Lein thought hard. [Duplicate (altar core) x10,000 times, confirm?] "Yes" Immediately, Lein''s altar core quantity increased back to 34,000. He quickly entered focus mode again to absorb all the altar cores. [Starting absorption (golden altar core) progress 100%] [Starting absorption (royal altar core) progress 1%] ... Lein saw the change in the golden sword image, which now turned white. The light from the sword emitted a majestic aura that made Lein''s heart tremble. "Royal tier altar core?" Lein said excitedly. He was very curious about the good things that woulde from the royal tier altar core. [Starting absorption (royal altar core) progress 100%] [Starting absorption (Universe altar core) progress 1%] "Insane!!!! Universe tier? Isn''t this too terrifying?" Lein''s heart shook as he saw the universe tier. He had indeed worked very hard for this trial, lucky that the Time Ring artifact helped him so that all his skills could be active continuously. [Starting absorption (universe altar core) progress 100%] [Congrattions, core formation 100%pleted, gaining 100% of current sovereign attributes] [Congrattions, sovereign gained +12,173 free attributes] [Congrattions, sovereign gained (Soul Altar - Universe)] [Trial time over... sovereign will be transferred in 3... 2... 1...] *** A vast sports field with fresh green grass. A young man in a blue robe appeared at the edge of the field. The young man seemed to be thinking for a moment, but then a broad smile appeared on his face. "Hhhh... finished just in time" "Alright, let''s see what we got" Lein tried to look inside himself through his senses. He saw a ck altar right in the middle of his chest. (Soul Altar - Universe) - EXP: +100% - Attribute: +100% - Skill cooldown reduction: +50% - Swordmaster Soul: not active "Insane.... "Lein shouted in his heart. "What kind of crazy buff is this?" Lein couldn''t believe that the tier-3 promotion trial had brought him such immense benefits. Previously, Lein had also gained a 90% exp increase from the core crystal he used to reach tier 2. Combined with the 100% from the soul altar, he could level up three times faster than others. "What?!!!!" Shock reappeared on Lein''s face as he looked at his duplicate talent skill. (Infinity Duplicate: Version 2) - Cooldown: 30 minutes Lein took a long deep breath. The joy on his face couldn''t be hidden. Seeing the 30-minute cooldown meant he could duplicate twice as much as before. "Hahahah... amazing," a broad smile appeared on Lein''s face. "What''s with the ind owner? He''s smiling to himself." "Hey, the ind owner can hear you, get back to work." Chapter 53: New Title - Leader of the Sovereign 3 Two janitors observed Lein from afar and talked about his exaggerated condition. It was unusual for them to see the ind owner like this. "Huftt... calm down... calm down..." Lein tried to calm himself and checked the other changes he had gained. Upon achieving 100%pletion in the trial, Lein obtained over 12,000 nk attributes. However, the attributes he gained from the soul altar would activate all at once. When Lein checked the status panel, he saw the feature to advance to Tier-3. (Proceed to Tier-3) - Complete the trial (core formation) - 1,000,000 Energy Crystals - Level 30 Monster Heart - Lord Rank Lein couldn''t wait to advance, so he proceeded with the promotion immediately. He already had all the required items and hadpleted the core formation trial, so there was no point in dying. [Proceed to Tier-3, consuming items:] - Complete the trial (core formation) - 1,000,000 Energy Crystals - Level 30 Monster Heart - Lord Rank "Yes." Immediately, the same power he felt when advancing to Tier-2 and Tier-1 surged into his body. This power flowed through every part of his body and cells. Each time the energy moved, Lein felt a sense of liberation as if he had been freed from a cage. Soon, the power stopped flowing and vanished without a trace, then the system notification panel sounded. [The sovereign has sessfully promoted to Tier-3] [Acquired skills: (Sword Heaven Prison), (Sacred Heart Sword), (Sky Sword Rain)] [Became the first blue human to reach Tier-3. Earned the title (Leader of the Sovereign 3)] "Great, that was easy..." Lein said casually. It hadn''t even been a month since he reached the Divine Sky realm, yet he had be the first human sovereign to reach Tier-3. This promotion brought him many benefits, including three new main skills and a title. Skill 4: (Sword Heaven Prison) Summons a sword prison to trap enemies for 5 seconds. Reduces enemy attributes by 50%. Cooldown: 30 minutes. Skill 5: (Sacred Heart Sword) The sacred heart sword intimidates enemies, attacks their mental state, and causes an illusion effect. When active, it reduces the opponent''s attributes by 10%. The sacred heart sword enhances the sovereign''s sword skills. No cooldown. Skill 6: (Sky Sword Rain) Summons endless swords for 1 minute to rain down on enemies. Each sword attack increases damage by 2%, stackable up to 20 times. Cooldown: 1 hour. "Wow... terrifying." Lein was awed by the new skills he had just acquired. These three skills even surpassed the effects of legendary sub-skills. With the sword prison, he could trap enemies and force closebat. The sacred heart sword would be very useful in regr battles because it enhanced his sword skills. And the sixth skill, his most powerful active attack now, allowed him to control swords like water for 1 minute. "Good... good... let''s check my new title," Lein said with strong curiosity. (Leader of the Sovereign 3) Title of the blue human race sovereign , bing the leader of the leaders entering the third evolution. - Attribute: +15% - Reduces attacks from the same race by 15% "If I got the number 3, there must be someone out there with the number 1 and 2 titles," Lein correctly guessed. However, he didn''t pay much attention to it. He felt very powerful at the moment. His vision was very clear, and his instincts and senses were highly enhanced. His attributes, which used to average around 3,000, now averaged about 13,000 points. All thanks to the attribute buffs from the Soul Altar and the new title he had acquired. "I wonder if the masters can exert the same pressure as before," Lein thought to himself. However, he didn''t think he could withstand the power of beings above the master level. At least not for now. "By the way, where''s Nita?" Lein had been in the trial space for an hour. It was unlikely that Nita, who was very active, would just wait here. Since there was nothing else to do, Lein nned to check the ind''s surroundings. He would rest for a few days before attending the uing Inter-Racial War event. Lein needed a few days to duplicate all the items he had obtained, such as skill books, insight stones, EXP bottles, weapons, power essence, and other things. *** In an outdoor training arena with t, rough stone floors surrounded by neat iron fences. At the moment, a chief instructor and several assistant instructors were in front of hundreds of students in white-blue uniforms. "Listen, today we will practice basic martial arts moves." "Basic martial arts skills will help you all when facing monsters for the first time." A muscr man was leading the martial arts training for hundreds of students. The students in front of him looked to be between 15-17 years old. The number of boys and girls was almost bnced, and they all looked very serious about listening to the instructor''smands. How could they not be serious? The instructor in front of them was Dohago, a Tier-1 Level 10 sovereign with the swordsman ss. "Hey Hans, how many crystals do you have now?" "I got 50 crystals from my uncle as pocket money." "Great, having a reliable insider must be nice... Hhhh." Among the students, two of them were talking. They had joined the Alliance world market with great difficulty. The boy who asked had entered the alliance through a strict selection process, while his friend Hans had joined through the back door. The boy named Hans ignored his friend''s talk about his uncle. Even though his friend was trying to chat, his attention remained focused on Dohago''s training in front of him. "Punch forward with strength and certainty. Always keep your eyes forward." Instructor Dohago demonstrated a forward punching motion with his right hand. His mouth kept exining all the basic boxing points for the students to understand. All the students had already acquired the system, and their levels averaged between 2-3. They imitated all of Instructor Dohago''s movements as best as they could. Crack... Chapter 54: Inspecting Alliance Development At this moment, the main gate leading to the training arena opened, and the gatekeeper weed the person entering with great respect, gesturing humbly with his right hand. "Wee to training arena #6, ind owner," the gatekeeper said respectfully. "Thank you..." Lein expressed his gratitude and continued walking along the side of the training arena, observing the training activities of the students and instructors. At that moment, Instructor Dohago and the students also noticed the young man who had entered. Especially Instructor Dohago, who immediately stopped his movements and approached Lein to greet him. Instructor Dohago sensed Lein''s powerful aura, although it was imperceptible to ordinary people with limitedbat experience. Only because he was a former professional fighter on Earth, and now, could he sense Lein''s overwhelming aura. "No need, continue your training." Lein raised his hand, allowing Instructor Dohago to proceed with his teaching n. His task this time was to personally inspect and ensure the progress of the World Market Alliance. "Thank you, ind owner. If there''s anything I can do, please let me know and I will get it done." "Everyone, salute the ind leader." Instructor Dohago shouted to all the students to salute Lein, who was watching from the sidelines. "Salute to the ind owner." "Salute to the ind owner..." ... Seeing the greetings from hundreds of people like this gave Lein a feeling of being closer to them. The students before him were the future generation of his organization, and he was their leader at this moment. "Thank you, continue your training. Don''t mind me." Lein waved his hand, feeling a bit shy inside but not showing it. This was the first time he had experienced such a feeling. "Amazing... The ind owner is still so young. He rarely appears in chat rooms and public spaces." "Look at that sword, guess what level that weapon is." "By the way, what level is the ind owner now?" "The ind owner is very handsome. Is he married?" The discussions among the hundreds of students were clearly audible to Lein, but he couldn''t do anything about it. The students before him had no ill intentions; they were just in awe of him, the leader of tens of thousands of people. Only a fool wouldn''t admire someone like that. "Hua..." "Continue with your left foot, it must be strong and steady in position." .... Instructor Dohago''s training and the other students continued. Meanwhile, Lein kept watching from a distance. In Lein''s view, he noticed significant differences in several training arenas. Among the students, there were always at least one or a few with strong determination to train. The dedication and firm resolve in their eyes were clear. Just like what he was witnessing now. A young man with straight ck hair followed Instructor Dohago''s movements with great enthusiasm, and every motion he made was precise. Lein had previously asked one of the instructors about the current system for students. The instructor had said that there were currently several levels of students. New students, official students, and main students. New students were anyone who entered the World Market Alliance through initial selection and met the initial requirements. Official students were those who hadpleted certain tasks and made sufficient contributions. By bing official students, they would receive direct and tangible benefits from the alliance. Finally, main students were those who were seriously mentored by the Alliance and had a certain level of loyalty. All main students were level 10, and there were currently about 100 of them. Such arrangements had been exined by Nita previously, so he understood them well enough. "It seems I should schedule somebat events to give hardworking students a chance." Seeing the students seriously and determinedly following the instructor''s movements, Lein felt a bit moved to reward their efforts. Of course, it couldn''t be done directly, as it wouldn''t have much effect inrge numbers. Lein watched training arena #6 for 5 minutes before moving to another area of the Alliance. *** The room was filled withmotion, with small puffs of smoke rising from several tables. The mixed aromas of fragrant and burnt substances filled the air. "Each room is limited to a maximum of 20 alchemists, sir. They all have talents rted to the medium at least." A woman with long curly hair, wearing a white robe, exined the situation to Lein, who was beside her. Lein was currently in the alchemist potion-making room. The potion-making room was veryrge, housing 20 alchemists with their respective potion cauldrons. Lein initially thought potion-making would be like in games, like constructing buildings. As long as there were enough materials, the system would make them directly. But now he saw a woman with sses adding various strange herbs, which Lein had never seen before, into the potion cauldron. She added them with some consideration, Lein assumed. asionally, her face showed frustration when the potion''s reaction didn''t match her expectations. Plup... Thest ingredient was added... The woman stirred the potion slowly with a long wooden spoon. Her stirring movements were clockwise, precise, not too fast, nor too slow. A few seconds passed... The woman stopped stirring. A bottle appeared in her hand. She poured the entire potion from the cauldron into the ss bottle in her hand. "What is the highest quality potion that can be made currently?" Seeing the woman seed, Lein asked the woman in the white robe beside him. "Currently, there is no definite ranking, sir. We are also examining the potion levels and alchemical knowledge from other realms and alliances." "For now, the best potions we can produce are the Brave Potion 2 and High Health Potion." The woman took something out of her bag. (Brave Potion 2) - Increases STR attribute by 2% for 10 seconds. (High Health Potion) - Increases HP by +1,000 and natural healing by 5% for 1 minute. Lein observed both potions and tried them. They tasted like in mineral water. However, he clearly felt some beneficial effects from the potions. "Alright, continue..." Chapter 55: Inspecting Alliance Development 2 The woman continued exining to Lein the system of making medicine from start to finish. nts and medicinal ingredients are obtained during exploration in the wild; some inds have medicinal nts that can be harvested. The concoctions are then examined in the hospital''s medical department for direct inspection. Yes, the hospital has almost reached the level of advancement of hospitals on Earth. However, the equipment has not yet been modified to suit the divine sky realm. To create the concoctions, the alchemist''s energy is needed to mix and process the energy contained in the medicinal ingredients. Generally, the hospital can still detect whether a nt is consumable or not. However, when ites to the nt''s efficacy as medicine, the hospital is unable to determine this. Lein examined the alchemy section for 10 minutes before finally moving on to the next section, which was the cksmithing division. The cksmithing location was quite far from alchemy, so Lein had to walk for 3 minutes before finally reaching arge building with a hammer and anvil logo. The interior was vast, muchrger than the alchemy room. "Wee, sir. I am Yose, the head of cksmithing Division #3." Lein looked at the man approaching him, a middle-aged man with a long beard. However, it was clear that the man was very strong and muscr. "Sorry to bother you, Mr. Yose, I just want to take a look around." Lein was always very polite to everyone on the ind. He always addressed older individuals with the honorific "sir." "Alright, sir, alright... No need to be so formal." Yose had long heard about the ind''s owner, but this was the first time he saw him in person. The young man in front of him was very friendly and extremely strong. Yes, Yose could feel that the seemingly rxed young man before him could throw him ten meters away with a single punch. "The cksmithing division is progressing well, sir. Some cksmiths can forge level 10 equipment with elite quality." "Additionally, we have more than enough resources for forging. Severalrge mining inds have been discovered with various minerals." Yose exined all the details of the cksmithing process, from obtaining raw materials to producing finished goods. Lein listened calmly and observed some people forging. Just like alchemy, when the metal is hot and slightly softened, the cksmiths add suitable iron powder. The mixing process requires a special fire, not just any fire. Then the cksmiths also need to extract the energy from within the stone so that it can be absorbed by the created equipment, giving it special effects. "Please take a look, sir." Mr. Yose now disyed some of the weapons made by the Alliance''s cksmiths. (Long Iron Sword) - Level: 8 - Attributes: STR +12, AGI +4 - Skill: (Powerful sh) attacks forward with great force, dealing an additional 5% damage, cooldown 5 minutes. (Protective Cloak) - Level: 10 - Attributes: RES +15, STR +6 - Skill: (Light Barrier) emits a protective barrier around the body, reducing iing damage by 5% for 10 seconds, cooldown 5 minutes. "Good... Good... Great job, Mr. Yose." Lein casually praised. The Alliance''s development was indeed very rapid. Some were already able to match the development of system items. Of course, this only applied to basic items, not artifact-level or high-level items. Lein continued to observe the cksmithing process for about 15 minutes before moving on to another division of the Alliance. *** A vast field with a slightly elevated front area, where hundreds of people in formal attire were lined up neatly. At the front of the field were several men and women wearing long ck robes, looking like professors from Earth. In the center of the banner behind the field, the words "Establishment of New Life University" were visible. Yes, the event taking ce was the opening of a university. Many students from Earth were attending the event. Although the divine sky realm was very different from Earth, and the arrival of the system had brought many changes, humanity still prioritized education to progress. Only through education would human civilization continue to thrive and develop. At this moment, the event moderator was preparing to call someone from the front row. She nced at the woman who seemed ready, then shouted loudly. "Next, to inaugurate the opening of the university..." "Let''s wee Princess Nita, the leader of the City of Life, to give a few words." Nita had been waiting for her name to be called. When she heard it, she stood up from her seat and walked calmly to the front of the field. Yes, she walked like a seasoned city ruler. In the eyes of ordinary people, she radiated a brilliant light. At a young age, she had already be the most important person on therge floating ind they inhabited¡ªthe ruler of the City of Life and the younger sister of the ind''s owner. Some young people even idolized Nita, and any post rted to her would be a trending topic. It was no wonder that Nita''s poprity was vastly different from Lein''s. "Umm... Hello, good afternoon, everyone," Nita spoke at the podium. She had done this countless times before. Every time there was an inauguration of an organization, building, tourist spot, etc., she was always asked to officiate it. It was indeed exhausting, but she enjoyed the feeling. Although she wasn''t a real princess, being an important figure already made Nita happy. "Thank you for the opportunity given..." Nita began her speech like a high-ranking official. "I have eagerly anticipated the establishment of this university. After graduating from high school, I didn''t continue my education due to financial constraints..." "I am delighted that all of you have the enthusiasm to keep learning and pursuing knowledge..." "I wish you all the best... As the ruler of the City of Life, I hereby dere the New Life University officially open." p... p... The sound of enthusiastic apuse was heard... Such inauguration ceremonies usuallysted 2-3 hours. Typically, Nita would only attend for 10-15 minutes. Chapter 56: Nita applies to College However, now she was thinking about going to college again. Nita attended the entire event until it was over. Yes, Nita had recently graduated from high school, and not long after she graduated, humanity''s transmigration urred. ... After the university inauguration ceremony, Nita headed to the university rector''s office to discuss something. In the eighth-floor corridor of the campus, Nita walked calmly, observing the room views along the way. After a few moments, Nita finally reached a door guarded by two attendants. Each attendant was level 8, and their uniforms were those of professional guards. "Wee, Princess Nita. Mr. Usman is inside." The two guards greeted Nita respectfully and opened the door wide. Nita entered the room and observed the surroundings. The rector''s office was quiterge, with several deans already present. Beautiful paintings adorned the room, andrge bookshelves lined the walls. "Princess Nita..." "Wee..." Seeing Nita enter the room, the rector and the deans stood up to greet her. They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. Then they each took their seats. "Alright, Princess Nita, let''s draft an agreement regarding your status as a student at the New Life University." "First of all, Princess Nita, you don''t need to pay any tuition fees. Your enrollment as a student greatly enhances the prestige of the New Life University." "Additionally, Princess Nita, you are not required to attend campus activities daily. Once a week is sufficient." The rector exined several points regarding Nita''s enrollment as a student at their university. Initially, he did not expect Nita to be serious, because for him... as long as Nita asked them to issue a bachelor''s degree for her, who could refuse? "Thank you, Rector, but I don''t need such special treatment. Treat me like an ordinary student," Nita exined after the rector finished speaking. She wasn''t particrly driven by the pursuit of power. With her brother Lein''s talent, even by just staying idle all day, he could be stronger than the average person. "And I will still pay the tuition fees. As the city leader, I certainly want the best for the sess of the City of Life''s education." Nita then took out a small bag filled with 100,000 energy crystals. "No need, Princess, no need." "Please ept it... this is a contribution from the city leader, not as a student." Nita insisted the rector ept the bag. "Alright then, on behalf of the campusmunity, I thank you." The rector stood up and bowed, followed by the deans from the right and left sides of the table. "Ehhh... no need, no need." Nita became even more nervous; she had always been intimidated by teachers on Earth. That trait still carried over to this day. "If there''s nothing else, I ask permission to leave, Mr. Rector." Nita didn''t want to be worshipped by the deans and rector in front of her, so she wanted to leave quickly. "Take care, Princess..." "Goodbye, Princess Nita..." *** On her way home, Nita used public transportation. Although many people asked for a photo with her, Nita did not refuse and agreed. Initially, she had a hard time avoiding people who tried to approach and ask for photos and stopped her suddenly on the road. But since her strength increased, she would heighten her aura, making those who wanted to get closer unable to take another step. Of course, she only did this when the crowd became uncontroble and chaotic. If it was just a small number, she would happily oblige them. On her way home, she received a message from Lein. - (Lein): "Nita, where are you? It''s lunchtime already." - (Lein): "Meet me at the hall at 2 PM, you need to do the promotion." ... "Hahaha... I will give him a surpriseter." A sly smile appeared on Nita''s face; she hadn''t told her brother she was enrolling in school. "Well, I''m not a child anymore, I can fight him if he doesn''t allow me." Nita clenched her fist with the usual arrogance she disyed. It was still 12:30 PM, so she would eat at a nearby restaurant and then meet her brother for the promotion. *** At 2 PM, in the City Hall. As usual, Lein was cultivating a new habit when he had free time: reading a book in one of the small pavilions in the garden next to the city hall. The city hall design was a result of Nita''s creativity. Initially, Lein thought it was useless and not often used. But now, he found himself visiting this ce more frequently. "Days change, but..." While Lein was reading, footsteps broke the sound of the fountain in the middle of the garden. "Big brother..." Yes, the person who came was Nita. She arrived wearing a neat white dress withce on the shoulders and waist. "Where have you been?" Lein asked while cing the book he was reading on a small table. "Umm... guess!?" Nita stood with her hands behind her back, twirling lightly, hoping Lein would guess where she had been. "The mall?" Lein guessed, considering Nita''s new dress. "Correct... but that''s not the main ce I visited." Nita smiled mysteriously, waiting for Lein''s next guess. "The beach?" "Um, um." Nita shook her head. "The library? Cinema?" "Um, um." Lein felt Nita was toying with him, so he asked in the alliance chat room. [Alliance Chat #world market trade] - (Lein): "Has anyone seen my sister Nita recently?" - (Nifa): "What''s wrong, leader? Is Princess Nita missing?" - (Juan): "I saw her attending the inauguration of the new university campus, leader Lein." ... "Hummmm, that''s not fair... you can''t ask in the group." Nita pouted and then sat on the empty chair next to her brother. "What''s wrong? There''s no rule against it... hhhh." Leinughed heartily. Besides obtaining high-level items, seeing his sister Nita pout was a joy for Lein. "Ih.hh.." Nita clenched her fist as if wanting to hit her brother but didn''t do so. "Yes, today I attended the inauguration of the New Life University. And I intend to be a student there." "What do you think, brother?" Nita asked Lein, feeling a bit nervous. Chapter 57: Nita completes core formation trial "That''s alright... I even encourage you to study and pursue your dreams," Lein was not just okay with it, he was actually happy to see his sister fulfilling her dream of entering a prestigious university like those on Earth. "Thank you.... brother..." "Wait..." Lein was surprised to see Nita''s sudden hug. But it was toote, Nita was already hugging him tightly. "Nita... enough, enough... you''re making me suffocate." "Uekk... ughhh." "Hahaha... sorry, sorry." Nita released her hug and then sat back down to calm herself. She then recounted everything that had happened, from the beginning to the end. She also mentioned the special treatment exined by the university rector, which she had refused. "It''s alright... do it as long as it makes you happy," Lein encouraged her. "By the way, do the promotion now, Nita." "When you enter, monsters wille continuously for 1 hour." "Each monster you kill will drop Altar core, useful for forming a Soul Altar. Collect as many as you can." Lein continued exining all the details of the core formation trial to Nita. He also told her about the usualpletion rates: regr, gold, king, and universe levels. "So, do you have any questions?" Lein asked Nita at the end of his exnation. "No, brother. It''s all clear." Nita shook her head and opened the trial panel. [The Sovereign will enter the trial (core formation), are you sure?] "Yes." After Nita confirmed the trial, she disappeared without any effects, just like Lein earlier. "Good luck..." Lein could only hope his sister could reach the king level. He himself had only achieved the universe levelpletion thanks to his duplication talent. *** In a vast green meadow, Nita observed her surroundings carefully. She was not worried and seemed to understand everything. Her brother''s exnation had been very helpful. [The trial (core formation) has begun. Countdown of 1 hour starts now.] Time left: 59:58 Time left: 59:47 Soon, a strange crow-shaped monster appeared. The crow''s flight height was neither too high nor too low. [ck Cloud Crow] - Attribute: STR +1000, INT +1000, AGI +1000, RES +1000 - Skills: (Cloud Poison), (Sharp Wings), (Crow Illusion) Nita didn''t let a second pass; she immediately drew her bow and aimed it at the four-winged crow monster in front of her. Siu...sii... The ck arrow shot out very quickly, and the ck cloud crow looked shocked when it felt a small arrow lodged in its chest. Not long after the arrow hit the crow, it exploded, shattering the crow''s body into pieces of flesh. [Sessfully killed (ck Cloud Crow), obtained Altar core]... The first crow died in just 3 seconds. Shortly after, the same type of crow appeared in greater numbers. [ck Cloud Crow] - Attribute: STR +1100, INT +1100, AGI +1100, RES +1100 - Skills: (Cloud Poison), (Sharp Wings), (Crow Illusion) Siu...si... Everything was as her brother had exined. Nita didn''t hold back and used her strongest skills to defeat the crow monsters in front of her as quickly as she could. Skill cooldowns were not a problem thanks to the time ring artifact that reduced all skill cooldowns by 80%. ... [Sessfully killed (ck Cloud Crow), obtained Altar core]... [Sessfully killed (Eight-legged Snake), obtained Altar core]... ... Thirty minutes passed, and hundreds of monsters now stood before Nita. Arrows rained down continuously, showering all the monsters. Every time they tried to retaliate, they only hit empty air because Nita had moved far from her original spot. [Sessfully killed (Red-horned Pig), obtained Altar core]... [Sessfully killed (Four-leaf Kijimu), obtained Altar core]... ... Boom... boom... Each time Nita released her bow, a wide explosion urred, killing monsters within a 10-meter radius. Combined with her second skill, Nita almost moved every time the monsters gathered in one ce. ... Fifty minutes passed in the blink of an eye. Nita felt very exhausted. The number of monsters had increased to thousands, making the situation more intense. Some monsters already had average attributes above 3,500, bing real threats. Nita had to be extra careful not to get hit by their skills. ... [The trial time is over. You have 5 minutes to form the core], the system voice announced. 04:59... 04:55... "Huah..." Nita let go of her bow and allowed herself to fall to the ground in exhaustion, sweat soaking her body. After a few seconds, Nita sat and counted the total number of Altar core''s she had obtained. (Altar core) Container pieces for soul altar - Quantity: 33,700 "Yes... over 30,000. The king-level soul altar is guaranteed." Nita didn''t linger because time was running out; she sat cross-legged and tried to absorb all the Altar core. [Starting absorption (soul altar) progress 1%] [Starting absorption (soul altar) progress 2%] ... After the first absorption reached 100%, the absorption rank increased to gold level. [Starting absorption (soul altar - gold) progress 1%] ... The absorption progress reached 100% again, then changed from gold to king rank. [Starting absorption (soul altar - king) progress 35%] [Starting absorption (soul altar - king) progress 100%] "Yay... just as my brother exined. King level." Nita was very happy, grateful her brother had informed her of everything, so she could maximize her benefits. [Congrattions on achieving 100% core formation, gaining 100% of the current sovereign''s attributes] [Congrattions sovereign, gaining +11,280 free attributes] [Congrattions sovereign, obtaining (King-level Soul Altar)] [Trial time is over... sovereign will be transported in 3... 2... 1...] *** Lein, who was reading a book in the garden pavilion, looked up from the pages. He saw Nita appear out of thin air. "How was it? Are you hurt?" he asked. For an hour, Lein tried to quell his worries by reading, but his anxiety didn''tpletely fade. "Hihi... how could Princess Nita get hurt easily?" Nita disyed a wide grin, showing her entire set of white teeth. Puk... Lein lightly pped Nita''s cheek because of her behavior. "Stop acting silly. Quickly tell me what happened." "Ouch... that hurt..." Nita held her cheek, annoyed. But she didn''t take it to heart and didn''t retaliate. Chapter 58: Nita promotes, Royal Soul Altar "Tada... I obtained a Royal Soul Altar!" Nita eximed, raising both hands in excitement. She then informed her brother about the status of the Royal level. (Royal Soul Altar) - EXP: +100% - Attributes: +50% - Skill cooldown reduction: +10% - Soul Archer: inactive "Good... good... a 50% attribute boost will greatly enhance your strength," Lein praised after learning about the Royal Soul Altar. "Nita, what are you waiting for? Quickly promote to Tier-3," Lein urged. "Yes, brother..." Nita nodded and opened the promotion panel on her status screen. (Proceed to Tier-3) - Complete the Core Formation test - 1,000,000 Energy Crystals - Level 30 Monster Heart - Lord Rank "Yes" As soon as Nita agreed, a strange power entered her body just like what Lein had experienced. She was prepared because she had heard the exnation from her brother. Momentster, a refreshing power spread throughout Nita''s body, giving her a rejuvenating feeling. [The Sovereign has sessfully promoted to Tier-3] [Acquired skills: (Killer Eye), (Heavenly Archer''s Heart), (Falling Star Arrow)] Skill 4: (Killer Eye) Summons a killer eye to attack the target enemy for 1 minute. Attack speed increases by 30%. Cooldown: 20 minutes. Skill 5: (Heavenly Archer''s Heart) The Heavenly Archer''s Heart intimidates enemies, attacking their mental state and causing illusions. When active, it reduces the opponent''s attributes by 10%. The Heavenly Archer''s Heart enhances the Sovereign''s archery skills. No cooldown. Skill 6: (Falling Star Arrow) Summons unlimited meteor arrows for 10 seconds to rain down on enemies. Each arrow attack increases damage by 1%, stacking up to 20 times. Cooldown: 50 minutes. "Wow... two deadly attack skills," Nita, who was not very interested inbat, marveled at the skill descriptions she had received. She was very curious about her new skills, especially (Killer Eye). An eye that can automatically attack the target, and with a 30% increase in shooting speed, it makes (Killer Eye) even deadlier. As for herst skill (Falling Star Arrow), only a fool would think this skill is not deadly. She then immediately exined all the detailed information about her status to Lein, who was watching her promotion from the side. [STATUS] - Name: Cute Cat - Tier 3 - Level: 30 (3%) - Attributes: STR 9625, AGI 9176, INT 7933, RES 8049 - ss: Archer - Skills: (Arrow Explosion), (Nature Archery Dance), (Sun Core Arrow), (Killer Eye), (Heavenly Archer''s Heart), (Falling Star Arrow) - Sub Skills: (Fatal Shoot - rare),(Quick Movement - rare), (Light Barrier - rare), ... - Equipment: (Hell Arrow +10), (Blessed Cloak +10)... - Artifact: (Time Ring - pure), (Kx Armor - pseudo) "It''s a pity there isn''t a title for the second person to advance to Tier-3," Lein said with a hint of sadness. "Next time, how about I advance first?" Nita joked. "Never!" Lein immediately rejected and patted Nita''s cheek. Nita didn''t want to be outdone, so she punched Lein''s stomach with her left hand. But Lein''s strong hand deflected Nita''s punch. "What? You dodged my punch?" Nita couldn''t ept it. She tried all sorts of ways tond at least one punch on Lein. But the reality was different, Lein always deflected all of Nita''s punches. Like that, the two siblings yed around casually, celebrating their promotion to Tier-3 Sovereign''s . At the same time, bing the strongest Sovereigns of the human race. ___ Meanwhile, far away in a distant realm. A young man with stars swirling around him looked very exhausted; he had been ughtering hundreds of monsters for the past few days. [Killed (Long-eared Bat - Lunar Growth) exp +12,700, +10 contribution] [Killed (Long-eared Bat - Lunar Growth) exp +14,500, +10 contribution] "So little..." The young man could only brood in silence, seeing the exp and contribution points he received after killing the bat-like Star Beast in front of him. "How could those two surpass my contribution points?" The young man''s thoughts were chaotic; he shook his head every time he remembered the contribution points on the leaderboard. [Event Ranking] 1. Kim Un : 65,734 2. dimir Nova : 64,239 3. William Anderson : 47,821 4. Bai Qi : 36,287 ... 11. Laras : 24,655 18. Haikal Emanuel : 23,716 ... 413. Lein 12,300 The longer he stared at the names above his, the more disappointed the young man became. He stabbed his sword deeply into the ground, pressing hard until his hand clenched. Argh... The stars around him moved erratically; some were fast, and some were unpredictable. It seemed the stars reflected the young man''s mood. sh... Boom... A powerful wave of shes was unleashed. The stars erged to the size of basketballs, then at lightning speed, they crashed around, causing destruction. "Hey, go help and calm down the president," an old man said to a middle-aged man beside him. "What do you mean?" The middle-aged man frowned, as if he saw someone setting him up to die soon. "Do you know what happened to thest person who disturbed him at a time like this?" The middle-aged man continued. "Both of you, calm down... This is also good for the president''s emotions. Just stay quiet and wait for his emotions to subside." This time an older man spoke, observing everything the young man did. In his eyes, there was a hint of sadness seeing the young man''s condition. ___ A grand hall with luxurious decorations. A party was taking ce inside. In the center of the room, a man sat observing all the attendees. The smile on the man''s face never faded, looking like he was in a happy state. The man raised his hand to one of the servants casually. A male servant came respectfully, one hand behind his back and the other holding a wine decanter. "Please, sir..." The male servant carefully poured red wine from the decanter into the ss in the man''s hand. "That''s enough... Thank you." Hearing the words of thanks from the man in front of him, the servant was almost shocked to death inside. "Th-thank you, sir," the servant stuttered, his mind not syncing with his mouth. Slowly, the servant retreated awkwardly. "You may be the leader of the organization, but not of this event," the man muttered. His eyes stared nkly at a certain spot while his mind wandered. "Those fools only think about killing to gain points. They forget that this cunning system won''t exin all the specific details like a grandmother exining something to her grandchildren," the man said softly. Chapter 59: 2 million bottles of exp, reaching level 41 Morning, the flower garden near the town hall. A woman was pouring water from a watering can, watering all the flowers in front of her. The flowers looked fresh and bright. Whether it was because the energy in this area was better or something else, the flowers in front of her looked different from usual. Du... Du Du...Du... The woman''s humming blended with the sound of the fountain in the middle of the garden. Her voice was very beautiful, and there was happiness in her hum. "Huh... Finally, the left side is done, next is that small bonsai tree..." The woman said as she gathered all her watering tools. Just as she was about to move, another woman came hurriedly. "Miss... The young master is looking for you to have breakfast together," the woman said respectfully. "Ahh... Aunt Eti." "Alright, Aunt, tell my brother I''ll be there in 3 minutes." Nita seemed to have expected the arrival of the middle-aged woman. She immediately removed all the gloves from her hands, then went to wash her hands, dirty with soil stains. "Alright, Miss." The middle-aged woman nodded and then turned to deliver the next message. ... Dining room, town hall. Arge table surrounded by several chairs. The table and chairs looked luxurious with orange gold color and solid quality. But out of all the chairs, only one was upied. A young man was sitting at the far end of the table. Yes, that young man was Lein. His face looked a little annoyed at this moment. Just imagine, the food was already in front of you, and you couldn''t eat it because you were waiting for someone. "This kid again..." Lein grumbled annoyedly. "Brother, good morning," Nita came from the nearest door. With a wide smile and without feeling guilty, she greeted her brother cheerfully. Seeing the girle, Lein''s eyes narrowed, and his lips twitched in annoyance. "Sit down... and eat... You''rete again this time," Lein said, gritting his teeth. "Hehehe, sorry." Nita pulled a chair and sat down, taking rice, side dishes, and other foods onto her te. "Let''s eat..." "Let''s eat..." Soon, Lein and Nita ate their food casually. The dishes on the table were undoubtedly the best of the best. As the owner of the ind and town, there was no one more important and powerful than Lein. The dishes served consisted of various main ingredients, mostly meat dishes, followed by vegetables. There were also quite a few seafood dishes such as fish and octopus. Yes, in the divine sky realm, there were beaches. Somerge inds had beaches within them. And it wasn''t umon for exploration teams to find sea inds, then take over the ind to merge it with the main ind. "By the way, brother, when are you going to the other realm again?" While eating, Nita suddenly asked about the ongoing event. Lein had been staying on the ind for over 10 days. Today was the 10th day of the event, meaning only 20 days left before the event ended. "I don''t know, maybe after you level up to the maximum level at this stage," Lein exined. In the past few days, he had been duplicating twice as much as usual. This was because of the effect of the Soul Altar he got, reducing the talent duplication time from 1 hour to just 30 minutes. Lein mainly duplicated tier-5 exp bottles. Next were high-level items like artifacts. Yes, it might sound silly, but Lein currently had tens of thousands of artifacts (Time Rings), items that could shorten cooldown time by 80%. Lein had no intention of sharing them with everyone because that would make them worthless. Of course, unless it benefited Lein personally, there was no harm in sharing them with others, like core members of the Alliance. He even nned to distribute tier-5 exp bottles so the entire alliance team could quickly promote to tier-3. "I just want to remind you, brother, nothing is certain. Something unexpected might happen and turn the leaderboard 180 degrees," Nita said sincerely. She referred to the leaderboard. At this moment, there were no signs of anything bad happening. Because on this 10th day, the number 1 rank only had about 454,000 points. Meanwhile, Lein already had a golden ticket from Lord Wen''s hidden mission, worth 1,000,000 contribution points. But it was precisely because of Lord Wen''s hidden mission that Nita was worried others might also get the same mission, or even better ones. "Yeah, yeah... Thank you..." Lein and Nita spent 30 minutes having breakfast together, then they moved to the main hall''s living room to level up. [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] ... While waiting on the sofa with Nita, Lein continuously heard the notification of using tier-5 exp bottles. In the past few days, he had obtained more than 2,000,000 tier-5 exp bottles. Beside him, Nita was also doing the same. They spent time chatting together and watching TV. Yes, TV had started to be produced. TV shows were even more creative and varied, with the mostmon theme being the divine sky realm. Like exploring foreign inds, unique things on the divine sky ind, ss battles, etc. "Brother, some TV stations have asked me to join and make a show. What do you think?" Nita asked Lein. Several TV stations asked Nita to make a show or film, but she had declined for the time being. "Well... It''s up to you. As long as it makes you happy, brother will support you," Lein didn''t mind. With his power, he could send people to watch over Nita if anything bad happened to her. Besides, Nita was now a Tier-3 Sovereign with many high-level items. It could be said there was no one on Lein''s ind who could cause trouble for her. [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 31, Attribute points +1000] [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] ... "Wow... a direct +1000 attribute increase. But the consumption is very high, over 70,000 exp bottles," Lein looked at the +1000 number happily, but when he calcted the number of bottles consumed just to level up once, it made his heart ache. The level-up continued for several minutes. [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 38, Attribute points +1000] [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 41, Attribute points +1000] ... [Exp bottles are exhausted...] "Hufft... only up to level 41" Lein had guessed from the start that this time it would consume a huge number of exp bottles. "Yes, I also stopped at level 41, brother," Nita beside him was also a little surprised. 1,000,000 exp bottles only provided 10 more levels. "Looks like we have to wait again. By the way, do you want to join the inter-race battle?" Lein asked Nita. "Um... no brother, I''ll start college the day after tomorrow." Nita declined. She would begin her life as a college student in two days, she needed to get to know her friends and get used to the campus environment. "Alright, let me know if you need anything," Just like that, the two siblings spent a few hours watching TV together. Chapter 60: Looking for Hidden Missions Zyian Light Realm, teleportation field. A young man in a blue robe, with short ck hair, stepped out of the portal. The area where he was currently located seemed like a teleportation zone for people from various other races. Judging by the architecture and the guards, it was evident that this was the realm of cultivators. The young man observed the surroundings for a moment before approaching one of the posts. "Wee, sir. Which realm do youe from?" A guard at the post asked respectfully. "Lein, Divine Sky Realm, System power, Tier-3." Lein had gone through such registration processes several times before, so he directly provided all the necessary information. "Very well, sir..." The guard quickly noted down all the information. After finishing, he handed a silver card to Lein. "Thank you..." Lein took it and then stepped out of the post. His journey to another race''s realm this time was to explore a high-level realm. He hoped for hidden missions like Elder Wen''s and the boy Liang Wei''s to appear again. "Hmmm... Let''s take a look around first," Lein said casually. ... "Spiritual rice, 100 crystals for 1 liter." "Earth-level weapon, suitable for stealth attacks." "Tier-2 healing pill, protective talisman, Tier-2 array." ... The loud cries of the vendors were incessant along the marketce. Not much different from a market on Earth, except that the goods they sold were all imbued with spiritual energy. Lein deliberately came to the market to try his luck. "I hope an old master is hiding in this market," Lein said with a small smile. He passed by several stalls and stopped at a tent-covered shop. This shop looked antique and sold strange items. "Honorable sir, you have a keen eye." An old, skinny man with a haggard face greeted Lein''s arrival. He acted mysteriously as if he knew everything. "Look at this, it is the first part of the sword from King Nehru the 16th. Finding the other parts will grant great power." "Only 300 crystals, and this sword will be yours," The old man extended a broken sword with a confident gaze. Lein observed the sword, and a status panel appeared. (Teras Stone Sword) - Level 7 - Attributes: STR 23, AGI 7 - (Rust Poison) inflicts tetanus poison on enemies. "King what? A broken, rotten sword like this for 300 crystals?" Lein frowned. The first shop he visited turned out to be a master scammer. "Not interested, I want the most expensive item you have," Lein did not want to y games with the old man in front of him and directly asked for his most prized item. "A smart young man, I see you have a great desire for power." "I have long kept this item, but since you want it, I am forced to bring it out." The old man slightly lifted his butt, then took out a box he had been sitting on earlier. He opened the box and took out a scroll. "Take it..." "This is the treasure map of the immortal master Bao Jia. It is said that there is an immortal artifact within it." The old man spoke in a low voice, whispering when he mentioned words he considered taboo. Lein calmly observed the old man in front of him, ignoring all his nonsense. He only cared about the scroll in the old man''s hand and examined it. (Bao Jia''s Treasure Map - Fake) A map leading to the treasure chest of the immortal Bao Jia. Bao Jia is the most famous immortal during the reign of King Cai Ya. He protected the Tonghua realm for hundreds of thousands of years. - Bao Jia''s Treasure Chest *Note: Bao Jia''s map is very famous, so many fake maps are circting. Be careful not to get one. "This old man!!!" Lein cursed in his heart. The map given by the old man was a fake map. "Old man... Stop ying games, or I will leave," Lein intended to stand and leave the old fox''s shop in front of him. "Wait!!!" "10 Crystals, for a water talisman," the old man took out a blue talisman. But before he could take it out, Lein had already left. One urate thing about the novels told on Earth might be the scammers like this old man. Lein continued to wander around the city market for several hours. He sometimes stopped to look at the goods in a shop. However, most of them were scammers, fortunately, he had the system panel. But it was not umon for him to find unique and useful items such as pills, weapons, and formation arrays. He would buy them for evaluation materials for the development of his life city. "Not a single hidden mission?" "Is it only high-level power individuals who can issue hidden missions?" For about an hour of wandering the market, not a single hidden mission was issued. Lein had tried stopping at shops that looked strange, but they were all master scammers. Gru...gr... "Even my stomach is exhausted right now, let''s find some food first," Lein said in his heart. Lein left the market area and then looked for a nearby restaurant for lunch. The city''s main street was very crowded, not losing to the market. However, the people passing by on the street were better off financially and in terms of power level. Every few people who passed by, someone with the foundation-building cultivation level could be seen. While in the life city, there were no more than 20 people with Tier-2 level, except for Lein''s people, of course. It didn''t take long for Lein to find a roadside eatery. The ce''s decoration was very simple, with wooden seats and a ceiling ckened by smoke from long exposure to fire. "Wee to Yimen''s eatery, sir, what would you like to order?" A woman asked from behind the cooking counter. Lein raised his hand and said, "Fuyi fish soup." He didn''t know what Fuyi fish was like, but since it was on the lost menu, he wanted to try it. Chapter 61: Battle in the Forest 5 minutes passed and the shop owner came with a tray holding a bowl of soup. "Here you go, sir..." "Thank you..." Lein looked at the soup. It was quite substantial with various additions such as vegetables, cabbage, and carrots. The main ingredient was a headless yellow fish. Lein didn''t wait long and took his first spoonful. "Um... Not bad..." Lein continued eating heartily, ignoring the people around him. ___ High in the sky, a 30-meter-long flying ship sliced through the air. The ship looked quite formidable with several cannons visible on its sides. On top of the flying ship stood a young man in blue robes, staring ahead in silence. "It seems my luck isn''t good in this realm..." sighed the young man. Yes, Lein was currently heading to the front lines. He had been wandering around the city for several hours but hadn''t achieved anything. He had gone to the pavilion, but it seemed the pavilion he visited was rather poor. Visiting the city lord''s mansion, he didn''t have a reason for a meeting. So Lein decided to try his luck with a battle mission at the front lines. With his Tier-3 strength, he should be able to earn significant contribution points. Lein''s gaze swept over the scenery below his flying ship, dense forests filled his view as far as the eye could see. Some trees were as tall as 50 meters. Small hills with various animals were visible, engaging in their activities, looking for food, drinking water from the river, and hunting other animals. With his current strength, his field of vision had greatly increased, he could even clearly see the ground beneath his ship. In an area below the forest, Lein saw several people running non-stop, quickly moving through the dense forest. *** "Quick, chase her..." In the depths of the dense forest, a chase was taking ce involving three people. They were all wearing the same uniform, one of them was a woman. "Hurry... Stop that woman for me!!!" shouted the curly-haired woman in the group of pursuers. "Yes, ma''am..." "Understood, ma''am..." The two guards quickened their pace. From one tree to another, they were very skilled at it. Ugh.... Uhuk... A woman with long ck hair was running for her life. She was very exhausted, her right hand clutching her left side, seemingly injured. Her green clothes were stained with her own blood, it was unclear how long she had been running before. "Am I going to die here?" "Mother, forgive me..." Hiks.. While continuing to run, the woman cried. "Su Yiling, give up... Hand over the sword and leave safely." sh... A sh with a powerful sword wave was unleashed. The injured woman saw the sword waveing. She had to stop and draw her sword. Ting... The two sword waves collided, producing a loud explosion. "Haha... Stop resisting, you will die soon." Another guard arrived and drew his sword. "Why are you doing this? Do you know the punishment for killing a fellow sect member?" said the injured woman. She knew saying that wouldn''t change anything. But she still did it to buy some time. "Punishment? Don''t joke, the dead have no right to talk about thew," one of the guards said. Then he rushed forward. Lightning sh... The guard''s movements were very skillful, when he got close to the injured woman, he spun his body for a full sh. Tang... sh... The injured woman didn''t remain idle, using one hand she defended herself. "I''ming..." Another guard joined in and they fought the injured woman together. Although injured, the woman appeared very skilled. But if observed more closely, it was her sword that was helping her. Every strike she made had a significant impact on the two guards. "Tch... Two idiots. So unreliable." The curly-haired woman finally caught up. She observed the injured woman with a murderous look. Immediately she waved her hand, and the area within a 10-meter radius was surrounded by red light. "Not again... Demon red illusion," muttered the injured woman. Her previously precise movements were now uncontrolled, most of her attacks missing. sh... A sh hit her right arm, fresh blood flowing. Buk... "Ah..." The injured woman groaned in pain, her arm throbbing in agony. "Cursed... You will face the sect''s retribution," the woman fell to the ground, helpless. Her right hand unable to fight anymore. "Hahaha... Foolish girl, do you regret it?" The curly-haired woman retracted the illusion she had created, then walked towards the injured girl. "Li Mei, you will be punished by the sect," shouted the injured girl while grimacing in pain. "What? The sect? A country bumpkin like you knows nothing about thew," Li Mei sneered. To her, the injured woman was as good as dead. With a wave of her hand, the silver sword beside Su Yiling lifted and flew towards her. "What a beautiful sword." Li Mei looked at the silver sword with a wide smile. Without thinking, she put it in her storage bag. After securing the sword, which was her main goal, she looked at the injured Su Yiling with a disdainful gaze. "Take her storage bag, then kill her and burn the body." "Leave no evidence behind." Li Mei ordered and then turned to leave. "Yes, ma''am..." "Leave it to us, ma''am." The remaining guards exchanged nces and smiled broadly. They then directed their gaze towards Su Yiling on the ground. "Heheh... Let''s heal the wounds first, and then..." "Hahaha... I go first." Their lecherous looks and voices made Su Yiling''s heart race faster. "Bastards..." she muttered with a bitter voice. She lifted her head and saw the two guards approaching her. "What are you doing, go away!!!" Su Yiling screamed. She deeply regretted not bringing her suicide poison, at least she wouldn''t have to face these two bastards. "Pretty girl... wait a moment." The first guard approached, ready to remove his lower clothing. sh... Sing... Both guards'' heads fell to the ground. "Who?..." Su Yiling saw clearly the heads of the people in front of her fall to the ground with a loud thud. But who did it? Chapter 62: Immortal Tomb Key She turned her head around before her gaze fell on a young man in blue robes. The young man didn''t hesitate for a second after beheading the two guards; he immediately jumped and ran in the direction Li Mei had previously gone. "Thank you..." Su Yiling could only mutter those words in a low voice. She watched as Lein slowly disappeared from her sight. Lein wasn''t trying to be a hero, but he felt that the item they were fighting over must be something valuable, and that''s what he wanted. Lein chased for two minutes before finally spotting Li Mei who was fleeing. Li Mei, who was running with a small smile on her face, suddenly stopped as she sensed Lein''s presence. "Who are you? Do we know each other?" Li Mei felt very unfamiliar with Lein''s appearance. "Hand over the sword or die," said Lein without preamble. He observed Li Mei from a distance while looking at her status panel. [Status] - Name: Li Mei - Race: Tayi Bao - Power Core: Cultivator - Rank: Golden Core Although the woman in front of him was a Golden Core cultivator, a Tier-3 being like himself, Lein felt no oppression whatsoever. "Hahahah..." Li Meiughed amusedly at Lein''s threat. But before herughter had faded from her lips, a sh was already flying toward her. "Bastard..." Li Mei was startled; she didn''t expect Lein to be so direct. Lein''s movements were very quick; he had activated the speed skill of his boots. Tang... Teng... A sword and arge zither shed. Every time Lein attacked, therge zither acted like a protective shield. Li Mei seemed very adept at using it, spinning around and lifting the zither in her hands with both hands, smashing it towards Lein. Pufh... Lein blocked with his sword, and he was thrown 10 meters back. Not stopping there, Li Mei immediately activated her zither''s ability. The zither strings, like snakes, extended and quickly shot toward Lein like needles. Tag... sh... Lein shed at every iing string, running to the side and trying to evade. Tang... sh... "You foolish yer, you seem to be lost," Li Mei observed Lein deflecting each zither string. As a cultivator, she could feel that Lein''s energy was very different from that of ordinary people. "Uh... it seems my swordsmanship has really improved," Lein muttered calmly. He hadn''t used any attack skills before because he wanted to test his new skill (Sacred Heart Sword). Indeed, his swordsmanship had greatly improved. Li Mei heard Lein''s words from a distance and smiled disdainfully. She wanted to say something when suddenly Lein was already beside her. Shhttt... Lein''s sword pierced Li Mei''s heart without resistance. "You talk too much, miss." Lein pulled out his sword and let Li Mei''s lifeless body fall to the ground. He then searched Li Mei''s body for her spatial storage. [Killed (Li Mei - Cultivator) exp +97,300] "Got it..." Lein held a silver ring in his hand. (Space Ring) - Owner: Li Mei - Slot: 1,000 square meters Ordinary rings didn''t have soul protection, so Lein easily checked the ring''s contents with his mind. The ring''s contents mostly consisted of weapons and some energy crystals, a few books, clothes, and some medicinal herbs. The most notable item was the sword in the corner of the space. Lein took the glowing sword and looked at its status panel. [Rinen Sword] - Level: 27 - Attribute: STR +287, AGI +104 - Skill: (Lin Yang''s Tomb Key) Can open the immortal tomb of Lin Yang. "Whoa... finally," Lein smiled contentedly as he saw the sword''s skill section. "The immortal tomb," he said. "But where is Lin Yang''s immortal cave?" Lein pondered hard this time. It was pointless to have the key but not know the location to open. After thinking for a while, his slightly slow mind finally lit up, "Wasn''t the previous girl the owner of the sword, just ask her," Lein said happily. He then stood up and shed Li Mei''s corpse into ashes. Immediately, he jumped and ran back in the direction he hade from. It had taken him about 5 minutes to chase Li Mei earlier. "Hopefully that woman hasn''t gone too far," Lein thought to himself. ... At the site of Li Mei''s guards'' corpses. Su Yiling, still injured, was sitting weakly, leaning against arge tree behind her. She had bandaged her wounded stomach and arm with cloth by now. Her left hand skillfully tied a knot on the bandage of her right arm. "Luckily, that young man came, at least my life is saved this time," Su Yiling said in a low voice. She then took out some healing bottles from her space ring to heal the major wounds on her body. "Damn Bao Guo, traitor..." Curses came from Su Yiling''s mouth. Her gaze was empty, as if she were thinking about a very hated event from before. Glug... Glug... Su Yiling drank all the healing bottles she had. After that, she wiped the remnants from her lips. Silence... She was now sitting in silence, contemting the moments when she had formed a team to explore the treasure tomb she had found. Foolishly, she had trusted an old friend, a traitor. Su Yiling''s face was very ugly when she kept thinking about it. Her ugly expression didn''tst long because this time she imagined how lucky she was that the young man in blue robes had arrived just in time and saved her. Her left hand now touched the crystal ne around her neck. This ne was a gift from her mother when she left home to be a disciple of the Tantai sect. She felt her mother''s prayers always with her. Su Yiling''s weak eyes suddenly widened when she saw the young man who had saved her earlier standing right in front of her. "Hello... sorry to startle you," Lein approached Su Yiling. He then squatted in front of her and took out a few high-level healing bottles. "Here, take this... Your wounds will heal quickly," Lein said warmly. The person in front of him was the key to the treasure for him. Disposing of small items like these was not a loss. "Thank you, sir, but who are you?" Su Yiling was confused by Lein''s sudden kindness. She didn''t think they had met before, so did this person have certain intentions? But whatever it was, the person in front of her had saved her, so she had to be polite. "I''m Lein. Before we talk further, quickly use this medicine so your strength can recover," Lein said, not intending to exin further. Chapter 63: Lin Yangs Eternal Tomb After 30 minutes, Su Yiling''s wounds were much better and almost healed. "Thank you, sir, you saved my life..." Su Yiling expressed her gratitude properly this time, she was able to stand up. "Ahaha... you''re wee... as fellow humans, we must help each other," Lein said warmly. He then took out the sword he had obtained earlier. "By the way, do you know the origin of this sword?" Lein asked casually. He didn''t try to hide anything. Su Yiling wasn''t surprised when she heard Lein''s question, she felt it was very natural given the power he possessed. "Yes, sir, I found it a few years ago when I was searching for medicinal nts in the Hoduan Mountains," Su Yiling exined the origin of the Rinen sword to Lein. At that time, she was taking the sect''s weekly mandatory mission to collect spiritual nts. While in the Hoduan Mountains, she found a hidden cave. Inside the cave, Su Yiling found several low-level spiritual nts and picked them. When she reached the deepest part of the forest, she saw a moss-covered chest. She then opened the chest and found a sword and a small piece of paper. Strangely, there was no writing on the paper, so Su Yiling could only keep it and use the remaining sword. "Do you still have that paper?" Lein asked curiously. "Of course, sir..." Su Yiling searched inside her storage ring and then took out a thin gold-colored paper. Lein took it and checked the status panel. [Eternal talent detected...] [Congrattions, you have acquired (Lin Yang''s Space Talisman)] (Lin Yang''s Space Talisman) When used, it will open a portal to Lin Yang''s Eternal Tomb. "Is it because I have eternal talent?" Lein guessed in his mind. Su Yiling had said there was no writing on the talisman paper, but this time a beautifully painted ck circle appeared on it. "Uhm... would you mind if I take this paper and sword?" Lein asked casually. Of course, he didn''t need permission if he wanted to. However, it would look strange if he took them without saying a word. Hearing Lein''s words, Su Yiling hesitated a bit this time. The sword in Lein''s hand was her main weapon. Moreover, she felt the paper must have some value, and she was curious about its contents. But remembering that Lein was her savior, she finally nodded and sighed deeply. "Take it, sir... consider it repayment for saving my life," Su Yiling said reluctantly. "Then, thank you..." Lein immediately stored (Lin Yang''s Space Talisman) and (Rinen Sword) into his storage ring. Lein felt there was nothing else he needed to do and wanted to leave. But before he left, he looked at Su Yiling who was not far from him. He could feel that the girl in front of him seemed to have lost all hope. "What''s wrong with you?" Lein asked. Silence... Su Yiling was silent, she seemed to be thinking about something. "Argh, forget it... where is your family?" Lein turned around and approached Su Yiling this time. "They are in Futu Vige. Not far from the southern area of the city." Su Yiling answered with hope. "Alright, let''s go..." Lein said. He waved his hand, and the airship that had been hovering above them descended slightly. "Thank you, sir..." Soon they both jumped and boarded the airship heading towards Futu Vige. Lein was forced to bring Su Yiling with him because he knew what would happen after he left. Someone stronger behind Li Mei woulde and seek revenge for Li Mei. Although Su Yiling was not the main culprit, she would definitely die because she was involved. Lein wasn''t so ungrateful as to get an item that enabled him to obtain an Immortal''s artifact without giving appropriate repayment. The journey to Futu Vige didn''t take long. In just an hour, Su Yiling''s family was already gathered on Lein''s flying boat. Lein, who was currently sittingfortably at the front deck of the airship, was thinking about something. "I can''t bring these people to the Divine Sky Realm right now," Lein thought to himself. He had received information from several yers that realms still under development could not be essed by outsiders of their race. So there was no possibility that Su Yiling''s family could enter the Divine Sky Realm at this time. "Or... should I try to open Lin Yang''s tomb now?" Lein thought about the paper talisman he had obtained earlier. If he was lucky, he could obtain high-level items to fight against master-level beings, or he could obtain an item that allowed him to ascend to the master level. "Master Lein... I made something for you," Su Yiling came with a te containing Mushroom Soup. During the previous journey, she had learned Lein''s name. Lein looked at Su Yiling who was bringing a tray with several bowls of food. Then his gaze shifted to behind Su Yiling. There he saw four people, Su Yiling''s parents and a pair of young children. They were Su Yiling''s strength. "Thank you... let''s eat," Lein waved his hand and called Su Yiling''s family from afar. "No need, sir, this was made for you," Su Yiling refused. "From now on, don''t call me sir, just Lein. And then quickly call your family and eat together," Lein said firmly, not giving Su Yiling room toment. "By the way, what is the cultivation level of the strongest person in your sect?" Lein suddenly asked Su Yiling who was about to leave. "I think the sect leader is the strongest in the sect, a Spirit Integration cultivator, one level above Nascent Soul," Su Yiling said with anticipation. She feared Lein would leave them after hearing the sect leader''s cultivation level. "Alright..." Lein felt a bit relieved. He was still confident in dealing with a Nascent Soul-level cultivator, but he knew for sure that someone above Nascent Soul level was not someone he could reach at this time. In his opinion, the person behind Li Mei couldn''t be someone at the sect leader''s level, right? If they were, then they wouldn''t need to sneak around to steal the Rinen Sword from Su Yiling. If they were, they could obtain it with just a few orders. Chapter 64: Heading to Battlefield #44 The day was already approaching noon, and Lein finally reached the city of Gehan, where he would depart with his team. As a three-star being, he had to lead a team to fight against the enemy. The initial reward just for forming the mission and reaching the battlefield was 5,000 points, and if the mission seeded, they would earn over 50,000 points. This mission was the best he could find at the moment. Lein''s flying boat slowly lined up at the city port, then docked neatly like the other flying ships. Lein and the others then disembarked from the boat. "Miss Su, I will be undertaking a mission. So for now, you can take refuge in the city of Gohan. Besides, all the important people in the sect are currently away fighting," Lein said to Su Yiling''s family. He couldn''t give up his intention of earning points on the front lines just for the Laras family. Bringing them this far from their hometown was already a stroke of luck. "Can I join you, Brother Lein? I will help as much as I can," Su Yiling offered. She herself was a Golden Core cultivator, but because she belonged to a high-level sect, she wasn''t required to undertakebat missions. Moreover, she was still at the early stage of the Golden Core. "Sorry, Miss Su, I can''t," Lein firmly refused. He then took out 1,000 golden defense talismans from his bag, and a ring from his space storage, and handed them to Su Yiling. "Miss Su, use these if you are in danger. Don''t hesitate to use them." Su Yiling epted the small bag given by Lein, then examined it. "What!?..." Su Yiling screamed inwardly. Her eyes widened, and she looked at Lein with disbelief. She then said, "But Brother Lein, this is too valuable..." Lein knew Su Yiling would react this way. Besides the golden defense talismans, he had also given her the Time Ring artifact. Lein didn''t respond to Su Yiling''s words; he just waved his hand casually. "Oh, I almost forgot one more thing," Lein took out a small pouch containing thousands of regr and mid-level energy crystals. "Goodbye... we will meet again in a few days," said Lein as he walked toward the main road of the city. Su Yiling and her family watched Lein as he walked away. "Such a kind young man..." "Yes, may he return safely." Su Yiling''s parents spoke. They looked at Su Yiling, who was staring silently where Lein had gone. "Yiling... now is not the time to be sad," Su Yiling''s mother approached and hugged her. As parents, they somewhat understood their daughter''s feelings. "UMM... I''m not sad, Mom. I''m just praying that Brother Lein gets the best results on his mission." Soon Su Yiling and her family went to find a nearby inn to stay. ___ Qian Race War Building. Lein was currently in front of the reception desk. He handed his war card to one of the receptionists on duty. "Thank you, Mr. Lein, your data has been verified." "The team and ship are ready at the port, Warship #8." The female receptionist behind the desk returned Lein''s war card and also a silver token. (War Leader Token) A token used by themander to lead abat force during wartime. - Soldiers: 50 Tier 2, 200 Tier 1 - Ships: 1 main ship, 2 support ships - Domain: Qian Race The war leader token was made of iron and had fine tassels at the end. Lein nodded and stored the token. He immediately hurried to the port to meet his team. It didn''t take long for Lein to spot Warship number 8. The ship was made of ck iron, had 7 floors, with a length of 50 meters and a width of 10 meters. It was rtively small, but itsbat equipment and design were indeed made for quickbat and maneuvering. Behind warship number 8, there were two otherrger ships. These ships were made of wood with several defense cannons. There were already many people on the ships. The entire team was divided into two groups upying the two ships at the back, while the main warship number 8 had a few people on board. Lein came and boarded warship number 8. The ship''s design looked more spacious than it appeared. "Hey, there he is..." "It looks like our leader this time is a yer." "Is he strong?" Many discussions were happening among some of the people on the ship. Lein observed them all calmly. Most were cultivators, followed by Beast Masters, and a few were Star Beasts. Lein was somewhat curious about beings with the Star Beast power type. From some information he had heard, they were actually sacred animal beings. Their cultivation method depended on how well their bloodline was. "Hello, my name is Lein. I am your leader for this mission." "Our destination this time is Battlefield #44." Lein announced to them all casually. He saw some people with skeptical faces doubting his abilities. But he didn''t care, as long as he wasn''t disturbed, it didn''t matter to him. "You there... steer the ship," Lein pointed to a young man with cat ears at the front of the line. There was no particr reason for choosing him; he just pointed randomly. "Yes, sir," the young man said firmly. He then went to the helm to steer the ship. Of course, steering the ship didn''t have to be done from the control room. But because they wanted to get there quickly, someone had to steer the ship. The main ship soon flew and turned towards the void, followed by the two other ships behind. Lein''sbat team journey began. *** "Wang Cai... Surrender and join the Lowu Race." An old man with a long white beard was talking to a bald old man. The bald old man was currently radiating golden light, and behind him, a 30-meter tall Buddha statue image floated majestically. "Hahaha... What nonsense are you talking about? Come if you dare." Wang Cai provoked. He wasn''t afraid at all of the old man with the white beard. "My task is merely to keep you from helping those low-level beings... Hhhh," the white-bearded old man''sughter echoed. Wang Cai was deep in thought, he was indeed worried about something at the moment. Chapter 65: Chaotic battle Wang Cai''s mouth twisted slightly, he took a deep breath, and the Buddha statue behind him began to move. Golden light emanated from the statue''s eyes towards the old man with the long white beard. The golden light was very bright and fast, crossing dozens of kilometers in just a fraction of a second. The old man with the long white beard was slightly surprised. He then made a step, raised his hand, and a blue square-shaped light appeared from both his hands. "Soul Mirror Light." The size of the blue light increased rapidly, and in an instant, the blue square light was already 50 meters tall. The golden light collided with the blue mirror. Crack... "Damn, how could this be?" The blue mirror light shattered, unable to withstand the golden light energy from the Buddha statue. The old man with the white beard could only dodge and was about to activate his teleportation skill. Silence... "Damn it, what''s going on?" He tried to create a space around him but couldn''t. Upon closer inspection, the left eye of the golden Buddha statue was currently white, locking the position of the old man with the beard. "Poor old rabbit..." Wang Cai muttered to himself. He watched as the old man with the beard was engulfed by the golden light. "No... Impossible," the old man screamed with all his might, his face showing fear. "Alright, time to clean up below," said Wang Cai, then turned around. As he turned, he realized he was still in the same ce. The old man with the white beard still stood not far from him, staring at him with a warm smile. "Surprised?" Wang Cai''s body stiffened, he was very angry. He had been yed by the old man with the white beard all this time. His illusion was terrifying. Not long after, Wang Cai''s body turned entirely golden. His aura increased tremendously. In an instant, he was in front of the old man with the beard,unching a punch towards his chest. The body of the old man with the beard seemed as light as a feather, he dodged every punch from Wang Cai. Every few punches, he would distance himself from Wang Cai. From a distance, the old man with the beard made a pulling gesture. Wang Cai''s golden body seemed to be pushed by an invisible force, quickly approaching the old man with the beard. When Wang Cai''s body was very close to the old man with the beard, a white light disc appeared under his feet. His aura also increased several times. "You are famous for your physical strength... I''m curious about your limits." He immediatelyunched a punch towards Wang Cai''s jaw. Swoosh... Swoosh... Wang Cai smiled broadly... "You''re seeking death by fighting at close range." The two old men with terrifying auras fought with bare hands in the sky. Every punch and attack theyunched created frightening shockwaves. Some soldiers fighting below could feel the intensity of the battle between the two old men. Such a fighting style had be a format in every realm battle. On the ground, below the battle between the two old men, a brutal fight was taking ce. The strength of each being was indeed smaller, but because of their vast numbers, every small attack would instantly destroy several lives. A giant tree 100 meters tall attacked people around it with itsrge roots. A 100-meter-long dragon flew in the sky, spewing blue fire continuously. Its breath was like water extinguishing small fires. A 30-meter-tall giant fought a small elf chaotically. The giant wasrge, but that didn''t mean he was slow. Therge sword in his hand kept swinging, trying to hit the small elf. In arge-scale encounter like this, it was very rare to use defense towers. Besides being very costly to operate, defense towers were very easy to destroy by the enemy. In one area of the battle, an equally intense fight was happening. Hahaha... "Such sweet blood." A man with long white fangs shed everyone in front of him with a blood sword in his hand. Every time he killed someone, the blood sword in his hand would absorb the blood of the corpse until it was dry. Each time the sword absorbed blood, its power increased along with the number of corpses it absorbed. "How arrogant." A man with a golden sword jumped and faced the man with long fangs. The man with the golden sword activated his strongest skill. A sunlight beam appeared from above, directly shining on the man with the blood sword. The sunlight beam significantly reduced the blood absorption rate and attributes of the man with the white fangs. "Brother Joy truly deserves his title." "Yes... such a terrifying skill." Some people behind the man with the golden sword discussed enthusiastically. From their appearance, it could be recognized that they were yers. The man with the fangs observed the anomaly caused by the light. He didn''t panic but thought for a moment. "ck Fire Sea," muttered the man with the long fangs. ck fire covered an area within a 50-meter radius, emitting intense heat and burning all the weak people without a self-rescue skill. "Purification me." A woman with a small cross in her hand shouted at that moment. The woman had been very ignored before, but when she made a move, pure light filled the area within a 100-meter radius, reducing the effects caused by the ck fire. Such chaotic battles could be witnessed in any area on the front line of inter-racial battles. At this time, on the edge of Fortress Ind #44, Lein''s warship and team arrived. Not waiting any longer, they all immediately disembarked from the ship onto the ind. Grzzzzz... Drrrrr... The aura of battle and vibrations caused by the fighting in the middle of the ind could be felt even at the edge of the fortress ind. "Finally, we''ve arrived... Thank you, Mr. Lein." "Mr. Lein, let''s depart together." Several people sincerely thanked Lein. They still remembered how terrifying this person was when they faced an ambush on the way before. "No need for that, hurry and help the others," Lein said casually. He then looked towards the middle of the ind. "I''ming... contribution points..." Immediately he jumped and ran at lightning speed. Seeing Lein already taking action, the remaining soldiers also didn''t want to be left behind. Their goal was the same as Lein''s, to earn contributions. Chapter 66: Lein at full power Lein was currently running very fast to reach the front line of the battle. Behind him, the team members he led were also following. Creatures at level 3 like him still did not have the ability to fly and hover in the sky, so all Lein and his team could do was use their fastest running abilities. Lein himself was using the skill from his shoes, which had the effect of increasing Lein''s speed by 150%, or in other words, one and a half times faster than usual. Other team members behind him did the same, activating skills or using items that would enhance their abilities to reach the front line of the battlefield. For example, a woman with a white swan totem suddenly shining in her right hand. Then, a ten-meter-long swan appeared, and the woman mounted it, moving quickly. Additionally, there was an old man with a long beard whose wrinkled skin turned into brown feathers. The transformation continued until he became a three-meter-tall giant eagle. He pped his wings and flew high. Yes, this old man with a beard was a Star Beast with eagle bloodline. "Luckily, Nita didn''te this time," Lein thought to himself. Seeing how strange the powers disyed by his own team, he was very worried about the safety of Nita, who was not so experienced inbat, especially since she had no intention of fighting. After moving for about 2 minutes, Lein and his team members finally saw the great battle taking ce. From Lein''s perspective, still far from the battle site, the length and width of the battlefield seemed endless. As far as the eye could see, it was just rows of creatures using their strange skills. All kinds of skill lights, the colors of the skills they used, and the items used by those creatures could be clearly seen from afar due to the sheer scale of the battle. "Everyone, scatter..." "Anyone who survives until the end of the mission will get a reward from me," Lein shouted to all his team members. Lein deliberately gave them hope and hoped they would do their best. The more team members earned points and stayed alive, the more additional contribution points he would get from the Qian race. "What''s the reward, leader?" a middle-aged man with a flying robot asked from afar. "The reward?" said someone with a child-like body, running very fast. "The top three will get a Silver Space Ring, a full set of level 20 equipment, and 1,000 high-tier crystals." "The rest who survive will get a full set of level 20 equipment and 100 high-tier crystals," Lein shouted to all of them. "What''s a Silver Space Ring? High-tier crystals? I''m in, leader," said a man with a long sword excitedly. "Count me in." "Hahaha, our leader is very generous." Hearing how enthusiastic they were, Lein thought of something for a moment. "It would be good if I gave them additional protection," Lein said to himself. He then threw each team member two items: one golden teleportation talisman and one golden defense talisman that could withstand the full power of a level 4 creature. Initially, some team members didn''t pay much attention to the two items Lein threw. But when they observed them longer, their faces showed surprise. "Leader... you''re very generous." "Thank you, leader." "Awesome... teleportation and level 4 defense talismans." As Lein had hoped, all the team members became more enthusiastic. However, some of them looked at Lein with eyes burning with the desire to rob Lein directly and get all the wealth he mentioned. But this time, they immediately gave up their intention because Lein''s aura increased several times, his body filled with holy light. "Such a strong aura." "I can''t breathe," said a man in a ck hood. He felt the air he inhaled being pulled towards Lein, who was currently filled with holy light. Lein and his team had now reached the front line of the battlefield, and severalbat groups naturally formed. Since they came from the Qian race''s line, the number of enemies in the area was naturally fewer. Lein didn''t care. Without further ado, he activated all his powers. The more he defeated, the more points he would get. Wasting time was a very foolish thing to do on such a chaotic battlefield. "Sky Sword Rain." For some reason, Lein had be ustomed to mentioning the names of his skills when using them. Besides, the skill names sounded cool, so mentioning them brought a certainfort. As soon as he said the name of his skill, several golden swords appeared around Lein from thin air. In no time, the number of golden swords increased to hundreds, then thousands, filling the area around Lein like mosquitoes. Yes, the golden swords floated ording to Lein''s will. "Hahaha... so cool," Lein said when he saw the glowing golden swords floating around him. He remembered the battle between the yer and the Faithwarden in front of the Cui race''s war building. It didn''t take long for him to acquire a cool power like that Faithwarden youth. After admiring the beauty of his sword skill, Lein then rushed directly to the center of the battle area, attacking every enemy he passed. [Killed (Hyany - Spirit Link) exp +11,100 points, +10 contribution] [Killed (Hool - Blessed Initiate) exp +12,800 points, +10 contribution] [Killed (Jexia - Tier-1) exp 2,100 points, +1 contribution] ... "What is that? A level 3 creature," a Beast Master stared at Lein with a terrifying look. "Damn, weren''t there no level 3 creatures in this area before?" he screamed in his heart. "Run quickly," a middle-aged man ordered his friends to turn around and run away from Lein. But what could they do? Lein''s sword was very fast and pierced his heart without significant resistance. "Someone call Elder Yan Qu," a man in a sect cultivator uniform shouted desperately as he saw the golden sword rushing towards him fiercely. Creatures on the Lowu race''s side were filled with fear and horror at the skills disyed by Lein. The golden sword could easily take their lives. Chapter 67: Killing kanpolu Each golden sword could kill dozens of creatures and even hundreds of nearby level 1 and level 2 creatures. The golden sword des were like thousands of mosquitoes absorbing a ss of blood in just a few seconds. Several attacks also came towards Lein, but were deflected directly by the countless swords around him. He was like a walking killing machine, with deadly attacks and very strong defenses. "A very strong yer, it seems I''ve found an evenly matched duel opponent this time," not far from Lein''s location, a star beast in the form of a kangaroo could be seen. The kangaroo had a body that looked like clear crystal, and itsrge, muscr hands were incredibly thin at the ends, resembling the sharpest swords in the world. It stomped the ground forcefully and leaped high into the sky. "Hey... I''m your opponent." The kangaroo shouted loudly andnded right in front of Lein. [Status] Name: Kanpolu Race: Crystal Kangaroo Power Core: Star Beast Rank: Sr Empowerment (Master) "A Star Beast at the Sr Empowerment level? I''m curious how strong your body is." Lein had noticed Kanpolu''s arrival from the beginning, so he was prepared. The thousands of swords that had been scattered now converged and quickly aimed directly at Kanpolu. "These little swords?" Kanpolu''s crystal body grew to a height of 20 meters. He saw the stream of thousands of swordsing at him without fear. His previously thin, sword-like hands now hardened and transformed into shield-like shapes. "Come on..." shouted Kanpolu. Some people around also watched the battle between Lein and Kanpolu. Whoever won would be a significant strength boost for one of the races. "That yer is terrifying, his aura surpasses the aura of the n elders," said a Qi Foundation man to the elderly man beside him, a Qi Condensation cultivator. "Yes, I think his talent is higher than the king''s." "Who do you think will win?" Several discussions filled the air around the smaller battles near Lein and Kanpolu. The time came. Lein''s thousands of golden flying swords shed with therge crystal shield in front of Kanpolu. Tang... Ting... The first few swords were deflected and fell. But because the number of swordsing was endless, small scratches began to form, and within seconds, they turned into cracks. "What?" Kanpolu stared at the iing swords in disbelief. He then felt a slight danger and tried to leap and retreat to catch his breath and devise a strategy. Ugh... Hisrge body was suddenly blocked by an invisible force. After inspecting it, he found a transparent light barrier surrounding him. Around him, four giant golden des formed the light barrier that trapped him. The light barrier seemed very strong and unbreakable. "My body is weakening? What''s happening?" Kanpolu felt something was wrong. He then attacked the light barrier with his powerful fists. Boom... Boom... "Very efficient for enemies who like to run and escape, hahaha," Leinughed, watching Kanpolu''s desperate attempts to break free from the prison he had created. Skill 4: (Sword Heaven Prison) Summons a sword prison to trap enemies for 5 seconds. Reduces enemy attributes by 50%. Cooldown: 30 minutes. Kanpolu kept attacking relentlessly. This time, his hands glowed, and each punch sent out powerful lightning strikes. But to his surprise, the lightning couldn''t even leave a scratch on the light barrier. Tang... Zap... Boom... Like an imprable wall, every one of Kanpolu''s attacks was absorbed without causing any damage. Lein, observing from afar, didn''t want to waste time. Since the duration of his Sky Sword Rain and Sword Heaven Prison skills was limited, he needed to act quickly. Immediately, thousands of swords resumed their merciless assault on Kanpolu''s body, stabbing his arms, thighs, chest, and other vital areas. "Argh... No... Please, I surrender." Kanpolu looked at Lein with horror this time. He humbled himself and discarded the ego he had shown earlier, begging for Lein''s mercy. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would be reduced to such a state, unable to retaliate against his opponent. He felt utterly humiliated. Stab... Stab... Lein didn''t flinch. He continued directing the swords at Kanpolu. "No..." Kanpolu screamed for thest time. [Killed (Kanpolu - Sr Empowerment) exp 126,500 points, +1000 contribution] Kanpolu''srge body fell lifelessly, crashing into the ground nearby. "Run..." "Get away quickly." Creatures on the Lowu race''s side fled from where Lein stood. If a Tier-3 creature like Kanpolu could be killed within seconds, they, who were below Tier-3, stood no chance. "So easy, hahaha," Lein said casually. He had killed a Tier-3 creature without using his golden talisman this time, proof that his power had significantly increased after advancing to Tier-3. He then approached Kanpolu''s body, searching for any storage rings or items he might have. As Lein stood next to Kanpolu''s body, the system disyed the option for extraction. [Kanpolu''s corpse can be extracted. Perform extraction?] "Hmmm, very convenient," Lein said calmly and approved the extraction. By extracting, he could obtain body materials and items attached to the corpse. In reality, there was a method to obtain materials from beast corpses or any bodies by manually skinning and dissecting them with the aid of spiritual energy. The difference with the system extraction was the greater quantity of materials. The downside, of course, was the moreplicated process and the longer time required. This method was used by several sects and ns to obtain materials from beast corpses. [Performing extraction on Kanpolu''s corpse - Sr Empowerment, obtained] - Silver Storage Ring x1 - Crystal Skin x18 - High-grade Blood 12 Liters - Crystal Bone x7 ... A series of extraction results appeared in the system notification. "Whoa, high-grade items, making potions and advanced weapons will be much easier." Lein saw several materials for alchemy and items useful for cksmithing. He nned to collect and multiply them before giving them to the cksmith and alchemist divisions in the city for further development. "Why is it so quiet?" Lein said, seemingly unconcerned as he observed the now-empty surroundings. Chapter 68: New Life University Lein noticed that there was no one within a 1 km radius of him. All the Lowu race''s low-level creatures had moved closer to their Tier-3 creatures for protection. "Well... I guess it''s understandable, haha." "My body feels warm, light, and radiant," Lein said with a hint of pride in his voice. Lein looked at his body with a wide smile, admiring the full power he had unleashed. "Okay, enough resting... let''s go chase those points, hahaha," Lein said with a small *** City of Life, Divine Sky Realm. Several magnificent buildings with a peaceful and serene ambiance stood tall on Lein Ind. These structures were surrounded by tall green nts and massive walls made of ck crystal stones. The square-shaped perimeter wall stretched 50 km on each side. Inside this wall stood modern and futuristic buildings. This 50 square km area was the New Life University area, recently inaugurated by Nita a few days ago. In the northern part of the area was a 50-meter-high gate, nked by two statues on either side. This was the north gate, and the two statues were of Lein and Nita. When the campus staff first approached Nita for permission to build the statues, she was overjoyed. She only informed Lein after the statues were erected, fearing her brother might refuse. In front of the north gate, hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people had gathered. They were all new students and their families. Since it was the opening of the first campus, their families came to celebrate as well. Even the locals near the university area came to have a look. Entering through the gate, visitors were greeted by the main campus building, the Knowledge Building. This building had 40 floors and was 300 meters wide. Its design was very modern and futuristic, with clear ss walls that did not reflect sunlight. A floating elevator helped transport people from one floor to another, and the building was constructed from mesmerizing blue crystal, adding unparalleled beauty and luxury. In front of the building was a wide field and a smooth stone main road. The area in front of the building was filled with enthusiastic students, who greeted and got to know each other. Some wealthy students were apanied by their servants. "Look at that beautiful flower! What''s its name?" asked a curly-haired girl to her friends. "Yes, this campus is amazing, even those cool statues," another student added. "The air here is very refreshing,"mented another. Along the right and left sides of the main road were beautiful gardens and charming rxation areas. Various flowers of different shapes, sizes, and colors adorned these areas, creating a colorful and captivating scenery. Artistic statues depicting microorganisms, fauna, and flora were scattered throughout the garden, adding an artistic touch and natural wonder to the rxation areas. The gardens also featured several special holograms that students could use to check schedules, find information, take photos, order food from the canteen, etc. These holographic boards served as multifunctional campus tools. Additionally, there were several observation towers in the garden areas, recording all events happening in the campus''s public areas. As students walked closer to the main building, the Knowledge Building, they saw several human statues along the way. However, these statues were not of Lein or Nita. These statues were of famous Earth scientists such as Isaac Newton, Nik Te, Albert Einstein, Pythagoras, etc. There were currently over 100 statues. Each statue had a special holographic board to learn more about the scientist. "What a beautiful statue... the details are very realistic," remarked a student. "Pythagoras is a person''s name? I thought it was just a theorem," said a man to his friend. "How did you graduate high school with such a low IQ?" his friend mocked instead of confirming. "Thank you, Sir Isaac," said a woman with round sses, looking at the Isaac Newton statue with admiration. She had learned more about his life journey from reading and watching the information disyed on the hologram. The creation of these scientist statues was a testament to the importance and greatness of knowledge for a nation, race, and living beings. The concepts and forms put forth by these scientists remain beneficial to this day, helping to calcte areas, think critically, understand how the body works, etc. The hope was that the previous scientists would not be forgotten by the new generation, thus the statues were created. When the students reached the entrance of the Knowledge Building, they saw eight national gs fluttering beautifully beside the entrance. "Look, there''s the Japanese g! Does that mean there are Japanese students too?" asked a man with a meaningful look to his friend. "Fix your mindset before looking for a girl; otherwise, you''ll only scare them away," his friend advised. "You talk as if you''ve already got one..." the man rolled his eyes, not believing his friend''s advice. "Didn''t you see the conversation about the races earlier? It was exined that the eight major national alliances made an agreement to form the University," exined a woman to her friends. "Yes, I saw it a few days ago." "Well... it makes sense. Our country''s knowledge is stillgging. We''re forced to cooperate with other countries,"mented a man with tan skin to his group. "Well... it''s not a bad thing to coborate. Who knows, you might find a foreign girlfriend," teased his friend. "Hahaha." "Amen..." As the students mentioned, the university''s rector understood this. So, he nned to coborate with other countries. However, he faced strong opposition, which was understandable. He was no more than a person with an S-level talent in knowledge to others. The great alliances even asked him to join them, but that was something the rector could not do. He still had a high sense of patriotism towards Indonesia. Finally, the rector asked Nita and Lein for help in negotiating the offer. Nita had asked her brother Lein about the issue and received an answer that he could handle everything. Chapter 69: Nitas first day of college After negotiations, Nita and the great alliances reached an agreement. Nita would provide them with: - 10,000 level 20 items. - 1,000 high-level crystals. - 1,000 silver badges. - 10,000 gold dolls. - 10,000 level 20 materials. In return, the great alliances would provide their human resources to develop and teach at the New Life University. Additionally, they would share archives and written documentation of thetest knowledge. Thus, the New Life University became thergest university today and also an international university. Besides the eight countries, students from other countries could still enroll with limited quotas. ___ Parking Area, New Life University. At this moment, a girl about 155 cm tall with long ck hair stepped out of the car. After her, another girl with shoulder-length hair also exited from the side of the car. Yes, the two girls who got out of the car were Nita and Na. Na is Nita''s personal assistant; she takes care of all Nita''s daily personal needs. So far, Na has worked behind the scenes and hasn''t appeared in public. However, since Nita is starting her university life, Na is alsopelled to attend university. As Nita''s personal assistant, Na, of course, shares some simrities with Nita, such as their age, both being 18 years old. Therefore, it''s not a problem for Na to attend university; she''s even excited and enthusiastic about it. "Princess, it''s so crowded here," said Na, looking around at the many people, even in the parking area. "Yes... considering this is an international university, it''s no surprise it''s crowded," Nita replied. Nita''s current attire was casual green clothing that lookedfortable yet stylish. The green blouse had fringes on the sleeves and cor, adding an elegant touch to her appearance. A long skirt with a wavy bottom also enhanced Nita''s graceful look. Nita''s outfit today was the result of careful consideration by her assistant Na. She chose this style of clothing by considering Nita''s graceful and rxed personality. "Come on, let''s not bete," Nita said as she grabbed Na''s hand and hurried out of the parking area. They walked for several minutes, turning around a few parking blocks, and finally arrived at the North Gate of the campus. The North Gate area was less crowded than it was at the opening at 6 AM. "So beautiful..." Na said, admiring Nita''s statue to the left of the North Gate. "Quiet..." Although Na''s tone was not mocking, Nita still felt embarrassed when someone who knew her like Na said such things. "Princess Nita? Are you really going to university?" A girl was shocked when she saw Nita and Na arriving. "Wow... Princess Nita is so beautiful." "Princess... autograph... please," a girl with wavy hair hurriedly approached Nita, holding out a book and pen. Nita had expected this to happen, so she was prepared. She then signed several books and items the girls brought. Not only girls, but there were also boys among them asking for Nita''s autograph. "That''s enough... ss time is near," Na, feeling quite overwhelmed by the crowd pushing and shoving, intervened. Seeing the situation getting out of control, Nita released a bit of her aura. "Ugh..." "Scary... I can''t breathe." "Step back... you''re making Princess Nita angry." Indeed, these people could only be controlled this way. "Phew, I almost fainted," said Na, feeling very heated at this point. "Everyone... sorry, but I have to go," Nita said, not wanting to stay outside the gate any longer, and hurried into the campus with Na. After Nita and Na walked in, they didn''t realize that someone was watching them closely from a distance. "Who is that?" asked a handsome man with blue pupils and blonde hair. "She is the sister of the ind''s ruler, sir. Nita," exined a man in a ck suit, who seemed to be the personal bodyguard of the blonde young man. "No wonder. My father said not to cause trouble with her," said the young man, recalling how Nita had just released her aura. "Yes, sir, I even felt a bit of pressure from the aura she released earlier," replied the man in the ck suit beside him. ... Nita and Na walked down the main path toward the Knowledge Building with a sense of awe. Even though they had been here before and had looked around, it still felt different now that everything was finished. On their way, many eyes were directed at the two of them, especially Nita. Besides Nita''s cute beauty, she often appeared on national and international TV. Even when discussing cooperation for establishing New Life University, they felt this girl was there before. For students with high social status, their close ones had warned them not to cause trouble with this girl. "How great is she? Isn''t she just the sister of the ind''s owner?" Far above on the 18th floor, a girl looked down at the square in front of the Knowledge Building, focusing her gaze on Nita. "Princess Ema, lower your voice," the girl beside her gestured with a finger in front of her lips. Ema looked at the girl beside her with a slightly annoyed expression. Ema continued to watch Nita and Na until they were out of sight. ... Nita and Na, having entered the Knowledge Building, continued walking toward the center and finally saw a sphere full of strange writings in the middle of the building''s hall. The sphere kept spinning endlessly and emitted a calming aura around it. (High Enlightenment Sphere) Emits enlightenment wave radiation within a 1 km radius. Enhances information absorption, calms the mind, and elerates cognitive functions. "This is so cool; it turns out to be a spiritual item," Nita murmured. The hall area was already bustling, with students passing by, busy with their activities. Some staff members were seen maintaining cleanliness and monitoring the situation. In the middle of the hall, besides the iconic sphere, there were giant panels hanging from the ceiling. These panels disyed various information, such as profiles of people involved in the campus establishment, the number of students, campus information, campus area maps, and more. Chapter 70: Walter Smith Interestingly, the hall''s ceiling could open and close automatically, allowing a view of the clear sky from inside the hall. From the ground floor, one could see the floors above thanks to the ss railings at the edge of each floor. Some students were seen leaning and rxing at the ss edges, enjoying the beautiful view below. "By the way, where is our ss, Na?" Nita asked Na beside her. "Um... we''re in Bamboo#100A ss," Na replied. "We need to go to the right, then take the elevator to the 18th floor. Bamboo Area Room 100A," Na exined quickly, being used to such notes as an assistant. "Let''s go..." They hurried to the right and looked for the fastest elevator. floor... 13 floor... 7 floor... 2 1 The elevator opened... then Nita and Na entered the elevator heading to the 18th floor. The elevator room was spacious, with a side length of 10 meters. There were already many students inside. "Princess Nita?" A boy with a smooth and quite handsome face took the initiative to talk to Nita. "Ahh, yes," Nita replied, slightly nervous. Yes, she was nervous... either because she had never attended university before or because she didn''t know the person in front of her, who was a handsome boy. Nita couldn''t hide her slight nervousness. "Hey, it''s not polite to speak like that to someone you don''t know," Na, standing beside her, said angrily. "How could you mention someone''s name you don''t know?" "Sorry... sorry," the handsome boy wasn''t angry; he apologized sincerely. Na was surprised; was the handsome boy in front of her having a fever or something? Shouldn''t he be angry? "Is there anything I can help you with, sir?" Nita didn''t want Na to cause more trouble, so she changed the topic. "Ahh... no, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Walter Smith." "And also, there''s no need to call me sir, Princess Nita." Walter Smith raised his hand for a handshake. Nita, starting to get used to and slightly understanding the boy in front of her, realized Walter Smith was an extroverted and positive person. Nita didn''t stay silent either; she shook hands with Walter Smith. [Status] Name: Walter Smith Race: Blue Human Power Core: System Rank: Tier-2 Nita was a bit surprised by Walter; even with her status as the city''s ruler and the ind owner''s sister and having Tier-3 strength, Walter wasn''t afraid but instead took the initiative to befriend her. Of course, Nita didn''t easily trust Walter''s open nature, but for now, it was good to have more friends. "By the way, what''s your major, princess? I''m majoring in physics," Walter asked Nita. "I''m also majoring in physics," Nita replied casually. "Wow, cool, we''re the same... by the way, are you also in Bamboo#100A ss?" "Yes..." During the elevator ride, Walter chatted a lot with Nita and Na. Walter was the son of the city''s ruler on the American alliance ind. His talent inbat was quite good, but his father wanted him to have an education so he wouldn''t lose to the nobles'' children. So Walter had to attend university while actively participating inbat. Soon, the elevator reached the 18th floor, and then Walter, Nita, and Na exited the elevator and headed to Bamboo#100A room. During their journey to the bamboo room, they encountered many students. Not only from Indonesia, but also quite a few foreign students, most of them children of important people, so there were always assistants by their side. "Room 87 A," Na murmured as she scanned the rooms they passed by. "Room 93 A..." "Room 100 A." "We''re here," Na said cheerfully. Nita and Walter observed the ssroom from the outside. They saw many students already inside the ssroom. Theyout of the ssroom wasn''t much different from renowned campuses on Earth, but the equipment inside was more sophisticated and modern. A spherical object in the middle of the ss was projecting a life of microorganisms and how they survive. Some students were watching the projection curiously. The ss hadn''t officially started, but the projection remained active to limate the new students. Nita, Na, and Walter then entered the ssroom. "Hello... everyone!" Walter''s shout was very loud. He shouted while spreading his arms as if he was about to hug someone. "What''s with that guy? Is he crazy?" A boy in the top right corner of the seats said. The boy had ck eyes and bright red hair. "Idiot! You embarrass the American alliance," Ema and her friend felt slightly ashamed of Walter''s behavior. If it weren''t in the ssroom, Ema would have kicked him at least once in the face. "Wow... that guy is very handsome," a girl with nted eyes and shoulder-length hair was fascinated by Walter, who had caught the ss''s attention. "Na... let''s find a seat," Nita ignored Walter''s foolish behavior, then pulled Na''s hand beside her and looked for a seat in the front right side. Walter, realizing he had overreacted, felt a bit embarrassed and scratched his head. "Sorry... excuse me," he said while ncing back but couldn''t find Nita and Na. He soon spotted them in the front right side and walked toward them. "Two seats away. Otherwise, your stupidity might infect us," Na blocked Walter''s seating area two seats beside them. "Princess Nita... please..." Walter looked at Nita and tried to ask for help, but all he received was Nita''s indifference. She was actively discussing in the alliance chat. [Alliance Chat: World Market] - (Cute Cat) First day of school ?? - (Dion) Started already? So fast... I also want to go to school, but... - (Hana) Wow... congrattions, Princess Nita, study hard. - (Lein) Alright... Remember... don''t cause trouble at school, follow your teacher''s orders. - (Laras) Congrattions, Nita, don''t forget to show your sister around the campus when the timees. - (Haikal Emanuel) Great... I believe Princess Nita will be a professor someday. ... Nita''s brief message invited many reactions and responses from various alliance members. Of course, with Nita''s current position, it was a good opportunity to catch her attention. Just a few words from her could improve the quality of life for ordinary people. Chapter 71: Stressful situation Lein was currently in a fierce battle when he replied to Nita''s short message. In front of him, a golden dragon stared at him intensely. A young man with golden eyes looked at him in silence. "You... you have a sacred bloodline. Where did you get it?" The person on the dragon spoke in a strange but understandablenguage. "You don''t need to know, hurry up if you still have any tricks," Lein said while watching the cooldown bar on his system panel. Provoked by Lein''s words, the young man on the golden dragon frowned slightly at Lein''s arrogant attitude. "Watch the dragon knight in action... who will fall and fly this time?" "Yeah... I think the guy with the divine light will win again; he''s already killed 12 tier-3 creatures before. And this one isn''t a big deal for him." "Yes, that''s right... he''s waiting for his Heaven Splitting Sword skill." Most of the discussion was on Lein''s side, proving how fierce Lein''s skills and power were at the moment. In just one day, his contribution points had exceeded 150,000 and were still increasing. (Area of Light) 00:1:19 (Area of Light) 00:1:13 ... Lein''s divine area skill was still in cooldown, so he had to stay on the defensive for now. He had to rely on his golden talisman if something dangerous appeared. "Goldenva," the hovering dragon immediately moved towards Lein and spewed goldenva from its mouth. Anything the goldenva passed would freeze and crumble within seconds. "Why do you always run? Where is your Heaven Splitting Sword skill from before?" The golden-eyed youth mocked. "Alright... I''ll end this," the golden-eyed youth looked deeply at Lein. Then he blinked. "Ugh..." Lein''s heart trembled, feeling like his heart would explode, his blood flow chaotic. "What''s this? A mental attack?" Without thinking longer, he used the teleportation talisman. But before the talisman could activate, the golden dragon was already behind him, stomping him into the ground. Crack... The sound of the protective skill from Lein''s armor activated, the barrier skill he wore activated, the skill from the Kx Armor artifact also activated within a fraction of a second, holding off the dragon''s foot attack for 1 second. Lein used that 1 second to activate the teleportation talisman. Lein immediately appeared 1 km away from the golden-eyed youth. He saw the system warning panel. [You have been hit by a mental attack (Golden Heart of the Dragon), reducing attributes by 30% temporarily for 1 minute.] "Damn... 30% attribute reduction," no wonder his body reacted as it did before. Now, Lein was quite worried about the negative status he was experiencing. He tried drinking a low-level mental potion, but it had no effect; healing potions also didn''t impact anything. "Blessing potion," Lein thought about the blessing potion. A potion that even made Elder Wen issue a hidden mission. (Blessing Potion) Attribute +100 (random) *Note: Can only be taken 5 times. [Consume (Blessing Potion), are you sure?] "Yes." Lein immediately felt the potion''s fluid flowing down his throat. [You consumed the blessing potion, the usage limit of 5 times has been reached. Removing negative effects from your body.] "Awesome..." Lein shouted in his heart. Sure enough, the 30% attribute reduction had disappeared. His strength returned to normal. The golden-eyed youth observed Lein, who had moved 1 km away. "This human has many tricks," he murmured. "I need to act fast before the negative effect ends." The golden-eyed youth immediately directed his dragon towards Lein''s location. Lein stood firm, waiting for the golden-eyed youth''s arrival. His skill cooldown was over. He would take his revenge. "Come... I''m curious about the material of that dragon''s body," Lein murmured to himself. Argh... Grrr... The golden dragon roared and attacked Lein very quickly, the golden fire from its mouth terrifying people watching from afar. Even from a distance, they could feel the heat of the golden fire. "Wait...e back," the golden-eyed youth sensed something, he immediately wanted to activate the teleportation talisman. But it was toote, Lein had already activated Sword Heaven Prison, trapping the dragon and the golden-eyed youth within four golden sword pirs. "Damn, this strange skill is very troublesome," the youth panicked, then activated a strange talisman from his storage ring. "Father... save me," the talisman shattered and disappeared in a gust of wind. Lein did not know that the youth had already sent a message to his father with the message talisman. Lein immediately activated the (Area of Light) skill. The area within a 100-meter radius was filled with divine light, giving negative effects to creatures with dark attribute power, and doubling Lein''s attributes directly, making Lein''s status 26,000 on average. With attributes that strong, even Wang Cai and the old man with the long white beard could feel the aura emanating from Lein. Lein, currently burning with power, activated his second skill (Sky Shattering sh). Lein immediately shed toward the golden-eyed youth in the Heaven Sword Prison. The simple sh carried a 100-meter-long golden sword energy, destroying everything in its path. The strong sword path would soon split the golden-eyed youth quickly, but that did not happen. Because now, an old man in a ck hood appeared right above Lein''s sword prison. The old man waved his hand, and the previously terrifying sword energy disappeared as if it never existed. After nullifying the sword sh, the old man then released a small light ball from his fingertip. The light ball calmly moved toward the sword prison. Crack... Crack... The unbreakable sword prison now cracked without resistance after being hit by the small light ball. "Father... Help... save me" the golden-eyed youth screamed, then approached his father with all his strength, afraid Lein would use his strange skills again. The old man in the ck hood looked at Lein, who was not far from him. His eyes fixed on Lein calmly. Thump... Thump... Thump... Lein''s heartbeat was very fast and loud. He felt immense pressure just by being stared at by the old man in the ck hood. His legs trembled and weakened, making it almost impossible for him to stand. Chapter 72: Hidden mission10,000,000 Contribution Points "Huff... You''re lucky this time," said the old man in a ck hood with a heavy tone. In the old man''s view, he could see a strand of spiritual energy swirling above Lein''s head. Ordinary people wouldn''t be able to see the strand of spiritual energy, but with his level of power, he could ensure that not just anyone could do such a thing. "A very strong soul thread," the old man murmured to himself again. "Everyone, retreat," the old man said to the subordinates below him and the supporters of the golden-eyed youth earlier. "Father, why?" The golden-eyed youth asked in surprise. This was not like his father to act on a whim. "Silence..." The old man looked at his son with an angry and emotional gaze. He almost caused trouble if he wasn''t careful this time. Immediately without further ado, the group of the old man in the ck hood disappeared without notice. "What happened?" Among the many people around the incident, Lein was the one with the most questions. He had previously tried to think of all kinds of possibilities but still couldn''t figure out what really happened. "Hmmm... never mind, luck is power," Lein said bitterly. After a while calming himself, he finally returned to normal, the pressure he felt earlier had disappeared. He had previously felt the presence of the old man in the hood was very frightening, even his Heaven Prison skill could be easily destroyed. The old man in the hood must be a being above the Master level, Lein was very sure of that. "Alright... Now my goal is contribution points. I won''t let the previous defeat happen again," Lein said with strong determination. He looked at the people around him, he found it was very quiet, and the battlefield had moved more than 5 km away from him. "I''ming....." Hhhh Immediately Lein ran and rushed to find the next prey, a level 3 creature with 1000 contribution points. ... The endless battle continued between the Qian race and the Lowu race on the battlefield of Fortress Ind #44. Due to Lein''s terrifying emergence, one by one, the level 3 pir creatures of the Lowu race became weaker. Nearly 79% of the battlefield area was already under the control of the Qian race. Lein, still with his endless rain of golden swords, eliminated every level 1 and 2 creature as easily as wiping a stain with a tissue. To kill level 3 creatures, it took a few seconds or even minutes, depending on how many tricks the level 3 creature had. By the afternoon, Lein had already eliminated a total of over 34 level 3 creatures. Nearly 95% of the battlefield area was already owned by the Qian race without any resistance from the Lowu race. The morale of the Lowu forces had been very weak since Lein''s emergence. "Run... The Holy Human Son ising... Run..." A level 2 creature with a power core system shouted at the top of its voice. "Very strong... He''s getting stronger..." "Stop your battles... The Holy Human Son is heading this way" The Lowu race fighters panicked with fear. Meanwhile, the fighters on the Qian race side were full of wide smiles. They even gave the title Holy Human Son to Lein because of his terrifying power, and also his attacks emitted a holy aura that even made their hearts tremble a bit because of the majesty it radiated. "Little friend, would you like to help this old man?" A deep and powerful voice was heard in Lein''s ear. He stopped and then said "yes". He didn''t know how themunication effect like this happened, he just spoke softly and watched what would happen next. Sure enough, the voice was heard again. "Good..." "I will bring this person down in a moment. Be careful of the illusions and surprise attacks from this person." "As soon as I bring this person down. Help me to lock and restrain his movements with your sword prison." Lein seemed to realize from whom this voice came. His guess was that this voice came from a high-ranking fighter of the Qian race who was fighting with a high-ranking fighter of the Lowu race. He was about to answer when a system panel suddenly appeared. [Hidden Mission Wang Cai] - Name: Wang Cai - Rank: S - Description: Help Elder Wang Cai to kill Bao Ruong - Reward: 10,000,000 contribution points. "What???? Crazy" Lein shouted in his heart. He felt the number of points had a writing error. But the number didn''t change after a while. Lein was certainly very happy. Even after fighting all day until the afternoon, he had only gained over 670,000 contribution points. A lot even for him at this time, most of the points were usually gained from killing level 2 creatures of the Lowu race. But now,pared to the mission he just got, the contribution points he had just gained today were nothing more than nonsense. Lein was no longer looking for level 3 enemies. He kept all his skills ready if the high-level creature came. Lein waited on the ground full of blood and ashes. His condition now was like a soldier who had fought for days on the battlefield. His face was slightly dull, and he couldn''t hide his fatigue. The surrounding condition was even more terrible. Corpses and bones that had turned to ashes were scattered everywhere. The ground was no longer green or brown, but had turned ck liquid due to the blood that had burned and turned to scorched ashes. The air Lein breathed also felt heavy, worse than the pollution on earth that he had ever felt. Lein''s eyes, which were standing still, observed the battle from afar. Only a few points and areas were still fighting. This signaled the battle would end soon. Boom... Boom.... An old bald man with a golden body fell from the sky and hit the ground hard. Fresh blood came out of his mouth... Fhum... uhuk... Chapter 73: Killing Bao Ruong - Nascent Soul The bald old man wiped the remaining blood from his mouth. He stood up and stood tall again. He looked up towards the old man with a white beard. "Bao Ruonggggg..." The golden-bodied old man with a bald head shouted, he gathered golden energy from his surroundings. A Buddha image reappeared behind him. "Enough Wang Cai... Soon you will die at my hands," Bao Ruong, who slowly descended from the sky, looked at Wang Cai with a disdainful look. However, his gaze was slightly distracted at the moment. He saw Lein looking at the two of them calmly. "Hey little guy. What are you doing here?" Bao Ruong asked casually. Lein did not reply; he just stood there without moving. Bao Ruong became angry... He then moved the white disc of light under his feet towards Lein quickly. His palm was wide open as if he wanted to choke something. "Now...." The deep voice was heard again in Lein''s ear, waking him from his still state. "Sword Heaven Prison" Immediately, arge sword ten meters tall fell from the sky and then plunged hard into the ground. Three otherrge swords did the same, forming a square formation. After the four sword pirs fell, golden walls formed on all sides. Tch.... "A thin little barrier like this!..." Bao Ruong said amusedly... Immediately, a white light emanated from his hand, intending to sh the golden wall. Blubmmm... Pong... His attack had no effect on the wall. He then stretched out his hands and quickly joined them, immediately the light energy erged in front of him... "Lightning Thunder..." The ball struck and attacked the golden barrier wall... Pong... Blum... "Damn, what kind of wall is this?!" Bao Ruong''s face changed slightly. He immediately attacked forward, directly attacking with his bare hands wrapped in white light. Bang... Blup.... "Arghh... Damn..." "Open this shield, or I''ll kill you!!!!" Bao Ruong threatened Lein and tried to intimidate him from inside the golden prison. "Hahahah... Bao Ruong, don''t joke." "You can''t even get out, but you threaten someone? Don''t make meugh." Hahhhh... Wang Cai, who was rising at this moment, floated into the sky. He looked at Lein and said, "Good job, young man." After that, the Buddha statue behind him erged again to a height of 100 meters. "Inner Condensation" Immediately, the palms of the Buddha statue behind Wang Cai joined together, then a small white light gathered in front of its hands. The white light grewrger until it was the size of a volleyball. It didn''t take long for the light to turn golden, and finally, it turned fiery red. "Holy Crushing Palm" The Buddha''s joined hands now separated, then the right hand pushed the red ball downward towards Bao Ruong''s location. "No... Wang Cai... you will regret doing this," Bao Ruong shouted angrily. Bao Ruong''s appearance was very pitiful this time; his white hair and long beard were disheveled. Wang Cai didn''t care about Bao Ruong''s threats. He watched as the palm moved quickly towards Bao Ruong. Lein was also ready; he had to open a small gap so the palm could enter. Bao Ruong this time was very terrifying, his body emitting a bright white aura, each of his attacks causing a hard vibration on the golden wall. Even a slight scratch could be seen. Lein, who was slightly panicked when he saw this, became a little calm because the Buddha''s golden palm was now very close, the red ball looked terrifying as if it would bring destruction to the world. Lein immediately opened a small gap so the palm could enter. Bao Ruong saw the gap and immediately disappeared. "Fool..." Wang Cai said, seeing Bao Ruong''sst effort. "I don''t know who this little guy is, but his skills are very terrifying, the energy contained in his skills is very pure and holy," he murmured while looking at Lein beside him. [Killed (Bao Ruong- Nascent Soul) exp 1,129,000 points, +100,000 contribution points] "Crazy.... I also got a share of the kill." Lein was very surprised when he heard the kill notification; he did help to restrain Bao Ruong in the Heaven Sword Prison, but he didn''t expect that with such a small help, he could gain such a big benefit. "What is that?" Lein muttered. He saw a purple me right where Bao Ruong was before, and Lein was curious, so he approached it. Upon reaching the spot where Bao Ruong died, Lein saw a gold ring, a transparent light te, and a purple me the size of a palm. (Space Ring - Gold) - Owner: Bao Ruong - Slot: 1,000,000 square meters *Note: The space ring has an active soul barrier. Please break the soul barrier with Soul Power to change the owner. (Soul Essence) Energy that contains the power of souls and embodies the pure strength of the universe. Formed from the absorption of natural energies, it bes a potent force within the cosmic ecosystem, pulsating with the harmonious rhythm of the universe. (Vortex te) A transparent disc that allows the user to hover, teleport, and increase attributes while riding. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Heaven - Essence: 126,900 - Ability: Flight, eleration +300%, Attribute +50%, teleportation within 3km. "Crazy.... Heaven-level items," Lein shouted and cursed in his heart. His mind immediately spun and thought hard about which item he should duplicate. It was certain that none of these items would belong to him, so before the bald old man Wang Cai arrived, it was better to duplicate one item for himself. "The gold ring and soul essence can be dropped by monsters. I''ll choose this transparent disc, a heaven-level artifact," Lein said to himself, immediately duplicating the Vortex te. [Duplicating (Vortex te) 10,000 times, confirm?] "Yes." Immediately, 10,000 items identical to the Vortex te appeared in Lein''s storage ring without any difference, the item descriptions were also the same. Only then did Lein feel at ease. "Very good..." Hhhh... Lein was startled when he heard the suddenughter beside him. Chapter 74: Infernal Blade - Part 2, Sword Binding He saw the bald old man at a very close distance, making him feel a bit breathless and sensing the heat emanating from the old man''s body. "Young man... I, Wang Cai, sincerely thank you on behalf of the Qian race," the bald old man smiled broadly. He had previously observed Lein from above the sky, and everything Lein did brought great victory to the battle on battlefield #44. "It''s nothing, Senior... I''m just a stranger who happened to help," Lein said humbly, afraid to offend the old man in front of him. "Hahaha... good, good... you are very clever," Wang Cai was very pleased with Lein''s behavior. He then looked at the three items dropped by Bao Ruong earlier. His smile widened when he saw the three items, especially the gold ring and the transparent disc. "What is your name?" the old man asked Lein while taking the three items and storing them. "Senior, my name is Lein," Lein replied obediently, still standing calmly behind Wang Cai. "First, take this as the reward I promised earlier," Wang Cai said. Immediately, the old man took out a paper with a few words written on it. (Wang Cai''s Message Card) This card can be redeemed at any Qian race war office to obtain the corresponding contribution points. - Contribution Points +10,000,000 Lein received the paper with both hands and immediately stored it. He then observed the old man Wang Cai as before. "Then... since you have helped me finish the battle and survived on battlefield #44." "Take this." Lein saw the old man Wang Cai throw a ck sword that looked very simr to his current holy sword. (Infernal de - Part 2) - Level: 41 (Growth) - Attribute: Str +836, Int +856, Agi +870, Res +878 - (Abyssal Curse) Each attack will inflict a random negative effect on the enemy (Dizzy, Paralyze, Sleep, Silence, Blind, Confusion, Weakness), base attribute +20%, damage increased by +20% for 1 minute, Cooldown 10 minutes. "My God... why is my luck so high this time?" Lein screamed in his heart. He felt his luck had exceeded the maximum limit. Starting from being saved from a creature above the master level, obtaining a hidden mission with a reward of 10,000,000 contribution points, getting a heaven-level artifact, and now receiving the second part of his holy sword. "Thank you, Senior... This junior will remember your kindness," Lein sincerely expressed his gratitude. The old man in front of him was the person who had given him the most high-level items during his time in another realm during the inter-race war event. "Hhhh... it''s good that you know. See you again, young man," the old man said with a happy smile on his face. He had just checked the contents of Bao Ruong''s gold ring, and Wang Cai''s smile widened, no less than Lein''s. Immediately after bidding farewell, Wang Cai disappeared from Lein''s sight, leaving Lein standing still, contemting all the events that had happened today. After a while, he looked back at the ck sword he had received earlier. No matter how he looked at it, this ck sword was very simr to his current holy sword. Even the attributes and skills were very simr, except for the unique effect. Where the holy sword would heal him with each sh, while the ck sword would inflict random negative effects. As Lein looked at the ck sword, he also saw new information disyed by the system. [Detected that the owner has another part of (Infernal de - Part 2) with (Divine Sword - Part 1), you can perform (binding)] [Perform (binding)?] Lein was slightly confused about what binding meant, but since the system issued themand, it should be a good thing. So Lein agreed, "yes." Immediately, the gold sword and the ck sword floated in front of Lein, each sword emitting its original light. The ck sword with a thick dark aura and the gold sword with a very dazzling white light. The two swords spun around Lein for several turns. After a few minutes, the two swords stopped spinning and remained floating around Lein. "Wow..." Lein felt a connection with both swords and could control them as he pleased. Lein could even absorb both swords into his body. "I wonder if I can fly while riding them," Lein muttered, then jumped onto the ck sword. Fuh... Swuhhh... Yes, the sword could carry Lein to float and fly quickly. Lein felt the strong wind blowing against his face. "Refreshing..." Lein muttered as he spun around in the sky on the ck sword. "Amazing... are there any other effects?" Leinnded back on the ground and checked the sword''s status panel. (Infernal de - Part 2) - Level: 41 (Growth) - Attribute: Str +1050, Int +1034, Agi +1061, Res +1078 - (Abyssal Curse): Each attack will inflict a random negative effect on the enemy (Dizzy, Paralyze, Sleep, Silence, Blind, Confusion, Weakness), base attribute +30%, damage increased by +30% for 1 minute, Cooldown 10 minutes. - (Binding Skill): (Echo Phantom: Clone with 50% attribute), (dewarp: Teleportation to sword ce), (Phantom Exchange: Exchange position with sword), (Phantom Assault: Swords passively auto-attack nearby enemies). Huft... hishhh Lein took a deep breath. Isn''t this sword too overpowered for level 41? What kind of sword was given by that middle-aged crowned man? Hmm... Lein recalled when he first got the sword from the middle-aged man during the Tier-1 promotion exam; that was when he got his first gold sword. Now, the old man Wang Cai gave him the second part of the sword. After performing the binding, Lein saw that the sword''s attributes increased by approximately 10%. Then there were five new additional skills. The same status also appeared on the other gold sword. First, Lein tried using the (Echo Phantom) skill. Immediately, the ck sword in his hand transformed for a moment before finally a figure appeared. The figure was exactly like Lein, with short ck hair and a blue robe, everything the same, without any difference. The first thing Lein thought of was duplicating the ck sword. However, he put that thought aside for now because he had just used duplication on the transparent Vortex te. Chapter 75: Echo Phantom, Hundreds of clones "Eh..." Lein suddenly remembered something. "I''ve duplicated the gold sword several times before," Lein immediately took out hundreds of swords from his storage ring. Hundreds of gold swords floated in front of him. When he checked all the swords'' statuses. "Crazy... they all have binding skills and the same exact status," Lein could only scream in his heart. Immediately, with his mind, he activated the (Echo Phantom) skill. Without any oddity, hundreds of human figures identical to Lein appeared. "My God... what the..." Lein panicked and quickly returned all the swords to their original form. He forgot that he was still on battlefield #44. "Looks like I can only try this at home to be safe," Lein muttered excitedly. He returned all the gold swords to his storage, then was about to try another skill from the divine sword binding. "dewrap," Lein said... Immediately, he felt his body swallowed by some power, and in an instant, he appeared at the position of the ck sword. "Ssshhh... scary," Lein felt terrified and cold inside. With this skill, doesn''t he have spatialw power and can teleport? Lein could only ept all the oddities and powers disyed by the divine sword. Next, he tried the third skill "Phantom Exchange." Once again, Lein felt his body pulled by some special power, his body shifted and exchanged positions with the ck sword, which also moved to his initial position. "Uh... terrifying..." Strange praises emerged from Lein''s mouth every time he activated a divine sword binding skill. "Phantom Assault," Thest skill seemed not to be an active attack. So nothing happened when Lein tried to activate it. But from the name and the brief skill description, Lein could tell that this sword would passively activate if he didn''t control it. "Hahaha... this harvest is very abundant," Lein said excitedly; he never thought this journey would bring him endless luck. Lein observed the surrounding area; there were no more battles. This was very reasonable considering the old man Wang Cai had taken action. With just his gaze, he could wipe out all the remaining level 3 creatures. This time, Lein saw several groups of people approaching him enthusiastically. "Which idiot wants to seek death this time," Lein said, ready for another fight. "Team leader..." "Captain..." Several familiar faces approached Lein enthusiastically at their fastest speed. Yes, they were all members of the team he led earlier. "You guys??" Lein didn''t expect them to arrive so quickly. But they were right because the battle was over and had ended on battlefield #44. Lein saw that many were still left, even more than 200 people. "These people seem to be ying dirty." With one nce, Lein could see that some of the people in front of him hadn''t even fought. After hearing from Lein that as long as they stayed alive, they would get a reward, it was very foolish if they didn''t understand the loophole in Lein''s sudden mission. Yes, Lein didn''t explicitly state the mission rules; he just said as long as they stayed alive. "Alright... let''s consider their luck is good," Lein thought, in a good mood. So he gave them all the rewards he had promised earlier. Soon they all reported their contribution points by showing their war cards. The top three were two men and one woman. The man with the highest points stepped forward and approached Lein. "My name is Railum, Captain," said the young man firmly. Lein guessed the young man in front of him was a Faithwarden. Lein didn''t waste any time; he immediately took out a silver ring, a full set of light equipment, and 1000 high-level crystals. "Thank you, Captain," the young man quickly took all the items Lein gave him and immediately turned to leave. Next, a woman came; this time, it was an Elf. Yes, Lein could see from the shape of the girl''s ears. "Elyan from the Forest Elf race," the girl said softly. "What??" Lein frowned upon hearing the girl''s race. "Forest Elf race?" Lein muttered. Yes, the Forest Elf race was the core crystal used by Nita to break through to Tier-1 and get promoted to an archer. Elyan, who was being stared at by Lein, became a little scared now. Her gaze became a bit hostile and disgusted. "Sorry... sorry... I''m just a bit interested in your race," Lein said casually when he saw Elyan''s strange expression. "You wait here first. We''ll talkter," Lein said, then looked at the third-ranked person. "Thank you, Captain..." "Thank you..." The reward distribution Lein had promised took a few minutes before it was finally over. Everyone had left and returned to the main ind of the Qian race to exchange the contribution points they had earned. "Excuse me, sir... what about me?" Out of fear, Elyan didn''t even call Lein "Captain" but "Sir." "Exin to me about the Forest Elf race," Lein said with a warm smile to Elyan, who was currently in a state of fear. Elyan was a little scared but still exined about the Forest Elf race to Lein. The Forest Elf race resides in the realm of Fyan. Forest Elf race beings live in forests to obtain purer natural energy. Because they rely on natural energy to increase their strength, the Forest Elf race are creatures with a power System. The Forest Elf race is quite close to the Qian race, so the ruler of the Forest Elf race opened a portal to help the Qian race fight against the Lowu race. Elyan continued to tell how the forest elves lived, their daily activities, and the natural conditions of Fyan where the Forest Elf race resided. "A very beautiful realm," Lein muttered without hiding his voice from Elyan. Hearing Lein''s words, Elyan slightly reduced her fear. "Alright, here is your reward..." Lein immediately took out a silver ring, a full set of level 20 wood equipment, and 1000 high-level crystals. Besides the promised reward, Lein also took out a blessing potion and gave it to Elyan. He also took out 50 each of golden talismans. Chapter 76: Full Power of Laras: Goddess of Light Elyan saw the rewards Lein gave her, her eyes wide open, and her mouth forming an O. "But sir..." Elyan wanted to say something, but Lein had already disappeared. Yes, Lein had teleported using the golden talisman. Afraid the girl wouldn''t ept the reward he gave. He deliberately gave the blessing potion to try to attract the attention of strong individuals from the Forest Elf race realm. Even if it didn''t attract the attention of powerful beings, Lein would make an agenda to enter the Fyan realm someday. Lein didn''t linger any longer on fortress ind #44, he then took out his warship and returned to the main ind of the Qian race to exchange the contribution points he had earned. "I''m rich," Lein said casually as he thought about the amount of contribution points he got today. *** On an endless ind, a great battle was taking ce. No less chaotic than the battle on battlefield #44 that Lein participated in, the battlefield was in utter disarray, causing countless lives to be lost every second. "Run... that giant will turn you into meat paste with his feet," said a man with a panicked expression on his face. "Run, this crazy giant will stomp on you," said a young man, running for his life. "Damn, how can this giant run so fast?" said a man with a hologram of a python snake on his hand. Yes, he was a Beast Master and was facing a giant race in front of him. The giant was nearly 20 meters tall, with a muscr red body and a fiery hammer in his right hand. The man with the blue hologram in his hand was slightly overwhelmed, continuously summoning his great beasts. "Gluttonous Fire Lion" "Red-Eyed Bull" Immediately, the blue hologram in his hand spun and stopped at the image of a lion, and secondly, on the image of a bull. A 10-meter-tall lion emerged, followed by a golden-furred bull with red eyes. Roar.... Arghh... The two beasts summoned by the Beast Master showed no fear and immediately charged at the giant with the fiery hammer. "Hahaha, what can these little beasts do?" "You will be my next meal." The giant with the fiery hammer stared at the Beast Master in the distance. They had been fighting for a long time, and he knew the Beast Master''s summoning energy would soon run out. "Destructive Hammer," the giant shouted. He immediately ran and jumped high into the air, both hands swinging back and holding the fiery hammer tightly. Crash... Land... Boom... Doom... The massive hammer strike caused a shocking shockwave, the ground beneath their feet cracking and shattering within a 100 meter radius. "Crazy... Run...." "Where is Captain Zehon?..." Lower-level creatures could only scream for themselves, running away and seeking a quieter battle area. "Hahaha...." "Where do you think you''re running to?" The giant''s loudughter could be heard for over 100 meters. He felt no need to fear anyone. He could do as he pleased and destroy anyone around him. Swoosh... Ugh... "What!??? Who?" The giant''s previously arrogant and fierce face was now reced by a pained and confused expression. White chains from four sides pierced his heart without warning. He was locked in ce and couldn''t do anything, his strength gradually decreasing at an uncertain rate. "Look, the Goddess of Light hase... We''re saved..." A woman shouted excitedly. She saw a woman in a white robe floating on a transparent disc. "Wow... So beautiful, is she a deity race?" "But why doesn''t she have a halo of luck?" Many discussions urred among the people who saw the woman. The woman was Laras, currently exploding with full power after just obtaining a Heaven-grade Artifact from Lein. (Vortex te) A transparent disc that allows the user to float, teleport, and enhance attributes while riding. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Heaven - Essence: 126,900 - Ability: Fly, eleration +300%, Attribute +50%, teleportation within 3km. Lein sent the Vortex te to 10 Core members and Nita right after he duplicated it. He believed this high-quality artifact would help them in many ways and significantly boost their strength instantly. Lein sent the item through long-distance exchange from the system. Perhaps because the event was ongoing, they could conduct private transactions over long distances between realms. "This disc is so fast? Where did the leader get it?" Laras muttered with her red lips. She recalled the first time she met Lein. The young man looked ordinary, even the first time they met, she was sure she could defeat Lein. But now it seemed Lein''s improvement was beyond reason. Besides, a Heaven-grade Item at this stage? Not even a month yet!? Laras could only hold back her thousands of questions about Lein and observe the Vortex te''s status panel. In her view, all the numbers on the status panel were twice as much as usual. It was crazy indeed, but that''s what she saw now. (Vortex te) A transparent disc that allows the user to float, teleport, and enhance attributes while riding. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Heaven - Essence: 253,800 - Ability: Fly, eleration +600%, Attribute +100%, teleportation within 3km. If Lein saw the current status of the Vortex te, he would probably vomit blood. Even with its initial status, Lein was already very happy, let alone if its status was doubled. Gruruurruu... A loud rumble came from where the giant was. The giant''s body was engulfed in mes, his muscles swelling. Seeing this, Laras did not remain idle. She threw therge cross on her back. Therge cross spun and hovered above the giant''s head. Sii.... Tsi... Like direct sunlight, the cross emitted a holy light, illuminating the giant who was trying to break free from Laras'' holy chains. The light fell like a waterfall, hitting the ground forcefully. Arghh.... The giant''s scream echoed; he seemed to feel unbearable pain, his fire-burned skin melting and getting hit by the holy light from Laras'' cross. "No... human...." "You will regret killing me!!!" Threatening words like that were often heard by Laras. She remained unmoved and kept watching if the giant did anything unexpected. Chapter 77: Angel of Death, Haikal Emanuels [Killed (Gerusha- Golden Core) exp 122,000, 1,000 contribution points] After the system notification panel sounded, Laras, who had been silent, quickly approached the giant''s corpse and checked the items he dropped. "So strong..." said the Beast Master man in the distance. He had been watching from the start and indeed thought Laras was very strong. Even with his Tier 3 strength, he felt he was no match for her. "Damn... you killed my good friend earlier..." said a woman while shedding tears. She had just lost her good friend to the fire giant, but now her revenge was finally fulfilled. On the other hand, Laras was extracting materials from the giant''s corpse, ensuring she didn''t miss any valuable materials dropped by a Tier 3 creature. "Alright... next location." Without lingering, Laras flew on her Vortex te, searching for locations with high contribution points... no, enemies. *** In a faraway realm, the same war was taking ce as experienced by Lein and Laras. "Double Strike" "Killer Thundercloud" One by one, each living being in the battle unleashed their skills. It didn''t matter who or what you were; as long as you were on the opposing side, you would be affected by the skills released. Boom... Zzhrr... "Arghhhh, so hot..." The entire area within a 50-meter radius was filled with ck mes that wouldn''t be extinguished by water. The fire burned all creatures within it, regardless of whether they were friend or foe. "Don''t go near those ck mes!!!" "Run, the ck mage ising..." A young man with a silver bow ran away from the area of ck mes. "Silver Hawk!" shouted a man with a glowing blue hologram, summoning a silver-feathered hawk. He quickly mounted the hawk and flew away from the ck mes. "Crazy... that crazy ck mage again..." said a handsome young man with a white halo behind his back. "Holy Fire," the handsome man said. Immediately, like water being poured, a bright holy light illuminated an area 40 meters from where he stood. The two elements collided. The pure holy fire shed with the unquenchable ck mes. "Heh... too weak," muttered the ck mage, who was currently standing casually on a transparent disc. In front of him was a ck book, split in two. asionally, the ck book would flip its pages automatically. Yes, the old man in the ck hood with the ck-aura book in front of him was a core member of the World Market alliance formed by Lein, Old Man Haikal Emanuel. "The item from Young Master Lein is too terrifying this time." "A 50% attribute increase? Hhh... very good..." said Old Man Haikal excitedly. The ck book, which had been flipping back and forth between pages, now stopped on a page depicting a hooded figure with a long scythe in hand. "Angel of Death." Immediately, a shadow identical to the image on the book''s page emerged from the ck book. "Kill those ants; don''t let a single one escape," ordered Old Man Haikal to the shadowy figure with the long scythe. The shadow seemed to understand Old Man Haikal''smand, floating swiftly towards the low-level creatures fleeing the ck me area. [Killed (Ijre- Lunar Growth) exp 11,700, 1,000 contribution points] [Killed (Fiants- Blessed Initiate) exp 13,000, 1,000 contribution points] The angel lived up to its name; each time it passed through the low-level creatures, the system''s kill notifications were heard by Old Man Haikal. "Very good..." he said with a broad smile. But this time, his smile froze as a light spear came rushing towards him very quickly. "Damn... why do these people love sneak attacks so much?" said Old Man Haikal, activating the teleportation skill of the Vortex te. Old Man Haikal appeared not far from where he had been. He then looked at who hadunched the holy spear attack. His gaze fell on the handsome man with the white halo far below on the ground. The man held a spear in his right hand and stared at Old Man Haikal with a hostile look. The aura of the spear in his hand intensified, as if he was about tounch another attack. "Uah... it''s been a while since I fought in closebat," said Old Man Haikal, stretching each joint in his body. Immediately after saying that, ck w aura appeared in his hands. "Demon King''s w," he muttered. The ck w in his hand had a burning red tip, looking very terrifying and capable of taking the life of anyone who saw it. He instantly teleported right in front of the handsome man with the holy spear in his hand. Closebat ensued. Tsk... Tshh... Old Man Haikal''s martial skills were excellent; he dodged all the spear attacksunched by the handsome man. A side stab... Old Man Haikal twisted his body slightly, spun in the opposite direction, then shed the handsome man''s neck with his ck w. Crack... The sound of breaking protection was heard... "A protection talisman, huh?" muttered Old Man Haikal nonchntly. He knew what had happened. He often encountered this, many young masters with thousands of life-saving tools. Swoosh... sh... The fierce battle between Old Man Haikal continued, although from afar, it was clear that Old Man Haikal had the upper hand, even though they were both at Tier 3. *** Ziyan Light Realm, Longteng City At the busy ship harbor, arge ship slowly approached the dock. The ship was enormous and had many defenses on it. After reaching the dock, a young man in a blue robe disembarked. The young man seemed familiar with the ce; he took a deep breath of fresh air and said, "Ahhh... finally here," stretching both his arms. Yes, the young man was Lein, who had just arrived after a three-hour journey from battlefield #44. He should have returned with his team members, but since the Qian race won the battle decisively, the entire small team returned with the war leader at fortress ind #44, Elder Wang Cai. Lein, eager to check all his harvests, didn''t want to wait long and wanted to exchange all the contribution points he had obtained. Besides, he also had further ns regarding the clone skill of the divine sword. Chapter 78: Redeem hidden mission 10,000,000 contribution points He nned to return to the Divine Sky Ind to spread his clones to monitor and guard the ind. Even with an 80% attribute drop, with Lein''s total status, it should be more than enough to handle any troublemakers. "Alright, where should we go?" Lein said softly. He then remembered that he hade to Longteng City earlier with the Su Yiling family. Reflecting on it, Lein felt it was a bit of a waste of time, but he didn''t think so. Su Yiling became the bearer of a hidden mission for him, so it was only natural to make a little effort. Lein quickly walked towards the city and headed to the Qian race war office in Longteng City. On his way to the Qian race war office, Lein observed that the lives of the Cultivators were quite primitive and not very modern. For instance, most people still traveled on foot and did not use vehicles like horses or beasts. Lein thought that maybe because the Cultivators'' bodies were strong, they preferred walking. The buildings were also somewhat old-fashioned, still using stone and wood. However, upon closer inspection, although only stone and wood were used, their durability was stronger than the strongest building materials on the previous Earth. This was because every building was coated with spiritual energy, and the wood and stone used already contained a fair amount of spiritual energy. Yes, spiritual energy was the source of life energy in the Cultivator''s realm. Its role was as crucial as oxygen on Earth. Lein walked for a few minutes before finally reaching the Qian race war office building. Lein walked in and immediately approached the nearest reception desk. "Wee, sir. How can I help you?" A male receptionist greeted Lein as he approached. "Yes, I want to exchange mission contribution points," Lein said, handing over his mission card and war token badge. "Alright, sir, let me check for a moment." The male receptionist took the card and war token badge given by Lein and performed the calctions behind the desk. It didn''t take long before the male receptionist reported Lein''s mission results and total contribution points. "We have finished the calctions, sir. For the battle mission at fortress ind #44, Sir Lein earned a total of 720,000 contribution points. The team''s excellent performance earned an additional 150,000 contribution points. Winning at fortress #44 earned an extra 500,000 contribution points." "In total, Sir Lein earned 1,370,000 contribution points." Hearing the calctions reported by the male receptionist, Lein was still quite surprised. With just sacrificing a few high-level crystals and a full set of level 20 equipment, he could gain an extra 150,000 contribution points bonus. Yes, it wouldn''t be profitable for others. Lein felt lucky because of his duplication talent. "Thank you," Lein said calmly. He then pulled out a paper given by the old man Wang Cai, containing 10,000,000 contribution points. "I also want to exchange contribution points from another mission," Lein said, handing the thin paper to the male receptionist. The male receptionist was initially confused, but when he saw the message on the paper, his face immediately showed shock. "Sorry, sir, we need to conduct further verification first," said the male receptionist as he walked to the room at the end of the hall. Sigh... "Hmmm, it seems impossible," Lein said softly. He had done the duplication earlier, nning to use the paper to get the mission. But seeing the receptionist''s actions, Lein felt it was impossible to deceive the powerful people behind the Qian race. If he provided another mission paper, with a reward of 10,000,000 contribution points, his duplication ability would be exposed. Soon, the male receptionist returned with a respectful demeanor. "Honorable Sir Lein, the mission paper from Elder Wang Cai has been confirmed." "Sir Lein has earned 10,000,000 contribution points. It has been added to your war badge." "And also, Sir Lein has officially be a Gold-ranked warrior." The receptionist reported with a respectful smile on his face. He knew that those who received such missions from high-ranking race officials were powerful people not to be trifled with. "Hahaha... 10 million points? Who can remove me from the top rank this time!?" Lein said, remembering that he couldn''t even enter the top 20 in the previous event. "And what is this Gold rank? What are the benefits?" Lein said curiously, then checked the Qian race war badge. [War Badge - (Qian race)] - Name: Lein - Power Core: System | Tier-3 - Rank: Gold (+30% contribution points) - Contribution Points: 11,370,000 - Origin: Divine Sky Realm "30% additional contribution points? Not bad..." Lein said casually. Although only 30%, with the level of missions he currently carried out, if he earned 1,000,000 contribution points next, he would get an additional 300,000 contribution points. "Alright... thank you," Lein said goodbye to the receptionist on duty. Next, Lein did not immediately leave the war office building but walked towards another room where he could exchange his contribution points. Soon, Lein was in the room where he could exchange contribution points. There were already many people here, not limited to humans; other races like elves, dwarves, and golden dragons were also present. Additionally, Lein saw several disy cases filled with various materials, items, and luxurious goods that could be exchanged for contribution points. Lein did not remain idle; he approached one of the wooden boards that disyed a list of items that could be exchanged for contribution points. Lein examined the wooden board carefully. The board''s appearance was very simple, but it acted like a hologram board usually disyed by the system. [Contribution Points Exchange] - Silver Badge: 30,000 points - Thorn Arrow Armor: 25,000 points - Sticky Boots: 7,000 points - Low Teleportation Talisman: 31,000 points - Purple Stone: 1,000 points - Folew Flower: 1,000 points - Reu Defense Tower: 19,000 points ... Lein could only ignore the low-level items disyed on the board. However, he still bought items he didn''t have, such as the Purple Stone, useful for refining weapons to +15 purple level, and the Folew Flower for making high-level healing potions. Chapter 79: Galactic Fortress : Haven Grade Artifact Lein arranged for the board to filter and sort items by the highest price. Immediately, a list of items appeared before him. [Contribution Points Exchange] - Gctic Fortress - Territory Artifact: 80,000,000 (2/5 remaining) - Divine Dragon Nest: 35,000,000 (4/10 remaining) - Epic Chest: 8,000,000 (47/100 remaining) - Soul Essence - Material: 2,000,000 (367/1000 remaining) ... "Crazy, 80 million contribution points? What kind of person can umte that many points?" Lein muttered to himself, seeing the highest-priced item. Moreover, three had already been exchanged, leaving only two remaining. It would be impossible for him to buy the Gctic Fortress given his current rate of earning contribution points, which was only between 500 thousand to 1 million points, with the remaining days of the inter-racial war event. Lein then shifted his gaze to the next item. "Epic chest? Wow... very generous." "Soul Essence? Is this the same item dropped by Bao Ruong earlier?" Lein recalled the purple me dropped by Bao Ruong on battlefield #44. Lein''s eyes widened as he saw each item on the list requiring the most contribution points to exchange. All the items on the list would make any human ruler drool over them and unable to afford them. "It seems I have to act quickly because these items are limited and can disappear at any time," Lein muttered to himself as he saw the numbers indicating the remaining quantities of the items. "Should I use that trick again?" Lein thought to himself. It was certain that he couldn''t buy the Gctic Fortress and the Divine Dragon Nest, so his options were to buy the epic chest and the Soul Essence using contribution points and use his little trick for the rest. The trick he referred to was the duplication (Crystal Core: Immortal) of the Holy Human race. He duplicated it simply by touching it briefly. Soon, all the crystal cores were in his storage bag. Lein immediately walked towards one of the disy cases guarded by a female officer in ck and white clothing. "Excuse me... I would like to see the following items..." Lein immediately mentioned 4 items on the exchange board that he nned to obtain. Yes, obtain, as 2 items would be bought, and the other 2 would be obtained in another way. "Excuse me, sir, may I see your war badge?" asked the female officer with a skeptical look. Even though Lein was a Tier-3 being, not just anyone could see the high-level items Lein mentioned directly. Lein promptly handed over his war badge, which had been upgraded to Gold rank. The female guard was slightly surprised when she saw the gold war badge in Lein''s hand. However, she still examined it, as even a warrior with a gold badge couldn''t collect at least 10,000,000 contribution points in a short time. "Sorry, sir, I was impolite earlier," the female officer apologized sincerely and then walked towards the room behind her. Lein''s contribution points were indeed around 11 million, but with that amount, he got the chance to view high-level items. Some people had done this before, so the female guard didn''t mind. It didn''t take long before the female guard returned with several items in her hands. "Please, take a look, sir." Lein examined the 4 itemsid out by the female guard: 1 gold chest, 1 purple chest, and 2 white papers with many strange writings surrounding them. Lein immediately checked the item status panel on the gold chest. He opened the gold chest and saw a purple me zing inside. (Soul Essence) Energy that contains the power of souls and embodies the pure strength of the universe. Formed from the absorption of natural energies, it bes a potent force within the cosmic ecosystem, pulsating with the harmonious rhythm of the universe. Exactly the same as the description of the purple me dropped by Bao Ruong. Lein''s frustration for not obtaining the item dropped by Bao Ruong was greatly reduced this time because he could buy it. "Excuse me, can you exin to me what the function of this item is?" Lein asked the female officer. The female guard was slightly surprised when Lein asked this because she thought that someone of Lein''s caliber would already know the use of Soul Essence. But not wanting to offend Lein, the female officer exined calmly. "This item is used to break through to the Nascent Soul stage." "The more Soul Essence you use during the breakthrough, the higher the sess rate of reaching the Nascent Soul stage," exined the female guard about the Soul Essence. Lein nodded in understanding, then paused for a moment to think. Then he looked at the next item, a white paper with a picture of a Gctic Fortress on it. The paper emitted a very strong aura, and the strange writings surrounding it made Lein feel that the Gctic Fortress was very intimidating. Curious, he immediately checked the description of the Gctic Fortress. (Gctic Fortress) A tower where countless stars gather, spreading star energy to all corners of the realm. - Type: Territory Artifact - Grade: Heaven - Essence: 176,900 - Ability: (Star Protection), (Star Shot), (Star Breath), (Star Army). (Star Protection) The Gctic Fortress forms a strong shield with star energy protecting the lord''s ind. 100 power essence per day. (Star Shot) The Gctic Fortressunches a beam of star light to attack enemies from a very long distance. 1,000 power essence per shot. (Star Breath) The Gctic Fortress releases star energy to the ind, giving all living beings an EXP gain increase of +20% for one day. 10,000 essence each activation. (Star Army) The Gctic Fortress summons star troops to assist the lord in battle on the lord''s ind. 100 power essence per troop. "Damn... how can such a powerful thing be a war prize?" Lein felt that the Qian race was too generous in giving rewards to the warriors who helped them in the war. Indeed, not all the races that came to help were low-level races like the blue humans, but there were also high-level races. Chapter 80: Complete transaction, Divine Dragon Nest "To hell with that, this is good and beneficial for me," Lein didn''t care about the reasoning. He continued to examine and scrutinize every detail of the Gctic Fortress description. Despite the high Power Essence consumption of the Gctic Fortress, Lein already possessed over 100,000 Power Essence, so operational usage was not a significant issue. [Duplicating (Gctic Fortress) 10,000 times, confirm?] "Yes" Without any trouble, as usual, items very simr to the Gctic Fortress appeared in Lein''s silver spatial ring. "Excuse me... sorry, I''d like to ask how this Gctic Fortress was made?" Lein asked the female attendant behind the counter. Additionally, he was very curious about the origin of this artifact item. Of course, his main goal in asking was to buy time and perform the next duplication once the cooldown of (infinity duplicate) was over, currently, 23 minutes and counting down. The female attendant was already ustomed to Lein''s demeanor, knowing that he was a yer. She then exined the origin of the artifact item. "I don''t know exactly how high-level artifacts are formed, sir, but from what I''ve heard, artifacts are formed by merging an object with Law Stones," exined the female attendant. "Law Stones?" Lein muttered to himself; this was the first time he had heard of something rted tows. "Where can I get Law Stones, and how do I merge them?" Lein asked curiously. "Law Stones can be obtained by fighting cosmic creatures in chaotic space. The appearance of cosmic creatures is unpredictable and can ur in any area of chaotic space," exined the female attendant. "As for how to merge and create artifacts, I''m sorry, I don''t know, sir. Only those with a Nascent Soul cultivation level and above know that," said the female attendant apologetically, having exined everything she knew to Lein. "Not a big deal... thanks..." Lein replied casually, then continued asking random questions to pass the time. "What realm is closest to the Ziyan Light realm?" "Are there any items suitable for a swordsman like me?" "Can I take missions at night?" "What is the cultivation level above Nascent Soul?" "How long has the war with the Lowu race been going on?" ... For about 20 minutes, Lein spent his time asking unrted questions. asionally, Lein would walk to other disys to pass the time while keeping an eye on the four items. Three minutes before the cooldown of (infinity duplicate) ended, Lein examined thest items, namely the (Divine Dragon Nest) and the (Epic Chest). (Divine Dragon Nest) A nest for creatures with divine dragon bloodline. A dream ce for divine dragons to grow and increase their power. - Summoning: 1 dragon every 7 days. - Summoning consumption: 10 high-level crystals - Daily consumption: Number of dragons x 1 high-level crystal. "Damn... just as the name suggests, the consumption is also insane," Lein thought to himself. If other rulers saw the required consumption for the dragon nest, they would surelyment their own poverty. Lein then turned his attention to thest item, a purple chest. This chest looked very luxurious and shiny; Lein was eager to duplicate it. He read the information disyed by the system about the Epic Chest. (Epic Chest) A chest containing items with very high natural energy. A treasure chest desired even by high-realm rulers. "What kind of description is that... it doesn''t match its luxurious and elegant appearance at all," Lein clicked his tongue. Lein then asked about the Epic Chest from the female attendant to buy a little more time. The female attendant exined that Epic Chests were only dropped by cosmic creatures. While asking, Lein kept an eye on the countdown of his duplicate talent cooldown. 00:12 00:08 00:02 done... "Let''s go..." Lein muttered excitedly. He then grabbed the paper with the dragon image on it and activated the duplication talent. [Duplicating (Divine Dragon Nest) 10,000 times, confirm?] "Yes" Huft... Lein let out a long breath... He turned his gaze to the female attendant, who was currently looking at him suspiciously, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. "Sorry, sorry... I haven''t been in the Ziyan Light realm for long," Lein said, giving a nonsensical excuse. "Very well, sir... but my time is limited as I need to attend to other customers," said the female attendant in a tone devoid of emotion and with a forced smile. "Alright... alright... I want to exchange for (Epic Chest) and (Soul Essence)," Lein said hurriedly, fearing the female attendant in front of him would run out of patience. Sure enough, after hearing the items Lein wanted to exchange for, her eyes narrowed sharply, and her lips tightened into a thin line. A deep furrow formed between her brows, showing clear displeasure. But even so, she dared not act too rudely towards Lein, a gold-level warrior. The female attendant then said, "War badge?" while extending her hand. Lein casually handed over his war badge to her. The shop attendant then recorded something behind the counter and carried out some procedures for about a minute. "Alright, sir... you are exchanging (Epic Chest) and (Soul Essence) for a total of 10,000,000 contribution points." "Thank you." The female shop attendant reported Lein''s exchange and then handed over a ck bag containing the Epic Chest and the Gctic Fortress paper to Lein, not forgetting to return his war badge. "Thank you too..." Lein received the ck bag and took back his war badge. "By the way, this is for you." After saying that, Lein handed a bag containing 100 high-level crystals to the female shop attendant. The attendant opened the bag given by Lein. Her expression remained the same as before because she knew that people like Lein, who had be gold-level warriors, often gave extra tips to attendants. "What? Sir, this is too mu...ch..." The attendant''s expression was very shocked, and she intended to call Lein back. But at that moment, Lein was no longer in front of her. Lein was now heading to another disy to spend the remaining contribution points he had. Chapter 81: Dinner with Su Yilings family Lein spent a lot of energy buying various forging materials, alchemy materials, skill books, spiritual wood, spiritual stones, spiritual crystals; he bought one of each type of item. Not only items rted tobat, but Lein also bought items rted to productivity, such as sewing machines, smelting machines, high-quality fabric, spiritual nt seeds, history books, etc. Of course, there were still some items he did not buy because he had already purchased them in every city pavilion he had visited. Another hour passed, and finally, Lein finished shopping. He then left the war building and intended to meet the Su Yiling family. *** At a roadside diner in Longteng City. In a 20 x 30 meter room, many customers were already upying the dining tables inside. At one of the tables, there were six people surrounding a low table without chairs. The five people at the table were sitting opposite a young man in blue clothing. "Young Master Lein, since yourst departure, there has been no sign of the sect people," Su Yiling exined everything that had happened since Lein''s departure. Together with her family, they obediently stayed at an inn in Longteng City. "Good..." Lein said while sipping tea from the table. He was very rxed this time, not worried about facing the sect people behind Li Mei. In fact, Lein was more troubled about whether he would leave the Su Yiling family in Longteng City or take them directly to the Divine Sky realm. If he left them in Longteng City, the sect people could do anything to them. It would be a burden on Lein''s mindter. The other option was to take them to the Divine Sky realm. This option could only be done if he had a Multi-Dimensional Portal. Lein could actually search for a multi-dimensional portal in the Ziyan Light realm, but he didn''t do it because he had an agreement with Elder Wan in the Guandu realm. "Lein, you don''t need to worry about us." "Bringing us this far to Longteng City is already enough," said Su Yiling''s father this time. He sensed Lein''s anxiety and felt they were bing a burden to him. "Yes, Lein... thank you for your help," added Su Yiling''s mother beside her husband. Lein looked at Su Yiling''s parents calmly. Just by looking into their eyes, Lein could feel how troubled their hearts were at that moment. From the first time Su Yiling entered the cultivation world and became a cultivator, they had prepared for a journey full of dangers. Sure enough, the danger came now. After a while, Lein finally took a deep breath and said, "Yes... I have no problem with those people, but it will take a long time before you can enter the Divine Sky realm." After saying that, he then took out a golden sword one meter long. The sword did not emit a holy light at the moment, but the aura it radiated made Su Yiling, even a golden core cultivator, feel slightly pressured. "Miss Su, use this sword for now," Lein said, pushing the golden sword towards Su Yiling. "But brother Lein..." Before she could finish her sentence, Lein raised his hand and said, "No need for formalities, Miss Su, with this sword, I can assist you if anything happens." Su Yiling was silent for a while, then examined the sword in front of her. She held the hilt with her right hand and lifted the sword straight ahead. Woosh... "Very strong and sharp," murmured Su Yiling. She felt her strength increase while holding the golden sword. Su Yiling continued to examine the sword carefully. The more she examined it, the wider the smile on her face. After a while, she finally finished examining the sword and feltfortable with it. She then looked at Lein and thanked him. "Thank you, brother Lein." Lein nodded his head casually. "Alright... let''s continue eating," Lein said to the Su family. His main purpose for meeting the Su family was to give them the golden sword. With the golden sword in their possession, he could easily teleport directly to where they were. Of course, the premise was that the skill (Phantom Exchange: Exchange position with sword) could be activated across realms. "Let''s eat." "Let''s eat." Thus, Su Yiling''s family and Lein ate together. They asionally talked about Su Yiling''s sect life and the state of Futu Vige after Su Yiling left to be a cultivator. Lein also shared about himself, describing the daily life of humans. When Lein told interesting stories about Earth, Su Yiling''s two younger siblings, aged 7 and 10, became very excited. "Brother Lein... I can''t wait to visit where you live." "Yes, me too." The two children were very enthusiastic, even though their mother tried several times to quiet them down. Lein spent about an hour having dinner with Su Yiling''s family. He then bid farewell to the family and headed to the teleportation portal to return to the Divine Sky realm. He missed his sister Nita after the great battle in battlefield #44. The area around the multi-dimensional teleportation portal belonging to the Qian race was still very crowded as usual. Although it was already nighttime, there was no darkness at all becauserge towers in several ces illuminated every corner of the portal area. For some reason, every time Lein saw other races, he felt a bit sad deep in his heart. All this time, they thought that their race, humans, were the highest race with extraordinary intelligence. But seeing countless other beings, they realized they were not so special in this vast universe. "Be patient... everything takes time." "I will make the human race from the Blue famous and feared by all races in the universe," Lein vowed in his heart. With his current power, he could confidently say that he would have no rivals. Even with that top alliance, it wouldn''t take more than a day to destroy them. Lein ignored his wild thoughts and hurried towards one of the portals, returning to the Divine Sky realm. Chapter 82: Teleportation Hub Teleportation Hub, Life City An area asrge as four ser fields, with dozens of portals, each three meters high. Yes, this area is the Teleportation Hub, where portals from various allied inds are connected. There are more than 20 Teleportation Hubs on the World Market Trade alliance ind. Each Teleportation Hub is guarded by the Special Security Forces. Since the Teleportation Hub is one of the ces where outsiders enter the ind, the super towers also monitor it 24/7 without stopping. The main defense of the Teleportation Hub is four ck lightning towers in the middle of the area, and 60 other lightning towers standing firmly around the protective fence of the Teleportation Hub, aligned with the positions of the numbers on a clock. Additionally, there are special army troops led by Tier-2 soldiers at the four main gates that serve as exits from the Teleportation Hub. With such tight security, only a fool would dare to cause trouble. Because it is the destination of portals connecting various allied inds, it is no wonder that the Teleportation Hub is always bustling and never stops operating. At one of the portals, there is a holographic board with a list of the names of allied inds connected to that portal. The text on the holographic board lists all the allied inds essible through this portal, providing clear information to users. Portal Hub Destination: 1. India 2. Night Light 3. America 4. Falling Hell ... Lein did not set specific requirements regarding which alliances or inds could connect to the portal on his ind. ording to Lein, no one knows, perhaps one of the small inds might be a pathway for unexpected items to appear. The main rule is simple: no causing trouble, as the greatest risk is an inter-alliance war. Once again, with the defenses the Teleportation Hub disys, no foolish alliance would ever break that rule. At this moment, the previously still portal suddenly began to show waves rippling back and forth. Slowly, a human figure started to be visible and emerged from the portal calmly. It didn''t stop there, another figure followed behind and emerged slowly. From within the portal, several figures continued to appear one by one. Until the fifth figure came out, the water ripples stopped, and the portal surface returned to its original calm state. "Wow... this is so cool, what they said in the Main Chat was true!" "Yeah, look at that tall tower. Just seeing the lightning sparkle on its tip gives me chills." The group of people observed their surroundings in awe, appearing as if it was their first time visiting Lein''s ind. Their appearance was also very different from Indonesian people; they had blonde hair, white skin, and were over 1.7 meters tall. Yes, the people who had just emerged were Americans, as seen from the g on their white and blue uniforms. "Axel, where are we going? We have one hour before the lecture starts," asked a girl with curly brown hair. Axel was a young man wearing casual ck and white clothes with short blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. He attentively observed the surroundings of the Teleportation Hub area. "This is my first time here, so let''s head to that post over there first," Axel said, pointing to a checkpoint not far from the exit gate. "Yeah, that post looks like a checkpoint." "Let''s go." Axel''s group then walked towards the checkpoint. Calling it a post is actually inurate because the checkpoint has two floors. It is also not small, with a width of more than 30 meters. The size of the checkpoint building is not without reason; even with its current size, the checkpoint has two long queues stretching three meters. Not long after walking and waiting for a few minutes, Axel''s group finally entered the checkpoint building. The room inside the building was filled with white lights, as bright as a mini-market room. Several service robots moved back and forth, approaching visitors entering, then disying arge hologram in front of the visitors. When it was Axel''s turn, one of the robots with a round head and a face full of a ck screen disying an animated face approached Axel. "Wee visitor, I am E-Bot#776, here to assist you." "Detected first-time visitor entering World Market Trade Alliance ind. Please register first." E-Bot#776 then projected a holographic board from within its chest. On the holographic board, there were several fields to fill in and additional information. "This robot is even more advanced than the robots in the President''s Main Hall," Axel muttered as he watched E-Bot#776 skillfully assist him. Name: Age: Ind of Origin: Alliance: ss: ... There were many questions and fields Axel needed to fill out on the holographic board disyed by E-Bot#776. Axel was quite overwhelmed, and weakly scrolled down to fill in the remaining empty fields. Special Requirements: ... Axel observed the question in the field, then casually wrote, "Entering the New Life University." He then moved to the next field without much thought. "Damn, why are there so many fields to fill out?" A young man in a blue fur jacketined impatiently when he saw the empty fields he had to fill out. "Yeah... isn''t this too much?" added a girl with long silver hair. Axel, who was carefully filling out the empty fields, suddenly stopped. He stared at his three friends who were currentlyining, his gaze lingering until his friends noticed his stare. "What''s wrong?" asked the friend in the blue fur jacket with an innocent look. The young man even raised his hands as if what he had done was nothing unusual. "If you keep spouting useless things from your mouth, you''d better go back," Axel said each word clearly. He then diverted his gaze from the young man and nced briefly at the corner of the checkpoint building. On the second floor of the checkpoint building, aputer screen disying continuously running graphics suddenly stopped, and a text that was previously yellow now turned green. Chapter 83: Lein Island Defence "These kids, they don''t know where they are," muttered a woman with a headset on her head. She was tasked with directly monitoring visitors entering the checkpoint building. Although E-Bot#776 could perform its duties skillfully, humans still served as the controllers and supervisors behind it. Five minutes passed and Axel''s group finallypleted their registration. They then left the checkpoint building and hurried towards the exit gate of the Teleportation Hub. "This gate is so big..." Axel muttered to himself. The exit gate of the Teleportation Hub area was indeed enormous, reaching a height of 25 meters, and its thick pirs were one meter wide, made of metallic ck iron. "What''s up with those guards? Their aura is so strong." "Aren''t Tier-2 soldiers not supposed to have such strong auras?" "Yeah, and their guns look very strange too." Axel''s friends behind him also marveled at the grandeur of the exit gate of the Teleportation Hub area. On both sides of the gate pirs, there were two teams of soldiers, each consisting of three people. Axel and his group continued walking and eventually passed through the exit gate calmly. Just as they passed through the gate, they were unaware that a wave of energy passed through their bodies without them realizing it. Axel''s group was now outside the Teleportation Hub area, greeted by the advanced appearance of Life City. The buildings were mostly constructed with strong clear ss, and floating vehicles zoomed quickly above the ck asphalt, with colorful lights at the road edges. Traffic signs continuously disying beautiful animations added a unique charm to the streets. Pedestrians on floating disks asionally glided over the sidewalks, andrge aircraft passed through the sky every few moments. Axel and his friends felt like vigers visiting the city for the first time. "I made the right choice by attending university here. With the level of technology and power disyed by Life City, I''m sure I will achieve my greatest creation," Axel dered firmly in his heart. He opened his current status panel. His gaze scanned through all his attributes and status. His beautiful eyes finally stopped on the talent line, where it was written "Creator SS." "Hehe..." Axelughed happily in his heart, a small smile appearing on his face. "Twuzz... Twuzz..." "Axel,e on, the city bus is here," said the girl with curly brown hair. A three-story bus without wheels stopped right in front of Axel''s group. On the front top of the bus was a round ball with mechanical eyes and a mouth. The round ball could rotate 360 degrees, itsrge metallic eyes continuously scanning the roadside. This round ball was the driver of the driverless city bus. "Let''s go..." Axel and his group immediately boarded the bus and looked for empty seats to sit. "Wee to city bus #Patimura. We will depart in 10 seconds." "Please hold on and keep the bus area clean." "8... 7... 3... 2... 1" "Shahh..." The three-story bus moved very quickly, and within seconds, it was far down the road. *** Underground room, right below the main City Hall of Life City. Far underground beneath the City Hall of Life City, there was a 10-story building, with each floor having an area of over 500 square meters. Each floor was connected by stairs crossing between the floors, but there was also arge elevator that served as the main transportation between floors. In one of the rooms on the 7th floor, there was a roombeled "Teleportation Hub Monitoring Division #1" on the door. Inside the room, there were two people with silver helmets sitting with their eyes closed. The silver helmets had several ck rods that seemed to be electrically charged. "North Gate, Axel level 1%." "North Gate, Olivia level 7%." ... The two people with helmets on their heads reported several sentences every few moments. Afterward, the officer on duty not far from them recorded all the information on the holographicputer in front of them. The information reported by the two helmeted individuals was the danger level they sensed when people passed through one of the four main gates at each Teleportation Hub. Such monitoring did not only ur at Teleportation Hub #1 in Life City. Teleportation Hubs in Laras and Old Man Haikal''s city also did the same. Outsiders might think they could carry out a surprise attack right when they teleported to Lein''s ind. Fortunately, no one had ever attempted such a foolish action since the establishment of Lein''s ind. If they did, with the full surveince of Life City from the moment they exited the portal and passed through the gate, they would be frozen and detained before causing any disturbances. In fact, monitoring was not only happening on Lein''s side, but on the other side of the portals from other rulers connected to the portals on Lein''s ind, there were also officers monitoring, though not as strictly and not directly. Monitoring from the teleportation portal side was just one of the defense fortifications of Lein''s ind. If someone wanted tounch a direct attack from the ind, it was even more impossible because of theyered security, starting from patrol teams monitoring areas within a 10 km radius, 60 small fortresses at a distance of 100 km, 4 main fortresses within a 10 km distance, a transparent shield with a defense point of more than 10,000,000, and hundreds of long-range defense towers that would wee them with open arms if they dared to attack. *** Bamboo ssroom #100A, 18th Floor, New Life University The ssroom atmosphere was very peaceful at the moment, as a middle-aged woman was exining physics material at the front of the ss. The woman at the front was drawing a coordinate line and forming a symmetric curve, then she created a bar diagram within the area of the symmetric curve. "With this form," she said with a smile, "we can understand how potential energy changes in a gravitational field." The students were paying close attention, some of them taking notes in their books. Chapter 84: Rector Skills: Simulation Room A female student in the front row raised her hand. "Yes, Rina?" The middle-aged woman turned to the girl who had raised her hand. "How does this diagram rte to the speed of a freely falling object?" Rina asked. "That''s a good question," the middle-aged woman replied. "This diagram helps us understand how potential energy is converted into kic energy as an object falls. When the object is at the peak of this parab, its potential energy is at its maximum. As it falls, its potential energy decreases and is converted into kic energy." The middle-aged woman exined carefully to each student who asked a question. She had a strong passion for teaching. Initially, she was very worried about not having a ce where she could teach and her skills being needed. But now, she could even earn a significant amount of energy crystals for her family. Yes, the material they were discussing was still the same physics material from Earth. This understanding was necessary so that the students would have a strong fundamental grasp and could easily understand the new physics concepts that had adapted to the rules and concepts of the Divine Sky Realm. "Nita, I really don''t understand what the professor is exining," Na quietlyined as she took notes next to Nita. In high school, Na didn''t take her studies seriously. She only attended sses to meet graduation requirements without any serious interest in learning. As a child from a lower-middle-ss family, her goal in attending school was merely to get a diploma and apply for a job. "Just write it down for now. We can study it again at hometer," replied Nita, who was used to hearing Na''sints. Nita was diligently taking notes on what the female professor was writing at the front of the ss. Her handwriting and note organization showed that she was a diligent student and among the top in the school. All the points exined by the professor were written neatly and grouped by type. Additionally, her handwriting was beautiful and easy to read. "Kic energy is..." Na muttered, struggling to write. She seemed to be having a hard time. "Sister Na, what''s wrong with you?" asked Walter, who was sitting not far from them, looking at Na curiously. "What''s wrong?" Na stopped writing and red at Walter with annoyed eyes. For some reason, Walter''s presence really bothered her, making it hard for her to focus. "Ah, never mind, sorry," Walter felt it was not the right time to disturb the "tigress." Nita silently observed the frequent squabbles between the two from the beginning of the term until now. "Alright, it''s time for a demonstration. We only have 10 minutes left," said the middle-aged female professor as she walked to her desk. She did something on herptop, and soon after, the round ball in the middle of the ssroom stage started spinning. The ssroom windows suddenly turned ck, and the lights went out. "Is it dark? Are we going to watch a movie?" joked a male student. "Why not just send the video?" protested another. "Be quiet! Even if you met a scientist in person, with that mindset, you would never understand," retorted another student. The noise didn''tst long as the ssroom suddenly transformed into a white room with nothing in it. All the students floated as if they were in space. "Ahh... uh... I''m dizzy,"ined a girl trying to control her floating body. "Hmp..." another girl said casually. This girl wore a long, flowing skirt and had wavy brown hair with a purple ribbon, making her look very beautiful. She managed to stand steadily in the current room conditions. "Princess Ema... how do you do it?" asked Eve, who had been apanying Ema all this time, from the side. She was spinning and struggling to stabilize her position. "Move aside... shark attack!" a loud shout came from a distance. The voice was getting closer. A young man was quickly swimming in a frog style. Just by hearing his silly voice, the other students knew the owner of the voice was Walter. Walter, who was moving quickly, suddenly lost control. He tried to spread his arms to slow down. Unfortunately, it was toote. He crashed into Ema from behind. "Ouch..." Ema was shocked and lost her bnce. "Idiot!" Ema yelled. White light surrounded her fist. Without thinking, she threw a punch at Walter''s shoulder. "Boom..." "Ugh..." Walter was sent flying more than 20 meters, floating helplessly. "Take that, you deserved it," Ema smiled in satisfaction seeing Walter fly far away and in a miserable state. Walter floated helplessly, regaining his strength. The purple light surrounding his body now dimmed. "Ugh... you surprised me, Princess Ema," Walter said casually. He ruffled his hair and then looked around for his friends. When he saw them, he resumed the frog-style swimming he did earlier. Yes, he was just acting. He wasn''t foolish enough to take Ema''s punch without protection. "Haha, sorry, sorry. This room is so fun," Walter tried to exin himself. Nita and Na didn''t pay much attention to Walter''s antics. Their ancestors'' proverb said that "there''s a cure for illness, but there''s no cure for habitual behavior." "Everyone, we''ve already used up 5 minutes. Do you want to spend the remaining 5 minutes ying around?" asked the middle-aged female professor, observing everything her students were doing. She didn''t feel obligated to take harsh measures against them and didn''t want to offend any of them. "Sorry, Ma''am. We''ll be quiet." "Yes, let''s continue, Ma''am." Almost all the students in the ss agreed to continue and pay attention. The female professor then exined that this room was called a simtion room. "This simtion room is the effect of the rector''s skill that can create a space for simtions for a certain period. So, your time in the simtion room is very valuable and limited, so don''t waste it," she exined, ensuring all the students understood. "Alright, next we will continue with the material. Please pay close attention." The professor then extended her hands and made a motion as if pulling something from below. Immediately, arge 3D hologram of a cannon appeared from the empty space. The cannon looked simple, with a base diameter of 1 meter and a length of 1.5 meters. Chapter 85: Campus finishes, return home "Watch closely, I will activate this cannon in a moment. Try to observe the projectile thates out and the forces acting on it," said the professor. "Alright, Ma''am." "Ready, Ma''am." The professor then gave the activation signal to the cannon. "Boom..." The cannonball quickly shot out from the muzzle, soaring upwards with great force and speed. The female professor then made a hand gesture, gathering something from the empty air and pushing it down. "Ah..." "We''re moving..." The students'' bodies were suddenly lifted upwards at high speed, moving at the same speed as the cannonball. "Wow... has time slowed down?" "Yes, it seems so, but our movements are still normal." All the students could see the slow motion of the cannonball, the wind being split by it, and the friction between the projectile and the air. They could observe all these details up close. Unlike watching a video, seeing it firsthand with their own eyes was truly amazing. "You see, initially the projectile has a force of 450,000 joules. When this 10 kg projectile is shot upwards, it will increasingly lose its initial force due to gravity and air resistance in a certain space," exined the middle-aged female professor. "Pay close attention to how much force the projectile loses every few meters." The middle-aged female professor continued to exin everything that happened to and was experienced by the cannonball as it was shot upwards. She kept exining until the highest point the projectile could reach, where its force eventually became zero. Even as the projectile fell, the middle-aged female professor kept exining with all her heart, ensuring that all the students understood what force, gravity, speed, etc., were. However, during her exnation, the environment suddenly shifted back to the ssroom setting. All the students were still seated in their ces. The previously dark ssroom was now bright again, and the round ball in the center had stopped spinning and dimmed. "Alright, thank you all for attending our first ss. See you next week," said the middle-aged female professor while packing up her equipment. "Thank you, Ma''am." "Thank you." Ema, who was in the middle of the ssroom seating area, stared sharply at Walter, very annoyed that he had caused all themotion earlier. "If only this idiot hadn''t acted up," said Ema, clenching her fists. "Princess, don''t think about it," said Evan, trying to calm her down beside her. Meanwhile, at the front, Nita had already finished packing up her things. Na was also ready. "Let''s go home," Nita said to Na, a bit hurriedly. "What? Going home already?" Na asked, surprised. "Yes, let''s not dy any longer..." They quickly passed through the rows of seats and walked out of the ssroom. All the other students were also packing up their things and getting ready to leave. Walter, who was currently reading a chat panel in front of him, was no exception. - (Hilman): How was your lecture, son? - (Walter): Pretty good... what''s up? - (Hilman): Come home immediately, the scouting team found a goblin ind of 3 km in size. Reading about the goblins his father mentioned, a wide smile appeared on Walter''s face. "Treasure again, I hope there''s a light gem," Walter said hopefully. ___ After ss ended, Nita and Na immediately left the ssroom. They walked quickly down the crowded corridor. Every few moments, Nita and Na passed by groups of students who were about to enter the ss. The campus system at New Life University didn''t have long lecture hours, only about 2 hours. This was because the material taught was the main subject ording to their major. Besides, if one wanted to be a researcher, following a regr campus program was the wrong choice. Nita and Na walked down the ssroom corridor for a few minutes, then entered one of the open elevators. Inside the elevator, Nita observed Na, who was daydreaming with a nk stare. "What did you think of the professor''s exnation earlier, Nay?" Nita asked casually. "Hahaha... yeah, the exnation was good," Na replied with a thin smile. Her mind was still thinking about the material that had been exined earlier. She was still doubting herself, wondering why she couldn''t understand any of the material exined by the professor. "It''s okay, it''s normal for the first day of school," Nita said, trying to reassure Na. After passing through various campus areas for a while, they finally arrived at the parking lot. Na rummaged through her bag to find her car keys, while Nita looked around, trying to remember where they had parked their car that morning. "Ah, there it is," Nita said, pointing to their blue sedan parked in the corner of the lot. They hurried toward the car. From the appearance of Nita''s car, even someone who didn''t know about cars could tell it was very expensive. Its design was sleek with beautiful curves. Additionally, the car hovered 10 cm above the ground, with a bright blue light glowing from underneath. After opening the door, they both got into the car and fastened their seatbelts. Na took the driver''s seat while Nita sat next to her. Na started the engine, and the smooth sound of the engine was heard. They immediately drove out of the campus parking lot. The city streets were quite busy with heavy traffic. Na drove carefully, paying attention to every traffic light and vehicle around her. Meanwhile, Nita opened the window and felt the refreshing breeze. "Ah... so refreshing." "So beautiful..." Nita inhaled the fresh, pollution-free air with a peaceful expression. The futuristic city atmosphere, with technology at every corner, further enhanced the beauty of the City of Life. Flying cars and objects whizzed through the air, flying buses hovered calmly, and magnificent skyscrapers stood tall everywhere. Blue holograms were seen all around, providing information and entertainment to the city''s residents. "In less than a month, the city that my brother and I built has grown this big," Nita murmured as she looked at the buildings along the road. "What will it be like in a year?" Nita asked with great hope. "It will definitely be a hundred... no, a thousand times more advanced than its current state, Nit," said Na from the driver''s seat. "Yeah... I hope so." With that, Nita and Na navigated through the city to return to the main City Hall. Chapter 86: Message from Wiko Suryo - Indonesia Alliance After approximately 30 minutes, Nita and Na finally entered the City Hall area. The City Hall area is surrounded by walls covering 15 square kilometers. There is only one entrance gate, which is tightly guarded by soldiers. The walls are equipped with medium-sizedser towers that continuously monitor the surroundings. Additionally, a small transparent sphere acts as the firstyer of air protection, encircling the City Hall area. The City Hall area itself is filled with important buildings such as the City Hall building, the Alliance building, the Government building, and several supporting buildings like high-ss residential areas, public parks, and more. Nita''s flying car passed through the City Hall gate without hindrance, and all the guarding soldiers saluted. "Nit, by the way, what''s the rush to go home and directly to the house?" Na asked, recalling that it was unusual for Nita to stay at home. She usually would take her around and explore the entire ind area. "I received a message from President Wiko." "The Indonesian Alliance and several allied alliances want to hold a special meeting with our alliance," Nita exined. During the previous ss, Nita received a personal message directly from Wiko Suryo. He wanted to discuss cooperation and the formation of a broader organization. In her mind, Nita understood that most likely the Indonesian alliance and its allies did not join the Human Unity Organization formed by America. Either because they had personal issues or the conditions for joining were quite difficult. "Well... are we going to form a simr organization too?" Na asked after hearing Nita''s exnation. Nita thought for a moment and then said, "Most likely, we won''t form an organization." "Even without forming an organization, who can threaten us?" Nita asked casually to Na beside her. Na could only smile faintly. What Nita said was indeed true. After reading several reports about the development of other major alliances, there was not even a one percent chance they could pose a threat to the World Market Trade alliance. "That''s true... Our alliance has established branches in almost 80% of the major alliances," Na said with admiration. Until now, she still felt that the development of Lein Ind was too rapid. Even the high-ranking officials on Earth, with many connections and knowledge, could not maintain their number one position for several days. Nita and Na passed through the streets of the City Hall area for a while and finally reached the government building. They parked their car and hurried towards the government building. The government building is a 12-story structure supported by 124rge pirs at the front. The building is over 1 km wide. Arge water statue stood firmly in the middle of the garden in front of the government building. Just like other important ces, every area and point in the government building area is monitored by special soldiers. The government building itself is a ce established for city officials to discuss important issues. The City of Life is currently formed by nine districts or nine sections. Each section is led by a city official. If there are important needs and meetings, they will be held in the government building. "Wee, Princess Nita." "Wee, Princess Na." The male guard at the entrance of the building greeted Nita and Na as they arrived. The guard wore a ck suit, sunsses, and advanced earphones in his ears. Not to forget, a red badge with a ck Garuda logo hung on his left chest. The guard was taller than the golden-ranked soldiers leading small teams and patrolling outside the ind. "Hello, good morning," Nita casually responded to the guard. Nita was known for being friendly and not overly concerned with social status, but still within reasonable limits. Soon, Nita and Na passed through the entrance and entered the building. The grand appearance of the building weed them. A cube-shaped hologram was in the center of the 50-meter-wide room. The hologram disyed important information about what was happening in the city, the schedule of activities, city developments, and other administrative information. The doors of the room were adorned with aesthetic statues of mythological animals and beautifulndscape paintings. The ceiling was full of white lights illuminating the entire space. "Have they responded?" While walking towards the elevator, Nita asked Na. "Yes, they said they would arrive soon," Na replied, then continued. "I also received a reply from Mr. Gudi, he said he would be here shortly." Nita nodded in understanding. They then entered the elevator to prepare on the 12th floor for the meeting that would take ce in an hour. *** Indonesian Alliance Ind, Teleportation Area A group of people was discussing not far from the 2-meter-tall blue portal. The group consisted of four groups, each with at least five to ten people. The most dominant group was led by a middle-aged man in a blue and gold robe. The man had ck hair and an eagle on his shoulder. This man was the current leader of the Indonesian Alliance, Wiko Suryo. "What''s going on with Mr. Tarno? Does he not take this meeting seriously?" Wiko Suryo said in an annoyed tone. He did not hide his displeased face and was straightforward. "Let''s wait a little longer, Mr. Wiko. Mr. Tarno seems to have a little problem," said a woman with red bangs. She was sitting on a floating sofa, rxed with her right leg lifted over her left thigh, making her body asfortable as possible. This woman had smooth and attractive facial features, and her graceful curves and hands would captivate anyone. This woman was the leader of one of the top 20 alliances, Dewi Anjani, leader of the White Dove Alliance. Although called the top 20, this was just a simple statistic based on ind size, ind development, the number, and the strength of the rulers within the alliance. "Hmp... I hope hees within 10 minutes. If not, let it be. We''ll go," Wiko Suryo said firmly. "Hahaha... Mr. Wiko as usual, very impatient," said a young man with loudughter, wearing ck sses. Chapter 87: Wiko Suryos group arrives at Lein island This young man was the leader of thest group, Dika Mahendra, leader of the Heavenly Voice Alliance. His alliance was not very famous among the higher ranks, but within the slightly lower scope, the Heavenly Voice Alliance was a core yer. "Sorry, sorry... I''mte." A voice came from within the portal. Not long after, an old man with a colorful long hat appeared. He walked out of the portal, then lifted his hat and bowed in apology. "I had a little trouble earlier. I''ll be here earlier next time," the old man said. The old man with the long hat was the leader of the Falling Sky Alliance, Tarno. His power was not weaker than the Heavenly Voice Alliance. "Stop with your antics, hurry up and get ready," Wiko''s voice still sounded unpleasant as before. Soon, several others appeared from within the portal. They were followers of the old man with the long hat. After all the followers of the old man Tarno came out of the portal, Wiko Suryo had a light discussion with the other three leaders. Then, they entered the portal together, heading to the main ind of the Lein''s World Market Trade Alliance. ___ At the same time on Lein Ind, in the Teleportation Hub area, Wiko Suryo''s group emerged from within the portal located in one area of the hub. "Wow... how can an ind develop this fast," Wiko Suryo said in amazement. This was his first visit to Lein Ind. Previously, he had only seen it from the media and the reports he read every day. He did not expect the ind to be so advanced. "Wow... it''s veryfortable here," Dewi Anjani said, floating freely on the sofa below her. "Incredible, no wonder Mr. Lein''s ind has be one of thergest among the rulers," said Mr. Tarno while observing the entire Teleportation Hub area. "Look at that tower, it''s so tall, its status is terrifying," said Dika, looking at the ck lightning tower in the middle of the Teleportation Hub. (Divine Tower: ck Lightning) - Type: Defense Tower - Attack: 1,000,000/hit - Defense: 1,000,000 - Skill: (Single target) Monitors the area within a 10 km radius, detects creatures designated as destroyers, and issues 5 direct attacks. (Multi-target) Can attack 10,000 targets simultaneously with 50% attack energy. "Damn... where did he get this tower?" Wiko Suryo and the others also saw the status of the Divine Tower - ck Lightning. "Wouldn''t we die instantly with just one hit?" Wiko Suryo muttered in horror. The followers behind them also showed faces of awe with a slight sense of dread in their hearts. They observed other people from various alliances and ces who seemed very ustomed to obediently exiting the portal and heading to the inspection building near the gate. Wiko Suryo, while observing the surroundings, saw a man in a ck suit approaching them. "Mr. Wiko? I am Rimon, and I will guide you to the city hall," said the man in the ck suit and sunsses. Wiko Suryo scrutinized the man in front of him. [Status] - Name: Rimon - Race: Blue Human - Power Core: System - Rank: Tier-2 "Yes, we are from the Indonesian alliance." Wiko Suryo exined with a slightly respectful tone. Not only because the man in front of him was a Tier-2 soldier, but also because the shiny white badge on his chest with the number #6 indicated his high position. Wiko exined the members of his alliance to Rimon clearly. He mentioned everyone in his group so that Rimon understood and did not cause any suspicion. "Alright, Mr. Wiko, please follow me," Rimon then turned and led Wiko Suryo''s group to the inspection building. Yes, even though they were alliance leaders, there was no difference. The only difference was perhaps that they were served immediately without having to queue. Soon, Wiko Suryo''s group entered the inspection building and filled out the forms as usual for first-time visitors to Lein Ind. The inspection and registration took 5 minutes, and then Rimon led them through the north gate. "Damn... each one of them is Tier-2, and their aura is very strong," said Old Man Tarno to himself, looking at the soldiers on guard. Rimon and Wiko''s group passed through the gate. The group may not realize that a wave passed through their bodies as they passed through the gate. Far underground, the main monitoring center of Lein Ind was in operation, analyzing the data of Wiko''s group. "North Gate, Wiko Suryo level 34%." "North Gate, Dewi Anjani level 27%." "North Gate, Tarno level 23%." "North Gate, Dika Mahendra level 25%." ... An officer wearing a silver helmet reported firmly. The helmet on his head had metal rods with tiny electric hairs around them. "What? That high?" The officer at the desk in the room asked in surprise upon hearing the report. He then searched the data of Wiko''s group on the advancedputer in front of him. He wanted to check the data from the first inspection carried out during the initial registration process. "Yellow?" the officer muttered in slight disbelief. Yes, he recognized Wiko Suryo''s group. As an officer working in the government of Life City, he certainly had some knowledge of the alliances of the rulers. He did not expect the Indonesian alliance, his ce of origin on Earth, to have a leader with bad intentions towards the World Market Trade alliance. Soon, the officer sent a message directly to Na and also provided the information to his superiors. At the same time, Ramon, who was in the official city vehicle with Wiko Suryo''s group, received a report from the officer underground. He only nced at it briefly but did not react further. He had to continue performing his assigned duties. Shortly afterward, a private message with the number one priority order appeared on themunication device in his hand. - (Princess Nita) keep monitoring, increase the escort The man read the order carefully, then replied with "understood." Ramon then sent a message to another division, "25 more units, nest troops standby mode, ready forbat." Chapter 88: Alliance meeting begins Shortly after sending the message, 25 flyingbat vehicles arrived from behind, joining the official vehicle convoy. A total of 28bat vehicles were now escorting Wiko''s group. "Mr. Wiko, I feel something is off," Dewi Anjani sent a message to Wiko Suryo in front of her. "Yes, I feel the same. Has our n been discovered?" Wiko Suryo replied, while continuing to observe the surroundings. With no option to retreat, Wiko Suryo and his group could only stay firm and keep following. The increase in the escort for the official vehicle carrying Wiko''s group became a hot topic among the residents around. "Who''sing?" "Are the princesses from other alliancesing?" "Impossible, it must be more important than that little princess." Public discussion as usual, they were curious about the officials. There were even some floating robots from various television stations covering the convoy of Suryo''s group. "Viewers, reporting live from the central district." "Our city is receiving other important guests this time. It is reported that the arriving guests are top alliance leaders." ... Not much different from Earth, the mass media always reported information only to care about view counts without rechecking the quality of the information they conveyed. Wiko Suryo''s group and the others continued to pass through the metropolis of Life City without hindrance. asionally, the police on duty on the street would block the road for the convoy. They saluted Ramon, who led the convoy. It didn''t take long before the convoy finally entered the city hall area. Their speed slowed, and a guard opened arge portal, allowing the convoy to enter. "Please proceed, Mr. Ramon." "Yes, Mr. Ramon." Four portal guards raised their hands and saluted Ramon inside the official vehicle. Ramon nodded his head casually. The group continued to explore the city hall area until they finally arrived at a magnificent 12-story government building supported by 124 sturdy pirs. In front of the building, a guard opened the car door and saluted Rimon, who was already waiting. "Mr. Wiko, we have arrived." "Princess Nita is waiting on the 8th floor. Please follow me," invited Rimon in a friendly tone, then led them to the entrance. "Damn... I still can''t believe Mr. Lein is also human," whispered the old man Tarno quietly. "Yes, indeed, even the American alliance isn''t as advanced andrge as this," Dewi Anjani chimed in, agreeing. She admired every corner of the government building with great awe. The guest group soon passed through the entrance and headed straight to the elevator to the 8th floor, the guest meeting area. Nita, Na, and others had been waiting for a few minutes. In the elevator, Wiko Suryo felt uneasy; he appeared slightly nervous but tried to stay calm. Ting... The elevator doors opened. Rimon exited first, followed by Wiko''s group. The floor they were on had an office design with blurred ss walls, beautiful flowers in the corners, and artistic paintings and sculptures. Rimon led the way, guiding Wiko''s group. They passed several rooms with people working at theirputers. "What? Assistant robots are everywhere!" Dewi Anjani whispered quietly. She saw several servant robots walking along the corridor, carrying trays, cleaning tools, and other items. The robots were very friendly, stopping when someone was nearby, then continuing their journey once the person moved away. "Mr. Wiko, everyone, we have arrived." Rimon opened a door on the left. Inside, several people were already waiting. "Thank you, Mr. Rimon," said Wiko Suryo, then walked into the room, followed by Dewi Anjani, Old Man Tarno, and Dika Mahendra. Their guards waited outside with Rimon. "Hello everyone... Good afternoon" Wiko Suryo greeted everyone in the room. Seven people were already seated there. At the end of the table sat Nita, with Na on her right and a muscr man on her left. Next to the muscr man was arge golden hammer standing beside him. The other five people sat on the left side of the table; they were the district leaders of Life City. There were supposed to be nine, but not all could attend. "Wee, Mr. Wiko andpany. Please, have a seat," Nita at the end of the table stood up, inviting the guests to sit. Wiko Suryo and his group sat down. They felt nervous and worried. Their appearance showed helplessness, as if being scolded by parents without being able to retaliate. They looked at the status of Nita and the muscr man beside her. "A Tier-3 soldier? Crazy..." Wiko Suryo muttered to himself. [Status] - Name: Cute Cat - Race: Human from Blue - Power Core: System - Rank: Tier-3 [Status] - Name: Gusti Indra - Race: Human from Blue - Power Core: System - Rank: Tier-3 The man beside Nita was one of the 10 core members of the World Market Trade Alliance. As a core member, he received special treatment from Lein. Besides being a Tier-3 soldier, he also had a Vortex te sent by Lein. "Ahem... First, I would like to thank Princess Nita, Mr. Gusti, and the other gentlemen for agreeing to this special meeting," Wiko Suryo opened the conversation. "I did not expect the development of Life City to be so rapid and have reached this level," he continued. "This time, I am apanied by the leader of the White Dove Alliance, Dewi Anjani," he went on to introduce the three other alliance leaders. Nita observed the appearance of the four leaders of Wiko Suryo''s group attentively. The first time she heard that Wiko Suryo''s group had a hatred level 20% higher when passing through the check at the Teleportation Hub, she was quite angry. How could the leader of the Indonesian alliance, their ce of origin, harbor hatred towards her ind and her brother? Nita''s eyes passed over each member of Wiko Suryo''s group. However, this time she suddenly stopped, a message appeared on her system chat panel, a message from Na. - (Na): Their hatred level has decreased to 3% now, Princess. "Hm... what''s going on with these people?" Nita muttered. Chapter 89: Gusti takes action She actually had a small guess why their hatred value suddenly changed. Most likely, they abandoned their bad intentions when they saw the power that Nita and Gusti disyed. However, what still puzzled Nita was, why did they hate the World Market Trade Alliance? They had made small coborations several times, and the World Market Trade Alliance had even established more than 30 branches in the Indonesian alliance. "I''ll get straight to the point, Princess Nita, our purpose here is to form a cooperation organization with you," Wiko Suryo stated their main objective directly after a few opening words. "Hmmm... what kind of organization do you mean, Mr. Wiko?" Nita asked curiously. She did not feel that the World Market Trade Alliance would benefit from forming a cooperation with the Indonesian alliance. "I understand your concern, Princess. At the moment, we indeed do not have a significant effect on the World Market Trade Alliance." "But we, the Indonesian alliance, have a poption of more than 8 million," Wiko Suryo said with a bit of pride. As a former president on Earth, he was indeed trusted by many people, almost the majority of Indonesian society. "Yes, and so what?" Nita replied with curiosity. The World Market Trade Alliance currently had a poption of over 50 million rulers, with 30 million of them being permanent rulers on Lein Ind. "As I said before, we do not have a significant impact at the moment. But has Princess Nita ever heard about the emperor throne contest?" Wiko Suryo said with a small smile. "When visiting one of the yers'' realms, I was fortunate to obtain information about the next event that will be released by the system," Wiko Suryo exined. From Wiko Suryo''s exnation, the emperor throne contest is an event where rulerspete for the position of emperor and be the ruler of a realm. The benefits of bing an emperor are unimaginable; it is said that one can be immortal within 10 years after bing an emperor. The emperor throne contest highly values the worth of living beings of a certain race in a realm. To be an emperor, the ruler must prioritize the lives of their citizens. The more votes a ruler receives from other rulers, the higher the chances of that person bing the emperor. "Well, princess, if we form an alliance now and start preparing, we will help Mr. Lein to be the emperor of the Divine Sky realm," Wiko Suryo stated his goal with a broad smile. As a president elected through a democratic system, he understood well that the voice of the people is paramount. Even if you are wealthy and have abundant riches, if you cannot win the hearts of the people, no one will elect you as president when the timees. Nita listened to all of Wiko Suryo''s exnations. She had indeed heard about the emperor throne contest before. A shopkeeper had told her that all races must unite, in line with what Wiko Suryo was saying. "Mr. Wiko, is the information you provided valid?" Gusti, who had been silent all this time, suddenly asked. "Yes, of course, Mr. Gusti... The person who told me is a city lord. His words can certainly be trusted," Wiko Suryo replied confidently. "Mr. Wiko, why did you not join the Human Unity Organization?" a district leader asked. "I did not join because the requirements were outrageous and inhumane..." ... The district leaders and Wiko Suryo''s group engaged in a light discussion for a while. As district leaders, they spent most of their time managing their areas, so they had plenty of questions. Moreover, they were more experienced in cooperation between two organizations back on Earth. Nita was quite surprised by the district leaders'' questions because they were so detailed. Twenty-five minutes passed after a lengthy discussion. "Mr. Wiko, we cannot form any organization." "If you indeed want to help Mr. Lein be the emperor, then join the World Market Trade Alliance." Nita did not give a vague answer; she directly stated her decision. Of course, a while ago she had asked Lein, and the result was no need to form an alliance. "Impossible?" Wiko Suryo said softly... He had expected this answer earlier. But somehow, he felt very displeased at this moment. Wiko Suryo showed an unhappy expression, then stood up and said, "What''s the matter, princess? Does the World Market Trade Alliance not care about us lower-level alliances?" Wiko Suryo asked impatiently. "No specific reason, as I said earlier, join the World Market Trade Alliance if you want to cooperate," Nita replied calmly, standing firm in her stance. "Mr. Wiko, watch your manners. You are in the World Market Trade Alliance area now," Gusti was ready and held his golden hammer in his hand. Wiko Suryo ignored Gusti, his gaze still fixed on Nita. "Will you not reconsider?" Wiko Suryo asked with difficulty. Without waiting for Nita to reply, arge hammer was already flying towards his head. Boom... Crash... Chaos... The meeting room was destroyed, and everyone had activated their devices, all glowing purple. "Troops... emergency, evacuate immediately." "Troops... emergency, evacuate immediately." The voices of military officers were heard. The danger rm was also sounding, signaling something dangerous, urging everyone to save themselves. Back to the situation of Nita and Wiko Suryo''s group. They were no longer in the room, having all jumped out. "Haha... Mr. Wiko, you acted without warning," Mr. Tarno''sughter was heard. The hat on his head was spinning with colorful papers. "Hmm... hmm..." Dewi Anjani was currently flying quite high in the air. Meanwhile, Dika Mahendra had drawn his weapon, arge Harp about 2 meters tall. "Princess Nita, you leave me no choice now," Wiko Suryo shouted fiercely. His body was no longer human, but more like a bird-man with golden feathers. The golden feathers fluttered around him, the gleam indicating their sharpness. "Hmm..." Nita in the distance showed an unpleasant expression. She brushed off the dust from her body and stood up. "Mr. Gusti!!!" "You destroyed the building!!!" Nita shouted, looking at Mr. Gusti standing tall, raising the golden hammer in his hand arrogantly. Chapter 90: Hot News "Eh... what''s the matter, princess? This man was rude to you," Gusti had many question marks over his head. "No!!! You won''t be paid this week," Nita said harshly, then turned her gaze to Wiko Suryo''s group casually. "Mr. Wiko..." "I don''t know why your brain suddenly stopped working a while ago." "As an Indonesian citizen, it would bemendable if I killed you now. So the Indonesian people under your leadership won''t die in vain," Nita said loudly. Just as she finished speaking, a terrifying rumble was heard. Wiko Suryo now felt as if time slowed down. He felt a great force gathering above his head. Sure enough, a lightning ball was forming rapidly. "Damn, it must be that lightning tower," Wiko Suryo muttered. Zap...zzz... Terrifying ck lightning struck Wiko Suryo, who was covered in golden feathers. But to no avail, the golden feathers could not withstand even a bit of the ck lightning''s energy. "What? Already dead?" Gusti looked at where Wiko Suryo had been. There was nothing but burn marks caused by the ck lightning. "Impossible!!!" Dewi Anjani stared at the ckened spot where Wiko Suryo had been with disbelief. She then immediately activated the teleportation charm in her hand. "What?? Can''t?" Dewi Anjani screamed in her heart. She had activated the teleportation charm, but nothing happened. "This ce is sealed!" Terror washed over Dewi Anjani. Not only Dewi Anjani, but Mr. Tarno and Dika with the halberd also felt terror at this moment. "Stupid Wiko, we had agreed earlier that we would cancel the attack n," Mr. Tarno muttered unhappily. "You, tell me where that fool Wiko Suryo went?" Nita looked at Dewi Anjani and the others with a questioning look. "Sorry princess, we don''t understand what you mean," Dewi Anjani asked with confusion and fear. The girl in front of her was terrifying; she even took down Wiko Suryo with one full st from the ck tower. "Yes princess, isn''t Wiko Suryo already dead?" Dika Mahendra added. Nita saw that they did not seem to be lying. "Alright, I will give you a choice," Nita said loudly. "One, join the World Market Trade Alliance, or pay a fine of 80% of your alliance''s wealth?" Nita said casually. She knew that the people in front of her could not pose any threat to her. Moreover, they were just following Wiko Suryo and were not the main culprits. Instead of killing them, it was better to make them join the alliance and utilize them for the alliance''s development. "We will join, princess..." Dewi Anjani was the first to speak, saying it gratefully. Earlier she thought she would die today. "I will join, princess." "I will too, princess." Dika and Mr. Tarno agreed; it was a blessing they were still alive at this moment. "Alright... Mr. Rimon, take care of them," Nita said to Rimon, who was currently at the front line of the soldiers lined up not far from the front of the government building. "Yes, princess..." Rimon promptly walked over and led Dewi Anjani and the others to handle the next administrative matters. "Mr. Gusti, you know what you need to do, right?" Nita looked at Gusti Indra with a meaningful smile. "Uh-huh... alright princess, I will find that fool in a few hours," Gusti said confidently. "No!!" Nita said angrily. "What now, princess?" Gusti asked with a serious look, not understanding what was wrong with his answer. "Don''t go alone! Go with Hana," Nita said angrily, then immediately turned around, no longer paying attention to Mr. Gusti. Gusti still stood in ce, thinking hard, still not understanding why he had to go with Hana. "Uhum... Mr. Gusti," Na approached Mr. Gusti. "Excuse me, Mr. Gusti, here are your next tasks. Good luck," Na handed over a piece of paper with several lines of instructions on it. Gusti took it and read briefly. 1. Contact Sister Laras for a meeting 2. Use an advanced battleship 3. Find Wiko Suryo until found 4... Yes, everything Gusti needed to do was listed on the paper. This was actually Na''s initiative because she often saw how unreliable Mr. Gusti was in handlingplex matters. So she made a task list so Mr. Gusti could remember and not create more problems. "Thank you, Princess Na," a guilt-free smile appeared on Gusti''s face. He stored the paper and then turned towards the soldiers not far around. "Nita... wait," Na ran after Nita, who was heading to the car in the parking lot. "You walk very fast, Nita," Na said as she got into the driver''s seat. "Yeah, I''m not in the mood," Nita repliedzily. She was still puzzled why Wiko Suryo acted foolishly. It was very clear he had no chance to fight. "Well...e to think of it, that person seems to have a few secrets," Na said as she started the car and drove out of the government building''s parking lot. "Where to next, Nita?" "Home, to the city hall," Nita replied, gazing out the car window, seemingly deep in thought. "Yeah, you''re right. Never mind... let''s just wait for Brother Lein to take over the ind of Indonesia," Na said, ying with her phone. Their flying car soon passed through the entrance gate of the building and headed home, towards the city hall. And so, a major event urred shortly after the grand meeting between the two alliances. The news had already spread everywhere in the media. Less than 10 minutes after the incident, the media in the City of Life, the entire Lein Ind, and several other alliance inds had already spread the news about the battle between the Indonesian Alliance and the World Market Trade Alliance. (Indonesia Latest News) Thetest newses from another alliance. It is reported that there was a battle between the younger sibling of the owner of the World Market Trade Alliance ind and the president. Thetest reports indicate that the president has fled and is hiding. (India Latest News) A major battle took ce between Indonesia and World Market Trade. Along with three other alliances, Indonesian President Wiko Suryo attacked the World Market Trade Alliance. (Hot News) High-level fight... Most of the news was, of course, exaggerated, causing many people to be curious about the real story. Some even came directly to the World Market Trade Alliance Ind to investigate. Chapter 91: Wiko Suryo is still Alive [Human Race Chat from Blue] (Harith) You know, a great battle took ce in the City of Life, World Market Trade Alliance ind. I was at the Night Sky restaurant when it happened. (Joko) What''s wrong with the president? Is he stupid to attack a top 5 alliance? (Virej) Hahaha... it''s so funny to see the Indonesian Alliance. While the inter-racial battle event is ongoing, you choose to fight. (Gusti Indra) Whoever can tell me where Wiko Suryo is will get a big reward from me. (Yani) What''s the reward? I have a talent for tracking someone... The human race chat was buzzing. Several major alliances participated in the conversation. Taking advantage of this moment, Gusti Indra spread a bounty to inform him of Wiko Suryo''s location. --- In a room with the red and white g nted on one of the walls, a middle-aged man in a brown uniform was reading the news reports on a tablet in his hand. "What''s wrong with the president? Does he want to destroy this country?" he muttered regretfully. "I feel that there have been many strange incidentstely," said another man who was smoking, sitting not far from the desk of the man in the brown uniform. "You''re right, Mr. Handoko. A few days ago, I received news that the government funds were dyed, even reduced by 50% without prior notice," said a woman sitting not far from them. "In addition to the increasing crime rate, more than 100 people have disappeared without a known cause," the woman exined heavily. "By the way, what''s the response from the World Market Trade Alliance, Principal?" asked the man earlier while taking a drag on his cigarette. The principal in the brown uniform was slightly moved by the question. He then took a deep breath and looked out the room window. Outside the window was arge field where teenagers were ying. "Of course, they wille within a few hours," said the principal in a low voice. There wasn''t much they could do. Where would they go? With the power of a top alliance like World Market Trade, there was no ce they couldn''t reach, except to bury themselves alive. However, they didn''t panic to the point of fleeing aimlessly. The leader of the World Market Trade Alliance had not had a bad reputation so far. In fact, he tended to do good. All branch stores of the World Market Trade Alliance always operated fairly and sold goods at low prices. So, from the public''s perspective, the World Market Trade Alliance wasn''t bad. Ifter the World Market Trade Alliance came and took over the Indonesian Alliance, they thought the people living in it would still survive. *** In a quiet park, a young man named Lukas Weber sat sipping tea with a calm expression. After taking a sip, he put the cup on the small table in front of him. His gaze then shifted to a middle-aged man with a weary face sitting across from him. That man was Wiko Suryo, who was rumored to be dead but was actually still alive and well. "You failed, Mr. Wiko," Lukas said calmly, looking at Wiko without hope. Wiko wanted to say something but held back. With a heavy expression, he listened to Lukas continue. "You couldn''t even kill his sister," Lukas said emotionlessly. "Sorry, Mr. Lukas, give me another chance. I guarantee sess this time," Wiko replied firmly. He realized his mistake; the greatest strength of his opponent''s alliance was the guard tower they possessed. "Alright. As before, bring me 1,000 humans. The younger, the better," Lukas said while sipping his tea. When he mentioned 1,000 humans, a white sh crossed his eyes. "Okay, Sir. I also need another blood fruit," Wiko said hopefully. "No more. Do you think blood fruits are that simple? Easily obtainable?" Lukas frowned at Wiko''s request. After thinking for a moment, he said, "10,000 humans, and I''ll give you one." "Really?" Wiko said excitedly. Lukas nodded slowly. "Yes, really. But remember, this is yourst chance." Wiko''s excitement surged hearing Lukas''s promise. With the blood fruit, his confidence would increase. He would be more cautious with the next n. "I won''t disappoint you, Mr. Lukas. I will get 10,000 humans soon," Wiko said with determined eyes. Lukas nodded, sipping his tea once more before saying, "Enough. You may leave." Immediately, Wiko Suryo rose from his seat and left with quick, determined steps. ___ Meanwhile, in the main hall of the City of Life, Lein Ind. Nita and Na were busy handling reports rted to the three other alliances that had just joined. As the highest leader after Lein, Nita was responsible for organizing the overall strategy of the World Market Trade Alliance. She was the one who determined the actions and attitudes of the alliance if something major urred, such as the current takeover of three major alliances. Additionally, Nita was also nning how to deal with the Indonesian Alliance Ind. For now, she only sent troops to monitor and iste the ind. Currently, ten ships full of troops were heading to the Indonesian Alliance Ind, with the goal of taking over the ind. Lein Ind and the three other alliance inds had to unite to achieve this goal. Ten warships were sent first because they were faster and could monitor the areas that the main ind would pass through. Usually, the main Lein Ind didn''t move, but this time was different. The increased territory from the three alliances they were about to take over was quiterge, requiring more drastic action. "Report, Princess, Mr. Made''s troops have secured the central city area." "Report, Princess, the area within 100 km is safe... no danger." "Report, Princess, the public''s response is quite good. No resistance..." One by one, reports from her subordinates came into Nita''sputer. Red notifications kept shing every time a new message arrived. "Na, help me check the troop section. Then tell them to wait for further instructions," Nita said to Na, who was not far from her desk. "Alright, Nit. Leave it to me," Na quickly came over and sat down to check the iing reports. Nita took a deep breath and said, "When will Brother Leine home..." Just like that, she spent her time until nightfall dealing with alliance matters. This was Nita''s first major operation, so she was quite overwhelmed. Chapter 92: Laras Returns At the school grounds, Lein Ind A massive portal, 30 meters tall, suddenly opened, emitting a blinding bright light. From within, a woman emerged, carrying arge cross on her back. Her face was beautiful, with sharp ck eyes that radiated authority. The woman stepped gracefully out of the portal, her beautiful white clothes fluttering softly in the wind, adding to the magical and captivating aura surrounding her. Her face showed a calm authority, as if her power should not be underestimated. Yes, that woman was Laras, a figure idolized by many. After battling for several days, her aura had be calmer and friendlier. "Wee, Miss Laras," A soldier on guard greeted her nervously. This was the first time he had stood so close to someone of high status in the World Market Trade Alliance. Even before this alliance was formed, Laras already had great power and influence, making her an idol for many people. Laras nodded lightly in response, then walked toward the main road to wait for the bus. Soon, a bus stopped in front of her. Inside were several passengers, mostly office workers in formal attire. As Laras boarded, whispers began to spread among them. "Is that really Miss Laras?" whispered a woman sitting not far from the entrance. "She is much more beautiful than she looks on the inte," murmured another. "She takes the bus just like us?" asked another, surprised. Laras blushed slightly at the passengers'' whispers, but she hid it with a thin smile. She stepped into the bus calmly. "Excuse me..." she said, and the passengers immediately made way. Some even stood up from their seats to offer her a ce to sit. "No need. Please act as if I am not here," Laras said, choosing a seat at the back of the bus. The passengers continued their discussions in low voices as the bus moved forward. In her seat, Laras took out her phone and started chatting with her mother. - (Mom): Dear, have you arrived yet? - (Laras): Not yet, Mom. I''m still on my way home. By the way, where is El? - (Mom): El is still at school, hasn''te home yet. - (Laras): What about Dad? - (Mom): Your dad is heading to the Indonesian Alliance. He said he wants to start a new business there. - (Laras): Hmm... Isn''t Dad''s business already very big? How does he manage it all... Laras frowned slightly upon hearing her father''s n to start a new business. Even before joining Lein Ind, her family was very wealthy and powerful. With the help of Lein Ind, their wealth had increased even more. Not wanting to think further about her father''s condition, Laras shifted her gaze to the outside of the window. Laras took a deep breath, then smiled happily. It had been almost a month since they moved to the divine sky realm. "So beautiful..." Laras murmured every time the bus passed by a stunning ce, like a park, a building with unique designs, or futuristic vehicles. Everything was so unfamiliar to her, as she had spent most of her time fighting in the outer realms. "By the way, how is Nita? I hope she isn''t overwhelmed with her duties," Laras murmured softly while opening her contacts list on her phone, looking for Nita''s name. The phone vibrated, and soon a woman''s voice answered with enthusiasm. "Hello, Sis Laras! Are you back?" Nita asked. "Shhh... lower your voice, Nit. I''m on the bus," Laras replied, covering her mouth. "Alright... alright," Nita answered softly, then continued, "Where are you, Sis? I miss you... hummm... hum..." Her voice sounded like a child pretending to cry. "I''m on my way home. After that, we can meet, okay?" "No, I''ll go straight to your house. Let''s meet there," Nita replied firmly. "Ahh... alright," Laras conceded. Nita was very close to her, perhaps because Nita didn''t have an older sister, so she felt Laras was a special figure for her. Ten minutester, the bus stopped in a rather busy area. Laras got off, not forgetting to scan her card on the bus payment machine. After getting off, Laras saw arge area not far from the main road. The area was surrounded by wire fencing, with several heavily armed soldiers guarding it. This area was known as Wrap Point, a ce where small portals connecting various regions on the World Market Trade Alliance Ind were located. Using these small portals required energy crystals, so usually only important people used them. "Wee, Miss Laras," greeted two guards respectfully. Laras nodded lightly, then passed through the gate into the Wrap Point area. Inside, there were three small portals, each two meters tall, and a blue hologram board exining the destinations and the costs required to use the portals. "Princess Laras... Miss Laras..." whispered the people in the portal area, calling her name with admiration but not daring to approach. Very different from Nita, who liked to be praised and didn''t mind being approached by strangers, Laras preferred to keep her distance. Ignoring the whispers, Laras took out an energy crystal from her storage ring. After inserting it into the crystal box next to the portal, she stepped into the shimmering portal without hesitation. *** Hartono Family Compound, City of Light In the middle of the City of Light, there was a veryrgepound surrounded by high white walls. Inside, many buildings stood, but the most prominent was arge house that caught everyone''s attention. The building had a modern design and rose more than 50 meters high. Combining contemporary aesthetics with futuristic elements, the facade of this building highlighted grandeur with a dominance of ss and concrete. Floor-to-ceiling ss walls flooded the interior with natural light and offered expansive views of the city. Sharp lines and corners created an elegant minimalist impression, while the use of high-quality materials exuded an aura of luxury. Not far from the grand house, there was a small area, 10 meters wide, surrounded by a half-meter-high fence. Inside this area stood a one-meter-tall portal. Chapter 93: Arriving at Larass Home The surface of the previously calm portal suddenly rippled and lit up, indicating the arrival of someone. A woman emerged from within. Laras, who had previously entered the portal from the Wrap Point area. As a core member of the Alliance, she had exclusive rights to connect the public portal directly to the portal in her private residence. "Wee, Miss Laras," greeted a guard on duty. Even though this was a private portal, strict supervision was maintained to ensure security and prevent misuse. Laras nodded and walked straight toward the house, leaving the teleportation area. Her gaze softened as she looked at the grand house in front of her. She had been away for several days and had just returned. The image of her mother, who surely missed her, shed in her mind. Just as Laras approached the door of her house, it suddenly swung open without warning. "Wee home!" eximed a short-haired girl standing at the entrance. Her voice echoed with enthusiasm. Behind her stood a middle-aged woman wearing a grey hijab, gazing at Laras with loving eyes. "You''re home..." she said softly. "Mother..." Laras murmured, holding back the overwhelming longing inside her. But before she could step closer, another shout rang out, "Sister Laras...!" Nita, who had opened the door, suddenly ran inside and hugged Laras tightly. "This girl..." Laras whispered softly, opening her arms to embrace Nita, who was already clinging to her chest. "Ummmm..." "Sister Laras... why were you gone for so long?" Nita murmured gently, burying her head deeper into Laras''s embrace. "There, there... what''s the matter with you?" said Laras, stroking Nita''s head. "You''re acting like we''ve been apart for a year." After a few moments, the two women released their embrace and turned to Laras''s mother, who was watching their antics with a gentle smile. "Sorry, Auntie," said Nita with an awkward smile. Laras then approached her mother and hugged her tightly. They embraced for a moment before finally letting go. "All right, it''s good to have you home safely. Come inside," her mother invited, waving her hand to usher them into the house. The three women walked into the house. Of the three, Nita was the most energetic, her cheerful and spirited nature starkly contrasting with the quiet demeanor often perceived by others. ... At the back of Laras''srge house, there was a spacious swimming pool with water shimmering under the sunlight. The pool was surrounded by an exotic wooden deck, furnished with lounge chairs andrge umbres, giving it a tropical resort feel. This area was perfect for rxation, with a warm jacuzzi inviting for a soak. Not far from the pool, there was a green garden filled with colorful flowers. Stone paths and a small, babbling fountain in the corner of the garden added a calming, natural touch, creating a captivating peaceful atmosphere. In the middle of the pool was a small pavilion with several sofas and a table inside. There, two women were sitting, warmly chatting while enjoying the fruits on the table. "Yes, Sis... We have detected that Wiko has bad intentions towards the Alliance," said Nita, exining the situation when Wiko Suryo acted unexpectedly at the previous meeting. "However, after the direct meeting at the government building, his animosity level dropped to 5%," she continued. Laras listened attentively to Nita''s exnation. Nita often confided in her when facing problems, and this time was no different. After Nita finished her story, Laras gave her opinion. "You can''t think so simply, Nita. In fact, I somewhat disagree with just staying on the ind without going out asionally." Nita listened seriously, capturing every word Laras said. "Logically, it''s true that Wiko Suryo acted foolishly. But with the same logic, we can assume that Wiko Suryo has power equivalent to ours," Laras continued. Laras kept exining her thoughts to Nita. ording to her, Wiko Suryo might be acting irrationally because he had high confidence and certain strengths that made him believe he could confront the World Market Trade Alliance. Laras suspected that Wiko Suryo had allied with some powerful entity. This power likely offered something irresistible, something undoubtedly more valuable than the alliance he led, the Indonesian Alliance. "Is there such a power, Sis?" Nita asked, her face curious. "I''m sure there''s none from the human alliances on the Blue. But who knows about other races out there," Laras answered seriously. "Well... so what should we do, Sis? Should we go to the Indonesian Alliance Ind to take over?" Nita asked again. "Yes, of course. Why not?" Laras replied firmly. After discussing Nita''s issues, Laras began recounting her experiences and journeys in the foreign realms she had visited. "I once encountered a race whose true form resembled a ball..." said Laras, describing a race simr to slimes. The slime race had an original form that was round and squishy. Their strength was terrifying because they could change shape very quickly. Especially the high-level slimes, their shape-shifting could be very strange and apanied by extraordinary power. "I also visited a realm ruled by elves. Their faces are so beautiful and enchanting... I''ll take you there someday," Laras exined, continuing to share her experiences with Nita. "Wow, Sister Laras has visited many ces," Nita said in awe. "Alright, next time I''lle with you, Sis." "Don''t worry, I''ll let you know next time," Laras replied with a smile. The two women spent more than two hours in Laras''s family garden, sharing stories. asionally, a servant came to refill the food, and sometimes they talked about their past on Earth. From Laras''s stories, Nita knew that Laras came from a well-off family in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Their family was among the elite, or could be considered nobility in the region. Laras also shared about her school days and activities when she was still on Earth. Laras was very fond of ying badminton; she once represented her school in apetition. Laras also felt she got to know Nita better because of their frequent conversations like this. Undeniably, she also felt closer to Lein, albeit indirectly. Chapter 94: Indonesian alliance leaders meeting White Building, Indonesian Alliance. In a veryrge room, a high-level meeting of the Indonesian Alliance leaders was taking ce. A long table draped in gold cloth was surrounded by more than 20 people on both sides, all of them wearing suits with various emblems. The person leading the meeting was a stout, middle-aged man dressed in a white robe. He gazed at everyone with a serious expression, his hands tightly sped together. "I want to ask for thest time, does anyone here know where the president is!?" the stout middle-aged man asked in a deep voice. Silence... No one dared to speak at this moment; everyone exchanged nces, hoping someone would say something. "Mr. Arok, I suspect that Commander Bowo has ties with the president," a young man said firmly, standing up and directly pointing at a sturdy middle-aged man on the opposite side of the table. The man had a rough face with a sharp gaze. The four-star emblem on his shoulder indicated the high military rank he held in the previous government. The man in military uniform then looked at the young man who had just used him. "Watch your mouth, little man. You use someone without evidence," the man in military uniform said in a condescending tone. "Yes, Mamun, you shouldn''t use people recklessly like that. Don''t tell me you''re the one with ties to the president," another person added. "Yeah, that''s right." Hearing the supportive remarks for the man in military uniform, the young man named Mamun became a bit angry. He red at them all as if he had been humiliated by thousands of people for years. "Why are you using me? I have evidence here," the young man said, pulling out a folder with several sheets of paper. He opened the papers and showed them to everyone in the room. "Pay attention... do you recognize the names on these papers?" the young man asked harshly, his voice full of anger. "All the names listed here are young soldiers who havepleted their national military training," the young man exined passionately. "But after they graduated and were dered soldiers, they suddenly disappeared, their whereabouts unknown the following week," he continued. "I''m certain that if you dig deeper, you''ll find that the mastermind behind all of this is General Bowo." The young man threw all the papers into the air, then turned away from his seat. "Wait, Mamun, you can''t leave this room," Mr. Arok said calmly but with a certain dominance. Hearing Mr. Arok''s voice, the young man suppressed his anger and returned to his seat. "Mamun, what you said is indeed true, but why is this small matter med on General Bowo?" an elderly man in military uniform spoke loudly from the end of the table. "As far as I remember, the people listed on those papers were young soldiers who participated in abat training mission outside the ind a few days ago, and the person leading it was not General Bowo directly," another person questioned Mamun''s im. "I also saw the report; the leader was Captain Rahul," an elderly man added. The debate continued, with almost everyone siding against Mamun. "Everyone, calm down. There''s no need for all this arguing," Arok, who was leading the meeting, spoke up. He then looked at everyone, waiting to see if anyone else wanted to speak. "Mr. Arok, I think Mamun''s words hold some truth." At this moment, an older woman spoke up. The woman had short brown hair and was wearing a white suit. The sses on her face made her look like a researcher. "You all must be aware that there are blood races out there. And in my opinion, the recent disappearances are connected," the woman exined. "General Bowo may not have directly led the team, but who knows? With his power, what can''t he do?" "My suggestion is that everyone in this room should drink purification water." The woman finished her exnation and waited for everyone''s response. She had not spoken earlier because she wanted to assess the situation first. "That makes sense, but purification water is quite expensive." "I have no problem drinking purification water, but wouldn''t it be too wasteful if we all drank it?" "Purification water is very expensive, costing 100,000 energy crystals per bottle, and that''s for the lowest grade," a bald man said. Everyone showed positive responses; no one objected. Mamun also felt pleased and asionally nced at General Bowo to observe his reaction. "Don''t worry, I have plenty here," Mrs. Wati said, taking out many bottles from her storage bag. More than 20 blue bottles appeared on the table, each one emanating a sacred aura. "Mrs. Wati, where did you get these bottles?" Commander Bowo, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. He looked at Mrs. Wati with a sharp gaze, sensing that the woman before him had carefully nned everything. Hearing General Bowo, Mrs. Wati just smiled warmly. Neither frightened nor arrogant, she was very calm. She distributed the bottles to everyone in the room. "Wow... it seems this is high-grade purification water. Its effects are very potent, capable of curing fatal diseases," a middle-aged man said, looking at the blue bottle in front of him with admiration. "Indeed, high-grade purification water. Thank you, Mrs. Wati." "Thank you, Mrs. Wati." (Purification Water): Drops of water from the sacred tree of the Goddess of Light, healing mental health and repairing physical body damage. *Individuals with demon blood will experience fatal effects.* "Hahaha... Mrs. Wati, are you sure you want to do this?" Commander Bowo looked at the bottle in front of him with a crooked smile. Reading thest warning from the system made his face tighten even more. From the end of the table, Mr. Arok observed General Bowo''s actions. He felt that the man had some issue with drinking the purification water. Boom... Bang... Sure enough, a sudden loud explosion was heard. From outside the building, the area shield of the building was seen rippling. At this moment, hundreds of cannonballs were crazily bombarding the White Building. It wasn''t just cannon fire; ck lightning also struck continuously. "Help... The building is copsing..." "Run... Cannon fire..." Chaos quickly spread; all the buildings around the White Building were destroyed one by one. People in the streets screamed in panic and ran. Some who had abilities ran quickly and managed to escape. Chapter 95: Battle at the white house Not far from the White Building, thousands of soldiers had already gathered. They all activated their blue-tier equipment, and the various weapons in their hands made them look even more fierce. They all looked like Indonesian soldiers in ck and white uniforms. The only difference was their auras, which were blood-red, and the veins in their eyes bulged on their faces. "Blood troops... Immediately storm the White Building." Hush... Hu... Ha... The unity of the soldiers was unparalleled; they were terrifying just by marching and stepping. ... Far at the southern end of the Indonesian Alliance ind, a military building was visible. On the top floor of the building, a man was seen reading a report in front of him with a furrowed brow. From the uniform he wore, the man was a high-ranking military officer. And the area he was in was the southern defense of the Alliance ind. "What madness is this? How could the blood race enter the Alliance?" "Weren''t all those entering and leaving the portal thoroughly checked?" The man asked in bewilderment. Not thinking for long, he looked at the female assistant beside him. "Recall all troops from outside, immediately!" "Yes, sir. Right away." The assistant quickly ran towards the stairs, then dashed to make the announcement in the control room. The man in the military uniform remained alone in the room, gazing out the window into the distance, his mind filled with questions and analyses known only to him. The same situation was not only happening at the southern military defense building but also in other areas. In fact, one of the military officers who received a report about the rebellion in the main city immediately transformed into a dragon and flew straight toward the main city. It was true that Indonesia would be taken over by the World Market Trade Alliance in a few days, but no one was opposed to it. They were certainly saddened when they first heard the news. However, the sadness didn''tst long because the leaders of the World Market Trade Alliance would continue to manage the ind while paying a certain amount of wealth to the main alliance. Considering the high status of the World Market Trade Alliance, it wasn''t a disadvantage to be part of them. They were the ones who would gain more benefits. No other alliance would dare to attack their ind. ... Back in the main city, at the White Building. "What is the meaning of all this, General Bowo?" Mr. Arok asked with a sharp tone, standing and looking at General Bowo. General Bowo was unfazed, ignoring Mr. Arok and remaining seated in his chair. "Die..." Before Mr. Arok could finish speaking, he had already vanished from his spot. General Bowo didn''t remain idle. He activated all his purple equipment, and a blood sword appeared in his hand. ng... He shed the empty air, the sound of collision reverberating. "Hahaha... Do you think you''re so great with that cowardly ability?" General Bowo said mockingly. On the other side, Mr. Arok revealed himself. He hadn''t yet activated his equipment, but in his hand, a sword with a transparent de appeared. He looked at General Bowo with slight surprise. Earlier, he had activated one of his void race skills, yet General Bowo had still managed to block it. "Everyone, this man has be a traitor, kill him!" Mr. Arok shouted to the other leaders. Even before Mr. Arok ordered them, all of them had already activated their equipment, and their most powerful weapons appeared in their hands. Mamun, the young man, held an iron bow in his hand. He looked at General Bowo with a gaze full of hostility. "Hahaha, you little kid, were any of them your friends? Their blood is so fresh," General Bowo sneered at Mamun. Mamun could no longer hold back. Of course, General Bowo was referring to his friends from military school. He quickly drew his bow and activated his skill. Rain of Arrows... Arrows of Death... The arrow in his hand glowed with a red aura, radiating a clear killing intent. "Your bow isn''t bad... But..." General Bowo had already dashed forward, appearing beside Mamun and preparing to sh from the side. "Watch out..." ng... Mr. Arok appeared and attacked directly toward General Bowo. His sword blocked General Bowo''s strike. "Damn it, this fat man," General Bowo cursed. It didn''t take long before he saw all the other leaders directing their attacks toward him. "Sir... Sorry we''rete..." "Attack..." By now, the military forces had reached the area of the White Building, and a battle was raging inside the room. "Damn it, you traitor!" "Traitor... Kill him!" The other leaders confronted the soldiers entering the room, unleashing their strongest skills. Argh... Au... Boom... At this moment, one of the leaders activated his skill. His body, originally 1.7 meters tall, began to grow to 2.5 meters, and it kept getting bigger. Not only did he grow taller, but his body also expanded. Yes, this man was a ruler with a core crystal of the giant race. His body swelled up to three times its original size. Argh... The giant crushed all the soldiers nearby. Each of his attacks obliterated the ranks of those powerful soldiers, mercilessly destroying the entire White Building in the process. All the leaders scattered, while General Bowo tried to distance himself and observe from afar. "Don''t run..." Mr. Arok never took his eyes off General Bowo, even amid the chaos. Void sh... Mr. Arok shed forward with tremendous force. Nothing happened; not even the slightest breeze stirred. Mr. Arok shed forward with tremendous force. Nothing happened--not even the slightest breeze stirred. "Damn, this fat man is really annoying..." Blood Shadow Immediately, General Bowo''s body split into a human-shaped figure, but the entire form was made of fresh blood. It didn''tst long before the blood figure shattered and sprayed in all directions. "Mr. Arok, your Void sh bes more terrifying with each passing day," said a bald official, holding a golden spear in his hand. "Hahaha... that arrogant brat even sacrificed his blood shadow," Mr. Arok replied casually. The two of them continued moving, chasing after General Bowo, who was running away. Chapter 96: 1st place The chaos on the Indonesian ind escted. The blood soldiers led by General Bowo shed with the remaining loyal Indonesian troops. News of the internal war within the Indonesian Alliance spread across all the high-level alliances. They also received information about the blood race attacking the Indonesian Alliance. (Chat - Blue Human Race) - (Yo Ming) "What''s happening with the Indonesian Alliance? I was just nning a trip to the Indonesian ind." - (Van Rek) "I have a friend there; I hope he''s okay." - (Jackson) "I heard from my friend that the president of Indonesia disappeared after causing trouble at the World Market Trade Alliance." - (Bearer of Blessings) "Yes, I saw that news too... Even though Mr. Lein, the owner of the World Market Trade Alliance, is also from Indonesia." - (Drizzle) "Only seven days left before the event ends, but the Indonesian Alliance is engaging in war." - (Green Sky) "Yeah, the Indonesian Alliance is going to copse." The internal war caused the chat within the human race to be lively, with more messages being sent than ever before. Social media also featured photos and live-streamed videos of the ongoing war within the Indonesian Alliance. The videos showed chaotic battles, not unlike those seen in inter-race wars. Various monster forces, summoned beasts, and skills shed in the air, devastating the entire area of the Indonesian Alliance''s main city. Lightning bolts from active defense towers, fire cannons, and automatic arrows rained down randomly. Of course, the defense towers were controlled by both sides: the human rulers who followed the blood race and the rulers of the Indonesian Alliance. While the war on the Indonesian Alliance ind captured the attention of all human rulers, a significant change urred on the leaderboard. (Leaderboard) 1. Lein: 11,560,500 2. Laras - 3,036,000 3. Haikal Emanuel - 2,921,000 4. Elen - 1,704,000 5. Arya - 1.290,000 ... 8. William Anderson - 748,000 ... (Chat - Blue Human Race) - (Natural Stone) "Crazy... what kind of score is that? Over 10,000,000? Is he even human?" - (Erick) "Mr. Lein? The owner of the World Market Trade Alliance? I need to move to that ind... I want to develop there." - (Jib) "Seven people from the World Market Trade Alliance are in the top 10? Isn''t that amazing?" - (Alice) "Hahaha... I knew it, that person would be number 1. His ind alone is terrifying right now. No one can surpass the World Market Trade Alliance." - (Dono) "I''m Indonesian, but I was blind not to join Mr. Lein''s alliance." - (Jian) "From now on, the World Market Trade Alliance is number 1, there''s no other." - (Biha) "Mr. Lein... Please save us, Indonesian Alliance." The chaos caused by Lein''s skyrocketing contribution points made all the rulers go wild. Most of the Earth''s rulers knew of Lein, the owner of the World Market Trade Alliance, one of the top alliances. However, they didn''t expect that he had been hiding his strength so deeply. Some had suspected this for a while. After all, there wasn''t a human ruler who didn''t know of the World Market Trade Alliance, as their branch stores were scattered across all the Earth rulers'' inds. *** In a battlefield between races, a terrifying battle was unfolding. Round stars, each with a diameter of one meter, surrounded a young man. He controlled the stars at will; sometimes they would shrink and disappear, only to reappear suddenly. The round stars had a strange power that destroyed anything in their path. "Pathetic human, how dare you interfere with the Star Light race''s battle." A handsome man with a radiant face spoke, looking at the person surrounded by the round stars with a disdainful gaze. The man''s skin was white and glowing, with a ck jade embedded in his forehead, right between his eyebrows. The young man surrounded by the round stars ignored the man with the ck jade between his eyebrows; he was focused on the blue panel in front of him. "Damn... is that guy the real star?" the young man muttered in disbelief, doubting himself. Yes, this man was William Anderson, currently the leader of the American Alliance. He had been monitoring Lein for days. He couldn''t sleep soundly, constantly thinking about it. Lein was always his greatest challenge in bing number 1 on the leaderboard. "No hope of getting the epic chest, an artifact?" William said angrily, his eyes turning red, his face wrinkling even more. "Argh..." William screamed loudly, scattering the seven stars around him in all directions, not caring whether they hit friend or foe. Boom... The explosions caused by the stars were massive, affecting a 100-meter radius for each star when they exploded and struck someone. "Run... that guy is crazy..." "President... snap out of it..." a distant Earth ruler shouted, trying to bring William back to his senses. "Save me..." The man with the ck jade in his forehead watched William''s madness for a moment before a multi-colored star shot toward him at great speed. Sh... The man''s body faded into nothingness, bing invisible. Momentster, tiny specks of light appeared--so numerous they were almost imperceptible unless they were gathered together. The burst of starlight quickly flew toward William, who had already devastated the surrounding area. "Why???" "Is God not on my side? Didn''t I receive an S-grade talent?" "I am the Star Prince... I am the strongest." William kept screaming in frustration, unable to ept the reality that someone was stronger and had far surpassed him. "Hmm... you!" At that moment, William noticed the iing specks of light. He stared at the approaching lights with his blood-red eyes. Immediately, his seven round stars transformed, turning into small star-shaped specks, heading toward the countless iing lights. William ran, rushing toward the specks of light with a golden sword in his hand. His body was engulfed in intense red mes. The stars shed with the specks of light, causing massive explosions. The lights numbered in the hundreds of thousands, causing everyone on the battlefield to avoid them. "Tch..." Chapter 97: Frustrated William Anderson The lights and stars collided relentlessly, but it wasn''t long before the lights disappeared and condensed back into the figure of the man with the ck jade. "Take this." The man''s eyes glowed, and a pair of circr discs appeared in his hands. He gripped them tightly and then ran directly toward William. "Argh..." "Come at me!" William shed rapidly from the right, then twisted his body slightly upwards to aim for the back of the man''s neck. Unfortunately, the man''s movements were incredibly flexible. He bent his body, twisting his torso, and saw William''s strike as he hovered above. sh... A strike aimed directly at William''s abdomen... Cling... The protective light from William''s defensive gear activated when the man''s disc collided. But unfortunately, the disc was so sharp that it pierced through the shield. Splurt... The sharp white disc sliced through William''s abdomen with ease. "Argh..." William''s scream of pain echoed as he jumped back to retreat. "Damn it, what weapon is that in his hand?" William muttered as he pulled out a healing potion from his storage space. "Hahaha... Have you regained your sanity?" The man with the ck jadeughed in satisfaction, his bodynguage clearly showing that he looked down on William. Not giving William a chance to catch his breath, the man immediately ran and charged toward William, who was crouched down to drink the healing potion. Screech... Screech... Hundreds of ck bats attacked the man of light. Each bat he shed died and exploded into fresh blood that sttered everywhere. But there was something strange about the blood¡ªit was highly corrosive and began eroding the white aura that enveloped his body. "President... how are you?" At this moment, an old man with long ck hair approached and helped William to stand up. "I''m fine, Mr. Harrison," William replied calmly. The wound on his stomach was almost fully healed now. "That person''s weapon seems unusual; it even prated my defense with ease," William said as he observed the white disc in the hands of the light man. "Indeed, President, I believe the discs in his hands are artifact items," the old man, Harrison, replied with a tone of dread. Hearing the word "artifact," William''s eyes gleamed with a white light. Yes, he didn''t possess a single pure artifact in his hands; at best, he only had pseudo-artifacts. "Let''s attack together, sir; my bats won''tst long." Old man Harrison was already prepared; his bats were almost all dead. He looked at the light man with a frightened gaze. "Let''s go." William quickly moved again, the stars around him reappearing. He wouldn''t foolishly engage in directbat with that light man. And so, the fierce battle resumed. *** Far away in another realm, a muscr man was climbing a mountain, riding a bear. Don''t be fooled by its appearance; the bear this man was riding was truly majestic, with white fur and lightning energy surrounding it. The muscr man satfortably on the bear''s back, eating arge deer leg, with a bottle of drink in his right hand, making him quite at ease on the bear''s back. "Umm... delicious." The man tore into the deer leg with his strong teeth, biting and pulling it sideways with his mouth, leaving arge chunk of meat from the deer leg. "Eh?" The man''s tearing motion suddenly stopped as he received an emergency message. - (Yelena) "Mr. President, you''ve dropped to 10th ce. Lein, the leader of the World Market Trade Alliance, has 11,000,000 points." The message was short and concise, exining the important information happening at that moment. And from the message, it was clear that it didn''t mention the war in Indonesia, proving that the muscr man prioritized ranking information over the alliance''s situation. The muscr man immediately closed the message and opened the leaderboard. The leaderboard appeared, disying the ranks of all the rulers in the inter-race war event. The man looked at the leaderboard in silence, even forgetting to bite the deer leg in his hand as he had before. "Hahaha... amazing!" The man wasn''t angry, sad, or losing his sanity. Instead, heughed loudly and freely. "Good... it seems I should make time to meet the main yer among Earth''s rulers," the muscr man said casually before continuing to eat the deer leg. The silence of the forest, which hadsted a moment ago, was now shattered, and it returned to normal. The sound of biting and chewing by the muscr man echoed around the forest. *** At the Laras family residence, World Market Trade Alliance Ind. "Sister Laras, it seems Brother Lein will be back soon," said Nita to Laras, who wasn''t far away. They were currently at a yground with Laras'' younger sibling, Elia. Laras was watching the slide, where a small boy, about eight years old, was standing on top, looking down at her. "Sister... catch me, okay?" "Come on, El, I''ll catch you." "Ah... here Ie..." The small boy bravely slid down, lifting both hands in the air freely, shouting with joy. When he reached the bottom of the slide, Laras caught him and lifted him up. "Brave boy... El is very courageous." Laras said as she lifted Elia into the air. Not long after, she put him down and encouraged him to y on another piece of yground equipment. "Yes, you''re right, he''ll be back soon. By the way, will Mr. Haikal be back too?" Laras asked. "Yes, Brother Lein informed us that we should be on the ind when he returns. It seems he has something to discuss," Nita replied casually. "Then how is the situation on Indonesia Ind?" Laras asked again. She had already seen the information spreading on social media. They had previously nned to visit Indonesia Ind, but knowing that the chaos involved the blood race, they postponed it for a while. It''s not that theycked the power to face the blood race; they were simply waiting for Lein to return before taking action. With normal thinking, it could be said that the appearance of the blood race in the Indonesian alliance was not the n of a low-level being. Chapter 98: Lein back The battle on the Indonesian Alliance ind has been raging for several hours now. Nearly 10,000 lives have been lost, most of them belonging to people who haven''t awakened their system and elderly individuals. Some wealthy families are attempting to relocate to other inds and seek refuge within different alliances. For the poor, they can only resign themselves to fate, hoping for rescue from the government. In an urban area, many high-rise buildings have been destroyed. The fierce battle between Indonesian soldiers and the human rulers who have joined the Blood Race is wreaking havoc. A massive fireball descends from the sky, obliterating a group of Blood Race soldiers. On the other side, the Blood Race''s abilities are equally terrifying. Within a 100-meter radius, their power increases by 10%. Every drop of blood spilled by the Indonesian soldiers strengthens the Blood Race''s formation. In the distance, a man with arge shield in his hand is fending off the Blood Race soldiers, reflecting their attacks back at them. The golden light from the shield is so powerful that the reflected attacks can kill the very Blood Race soldiers whounched them. The man with the shield notices a Blood Race leader approaching with a long red sword in hand. The Blood Race leader rushes forward and shes directly at the man with the golden shield. The golden shieldpletely blocks the Blood Race leader''s sh. "Haha... Leader Tedi, your shield is as strong as ever," the Blood Race leader remarks, eyeing the shield in Tedi''s hand. Tedi doesn''t reply. Instead, he leaps high into the air, his shield aimed downward as he propels himself with his legs. The shield, which was originally one meter in size, expands to 10 meters, its golden aura growing even stronger. Seeing the 10-meter shield falling from the sky, the Blood Race leader tries to escape. "Damn it... Why can''t I move?" The Blood Race leader panics, seeing his legs entangled in thorny vines. He looks around, trying to identify the source. Not far away, he spots a woman with a green light orb in her hand, surrounded by roots and vines. She appears to be fused with the nts around her. "Master Tedi, hurry..." The woman shouts, knowing her entangling roots won''t hold the Blood Race leader for long, and he''ll soon be free to escape. The Blood Race leader ispletely immobilized, his arms bound by thick vines, with tiny thorns piercing his skin, slowly sapping his strength. Captain Tedi''s shield hasnded, striking directly at the spot where the Blood Race leader once stood. Captain Tedi pauses for a moment, checking his system panel, which confirms the kill. "Damn, these people have no sense of fear! And their physical resilience is incredibly strong," mutters a military captain leading a group of soldiers. "Yes, sir. I believe they''re only afraid of light-based attacks," replies a soldier with a light mage ss. The remaining Blood Race soldiers, seeing their leader brutally killed by Captain Tedi, experience a dip in morale. But it doesn''tst long, as another leader arrives on the scene. The newly arrived leader is a ruler with the ability to transform into a beast resembling a giant crab. Hisrge ws, covered in sharp spikes, emit a bloody aura, signaling that they have imed dozens, if not hundreds, of lives. "Lina, fall back, find a safe position behind us," Captain Tedi orders the woman with the nt abilities. "Yes, Captain." Judging by the situation on both sides, there is no clear winner or loser. The higher-ups of the Indonesian Alliance aren''t even counting on the President or General Bowo making an appearance anytime soon. They have hidden a substantial portion of their forces. --- Teleportation Hub, Indonesian Alliance. A young man with a somewhat handsome face steps out of a portal. He is dressed in a blue robe with golden stripes, a white belt around his waist securing a one-meter-long golden sword. The young man calmly surveys his surroundings¡ªthe tall lightning tower at the center of the Teleportation Hub, the four main gates at each side of the wall, and the well-equipped soldiers stationed there. "I''m back," he says. Yes, this young man is Lein. After finishing dinner with the Su Yiling family, Lein immediately headed for the teleportation portal to return to the alliance ind. The first thing on his mind now is Nita. He hopes she has been obedient and hasn''t ignored his orders. As the alliance leader, Lein is, of course, aware of everything happening within his alliance and the events urring in other alliances, such as the ongoing situation in the Indonesian Alliance. He is quite worried that Nita might have gone off on her own to show off on the Indonesian Alliance ind without adequate preparation. "Wee back, sir," a soldier approaches Lein, standing at attention and greeting him respectfully. Lein looks at him casually and smiles. "Thank you. Document everything I''ve written on this note." Lein hands over a piece of paper containing detailed information about the realm of the Qian Race that he had previously visited. "Understood, sir," the soldier replies with a firm voice, taking the paper that Lein offered him with a respectful nod. Lein nods in acknowledgment and then proceeds to walk towards the northern gate. His pace is leisurely, his gait rxed, and a smile ys on his lips as he takes in the familiar sights around him. "It''s good to see that the city I built remains as bustling as ever," Lein muses to himself. "People from various inds now regard my ind as a haven, a ce far morefortable and secure than many others they''ve known." Most of the people around the Teleportation Hub don''t recognize Lein. This isn''t surprising, given that Lein rarely makes public appearances or holds meetings in the open. "Master Lein, you''ve returned." "Wee back, Master Lein." "Master Lein..." However, there are a few long-term residents of the World Market Trade Alliance who have lived here for quite some time and do recognize Lein. They greet him warmly, though they keep a respectful distance. To these individuals, Lein is a figure of great importance and reverence, something evident in the way they regard him with deep respect. Chapter 99: Aroks request for help It''s no surprise that these people hold Lein in such high esteem, as life on the World Market Trade Alliance ind is incrediblyfortable. The cost of living is very low if you want to live a simple life. The government on the World Market Trade Alliance ind doesn''t rely on revenue or taxes from the people. All of the ind''s wealthes solely from Lein. The high-level items used, such asrge flying ships, the 50-meter ck tower, high-level nest forces, and the advanced materials used in city construction¡ªalle from Lein''s gold chests and various other sources, all provided by Lein. If the ind relied solely on revenue from lower-level rulers, it would be impossible for Lein''s ind to be as advanced and powerful as it is now. It wasn''t long after passing through the Teleportation Hub''s main gate that Lein saw a ck flying car waiting for him by the roadside. Next to the car stood a man in a ck suit, a white badge on his chest, standing still, waiting for Lein''s arrival. As soon as he saw Lein approaching, the man gently opened the car door. "Sir, please." "Thank you." Lein smiled warmly at the man in the ck suit and then entered the car. The interior design was luxurious, with various advanced technologies. From inside, Lein could see almost 360 degrees of the surrounding area, everything outside was clearly visible. Inside the car, Lein satfortably and then opened his touchscreen phone. He ignored all the red notification icons at the top of the screen, instead opening the chat app to try to contact Nita. Lein: "Nita, where are you right now?" Not long after, a reply came in. However, instead of a message, it was a photo. The photo showed two girls taking a selfie with cute faces, one with an oval face and short hair, and the other with long hair and beautiful eyes. Of course, Lein recognized them. Besides his sister Nita, the other person in the photo was Laras, one of the members of the World Market Trade Alliance. Shortly after sending the picture, a text message appeared. Nita: "I''m at Sister Laras''s house, Brother Lein. Come join us for dinner." Lein: "Alright, I''ll be there in 30 minutes." Nita: "Okay, Brother, Sister Laras wants to meet you." Nita: "No, Master Lein, Nita was just joking." Nita: "Sister Laras asked for chicken noodle soup, Brother..." Lein looked at the stream of messagesing in from Nita and could guess what was happening. "These two women..." Lein sighed. He suddenly thought of Laras and their first meeting. He wasn''t particrly close to or familiar with Laras; he only knew that she was very strong with her light magic. Beyond that, Lein didn''t know much. "Well¡­ It''s good to get to know the core members of the alliance more deeply," Lein murmured. ... While Lein was enjoying the view of the city outside the car, a big fight was happening in a white room filled with teddy bears. "Nita... give it back, stop sending nonsense messages!" Laras was currently hugging Nita and trying to grab the phone from her hands. "No, it''s my phone," Nita said with a slightugh in her voice. "Sister Laras, be my sister!" "Is my brother not attractive?" Nita asked whileughing, trying to tease Laras. For some reason, she felt that she had a personality that matched well with Laras. She liked Laras''s active, elegant, and caring nature. She wanted her brother Lein to get closer to Laras. "What are you saying? Stop joking around," Laras was still trying with all her might to grab the phone from Nita''s hands. Even though her face was slightly red, she asionally imagined that young man. "What am I thinking?" Laras said to herself, shaking her head. *** In a ten-story building with the Garuda emblem at the center of the floor, a meeting was currently being held on the top floor by several people dressed in formal attire. The meeting was led by an elderly man with a long beard. He had a sturdy build for someone of his age, and his sharp eyes observed the ten other people in the room. "Everyone, what do you think of the proposal from Mr. Arok of the Indonesian Alliance?" "He is asking for assistance from the Garuda Hunter Guild to help with the internal conflict currently happening in the Indonesian Alliance." The elderly man''s voice was soft but echoed throughout the room, making sure everyone heard him clearly. "I''ve already sent a few people before. The Blood Race attacking the Indonesian Alliance is very strong; only Tier-2 individuals like us can provide some assistance," said a middle-aged man on the left side of the table. The Garuda Hunter Alliance was one of the top hunter guilds on the World Market Trade Alliance Ind. The Hunter Alliance was independent and had its own organization where rulers without high abilities could attempt to explore other realms. Despite this, the strength of the hunters in the alliance on a particr ind was formidable, not much different from the leaders of therge ind alliances. "Is there any news from the ind''s owner or Princess Nita?" asked a middle-aged woman with an icy aura. "There has been no movement from Princess Nita or the ind''s owner. The ind owner hasn''t returned for several days." "I heard that Mr. Gusti and Miss Hana have gone off-ind to search for traces of Wiko Suryo." The discussion continued among the high-ranking members of the Garuda Hunter Alliance. The focus of their discussion was whether they were capable of facing the Blood Race, and whether the ind owner would allow them to intervene in the internal affairs of another alliance. A simr situation was urring not only in the Garuda Hunter Alliance but also among the leaders of other hunter alliances, and even in some hunter alliances on other inds. The request for assistance from Mr. Arok had reached the higher-ups of various hunter alliances. To do so, of course, Mr. Arok spent a lot of funds. Chapter 100: Visiting Laras house A vast field with green grass, a straight path paved with rough small stones neatly leads to a house. Lein, holding a ck stic bag in his hand, walks leisurely toward therge house not far ahead. Reaching the porch, he presses the doorbell on the side of the house. Ting... The sound of the bell rings... Not long after, a voice is heard from inside the house. "Just a moment, brother..." The door opens, and a joyful Nita appears. Without hesitation, she runs and quickly jumps to hug Lein. "Ouch..." Lein is actually used to Nita''s behavior, but he still takes a slight step back when Nita hugs him while running. "Brother, why were you sote? Did you encounter a strong enemy?" Nita asks while continuing to hug Lein. "Let go first, Nita... I can''t breathe." Ugh... "Hehehe, sorry, sorry," Nita says while releasing her hug. She then notices the ck stic bag in Lein''s hand. "Brother, is that chicken noodle soup?" "Yes... Didn''t you order it earlier?" Lein looks at Nita with a puzzled expression. It hasn''t even been 30 minutes since theirst phone call, yet this girl has already forgotten. "Ahahah... Yes, right. How many did you buy?" "I got five packs," Lein replies. "Wow... Great, let''s eat with Sister Laras and Auntie," Nita quickly takes the ck stic bag and turns back into the house. As Nita turns around, she sees Laras standing still at the door. She passes her and walks inside towards the kitchen. "Ahh... Sister Laras, I''ll set up the food first." Laras ignores Nita, who is busy with her own affairs, and then walks towards Lein to greet him. "Hello, Mr. Lein, wee back..." "Hello, Miss Laras, the view of your house is very beautiful," Lein says, shaking Laras'' hand. "Hhh, not really, Mr. Lein, pleasee in." "By the way, no need to call me miss, just Laras is fine." Hearing herself called "miss," Laras feels ufortable. So she says it now to avoid any awkwardness in future meetings. "Alright, and just call me Lein..." "Besides, we''re not that far apart in age." Lein doesn''t mind. He actually doesn''t like formalities all the time, preferring to use formalnguage only in government matters. "Please,e in... Mr. Lein." Laras was about to say "Lein" directly but then changed it to Mr. Lein. Seeing Laras''s nervousness, Lein waves his hand dismissively. He then walks into the house with Laras. The atmosphere inside Laras'' house is spacious, and there are already several people inside. There are about four people, all of them are close rtives of Laras who are visiting. The four people in the room are two adult women with two children. They are watching TV, which is showing children''s animation. Seeing a guest arrive, the two adult women shift their gaze, then get up from the sofa to greet Lein. "Mother, Auntie, this is the owner of the ind we are on, as well as the leader of our Alliance, Mr. Lein." "Nita, who often ys here, is Mr. Lein''s sister..." Laras exins and introduces Lein to her mother and aunt. "What? So young..." "Yes... Handsome too..." The words of the two women aren''t quiet but clearly audible. They look at Lein with admiration. "Lein, this is my mother and aunt..." Laras also introduces her mother and aunt to Lein. "Hello, Auntie." Lein greets them and raises his hand to shake hands with the two women. "Pleasee in, make yourself at home." "Consider this your own home, young Lein...." Laras''s mother, who was initially impressed, is now even more impressed by how polite and humble the young man in front of her is. Even with his position as the owner of the ind, he remains polite and not arrogant. "Alright... Please continue with your business." Laras''s mother understands that Lein didn''te for them, so she quickly urges them to continue with their matters. "Thank you, Auntie." Soon, Laras and Lein head towards the back of the house. Lein observes that the design of Laras''s house looks very elegant with a non-rigid shape, and the lighting inside is very good¡ªnot too dark, yet not too bright. Also, several flowers with beautiful colors are neatly disyed in various spots, and some peculiar items are hung on the walls of the house; it seems Laras''s father is a collector of antiques. Laras and Lein continue towards the back of the house and eventually reach a door leading to the garden. From a distance, a small pavilion is visible, and on it sits a girl waving her hand at them. "Sister Laras... Brother Lein... Hurry up," Nita''s voice echoes throughout the garden. "This girl..." Lein says in an exasperated tone. "Hahaha, I think she''s trying to get your attention, brother Lein." Laras notices Lein''s irritated face; she feels that Nita has been acting strangely since Lein''s arrival. "Yeah... She''s been like that since she was little," Lein replies with a tone of resignation. Soon, both Laras and Lein reach the pavilion in the middle of the garden and then sit on the empty seats. "Let''s eat," Nita says as she pushes bowls of chicken noodle soup towards Laras and Lein. "Nita!!! Be polite," Lein scolds Nita. Lein reprimands Nita for pushing people''s food with her left hand. Lein tries to lecture Nita about her behavior, but he only gets a stuck-out tongue in response, as she continues eating the chicken noodle soup messily. Ugh... "It''s okay, brother Lein, let''s eat," Laras doesn''t want the two siblings to argue, so she immediately starts eating the chicken noodle soup in front of her. She eats in a sloppy manner, just like Nita. Huft... Lein gives up and also begins to eat the chicken noodle soup in front of him. "Brother Lein, by the way... Why did you return now?" Laras tries to start a conversation. "Well... I have another meeting in Guandu Realm..." Lein replies. He exins about the battle he had in the realm where the Qian race resides. He also exins how he obtained over 10 million contribution points. Chapter 101: Relaxing in the garden "Impressive, you were really lucky to meet that young master," Laras says in awe, hearing the story behind the 10 million contribution points. Lein continues to talk about his journey over the past few days. Of course, he hides important things like his own talents. Although the core members of the Alliance know that Lein has many items, they don''t know exactly where Lein gets them. "So I came back now because tomorrow is the 25th day of the event, and I have an appointment with Mr. Wen toplete a mission," Lein exins, concluding his story. "The potion you gave mest time? I gained a lot of benefits from it," Laras says, recalling the 1,000 free points she received. "Sister, how should we deal with the Indonesian Alliance?" Nita, who had been quiet and eating freely, now asks. She intentionally came to Laras''s house because she was confused about how to deal with the Indonesian Alliance. "Well... we''ll be leaving soon, by the way, where are Hana and Mr. Gusti right now?" Lein asks. "They left a day ago to search for Wiko Suryo," Nita replied. Hearing Nita''s words, Lein paused for a moment. Then, he opened the Alliance System Chat panel. - (Lein): Hana, Gusti... cancel the mission, return to the ind immediately. - (Gusti): Yes, Sir Lein. - (Hana): Understood, Brother Lein. We''ll be back in 3 hours. *** In a ce far from the World Market Trade Alliance Ind, arge ship, 2,000 meters long, sailed through the dark void full of stars. The atmosphere on the ship was lively, with bright lights surrounding the vessel. Currently, in the ship''s main control room, a muscr man holding arge hammer and a young woman with round sses exchanged confused nces. "It seems Sir Lein has returned," Gusti said in a panic. He was the cause of everything, and he had even upset Nita. Who knows what Lein would do to him? "Don''t worry, Sir Gusti, Sir Lein isn''t like that," Hana reassured him. After saying that, Hana quickly moved to the helm to adjust the ship''s course. Even though she had said they could return in 3 hours, it didn''t mean they had only been searching for a few kilometers. When they were searching for Wiko Suryo, smaller ships were released to conduct a widespread search. But since they were now ordered to return, there was no need to continue deploying the smaller ships. All the ship''s power was directed toward returning at full speed without any obstacles. *** Back at Laras''s house, in the garden area at the back of the house. "We''ll be heading to the Indonesian ind in a few minutes," Lein said after sending the mission cancetion information in the Alliance chat. "Awesome, we''re going to war," Nita said excitedly. She couldn''t wait to lead the troops. Even without Lein, the World Market Trade Alliance Ind was already moving toward the Indonesian Alliance Ind. But Lein''s intention to go to the Indonesian ind was to do so via teleportation portals; they would attempt to stop the Blood Race. Lein didn''t really want to waste his time dealing with the problems of other alliances, but at this point, it could be said that the Indonesian Alliance was his. "By the way, I have a gift for you both," Lein suddenly said, pulling out two golden swords in his hands. The golden swords Lein pulled out were, of course, the ones he currently owned. (Divine Sword - Part 1) - Level: 41 (Growth) - Attribute: Str +1050, Int +1034, Agi +1061, Res +1078 - (Holy Blessing): All body wounds healed, base attributes +30%, damage increased by +30%, for 1 minute. Cooldown 10 minutes. - (Binding Skill): (Echo Phantom: Clone with 50% attributes), (dewarp: Teleportation to sword''s location), (Phantom Exchange: Exchange position with sword), (Phantom Assault: Swords passively auto-attack nearby enemies). "Wow... Brother, it''s so strong now. It''s so different from when I first saw it," Nita marveled at the golden sword''s glowing aura, noting how different it lookedpared to when Lein first acquired it. "Yeah... Look at its status. Can you see the binding skill?" Lein asked about the skill that was added when he did the binding. "Which skill, Brother? I don''t see anything called binding skill," Nita replied, confused. "Yes, that''s right, Brother Lein. I don''t see it either," Laras added, staring at the golden sword in her hand with astonishment. She couldn''t believe what she was seeing. (Divine Sword - Part 1) - Level: 41 (Growth) - Attribute: Str +2100, Int +2068, Agi +2122, Res +2156 - (Holy Blessing): All body wounds healed, base attributes +30%, damage increased by +30%, for 1 minute. Cooldown 10 minutes. "Hahahah... 8,000 attributes at once, where did Brother Lein get this?" Laras murmured to herself. Laras was essentially a light-attribute mage, but that didn''t mean she couldn''t use the golden sword in her hand. She could use it, though with some limitations. However, seeing the attributes the golden sword had, itpensated for all her ss skill deficiencies; after all, she was a mage and a sword-mage knight. "Brother Lein, may I ask you something?" Laras had now stored the sword in her hand and looked at Lein as if she had a very important question in mind. "Yes, what is it, Laras?" Lein asked casually. "Where did you get this golden sword, Brother Lein? The golden sword in my hand and Nita''s are exactly the same. And I thought the golden sword in your hand should be the same too, right?" Laras asked innocently without any guilt. Lein stared at her in silence for a moment before finally answering. "That''s a secret :)" Lein said with a wide smile. Yes, he couldn''t tell them. In truth, he wasn''t afraid of someone finding out he had many identical swords because he was very powerful now. He also knew that there were many skills that could duplicate weapons or items, even if the attributes and statuses weren''t exactly the same. "Ahahah... sorry, sorry," Laras said, embarrassed. The golden sword Lein had given her was so fascinating that she forgot about respecting others'' privacy, even though they were in the same alliance. Chapter 102: Opening an Epic chest Lein and Nita spent a few hours at Laras'' house untilte afternoon before finally deciding to go home. Their n to go to the Indonesian Alliance Ind was postponed until the next day. They also decided to go together, so Lein contacted all the core members to return to the ind. Currently, Lein and Nita were in a luxury flying car heading to City Hall. In the front seat, a male driver dressed in formal attire drove with great caution. "Brother, a few days ago I started school and managed to make some friends," said Nita with a smile. "The learning system at the New Life University is also very advanced,pletely different from the high school I used to attend." During the journey, Nita shared her experiences at the New Life University, which had just officially opened. The sophistication of the learning system at that university was unmatched by any schools on Earth before. "Yes, of course. That''s only natural, considering the arrival of the new system," replied Lein from his seat. The two siblings continued to chat, enjoying the beauty of the night sky. They deliberately rolled down the car window, letting the cool night breeze brush their faces, as if washing away the heat of the day. The journey from Laras'' house to City Hall took an hour, even though they were using a flying car, not teleportation. Upon arriving home, Nita went straight to her room to continue her routine hobbies of drawing and writing. Meanwhile, Lein moved toward the secret room in the basement of City Hall. Lein was now inside his spacious room. The room was furnished with arge bed, a bookshelf filled with books, a study desk, a white chandelier, and wall decorations such as paintings and sculptures that added an artistic touch. "It''s time to calcte the harvest from the Qian Race''s territory," Lein murmured with an enthusiastic tone. Lein walked towards therge wardrobe on the right side of the door. The wardrobe was about three meters wide and five meters tall. He raised his fingers, touching a few books on the fifth shelf from the bottom. Each time his index finger touched the edge of a book, a bright light appeared briefly. asionally, Lein moved his fingers as if ying the piano, skipping over some books. Drrrzz... A creaking sound was heard, followed by a loud rumble. A long white corridor appeared in front of Lein. The walls of the corridor emitted a bright white light, making the end of the corridor clearly visible,plete with shelves filled with chests in the distance. Lein stepped into the bright corridor. Within seconds, he reached the end of the corridor and entered arge room with three floors. The length of this secret room was about 100 meters, with thousands or even tens of thousands of gold chests neatly arranged on each shelf. Each shelf could hold 200 gold chests. "Without realizing it, it''s be this much," Lein muttered calmly as he looked at the rows of gold chests. Lein actually regretted building this gold chest room, feeling that it was useless. However, since he was used to it, he always took the time to open a few gold chests in this room. Lein walked towards the center of the room, where a sofa and arge table were already set up. After sitting on the sofa, he took out a purple chest from his storage ring. [Duplicating (Epic Chest) 10,000 times, are you sure?] "Yes." As if it were a routine, 10,000 purple chests appeared in Lein''s gold storage room. "I''m curious about the contents of this shiny purple chest," Lein said to himself. [Opening (Epic Chest), are you sure?] "Yes." Immediately, the purple light radiating from the chest looked very bright and beautiful, while small stars flew around it. [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), you obtained:] - Mid-Level Energy Crystals x12 - Savior Leaves x5 - Divine Iron x8 - Dragon Arm Bow Level 40 x1 - Lightning sh (Skill Book) ... "Wow... a skill book? Level 40 item?" Lein said in amazement. He didn''t expect the first chest to immediately provide a skill book. "What''s this?" Lein said, picking up a green stone from the chest. (Divine Stone) A stone made from the sediment of star creature bones over hundreds of millions of years. Very strong and durable. Lein nodded in satisfaction after reading the description of the green stone. He then examined the blue skill book he had just obtained. (Lightning sh) Perform a quick shing motion forward. - Level: 1 (0/10,000) - Base Damage: 1,200 - Rarity: Rare - Cooldown: 3 minutes - Requirement: Level 20, Swordsman "Hahaha... Rare level, pretty good," Lein said casually. Even though obtaining a skill book was difficult, Lein was used to acquiring high-level skill books. So, a Rare level book didn''t really excite him. Lein then turned to the green bow inside the epic chest. The bow had a transparent string that looked very strong. Curious, Lein opened its description panel. (Dragon Arm Bow) - Level: 40 - Attributes: STR +480, SPD +236 - (Dragon''s Breath): Emit a dragon''s aura around the user, increasing focus by 20% and uracy by 30% for 10 seconds. Increases bullet speed at long distances. Cooldown 5 minutes. Lein only nced at the status panel, then continued to open another chest. He was quite surprised by the contents of the epic chest, as most of it contained rare items, far more valuable than regr gold chests. "Next," Lein said, taking out another epic chest from his bag. [Opening (Epic Chest), are you sure?] "Yes." The same purple light radiated from the epic chest, with small stars flying around it. [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), you obtained:] - Mid-Level Energy Crystals x6 - Huayin Leaves x5 - Blueprint for Automatic Bow Tower x1 ... Without looking further, Lein immediately proceeded to open another chest. [Opening (Epic Chest), are you sure?] "Yes." [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), you obtained:] - Mid-Level Energy Crystals x23 - Sea Lion Fangs x5 - Oman Shield x1 ... While Lein was busy opening chests in his secret room, the nightlife in the City of Life continued to bustle as usual. The city''s development under Lein''s control was astounding. The city''s streets were filled with public vehiclesing and going, creating an atmosphere simr to life on Earth. In a corner of the city, a group of school students was walking home. The group consisted of three boys and two girls. "Hey, did you hear that the Indonesian Alliance is having an internal war?" asked one of the girls in the group. "Yeah, I heard it on the news too. I didn''t expect President Wiko Suryo to do something like that," replied one of the boys. "Luckily we''re in the World Market Trade Alliance. We''ve been safe all this time thanks to the power of the ind''s owner." Although their levels were still low and didn''t have a big impact, these young people still feltfortable living on Lein''s ind. Other inds had been attacked several times byrge monsters, and some had even gone to war with each other. However, since the formation of the World Market Trade Alliance, there had never been a war in Lein''s City. The inhabitants of the alliance ind highly respected the ind''s owner, Lein. Although they rarely saw him appear in public, information about him could easily be found on the inte. ... Javan Hawk Guild, City of Life Inside the Javan Hawk Guild bar, the atmosphere was lively. Many rulers in various outfits sat rxing, enjoying their drinks. A bartender in a ck and white uniform was busy serving drinks to the hunters who kepting in. "Miss Jian, you''re here again," the male bartender greeted with a bright smile as he shook a ss in his hand. "Two beers, please, Mr. Mul," the woman replied. The woman named Miss Jian was a short-haired woman with slightly revealing clothing. From her appearance, one might think she was easy to bother. However, those who met her for the first time quickly changed their minds after seeing her status panel. [Status] - Name: Jian (Level 14) - Race: Blue Human - Power Core: System - Rank: Tier-1 Soon after, the bartender served the two beers Miss Jian had ordered. "Thank you, Mr. Mul." Miss Jian immediately lifted her beer ss and drank it down. "Ahh..." She sighed in relief after gulping down the beer. Then she took the other ss and drank it all down again. "You seem to be in a bad mood, Miss Jian. What''s the matter?" Mr. Mul asked curiously. Miss Jian didn''t answer right away but instead pulled out a cigarette from the small bag beside her. After lighting it, she exhaled the smoke slowly. "My brother got hurt while on a mission outside the ind," Miss Jian replied briefly. Mr. Mul just nodded, understanding the situation, and didn''t ask further. ... Behind thefort of life on Lein''s Ind, the inhabitants still had to work hard to survive and thrive. As Miss Jian experienced, even though her level was already quite high as a Level 14 ruler, dangers still lurked everywhere, even if they didn''t directly affect her. Chapter 103: Building the Divine Dragon Nest In a vast room filled with countless rows of chests, Lein sat intently, examining the panel in front of him. Materials and items had piled up abundantly, disying a colorful gleam¡ªdominated by shades of purple, blue, and green. Lein yawned widely. He had been confined in his secret room for almost two full hours, immersed in his never-ending work. "That''s enough for today," he murmured softly, covering his yawning mouth. "Tomorrow we''ll continue, and also install the Gctic Fortress and Divine Dragon Nest." With practiced movements, Lein gathered all the items before him. In a matter of seconds, all the equipment was sucked into the storage ring wrapped around his finger. These items would soon be distributed to his subordinates, used for the development of their alliance and main ind. After ensuring everything was safely stored, Lein left the secret room. He walked towards his bedroom, ready to rest his weary body and mind. *** That morning, Lein woke up earlier than usual. The gentle morning sunlight bathed the green grassy yard beside the city hall, where he began his daily exercise routine. "One¡­ two¡­ three¡­" With a straight posture, Lein counted each push-up movement with a steady and consistent rhythm. His now muscr body moved up and down with well-trained strength. Sweat slowly soaked his body, a testament to two months of dedication and consistency in maintaining physical exercise. After thirty minutes of exercising, Lein finally stopped, regting his now heavy breathing. "Wow¡­ I didn''t realize my body had improved this much," Lein said as he looked at his well-toned, muscr body. Back on Earth, Lein had once tried to create a workout schedule and exercise routine every morning. However, those ns always fell apart midway and never reached fruition. Lein rested for a moment, then prepared to continue his goal of building the Divine Dragon Nest that he had just acquired. "I''m curious what it will look like. Will it release a real dragon with a long body?" Lein wondered with curiosity. Lein walked towards the parking area filled with several small cars, vehicles typically used to move around the city hall. He selected one of the nearby golf carts, got in, and directed it towards the back of the city hall, where the main monster nest was located. Along the way to the nest, he was greeted by a variety of small buildings¡ªguard posts, gardens, and well-maintained parks. The expansive city hall made it take about five minutes for Lein to reach his destination. A towering iron gate stood firmly before him. On either side of the gate, guard posts with five officers each stood watch with full vignce. "Open the gate!" the team captain ordered sharply, raising his hand in salute as he saw Lein''s small car approaching. In an instant, the long portal was lifted, followed by the wide opening of the gate. Lein''s small car drove on without obstruction, and he took a moment to politely smile at the guards. As Lein''s car entered the main monster nest area, he was greeted by the sight of various bizarre buildings in different shapes and sizes. While many appeared uniform, there were some that differed in significant aspects such as roof shape, color, and construction materials. Lein''s gaze stopped on one square-shaped building, standing five meters tall and ten meters wide. At the top of the building''s roof, a golden wolf''s head was majestically mounted, radiating an aura of nobility that startled Lein. The golden gleam of the wolf''s head seemed both intimidating and awe-inspiring to anyone who saw it. (Golden Wolf Den) A ce imbued with the calling of the golden wolf knights. A location that radiates strength and pride. - Type: Swordsman - Level: 30 - Summoning Ratio: 10 golden wolves/day - Ability: Creatures with very high damage, capable of ignoring enemy defenses in certain attacks. The fear effect it generates intimidates and terrifies creatures with lower bloodlines. "This is strong enough," Lein murmured while looking at the golden wolf den with satisfaction. However, his gaze soon shifted to another building that looked far stranger. It was a structure resembling a grave with arge cross-shaped tombstone. A white skeletal hand appeared to grip the ground tightly, giving an eerie impression to anyone who saw it. (Necromancer''s Grave) The primary grave for the dead in their world, a dream ce for those who wish to be resurrected a second time. Creatures with great and powerful magic energy, but cursed by fate. - Type: Magic - Level: 34 - Summoning Ratio: 8 necromancers/day - Ability: Creatures with a very strong curse effect, capable of dealing greater damage to weaker light creatures. Can be resurrected once after their first death. "Immortal?" Lein said in awe, seeing the necromancer''s ability. But after thinking about it, he smiled faintly. "But it seems that it only applies once," he thought. There''s no way a true immortality ability could be continuously utilized by an army of the undead. Lein continued walking past several other unique buildings. There was one building shaped like arge red stone, enveloped in scorching mes. Around the building, several stone golems withva flowing through the crevices of their bodies stood tall, appearing mighty and intimidating. Another building was shaped like arge tree with lush, fresh green leaves. Its trunk was massive and full of wrinkles, disying the power and grace of nature. On the tree''s trunk was a door, and Lein asionally saw creatures with round heads made ofrge leaves emerging from behind the door. "What kind of creatures are those?" Lein wondered, then checked the status panel of the creature. (Olive Leaf Archer) A creature with high intelligence and extraordinary skills. They have a close bond with nature and are highly adept at hiding. Their connection with nature is unbroken,sting indefinitely. - Type: Archer - Level: 30 - Summoning Ratio: 10 Olive Leaf Archers/day - Ability: Creatures with near-perfect natural energy, capable of blending with nature like lifeless entities. They have a very strong instinct in environments close to nature. "Very strange," Lein murmured to himself, fascinated by the unique creature. Before he knew it, Lein had arrived at the main building situated at the center of the nest area. This building was managed by several staff members tasked with leveling up newly summoned monsters and assigning them ording to needs. The area visible behind the city hall was just a small part of the overall nests Lein owned; other nests were scattered in various other locations, far from the main city to avoid disrupting life there. "Wee, Sir," a guard greeted Lein respectfully as he stopped in front of the operational management building. "Find a vacant spot to build the new nest," Lein ordered as he got out of his golf cart. "Yes, Sir." The staff member quickly typed a few words on a device resembling a tablet in his hand. Momentster, a chime sounded. "40 meters from here, Sir. Please follow me." The staff member politely guided Lein to an empty plot ofnd suitable for building the Divine Dragon Nest. Lein''s mind was filled with anticipation as he rechecked the status panel of the Divine Dragon Nest stored in his storage ring. (Divine Dragon Nest) A nest for creatures with divine dragon lineage. A dream ce for divine dragons to grow and increase their power. - Summoning: 1 dragon every 7 days - Summoning Cost: 10 high-tier crystals - Daily Consumption: Number of dragons x 1 high-tier crystal Lein smiled with hope, imagining the power that would soon be under his control. Not long after, Lein and the staff member reached the empty plot ofnd that could be used to build the new nest. [Detected (Divine Dragon Nest), would you like to build it at the specified location?] "Yes." Immediately, the paper in Lein''s hand disappeared, reced by a bright white light. Shortly afterward, the ground in front of them cracked and split. From within the earth, a structure began to emerge. "Step back," Lein instructed the staff member as he observed the cracks spreading and growingrger. The staff member was startled but quickly stepped away from the cracking area. Slowly but surely, the cracked area expanded to 20 meters from its original center point. Arge cave structure came into view, made of wless crystal-clear stone. Despite being made of crystal, the dragon cave still supported the growth of nts, even with a small tree on top. (Divine Dragon Nest) [next summoning in 23:59:48] [next summoning in 23:59:36] The countdown timer for the summoning continued to decrease. "Well, I thought I''d be able to get it right away," Lein said with disappointment. He was eagerly anticipating the appearance and status of the divine dragon. In his mind, it had to be something truly extraordinary. "Alright, we need to be patient... Next is to build the defense towers," Lein said calmly. He then turned around and headed back to the nest management building. He didn''t forget to hand over a few (Divine Dragon Nests) to the staff member beside him so that they could build several more nests in other locations. As for the other nests, which were numerous, they would need to be built in areas far away from the city. Chapter 104: Building Galactic Fortress After building the Divine Dragon Nest, Lein headed to the left side of the town hall. That area was the control center for the city''s main defense towers. As usual, Lein drove a golf cart toward the main control building for the defense towers. Along the way, he saw some workers walking leisurely along the roadside and in the park area. asionally, Lein would smile at them and exchange greetings. Initially, they were quite surprised by Lein''s friendliness, but after being on the main ind for over a month, they grew more respectful of Lein''s leadership. As long as you have the intention to work, you can live on Lein''s ind. However, if you want luxury, hard work is still required. After driving for 6 minutes, Lein finally arrived at arge gate with the symbol of a silver fortress on the archway. The silver fortress emitted a very beautiful white glow. "Open the gate..." "Wee, ind owner." Every guard at the post came out and raised their hands in salute to Lein. Initially, these soldiers were former soldiers on Earth. Being a soldier on Earth used to be very difficult and dangerous, but after joining the guard forces on Lein''s ind, they realized that the danger was almost non-existent. All soldiers were equipped with top-tier equipment for free, and as long as no extremely vicious monsters appeared, there would be no life-threatening danger on any mission. Lein passed through the gate without stopping and continued to drive into the defense tower control building area. Like other government buildings on Lein''s ind, the control building was equally advanced, if not more so, than other government buildings. Every few dozen meters, there were small towers ready to fire as soon as ordered. No joke, even a tier-2 soldier could be instantly killed without a trace. Lein finally reached the defense building and got out of the golf cart he was driving. There, a staff member in a white suit was already waiting. "Wee, sir. The empty area is not far from here," the staff member said politely. "Lead the way," Lein said casually. The staff member immediately walked ahead, followed by Lein. Along the way, Lein noticed several strange towers. One tower was shaped like a 20-meter tall "T." The top of the tower was oval, thin, and long. Its tip emitted a frightening blue light. Curious, Lein looked at the status panel of the T-shaped tower. (Blue Light Tower) Type: Defensive TowerDefense: 70,000Power: 35,000Firing Speed: 1 shot every 10 seconds, 1-minute cooldown.Range: 150 kmEnergy Consumption: 5,000 energy crystalsSpecial Ability: Continuously fires hot blue energy in all directions at enemies; the longer the enemy is hit, the more their defense decreases. "Hmmm, terrifying," Lein muttered to himself. Lein had even forgotten that he possessed such a powerful tower. He didn''t always keep up with the construction of new towers. But it seemed he had forgotten because of the sheer number of items and materials he owned. Sometimes Nita represented him. Lein continued walking through the defense building area, marveling at the tall towers on his ind. At that moment, a gold-colored tower shaped like an inverted dome caught his attention. The elongated dome faced the sky vertically, and the tower was only 5 meters tall with a base side length of 10 meters. The golden spikes at the tip of the dome continuously rotated and moved smoothly. Lein then checked the status panel of the tower. (Sky Punishment Mortar) - Type: Ship defense weapon - Power: 50,000 - Firing Speed: 5 shots, 1-minute cooldown - Firing Range: 100 kmDefense: 100,000 - Energy Consumption: 10,000 energy crystals "True to its name, that tower can really destroy the sky," Lein muttered to himself. "We''ve arrived, Mr. Lein." The staff member leading Lein stopped in an area surrounded by yellow tape. It seemed that after Lein informed them that he was going to build another tower, the staff had quickly secured the area. "Alright, I hope its appearance matches its name and status," Lein murmured as he took out a golden paper from his bag. (Gctic Fortress) A tower where countless stars gather, spreading star energy to all corners of the realm. - Type: Territory - ArtifactGrade: Heaven - Essence: 176,900 - Ability: (Star Protection), (Star Shot), (Star Breath), (Star Army) Yes, this paper was a building (Gctic Fortress) that Lein had purchased earlier. This golden paper was not a blueprint that required materials to build but a finished structure that could be built at any time and could be activated as long as there was sufficient power essence. Lein immediately used the paper to build the Gctic Fortress. [Building (Gctic Fortress), are you sure?] "Yes." The paper in Lein''s hand instantly disappeared into a bright white light, and the ground in front of them, previously surrounded by yellow tape, cracked. Slowly but surely, a building in shades of purple, ck, blue, and white emerged from the ground. Lein observed the structure with his mouth wide open, astonished and amazed by the appearance and form of the building emerging from the ground. The building truly had several small round blue stars orbiting around it, not just one but many. The tower in front of him continued to grow taller, now exceeding 20 meters and still rising. The tower''s shaft was metallic purple with four sharp edges like a starfruit. Large ck holes were scattered along the tower''s shaft, and the diameter of the tower was currently 100 square meters, meaning each side was 10 meters long. "Sir, this tower is very powerful... and terrifying," the staff member beside Lein said in a trembling voice, looking up in fear. He thought the items/materials built by Lein were always extraordinary, but the tower in front of him was beyond his expectations. "Yes,... I think so too," Lein replied in agreement. After a while, the tower finally stopped growing, reaching a height of 100 meters with a side length of 15 meters. Far at the top of the tower, Lein saw many round stars spinning and floating erratically around the tower''s peak. Lein checked the status panel of the (Gctic Fortress) and observed the skill area. - Ability: (Star Protection), (Star Shot), (Star Breath), (Star Army) Lein was curious about the effect of (Star Protection), so he activated the skill. [Activating (Star Protection) consumes 100 power essence/day, are you sure?] "Yes." A white wave immediately spread from the tower''s shaft, then expanded in all directions. The wave''s movement was quite fast, and it had now almost covered the town hall area and continued to spread. Within seconds, a blue light surrounded Lein''s ind. "Hey, did you see that shield? It looks very beautiful and strong," said a worker sitting at his office desk, watching the shield''s emergence through the window. "Did the ind owner build another protective barrier? Is there a need for that? The ind''s defenses have never been breached." "Stopining and get back to work; it''s a good thing if the ind''s defenses are stronger." Many discussions arose due to the effects of (Star Protection). Lein felt his power essence decrease by 100, indicating that the tower was now active. "Not disappointing at all, let''s try another skill," Lein said enthusiastically. He then activated (Star Breath). [Activating (Star Breath) consumes 10,000 power essence/activation, are you sure?] "Yes." Immediately, 10,000 power essence vanished into thin air. Then a notification appeared on Lein''s system panel. [Gained Star Energy blessing, EXP +20% for 24 hours] "Amazing... this item benefits everyone," Lein said happily as he saw the EXP buff notification he received. Don''t say 20% is small, 20% is equivalent to increasing work efficiency by 20%. Even though the duration is 1 day, with Lein''s inexhaustible power essence, it could be said that the effect of (Star Breath) would never stop. "Sir, is this buff that just appeared an effect of the new tower?" the officer beside Lein asked in awe. "Yes, you''re right. How about it?" Lein replied casually. "Incredible, sir. I''m just curious, how many crystals were used to activate this buff?" the officer asked, intrigued. He assumed it must have taken arge number of crystals to gain such an extraordinary buff. "Not energy crystals, but power essence." "I''ll distribute it to you allter," Lein responded as he continued to observe the Gctic Fortress tower. He definitely wasn''t going to try activating the Star Shot ability right now. It would be dangerous if the shot went out of control and caused unnecessary trouble. Lein then shifted his attention to thest skill, Star Army. [Activating Star Army will consume 100 power essence per activation. Are you sure?] "Yes." Immediately, a figure shaped like a human with a small portal-like head emerged from a portal beside the tower. The figure stood at a normal height of 2 meters, with a body as dark as the depths of space, and a blue portal head with a ck center. Lein was very intrigued by the status of the soldiers that appeared before him, so he opened the status panel. (Star Soldier) - Type: Strength - Level: 41 (follows the level of the ind owner) - Attributes: Str 20,000, Int 10,000, Agi 10,000, Res 10,000. - Ability: A soldier highly skilled in strength and closebat. *Note: Lifespan of 1 hour. "Damn... its stats are almost as high as mine!" Lein eximed inwardly. The STR attribute of the creature in front of him was nearly double his own. "It''s a pity they can''tst long and will disappear after an hour," Lein said with disappointment as he read the description about the Star Army''s lifespan. Chapter 105: Go to Indonesian alliance After Lein finished building the Gctic Fortress, he then returned to the town hall to have breakfast with Nita. It didn''t take long for Lein to finally reach the town hall. He headed straight to the private bathroom on the 3rd floor to take a shower. The town hall had be Lein and Nita''s residence since the city''s construction. It was called the town hall because several government officials woulde to deliver reports to either Lein or Nita. While Lein was showering, Nita was in front of the mirror, striking odd poses to check her appearance in therge mirror before her. "This skirt seems too wide, and why does it have to be purple?" Nita muttered with a pout. This outfit was very popr and often worn by several celebrities on Lein''s ind, but for some reason, Nita didn''t like it. Nita then removed the purple skirt she was wearing and tried on another one made of softer material. She resumed posing to see herself from various angles¡ªback, right side, left side, and back again. There wasn''t a single area that Nita didn''t inspect. "Now... this fits." "I wonder if Brother Lein will like it?" Nita said as she tidied up the clothes she had taken out of the closet earlier. Once done, she headed to therge table on the right side of the bed to do her makeup. She grabbed the powder, opened it, and applied it with blush... Nita continued her makeup with great attention. After applying blush to her cheeks, she picked up a pink lipstick from the vanity. With smooth motions, she applied the lipstick to her lips, then carefully evened it out. Her lips now appeared fresher and more vibrant. Next, Nita took ab and began to tidy her long, shiny hair. Shebed her hair slowly, ensuring each strand was perfectly in ce. Once her hair looked wless, Nita decided to tie part of it back with a small, cute ribbon. She then checked herself in the mirror once more, making sure everything was perfect. Feeling satisfied with her appearance, Nita stood up and walked toward the bedroom door. Before leaving, she nced at the mirror again, giving herself a small smile. "Nita, you look so beautiful today," she whispered softly, as if giving herself a little pep talk. With a sense of contentment, she opened the door and stepped out. Nita walked down the stairs to the first floor. Her footsteps were soft on the wooden steps of the town hall. When she reached the first floor, the mouthwatering aroma of breakfast immediately greeted her. The morning meal was already set on therge dining table near the big window overlooking the town garden. On the table, there was a variety of dishes, from toast with fruit jam to fried eggs and fresh fruit juice. Nita sat down at her seat and began to enjoy her breakfast while waiting for Lein to join her. She took a piece of toast and spread strawberry jam on it. She calmly started enjoying her meal, asionally ncing at the stairs, waiting for Lein toe down from upstairs. A few momentster, footsteps were heard approaching. Lein, freshly showered and neatly dressed, finally appeared. His face looked refreshed, and a smile immediately spread across his face when he saw Nita already waiting for him at the dining table. "Good morning, Nita," Lein greeted her as he sat down beside her. "You look very beautiful today." Nita blushed at Lein''spliment. "Good morning, Brother Lein. Thank you," she replied with a smile. Lein nodded and then began to enjoy the breakfast that had been prepared. The two of them enjoyed the peaceful morning, apanied by the sunlight slowly filling the room and the sound of birds chirping outside the window. A new day had begun, and they were ready to face whatever came their way. *** At a construction site with a ten-story concrete frame, a portal was being tightly guarded by heavily armed soldiers. The portal was usually still, but now its surface began to ripple, causing chaotic vibrations. Soon after, a figure emerged from the portal. An old man with a white beard appeared. He was dressed in a ck-and-white robe with stripes in several ces. With a rxed stride, the old man stepped out of the portal. "Hmmm... home," he said with a happy smile, taking a deep breath. "I wonder how my grandson is doing now," the old man muttered to himself. The old man then walked out toward the portal gate. "Wee back, Mr. Haikal," one of the portal guards said respectfully. Yes, the old man was Haikal Emanuel, one of the ten core members of the World Market Trade Alliance. Seeing the guard, Haikal nodded kindly and continued walking out. However, he suddenly stopped for a moment. "Ah... yes, I almost forgot something," he said. Old Man Haikal quickly pulled out a document from his spatial storage ring and handed it to the soldier beside him. "The Hellish Demon Realm Documentation," Old Man Haikal said. "Understood, sir. I''ll deliver it right away," the soldier responded promptly, taking the document. After that, Old Man Haikal ignored the soldier and walked toward the nearby main road to wait for a bus. ___ At the town hall, Lein and Nita were enjoying their breakfast. "Brother, who all will be going to Indonesia Ind?" Nita asked curiously. "The five of us," Lein replied casually. "Sister Laras, Hana, and Brother Gusti will also be joining." Nita then remembered something. "Old Man Haikal has returned. Should he join us too?" Earlier, Nita had seen a message from Old Man Haikal in the World Market Trade Alliance group chat. Old Man Haikal mentioned that he had returned. Nita thought that the more people joined, the safer their journey would be. "No need," Lein said, shaking his head. "Old Man Haikal probably misses his grandson. So, let him rest for now." "Besides, we need a core member to stay here while we''re away on Indonesia Ind, and Old Man Haikal is the perfect fit for the job," Lein further exined. Nita considered her brother''s words, then nodded in understanding. With that, the two siblings continued their harmonious breakfast in the spacious dining room on the first floor. The clinking of ss tes and light conversation filled the peaceful morning atmosphere. *** Teleportation Hub #1, 10:30 AM. Five people were gathered and discussing near one of the portals. Their appearance was casual, dressed in ordinary clothes like regr people. To those unaware, they might seem like a group of friends preparing for a regr trip. However, this simple appearance was highly deceptive. This group was actually Lein and hispanions¡ªfive of the highest-ranking members of the World Market Trade Alliance, even among all humanity. They were Tier-3 rulers, at the peak of human power. Even without using their full strength, other human rulers could hardly match them. Additionally, each member of this group was equipped with extremely rare gear and items. Pure artifacts were exceedingly rare, and only a few human rulers possessed them. Yet, each of them had at least two pure artifacts: the Vortex te and the Time Ring, which granted them incredible power. "Brother Lein, do you think the person behind Wiko Suryo is a being from outside the human race on Blue?" asked Hana, a girl with shoulder-length ck hair. She was wearing gray jeans, a in white t-shirt, and a colorful jacket. Lein nodded firmly. "Yes, I''m 100% sure. Though it might not be direct, but through an intermediary." "How could he have ess to high-level beings beyond the Divine Sky Realm? Isn''t it only the top 3 alliances that have multi-space portals right now?" asked Laras, a long-haired girl dressed entirely in white. Although her appearance seemed harmless, no one dared to underestimate her, even among the core members of the Alliance. "It''s possible he connected through higher-ups in a tier-3 alliance," added Gusti, a middle-aged man with a muscr build who had been silent until then. However, Nita''s sharp gaze, which had been directed at him, finally made him speak. "I think the same, Mr. Gusti," Lein said, agreeing with his opinion. "But to be certain, let''s go there directly," Lein said to everyone. "If there''s nothing else to discuss, let''s depart." The five of them immediately entered the portal one by one. Lein went in first, followed by the others. *** Main City, Indonesia Ind. The entire city of the Indonesian alliance was in chaos, the battle still raging intensely with no end in sight. "Help... save me!" shouted an old man trapped underrge debris. A woman was currently shielding her child behind her back, protecting him from the Blood Race. "Stay away, stay away from my daughter!!" the woman shouted loudly. Argh... The Blood Race ruler ignored the woman''s screams and immediately attacked with the long sword in his hand. ng... The Blood Race sword was deflected. At that moment, a man with arge shield appeared, standing firmly in front of the distressed woman, looking like a superhero saving someone in need. Chapter 106: Wiko Suryo Reappears "Retreat, it''s dangerous here!" The loud shout of a man with arge shield echoed across the battlefield. His unwavering gaze was fixed on the Blood Race ruler standing firmly in front of him. "You, step aside!!!" Wasting no time, the Blood Race ruler activated his sword skill. A blue aura red up from the sword in his hand, growing and extending until it reached five meters in length. sh... sh... Two powerful shes were unleashed, sending crossing waves of energy toward the man with therge shield. However, instead of dodging, the man only gave a slight smile. Calmly, he activated his shield skill. "Iron Wall." The shield in his hand glowed, creating a holographic yellow duplicate with a hexagonal pattern. In an instant, the duplicate grew twenty times its original size, resembling a giant wall ready to block the fast-approaching sword waves. Crash... Boom... The sword waves crashed into therge shield, but they couldn''t inflict any significant damage. The man with the shieldughed in satisfaction. "Hahaha... is that all you''ve got?" he said mockingly. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, directly toward the Blood Race ruler. The shield in his hand transformed; its edge became sharp, and its surface was covered with long spikes, their tips glowing red. "Come on..." The Blood Race ruler, seeing the man with the shield approaching, only sneered wickedly. Simr battles were happening all across Indonesia, between the rulers of the Indonesian Alliance and the Blood Race rulers. At lower levels, the strength of both sides was almost bnced, but the battles between the leaders were at the peak of intensity, nearing a decisive end. *** In the main city of the Indonesian Alliance, a major battle between Lord Arok and General Bowo was reaching its climax. The atmosphere of the war was tragic, with many corpses lying around, once the rulers of the Indonesian Alliance. In the center of the city, General Bowo faced two formidable enemies: a fat middle-aged man and an old bald man holding a golden spear. The three warriors looked exhausted and severely injured. Lord Arok had a long sh wound on his arm, while several fingers of the old bald man were missing. On the other hand, General Bowo had lost his left hand, leaving only his right hand holding a long blood sword. "Hahaha... you''ll die today, no matter what!" shouted Lord Arok with a hoarse voice. Though his words were firm and victorious, there was deep sadness in his voice. His once sharp eyes were now empty, devoid of hope and purpose. "Hahaha... you haven''t won yet, old man. The alliance you built is already destroyed!!!!" General Bowo replied loudly. He couldn''t believe that the fat middle-aged man in front of him could be so terrifying. Lord Arok''s void skill was extremely troublesome, and the attacks from the old bald man beside him were deadly. "Lord Arok, what''s wrong with you?" asked the old bald man beside Lord Arok, his eyes filled with confusion. "This isn''t like you. Come on, let''s finish this quickly!" Immediately, the old man activated his golden spear skill. "Divine Thrust!" His golden spear shot forward with incredible speed toward General Bowo. However, General Bowo didn''t stand idle. His blood sword shed with full power. "Blood Heart sh!" The two skills collided midway, creating a massive explosion of energy. Thick smoke billowed, obscuring the view. General Bowo heightened his concentration, alert to every movement. Suddenly, an invisible energy wave came¡ªa surprise attack from Lord Arok. ng... Ting... General Bowo''s blood sword and Lord Arok''s invisible sword shed dozens of times in mere seconds. ng... "Damn it, that bald old man again!" General Bowo grumbled inwardly as he saw the old bald man joining the closebat. The golden spear in the old man''s hand was extremely skillful, targeting General Bowo''s vital points. Exhaustion overtook General Bowo; his dwindling stamina and the imbnce caused by losing his left hand made it difficult to face the two strong opponents in front of him. Argh... A powerful thrust from the old bald man pierced General Bowo''s abdomen, cutting several centimeters deep. Quickly, General Bowo leaped back. "Haha... don''t run!" Lord Arok seemed exhrated by the fast-paced battle happening beside him. Without giving General Bowo a chance to catch his breath, he immediately approached his retreating opponent. "Void sh!" Lord Arok''s invisible sword sh shot forward rapidly. General Bowo''s pupils shrank; he knew that Lord Arok had activated his void skill. "Master Wiko, I''m sorry, I can only go this far," General Bowo said inwardly. He felt resigned, all his skills were on cooldown, and his stamina was depleted. He no longer had the strength to hold on any longer. General Bowo closed his eyes, awaiting Lord Arok''s deadly attack. One second, two seconds, five seconds passed. General Bowo was still conscious. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a group of people standing in front of him. Leading them was a middle-aged man with golden feathers covering his body. "Master Wiko, you''ve returned..." General Bowo said with a look of disbelief. He didn''t expect Wiko Suryo to arrive at thest moment. "Thank you, General Bowo," Wiko Suryo, now radiating a noble golden aura, replied. Beside him stood several others, each exuding immense power. "Master Wiko? What is the meaning of this?" asked a man with a dragon tattoo on his left cheek. He looked at Lord Arok and the old bald man beside him with a disdainful gaze, as if they were nothing but trash on the side of the road. "Sorry, Lord Kn, but they are not the people I was referring to," Wiko Suryo replied politely, not wanting to offend the man with the dragon tattoo. "Hmph... make it quick," said another man with a holy halo behind his back, sounding impatient. "Alright, Lord Fian. I''ll deal with these two first," Wiko Suryo responded, looking at Lord Arok and the old bald man with a firm gaze. "Feather Rain!" Golden feathers flew, raining down on Lord Arok and the old bald man. But that wasn''t all; Wiko Suryo also attacked directly, drawing a weapon from his spatial storage ring. The weapon he drew was a half-meter-long kris, with strange lightning patterns along the S-shaped de. Holding the kris, Wiko Suryo''s speed increased dramatically, and in an instant, he was in front of Lord Arok. Wiko Suryounched an attack, thrusting the kris directly into Lord Arok''s chest. Ugh... Lord Arok''s chest was pierced by the kris, the de emerging from his back. He was shocked, unable to believe Wiko Suryo''s speed. However, not giving up easily, he tried to sh back at Wiko Suryo in front of him. "Space sh!" Lord Arok''s sword swept across a ten-meter area around him, including Wiko Suryo who was stabbing him. Sensing the danger, Wiko Suryo quickly retreated. "Lord Arok, are you alright?" At this moment, the old bald man was supporting Lord Arok, who had fallen to his knees on the ground. Lord Arok''s hand clutched his pierced chest, his gaze filled with seething rage. His eyes were locked onto Wiko Suryo with boundless hatred. "Why? Why are you doing all this?" Lord Arok''s voice trembled, filled with pain and betrayal. He had been very close to Wiko Suryo, a friend and ally who had helped him build the Indonesian Alliance. Yet, he couldn''t understand the reason behind Wiko Suryo''s actions, sacrificing the Indonesian people for inevitable destruction. "Hahaha... You''ve been on this ind for too long, Lord Arok. You alsock the vision to see far ahead," Wiko Suryo replied lightly, as if there was no burden in his heart. His gaze was cold, without a hint of regret as he looked at the injured Lord Arok. "I''ve exined many times that this Divine Heavenly Realm is just a small dotpared to the higher realms out there. Why are we insisting on refusing to join a greater power?" Wiko Suryo continued, his voice full of conviction. For him, joining a power like the Blood Race was the best way to achieve rapid advancement. Although the Blood Race''s methods were brutal, requiring blood sacrifices, he believed that for the survival of the human race, anything had to be done. "There are billions of other races in this universe, and the human race is just a neer, not even numbering more than 10 billion. Even if we are optimistic about our own strength, the reality is thatpared to other powerful races, we are nothing. We have nopetitive edge!" Hearing all this, Lord Arok could only shake his head, his eyes reflecting deep disappointment. His mouth continuously cursed Wiko Suryo''s mindset, which he considered twisted. "Your mind has strayed far from our ancestors'' teachings, Wiko! Ughk..." Lord Arok''s voice was hoarse, fresh blood flowing from the corner of his mouth. "Ancestors? We''re not on Earth anymore, Lord Arok," Wiko Suryo retorted mockingly. "It''s time for you to leave those old thoughts behind. I''ll send your soul to the ancestors'' grave soon!" After saying that, Wiko Suryo moved again at high speed, preparing his next deadly attack. Chapter 107: Lein and others arrived Wiko Suryo, with his long keris,unched another attack towards Master Arok and the bald old man. This time, even fierce thunder roared, with the keris in Wiko Suryo''s hand bing the epicenter of the storm. "Traitor!" shouted Master Arok with an enraged re. The old man beside Master Arok attempted to act, summoning his golden spear and preparing to stand. However, his movement suddenly halted as several people suddenly appeared before them. "Who?" Wiko Suryo, still in mid-attack, was shocked when someone suddenly appeared to block his assault. The person standing before him was a young man dressed in blue with a hint of gold at the edges. Two swords, one gold and one ck, hung from his waist. Yes, the ones who appeared were Lein and the others. They had arrived moments earlier at the portal of the main city of the Indonesian alliance, then quickly used the teleportation skill of the Vortex te artifact to swiftly arrive at the main battlefield. (Vortex te) A transparent disc that allows the user to hover, teleport, and increase attributes while riding. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Heaven - Essence: 126,900 - Ability: Flight, eleration +300%, Attribute +50%, teleportation within 3km. Lein, now at level 40, clearly saw Wiko Suryo''s movement as he floated towards him. With bare hands, Lein approached Wiko Suryo, his right hand aiming straight for Wiko Suryo''s neck. "Got you," Lein said casually. Wiko Suryo''s neck was gripped tightly in Lein''s hand like a chicken about to be ughtered. "Who... are you?... Lein?" Wiko Suryo looked at the man before him with disbelief, but soon, overwhelming fear flooded him. "How could this be? This is impossible!" screamed Wiko Suryo with all his might. His gaze then shifted towards the people behind Lein. They were Laras, with arge cross on her back; a girl with short, shoulder-length hair; and two others, a woman and a man with enormous muscles. Moreover, "What are they standing on?" wondered Wiko Suryo in his heart. "Hey, young man, let go of the man in your hand." At this moment, a deep voice broke through Wiko Suryo''s desperate scream. The one speaking was a man with a tattoo on his face, one of the two men Wiko Suryo had brought with him earlier. Lein, who had been observing Wiko Suryo with keen interest, suddenly shifted his gaze towards the voice. He saw a man dressed in animal skins, with bone essories on each arm, and the most striking feature was a dragon tattoo on his cheek. "Kid, don''t think just because you''re now a third-tier ruler you can act so arrogantly," said the man with a holy halo on his back, standing next to the man with the dragon tattoo. [Status Panel] - Name: Kn - Race: Bian Om Race - Power Core: Beast Master - Level: Sr Empowerment [Status Panel] - Name: Fian - Race: Demos Race - Power Core: Faithwarden - Level: Holy Disciple "Who are you? I warn you to return to your realm before I change my mind," Lein said casually. He didn''t care much for these two men. To him, they were just rulers who would do anything to make money to survive. "Damn, this kid is so arrogant. Let''s go, Master Fian," said the man with the tattooed face to the man beside him. "Who are you? Just mind your own business," Fian replied, looking at the man with the dragon tattoo with a disdainful gaze. He didn''t consider the man to be his equal, even from the start. Unperturbed, the man with the dragon tattoo on his face raised his right hand. A blue hologram lit up on the man''s wrist, rotating and disying various animal forms. After spinning for some time, the hologram stopped at the image of a King Kong. "King Kong Gatu!" shouted the man with the dragon tattoo. Immediately, blue light shot out from the hologram tattoo on the man''s wrist. The blue light flew forward, and within a fraction of a second, a massive figure appeared before everyone. (King Kong Gatu) - Level: 34 - Type: Berserker - Attribute: Str 2300, Int 2580, Ag 2450, Res 2900. - (Killer Quake) Leaps high into the sky, speed increases by 50%. Whennding, it causes a shockwave within a 20-meter radius, damage increases by 25%, cooldown 5 minutes. A 7-meter-tall King Kong appeared. Thick ck fur covered therge King Kong, making it even more fierce. "Gatu, attack together!" shouted the man with the dragon tattoo. At that moment, white gloves made of bone appeared on both his fists. The gloves emitted a sharp blue aura. Immediately, the man named Kn charged towards Lein at great speed, followed closely by the massive King Kong behind him. "Master Lein, allow me to handle this man." This time, the speaker was Gusti, already moving with hisrge golden hammer to face the man with the dragon tattoo. "I''ll help too," Hana didn''t remain idle either. She flew on the Vortex te under her feet, joining Gusti in facing the Beast Master and the King Kong he summoned. "Damn..." The man with the tattooed face knew that Lein and the others possessed third-tier powers. However, he didn''t expect that they were not neers to the third tier, and even Gusti and Hana, who approached him, were not far behind in strength. His eyes narrowed as he realized that the Vortex tes under their feet were no ordinary items. "Where did they obtain so many artifacts?" wondered the Beast Master with surprise. Boom... A loud crash resounded, causing a powerful dust wave in the surroundings. Bone gloves and the golden hammer collided, both stepping back a few paces. "Haha... I''ve found a worthy opponent," said Gusti with a satisfied smile. After saying that, he rushed towards the Beast Master, not intending to give him a moment to breathe. Meanwhile, on the other side, in front of Hana, severalrge and sharp chunks of ice, as big as refrigerators, appeared. She hovered in the air with the Vortex te firmly supporting her. "Ice Meteor," Hana whispered. Chapter 108: Battle begins Immediately, therge ice boulders before her fell rapidly towards the 7-meter-tall King Kong. The massive ice boulders, like meteors, mercilessly mmed into the giant King Kong. "Argh..." Boom, boom, boom... The King Kong raged, pounding its chest repeatedly, preparing to face therge ice boulders with its powerful fists. Boom... The King Kong''s fist sent the first ice boulder flying back and shattered it into pieces. Boom... Anotherrge ice boulder came, and just like before, it was sent flying back and shattered to bits. Argh... The third ice boulder approached. However, this time the King Kong dodged and ran to the side. "I won''t let you," said Hana from the sky as she flew with the Vortex te. She redirected the ice meteor''s trajectory towards the King Kong. Seeing that Lein still hadn''t released his grip on his neck, Wiko Suryo felt even more terrified in his heart. He then tried to scream and looked at the other man who hade with him. "Master Fian, please help me!" screamed Wiko Suryo. The man named Fian ignored Wiko Suryo''s screams; he watched the man with the dragon tattoo facing Gusti and Hana. "How can a realm that hasn''t even existed for two months produce level 3 individuals like this? And it''s not just one; there are five of them," said the man named Fian to himself. A slight fear arose in the heart of the man named Fian; he searched for a teleportation talisman in his storage ring. But his action suddenly halted as arge cross quickly headed toward him. *Tang...* The sound of a sh between a one-meter-long white sword and a golden cross echoed. The man named Fian was thrown 10 meters back. "Impossible," said the man named Fian, horrified. He knew his own strength very well; how could he not repel that holy cross? "Take this!" shouted Laras from afar. She was now running and rushing toward the man named Fian. Her cross, which had flown previously, had returned to her hand, spinning around her body as she ran. The man named Fian was no longer as rxed as before; he activated his skill. The holy halo on his back expanded and grew until it had a diameter of 10 meters. At each interval along the circle, there were white orbs emitting a terrifying power. Not stopping there, the man named Fian took out a boomerang-shaped object. The weapon was ck with sharp serrated edges. *Sashh...* The man threw the boomerang in his hand at Laras with all his strength. Then, it was followed by more than a dozen energy balls shooting from the holy halo behind him. *Boom...* *Duar...* The light energy balls were extremely fast and exploded on impact. Laras was agile and easily dodged all the iing energy balls. But when she saw the ck boomerang approaching, she stopped, and herrge cross stopped spinning and stood right in front of her. *Duar...* The ck boomerang and therge white cross collided. A massive explosion urred, even causing Laras to leap back a little. The explosion''s smoke cleared, and the boomerang returned to the man with therge holy halo. Meanwhile, Laras''rge white cross remained standing firmly without a scratch. While the others were fighting, Master Arok and the bald old man approached Lein and Nita. "Master Lein, Princess Nita," said the bald old man to Lein and Nita while carrying the dying Master Arok. Nita noticed the arrival of Master Arok and the bald old man. Her eyes immediately focused on therge wound on Master Arok''s chest; every time he breathed, fresh blood would spurt out. If a human before acquiring the system had suffered the same wound, it would have been certain they would have died a few minutes ago, not evensting a minute. "How did you get this wound?" Nita asked as she squatted down to examine Master Arok''s wound. The wound was indeed very severe. "That man is responsible for it, Princess," said the bald old man supporting Master Arok. He pointed at Wiko Suryo, who was currently motionless with his neck gripped by Lein. "Brother, we should torture that man first. He''s the cause of all this," said Nita to Lein as she took out a high-grade medicine bottle from her bag. "Yes, I think so too," replied Lein, looking at Wiko Suryo, who was pretending to be dead in his hands. "Who offered you to join the Blood Race?" Lein asked calmly. He didn''t actually expect to get an answer from Wiko Suryo, but he hoped to obtain some useful information to trace the mastermind behind it all. "I was wrong, Master Lein, please release me first," said Wiko Suryo with difficulty. *Argh...* Wiko Suryo''s groan was heard after he begged for release from Lein''s hand. Not only did Lein not release him, but he also tightened his grip, showing no intention of letting go. Silent... Wiko Suryo remained firm in his stance, his mouth moving as if he wanted to speak, but he forced himself not to open his mouth. Seeing that Wiko Suryo had no intention of speaking, Lein raised his left hand. A white aura emanated from his fingertips. Then Lein ced his left hand on Wiko Suryo''s forehead. *Argh...* *Argh...* Wiko Suryo''s agonized screams were heard, even causing the men named Fian and Kn to momentarily divert their attention. The previously eagle-like appearance of Wiko Suryo, with golden feathers covering his entire body, had now disappeared, returning to his original state. His strength also dropped drastically; in an instant, Wiko Suryo seemed like an ordinary human. Others might think that Wiko Suryo had intentionally deactivated his power, but Wiko Suryo''s eyes were filled with limitless terror, staring into the empty air in front of him in disbelief. A few seconds earlier, before Lein directed his left hand towards Wiko Suryo''s forehead, Wiko had received an unusual notification from his system. [Warning: A powerful force is trying to deactivate the system. Immediately evade and retreat.] [Warning: External power is too strong, failed to resist.] [System blocked.] ... Chapter 109: The power of Beast Master Kilan Thest words of the system were still vividly etched in front of Wiko Suryo''s eyes, but now the system screen had vanished, leaving only a red panel with the words [System Blocked] disyed before him. "Damn it... What has this man done to me?!" Wiko Suryo cursed Lein in his heart. Seeing Wiko Suryo''s pathetic state, Lein nodded in satisfaction. "Hahaha... it works perfectly. It was worth spending those high-level crystals to buy this sealing skill," Lein muttered with satisfaction. "Brother, what did you do?" Nita noticed the change that had urred in Wiko Suryo. She was confused and had no idea what Lein had done. "Just a little trick from a skill book I bought in the outer realm," replied Lein casually. After sealing Wiko Suryo''s system, Lein shifted his attention to the battle between Laras, Gusti, Hana, and the rulers from another realm who hade with Wiko Suryo earlier. At a nce, it was clear that Laras and the others had the upper hand. They continuouslyunched attacks on the two foreign realm rulers. In hindsight, this was only natural as they were wielding Heaven-tier artifacts. "Divine Hammer of Judgment!" Gusti shouted, gripping his golden hammer with both hands. He was ready to swing the massive hammer from behind his back. As soon as he activated his skill, (Divine Hammer of Judgment) a gigantic hammer shadow appeared. The enormous hammer was 50 meters long, with a head nearly the size of an elephant. It came from afar, heading straight toward the man named Kn. "Damn it, where did this guy get such a destructive skill?" Kn muttered with a horrified expression. "It seems I can''t hold back any longer. If I don''t, I won''t survive against a hammer that size." Kn raised his right hand again. As before, the hologram on his wrist spun incessantly. Every few moments, it stopped at a point where there was an image of a fierce beast of various forms. "Stone-Skinned Elephant" "Red-Furred Panda" "Earth Bear" Each time Kn called out the name of a beast depicted on the hologram, the creature appeared beside him in a matter of seconds. By now, he had summoned more than five beasts. Among them was a red panda with ck markings around its eyes, standing 10 meters tall with long, sharp ws. There was also an enormous elephant, waving its trunk majestically. Its skin glistened, indicating its incredible toughness. "Killer Grasshopper" ... The hologram continued to spin, but this time it suddenly stopped at the image of a golden beast. The picture showed the silhouette of a dragon with an incredibly long tail. "Sky-Tail Dragon" A golden light shot out from the hologram on Kn''s hand, quickly forming into the shape of a beast. First, a tail with jagged fins along its back appeared, followed by a body covered in beautifully patterned scales. Two small arms emerged from its abdomen, and finally, a head with a mouth full of sharp teeth and long whiskers billowing in the wind. Roar... Roar... The dragon roared loudly, then looked around arrogantly. "Why did you summon me again?" the dragon asked, staring at Kn. "I told you to stop acting arrogant in front of me," Kn replied with a frustrated tone. Roar... The dragon cried out in pain as a red cor appeared around its neck. It was clear that Kn hadplete control over the dragon. "Attack the man with the big hammer," Knmanded clearly. The dragon ignored its pain and looked at Gusti, who was swinging his enormous hammer. "Low-level race." As soon as it said that, the dragon flew straight toward the shadow of Gusti''s golden hammer. The dragon hovered parallel to Gusti''s massive hammer, then opened its mouth wide. Roar... The dragon''s roar was immense and filled with a powerful suppressive force. The shockwave from the roar caused the ground to tremble, and a massive energy sh erupted with Gusti''s golden hammer. "Lord Gusti, be careful!" Hana shouted from afar. She could see that the dragon''s roar carried an immense power. "Don''t worry, I can handle this," Gusti replied confidently. Soon, the dragon''s overwhelming energy was dangerously close to Gusti''s hammer shadow. "Teleportation!" Gusti attempted to activate his teleportation skill. Boom... A massive explosion urred, and Gusti was thrown back dozens of meters. His body flew and collided with several buildings before finally stopping and falling to the ground. "Hahaha... pathetic," the Sky Dragon mocked arrogantly. "Lord Gusti!?" Hana ran over to check on Gusti. When she reached him, she saw Gusti staring nkly at the sky. There were no visible injuries on his body; he spread his arms on the ground as if he was admiring the beauty of the night sky. Seeing that Gusti was unharmed, Hana sighed in relief. But then, she suddenly remembered something. "Doesn''t this guy still have a golden defense talisman?" Hana realized, then ignored Gusti, who was lying there like a child. As Hana turned to keep an eye on Kn and his summoned beasts, arge boulder suddenly flew toward her. No, it was heading straight for Gusti, who was lying on the ground. Ugh... Ah... The massive bouldernded squarely on Gusti''s head, his eyes wide as he stared up at the sky. "Hey!!! Who dares?" Gusti yelled, clutching his now purple-blue head. He looked around as if searching for the culprit. "What''s wrong?" a voice called out. Gusti then turned his gaze toward the source of the voice. He saw a woman with short hair. Her right hand was casually ying withrge rocks, ready to throw another if he continued to lie there. "Aiya..." Gusti muttered in his heart. He quickly stood up and stopped pretending to be in pain. "Sorry, Princess. I''ll deal with that dragon," Gusti said with renewed confidence. He then shifted his gaze back to the dragon from earlier. "Whoa..." Gusti gasped internally. His eyes widened, and his mouth formed a big "O." "The Ind Master?" he said in awe. Chapter 110: Wiko Suryo Regrets At that moment, an incredible sight unfolded. He saw Lein controlling thousands of swords, both golden and ck, in the sky above. The swords looked terrifying as they attacked the Sky Dragon relentlessly. Roar... The Sky Dragon roared in fury. The swords belonging to the man before it could prate its defenses with ease, continuously cutting and even slicing through its body effortlessly. [Sky-Tail Dragon] - Level: 35 - Attributes: 3100 STR, 2800 INT, 2780 AGI, 2370 RES - Skills: (Roar of Destruction), (Heaven''s Breath), (Dragon Blood) Lein looked at the Sky Dragon with a calm expression. He deliberately didn''t use his full power because he wanted to test his own capabilities and those of the dragon before him. At this moment, he saw the dragon stop as if it were gathering energy. Lein was about to disrupt the dragon when a figure flew toward him¡ªa red panda with extremely long ws, ready to sh at him swiftly. "Sun Core Arrow." From afar, Nita had already prepared and released her third skill as an archer to attack the red panda. (Sun Core Arrow): Shoots a sharp arrow that locks onto the target, +100% damage, and ignores 50% of the enemy''s defense. Cooldown: 1 hour. A golden arrow soared rapidly, emanating a powerful energy. "Argh..." The red panda sensed the dangering from the arrow and halted its attack on Lein. It then attempted to flee. However, the golden arrow released by Nita was locked onto its target and would not miss. Despite the red panda''s quick escape, Nita''s golden arrow closed in and struck the panda''s back. Boom... A massive explosion urred, shattering the panda''s body into pieces, leaving nothing but ruins from the arrow''s st. Lein watched the arrow''s explosion, then looked at Nita from afar. He smiled and gave her a thumbs up. "Impressive," Lein muttered softly. Nita saw her brother praising her from a distance, and she simply smiled before turning her attention to the other beasts summoned by the man named Kn. "How do these Beast Masters acquire so many beasts?" Nita wondered aloud, feeling it would be cool if she had even one beast, like a rabbit. The battle between the two sides continued. Gusti, Nita, and Hana faced off against the man named Kn and his other beasts, while Lein was still toying with the Sky Dragon in the distance. Laras and the man named Fian, a Faithwarden, were also still fighting far away. Wiko Suryo, lying helpless without any power, watched everything unfold with a look of horror. Everything that had happened from the start had shattered his confidence; regret began to take hold of him. He looked around at the city, now in ruins, with the bodies of alliance members strewn everywhere. Wiko Suryo''s eyes filled with tears, which slowly began to stream down his face. Yes, Wiko Suryo was crying, reflecting on everything he had done. He felt guilty, realizing he was the cause of it all. Not far away, Tuan Arok, who had somewhat recovered, looked at Wiko Suryo with hatred. Even though Wiko Suryo was crying and regretting his actions, Arok''s hatred had not lessened in the slightest. "You traitor!" he yelled at Wiko Suryo. "Tuan Arok, please stop... your wounds will reopen if you keep shouting like that," the bald man apanying Tuan Arok said worriedly from the side. "I''m sorry..." "I''m so sorry..." Wiko Suryo repeated these words endlessly, crying over his actions. Returning to the battle, Laras, who was currently dueling with the man named Fian, became increasingly serious. The Faithwarden before her not only possessed immense power but also held several artifacts in his hands. "Crucifix Light," Laras said calmly. Immediately, therge crucifix on her back floated in front of her, and two white chains emerged from it. These chains swayed and hovered around the crucifix like snakes dancing in the air. Laras looked at the man named Fian with a serious gaze, then directed her crucifix to approach him. Once it was close enough, the two chains from the crucifix shot out and flew swiftly toward the man with the holy halo. "A woman with pure holy energy," Fian muttered with a small smile. He looked at the approaching chains with a rxed expression. "Holy Prison," he uttered. Instantly, an area within a 50-meter radius seemed to be enveloped by a certain power, imprisoning both Laras and Fian within it. Laras surveyed her surroundings cautiously. She was quite worried because a negative warning had appeared on her status panel. [You have entered the Holy Prison. Unable to activate dark powers, attributes reduced by 50%, teleportation skills blocked.] "A seal?" Laras murmured to herself. It wasn''t long before a message appeared on her status panel. (Lein): Use the (Blessing Potion) to remove the negative effects. Laras looked at Lein in the distance, who was also watching her. She then nodded and immediately took out a bottle of (Blessing Potion) from her storage ring. [Consuming (Blessing Potion): You have received the maximum benefit of 10 times. No further effects will be gained in the future.] Laras already knew it wouldn''t have any effect, but since Lein had advised it, she tried it anyway. [Sessfully consumed (Blessing Potion). Maximum effect reached. All negative effects removed.] [Negative effect (Holy Prison) canceled.] "What? It has this kind of effect too?" Laras eximed in disbelief. Laras immediately continued to control her crucifix chains. The chains swiftly approached Fian. "What? Why is her power still the same as before?" Fian said in surprise. Ignoring the reason behind it, he focused his gaze on the two chains closing in on him. Zap... Dozens of energy orbs from the holy halo behind him shot forward at high speed, intercepting the chains as they approached. Boom... Boom... Each time an energy orb struck the chains, a massive explosion ensued. The chains remained intact, but they couldn''t move further due to the explosive force caused by Fian''s holy energy orbs. Laras observed the situation and then brought her hands together as if in prayer. She resembled a nun preparing to pray, and a holy light enveloped her body. Her joined hands lifted high towards the sky, and then she spread them wide as if asking for a blessing. "Come forth..." Immediately, the sky above her began to crack open, the rift widening until it was ten meters long. Chapter 111: Larass strength "What is that?" muttered the man named Fian curiously. He focused his attention on the crack in the sky. From the crack, a figure emerged¡ªa man standing two meters tall, d in a white robe, with a crystal white sword in hand. What was unusual about this figure was therge silver wings on his back. Yes, the figure looked like an angel with a holy aura. It wasn''t just one angel; several other angels slowly emerged from the crack, fully equipped for battle. Each angel had a pair of beautiful silver wings and a long crystal sword in their right hand. "Holy Angel Army," Laras whispered softly. Laras watched the angels emerge from the crack with a satisfied smile. The angelic army was the result of her skill, *Holy Angel Army*. (*Holy Angel Army* opens arge crack in the sky, summoning 12 holy angels with the same level as the caster. The holy angels inherit an additional 50% of the caster''s power. The holy angels assist the caster in battle for 10 minutes. Dead holy angels will be resurrected after 10 minutes. Cooldown: 1 hour.) When Laras first acquired this skill, she was stunned. Even if it onlysted for a few minutes, 12 immortal holy angels were incredibly powerful. Of course, the numbers in the skill description had doubled due to her talent effects. From a distance, Lein observed all the skills Laras used. Honestly, he was amazed to see the holy angel army, making him feel like he was just getting to know Laras, as if he hadn''t really known her before. Not only Lein, but Nita, Hana, and Gusti also looked at the angels with admiring smiles. The power of each angel was unimaginable. "They are so beautiful; they look very powerful," Nita said with an eager gaze as she watched the holy angel army. "Holy Princess, we, the Kingdom of Heaven''s army, are ready to serve," said the leader of the holy angel army, a man, to Laras with great respect. He bowed his head, followed by the 11 soldiers behind him. "Alright" Laras nodded. She then turned and looked at the man named Fian in the distance. "Destroy and kill that man for me." "Yes, Holy Princess," the leader of the holy angels nodded and stepped back a few paces before turning and looking at the soldiers behind him. "Everyone, kill that lowly creature. The Holy Princess''s orders are absolute." "Attack!" The holy angel army immediately turned and rushed simultaneously towards the man named Fian, who was now feeling intense fear. "Damn, it looks like I''ve messed with the wrong person," said the man named Fian, his voice trembling. He then pulled a golden paper from his bag. Not only was it golden, but the paper also had strange writings on it, and small star-shaped crystals adorned the edges. (*Rebirth Talisman* Activating the talisman will pull the caster''s soul back into the soul vessel. No limitations on space and time.) "Father, I''m sorry... but this is the only way," he convinced himself as he prepared to activate the talisman in his hand. Not far away, the angels were flying at high speed toward the man named Fian. "Seven," the leader of the angels shouted, looking at a female angel behind him. "Yes, sir." The female angel then traced several patterns in the air with her fingertip. Every time her finger moved, a white light followed as if writing something. Shortly after, a strange pattern formed. "Seal activate!" the female angel shouted. Immediately, arge circle surrounded the battlefield. "Damn, I can''t use short-range teleportation," said the man named Kn, who was fighting Lein. He kept trying to dodge Lein''s golden and ck swords. Judging by his face, he was struggling and looked desperate. The dragon he had summoned was also having a hard time. Its body was covered in blood, and it could no longer regenerate. Argh... The dragon''s roar was pitiful and sounded desperate. Back to the angels heading towards Fian, a Faithwarden with arge white halo behind his back. "First punishment!" the angel leader shouted. He swung the sword in his right hand, and with a slight movement, he disappeared from his spot. In a split second, he had moved and was now directly behind the man named Fian, who was staring at him in shock. Without hesitation, the angel leader shed directly at the man''s neck. Tsha... The sh created a strong gust of wind. Sh... "What?" But instead of what was expected, there was no blood or a head flying. The man was no longer in front of the angel leader. "Seven?" the leader looked at the female angel with a questioning gaze, expecting her to exin. "I activated the seal, sir, but it seems that person has an advanced form of teleportation," the female angel exined. The leader was about to say something when he suddenly heard a soft voice not far away. "It''s alright now." Laras observed everything and didn''t want to me the angelic army. It was understandable that people had some tricks up their sleeves. "Next order, kill those monsters," Laras said, pointing to the strange creatures summoned by the man named Kn earlier. "Yes, Princess." Quickly, the angelic army rushed to the Beast Master''s battle area. From afar, in the shaded area, Master Arok and the bald old man who was with him earlier observed the very unfair battle in front of them. "Hey, Master Daeng. How strong do you think the World Market Trade alliance is?" Master Arok asked the old man beside him. "I don''t know. But it''s definitely much stronger than those big alliances," replied the old man Daeng. ___ "It seems it''s time," Lein said calmly. He then directed all his golden swords at the Sky-Tail Dragon. Like water controlled by Lein''s mind, the swords flew without obstruction and pierced the dragon''s entire body. Tsk... Tsk... Argh... The Sky-Tail Dragon roared in pain, screaming every time a sword pierced its flesh. But there was nothing it could do; it was already exhausted and had no defenses left as it had in the beginning. [Killed (Sky-Tail Dragon) exp +91,000, +100 contribution] [Sky-Tail Dragon drops:] - Energy crystal x180 - Dragon blood 100ml - Dragon Fang x2 - Dragon scales x15 - Dragon eye x2 Chapter 112: Killing Kilan "Dragon materials? Not bad," Lein said softly. He looked at all the materials dropped by the Sky-Tail Dragon and collected them. After dealing with the Sky-Tail Dragon, he saw that the other battles were almost over. All the beasts summoned by Kn, the Beast Master, were already dead with nothing left. Kn was now cornered, facing the angels summoned by Laras, breathing heavily. "Damn... this seal won''t let me escape or teleport," Kn said fearfully. He could only defend passively against the relentless attacks from the angels. At this moment, Kn did not notice that Laras was already behind him, ready tounch an attack. "Crucifixion Light," Laras said calmly. Immediately, arge cross appeared in front of Laras. Two white chains shot out like dancing snakes. The cross floated towards Kn, and the two chains flew, trying to bind the already cornered Kn. It didn''t take long for Kn, who kept retreating, to finally make contact with the chains from Laras''srge cross. The chains wrapped around every part of Kn''s body, binding him tightly. "No!! What are these chains? My power is draining!" "Let go!!" Kn, now bound, could only scream for his life. Fear and regret filled him. The arrogance he showed earlier was gone. Unable to me anyone, he turned his gaze to Wiko Suryo, whoy helpless on the ground not far away. "This man!! It''s all because of this man." Kn tried to muster a bit of strength to attack the nearly-dead Wiko Suryo, but his actions were halted as a sharp golden sword pierced his chest, right through the heart. Ugh.. [Killed (Kn - Alpha Command) exp +186,000, +1000 contribution] [Kn drops: (silver storage ring)] Yes, Lein''s golden sword had already pierced him. Lein sensed Kn''s intent to attack Wiko Suryo, so he took immediate action without waiting for Laras to finish her crucifixion skill. "Wow... Big brother took action," Nita said in surprise, then praised Lein directly. "Stupid girl... quickly take the storage ring," Lein ignored Nita''s praise and instructed her to retrieve the storage ring Kn had dropped. "I knew it, Master Lein must be very powerful." "Yes... of course." Hana and Gusti also watched Lein''s attack with awe. The golden sword moved so fast they could barely see it clearly as it struck. Laras had already guessed that it must have been an attack from Lein. She also slightly sensed Kn''s actions towards the end of his assault and wanted to strike directly, but Lein had acted first. After all the enemies were defeated, Lein and the others gathered. "Alright... the main enemy is down." "The next task is to eradicate the blood race across the entire Indonesian Alliance ind," Lein said to the others. "Yes, Brother Lein. Several teams from other forces and alliances have also arrived to assist in attacking the remaining blood race," Hana reported thetest information. Lein nodded. He then shifted his gaze towards Wiko Suryo and was about to approach him. But before that, Lein said, "If there''s nothing else, you can start the cleanup in other areas," Lein told the others. Of course, they weren''t obligated to do so since there were already many forces that hade to the Indonesian ind to help. Lein deliberately asked them to engage in battle so that theirbat skills would be honed and be even more refined. Laras, Hana, Gusti, and Nita quickly spread out to search for any blood race in the surrounding area, eliminating them if they encountered one. After giving those instructions, Lein approached Wiko Suryo. Near Wiko Suryo, Mr. Arok and the old man, Daeng, were seen waiting. "Wiko Suryo, I''m giving you onest chance. Who is behind all of this?" Lein asked, staring at Wiko Suryo with sharp eyes. Wiko Suryo didn''t dare to look back at Lein at that moment. He could only lower his head, deep in thought. After a few moments, he finally began to speak. *** Since Lein and the others arrived at the Indonesian Alliance ind, many media forces had been covering the battle live. Some media outlets even hired some Alliance Hunter rulers to protect their reporters, enabling them to cover the events live and bring hot news from the Indonesian Alliance ind. For several days, as the battles between the rulers of the Indonesian Alliance and the blood race followers unfolded, the media became the primary drivers of news dissemination. Of course, the mediapanies didn''t broadcast the news without a return. The media system functioned simrly to how it did on Earth before, where people would subscribe to their favorite channels. The advertising business had also be widespread, with promotions for stores, items, and alliances aiming to attract other rulers to join. In recent days, news media had been filled with live broadcasts and fascinating information about the ongoing battles. Because of the easy ess to news media, discussions among the public were also taking ce. "Did you hear? The American Alliance has already sent reinforcements to fight the blood race forces on the Indonesian Alliance ind." "I heard that too. Not just America, but the Top 5 alliances are also helping." "Has the ind''s owner taken any action?" At that moment, a heated discussion was taking ce among high school students in a caf¨¦. They had already activated their systems and gained powers, making them very interested in the situation on the Indonesian Alliance ind. It wasn''t just the students. Even elderly people were discussing the situation while hanging out in the city park. "I can''t believe President Wiko made such a foolish move," said an old man while puffing on a cigarette. "Well, that''s how it is. People tend to forget themselves when given a little power to rule," replied another old man, gazing at theke not far from the park. Though they were old, they still paid some attention to the Indonesian Alliance. Indonesia was once their homnd on Earth, and even though they had moved to the divine sky realm, a small spark of patriotism remained in their hearts. Chapter 113: Humanity Against the Blood Race The battle on the Indonesian Alliance ind unfolded rapidly. Almost all the major alliances teleported directly to the Indonesian Alliance ind to annihte the blood race. (Chat of the Blue Human Race) - (Lein) Hello everyone, I''m Lein, the leader of the World Market Trade Alliance. Anyone who obtains blood crystals can purchase equipment at any World Market Trade store with a 50% discount. - (Jack) Is that true, Mr. Lein? You''re not lying, right? - (Sun Lord) I''m with Mr. Lein. I really want to buy the dragon-ying bow from the World Market Trade Alliance store. - (William Anderson) The American Alliance will also offer a 50% discount if you shop with blood crystals. - (Bai Qi) The Chinese Alliance is also giving a 50% discount to anyone who shops with blood crystals. Wipe out the blood race, leave no creature alive! - (Hian Bi) It''s great that the major alliances have the samemitment to annihte the blood race. The rulers who were tempted by the blood race are doomed. - (Andi) Damn, my friend became a follower of the blood race... The messages in the human race chat had a massive impact on the destruction of the blood race on the World Market Trade Alliance ind. It all started with Lein, who didn''t want the human race to be destroyed. He wanted the human race to survive and be a powerful race among the other realms in the universe. Lein intentionally sent messages directly in the World Market Trade Alliance chat to reach all the rulers. Nevertheless, the announcement of the extermination mission was also conveyed through the inte and mass media. Far from the Indonesian ind, there was arge ind with several tall buildings. High defense towers could be seen everywhere. Right next to the ind was a magnificent white building standing strong. In front of the white building, a g with white and red stripes and a star emblem in the top left corner fluttered in the wind. Yes, this was the main ind of the United States Alliance. In front of the building, soldiers were lined up neatly, ready to receive orders. On the edge of the field, several military trucks were ready to transport the troops to the teleportation area, leading to the teleportation portal on the Indonesian Alliance ind. The person leading the troops was a woman with sharp eyes and blonde hair. The woman wore a tight uniform with a distinctive military pattern. She looked very strong, but the most striking feature about her was therge axe by her side. The axe was 1 meter long with a spiked, razor-sharp head. "Everyone! Are you ready?" "Ready!" The woman shouted loudly and received a unified response from all the troops. The soldiers in front of her were equally intimidating, each with their weapon by their side. Some wielded swords, others bows, and some carried spears. However, a few troops didn''t carry weapons; from their appearance, it could be inferred they were of the mage ss or another ss that didn''t rely heavily on weapons. "Mage squad..." "Ready!" "Infantry squad..." "Ready!" Each time the femalemander called out a group, the soldiers responded with enthusiasm. After naming several groups, it was time for the troops to move toward the military trucks lined up on the side of the field. There were about a dozen trucks already prepared, and once filled, they floated and hurried toward the main teleportation area. The military mobilization wasn''t just happening with the American troops. The Chinese Alliance was also on the move. Far from the Indonesian Alliance Ind, there was anotherrge ind with towering mountains and lush green valleys. In the center of the ind stood a futuristic city with a blend of traditional architecture and high technology. Among the skyscrapers and towering watchtowers, there was a grand pce with white walls and red curved roofs. In front of the pce, a red g with five gold stars in the top left corner waved proudly¡ªthe symbol of the Chinese Alliance. In front of the pce, hundreds of soldiers were lined up in formation, ready to receive orders. On the side of the field, armoredbat vehicles were lined up, ready to transport the troops to the teleportation portal that would take them to the battlefield on the Indonesian Alliance Ind. This force was led by amanding figure named General Li Wei. d in a red-and-ck military cloak that covered his sturdy frame, General Li Wei exuded an aura of decisive leadership. He carried a long spear with a golden tip on his back, symbolizing the strength and precision of his troops. His face was stern, his gaze sharp, as he looked at the troops before him with confidence. "Are you ready?" General Li Wei''s voice echoed across the field. "Ready!" The synchronized response from the entire force reverberated, reflecting their high fighting spirit. In front of him stood various units, each wielding different weapons with confidence. In the front row, infantry units held long spears with crystal tips, weapons specially designed tobat enemies with regenerative abilities like the blood race. Behind them, archer units stood with longbows made of ck wood, strung with gold threads. Their arrows, tipped with silver, were ready to rain down on enemies from a distance. Beside the infantry and archers, there were special forces known as the "Dragon Guard." These soldiers wieldedrge swords with energy zing along the de, emitting a heat aura capable of incinerating enemies in seconds. Not far from them, mage units were also prepared, dressed in long dark blue robes with dragon symbols on their chests. They held wands that emitted a soft glow, signaling the magical power that could destroy enemies in the blink of an eye. "Infantry unit..." General Li Wei called out the first group. "Ready!" they answered with enthusiasm. "Archer unit..." he continued. "Ready!" General Li Wei continued to call out the other units, ensuring that all the troops were ready to move. After receiving a firm response from every unit, he raised his spear high, signaling the troops to start moving toward the military trucks lined up at the edge of the field. Just like that, other alliances had also sent their military forces to help annihte the blood race on the Indonesian Alliance ind. One thing was certain: at this moment, all human races were united with the same goal¡ªto wipe out the blood race. At this point, it didn''t matter which alliance you came from, what your skin color was, or your beliefs. Everyone was helping to eliminate the blood race from the divine sky realm. Indonesian Alliance Ind, teleportation area. Currently, in an area the size of 10 football fields, there were dozens of teleportation portals. Every few moments, people would emerge from the portals nonstop. The arrivals weren''t just military forces, but also regr rulers with a burning desire to eradicate the blood race. The sight of this vast teleportation area was truly impressive. After people emerged from the portals, they would head to the nearest outpost to find out which areas of the Indonesian ind still hadrge numbers of blood race members. There was also information about forces in need of assistance, areas requiring evacuation efforts, and many other updates that could be obtained from the nearby outpost. At this moment, American and Chinese forces were also emerging from the portals with fully armed troops. (Herman) Look, the military forces from the top alliances have arrived. (Ekhsan) Amazing, we''re definitely going to win and eradicate the blood race from the divine sky realm. (Verd KZ) Let''s join those soldiers, we''ll be safe if we stay with them. ... The discussions among the regr rulers who saw the top alliance forces were clearly audible from the crowd. This was quite natural, considering many people had the desire to join the military forces. In addition, the top alliance forces truly lived up to their name. As seen now, arge warship over 100 meters long appeared in the sky, and not just one¡ªmany warships appeared. "Look at that enormous ship, and what''s with that tall tower on top of the warship?" said a ruler wielding a long iron weapon. "Can we join them?" asked an old man with a look of admiration as he gazed at the flying ship. "Wait, look! Another ship is appearing¡ªa ship with a traditional design, but it''s equally impressive." At this moment, the Chinese Alliance forces had also deployed their warship. Although different in style, the Chinese Alliance''s warship was equally magnificent, with traditional designs and beautiful carvings along the sides of the ship. After the warships were deployed, the troops below flew up and entered the warships in an orderly manner. Once all the troops had boarded, the warships elerated and quickly flew toward their designated locations. Every time a battleship takes off, it signals that a fierce battle is about to ur. Other rulers quickly follow suit after receiving information about the location from the nearby posts. They don''t go alone; instead, these rulers form teams to increase their chances of survival. In this way, all of humanity is working together for the first time since arriving in the Divine Sky Realm. United, they strive to eradicate the Blood Race. Chapter 114: The Battle is Over The battle on the Indonesian Alliance indsted for several hours. Everything unfolded quickly and smoothly thanks to thebined efforts of all humanity. The battle continued untilte afternoon, at which point several messages from the top alliance announced that the Blood Race had beenpletely exterminated. (Chat between Blue''s human race) -(Lein) Announcement to all human rulers: the Blood Race has been eradicated from the Divine Sky Realm. Thank you all for your assistance. Please exchange your blood crystals to receive discounted rewards. - (Bai Qi) To anyone who betrays humanity by bing part of the Blood Race, I, Bai Qi, will be the first to kill that person. - (William Anderson) Congrattions to us, humanity. -(Riko) Amazing! That terrifying Blood Race was dealt with in just a few hours. - (Hun Mo) Congrattions to all of humanity. - (Iko) By the way, who caused the Blood Race to appear on the Indonesian Alliance ind? I heard it was because the President of Indonesia betrayed us. - (Aldi) As a member of the Indonesian alliance, I apologize to everyone. ... The chat between all of humanity became lively, discussing the destruction of the Blood Race. Many rulers sent messages congratting one another. Of course, who wouldn''t be happy about driving out another race from their homnd? At this moment, Lein and the others regrouped at a still-intact location. In one area of the portal hub, Lein stood casually, observing his surroundings. "Incredible, humanity''s progress is so fast," he murmured. Lein, being one of the highest-ranking individuals in the Divine Sky Realm¡ªor rather, one of the strongest and wealthiest¡ªfelt proud of how rapidly humanity had advanced. He had done what he could by opening branches of the Alliance World Market and selling items at affordable prices. Initially, this approach didn''t show results, but now the results were slowly bing evident. Every time he saw other rulers passing by, most of them were level 10. Some had even reached level 15, and asionally, a level 20 ruler from the top alliances would pass by. Not only were they advancing in level, but Lein also noticed that the rulers entering and exiting the portal had high-quality equipment. Green-tier swords were the standard for going to battle, and blue equipment was held by rulers with some strength. Green equipment was, of course, usually reserved for the leaders of the top alliances, but even so, it wasn''t unusual to see random human rulers with one or two purple pieces of equipment on their bodies. "What''s the matter? Do you regret it?" Lein said mockingly to the middle-aged man sitting on the ground below him. The man appeared physically weak, with a depressed look on his face. "I''m guilty, sir... I was wrong," the man said, crying sorrowfully. Yes, this man was Wiko Suryo, the mastermind and instigator of everything. He was the one who allowed the Blood Race to infiltrate the Indonesian Alliance. Driven by greed, he was willing to betray his race in exchange for a pure artifact-level item. In previous conversations, Wiko Suryo had confessed everything he had done to join the Blood Race. A few days ago, at the start of the inter-racial war event and the emergence of portals to other realms, all human rulers gained ess to the outside world. This became the main route for the Blood Race to enter the Divine Sky Realm. Initially, Wiko Suryo was like other rulers, looking to earn contribution points to purchase high-level items. The primary goal of all rulers was the silver badge to break through the level 20 barrier. Unfortunately, during his adventure in another realm, Wiko Suryo encountered a leader of the Blood Race. The Blood Race leader''s motive was to recruit rulers from newly-formed realms like the Divine Sky Realm to spread the Blood Race lineage among the rulers there. As a reward, they would receive a pure artifact if they managed to convert over 50% of the rulers in that realm. Wiko Suryo, driven by greed and self-interest, was tempted by the sweet words of the Blood Race leader. The leader also revealed some crucial truths to Wiko Suryo regarding the next steps after the inter-racial war event and the emperor selection system in newly-formed realms. The Blood Race leader also promised Wiko Suryo that he would be made an emperor in the Divine Sky Realm if he sessfullypleted his mission. Sadly, Wiko Suryo targeted the wrong group from the start. Although he knew that the World Market Trade Alliance ind was strong, he never imagined he would be killed in mere seconds. The World Market Trade Alliance rarely showed its true power, so many human rulers were unaware of just how strong the tower on that ind really was. Lein conducted a thorough examination of Wiko Suryo but found nothing special except for his spatial ring. "Sorry, I''mte, brother." From afar, Lein heard a familiar voice. Yes, it was Nita, who was now walking towards him. Beside Nita were a few others: Laras, Hana, Gusti, and another woman with short hair, wearing a long white robe. "Yeah, you took your time," Lein replied casually. "Hello, Mrs. Wati, we meet again," Lein greeted the woman in the long white robe. This woman was the one who had brought out the purification potion during the high-level meeting of the Indonesian alliance, the meeting led by Mr. Arok, which resulted in the conflict between General Bowo and the small man, Mamun. On reflection, it made sense. During the meeting, Mrs. Wati had distributed many high-grade purification potions. Without the help of Nita, who had long been strategizing with Mrs. Wati, it would have been impossible for her to purchase such expensive purification potions. "Yes, we meet again, Mr. Lein," Mrs. Wati replied with a warm smile. Initially, she didn''t believe it when Nita contacted her about the n to use the purification potion to detect the Blood Race. But after being promised several benefits and protection, Mrs. Wati eventually agreed, leading to the events at the high-level meeting of the Indonesian alliance. "Mr. Lein, let me take this man away," Gusti, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. He was disgusted by Wiko Suryo, who was acting like a dead dog on the ground. "Go ahead... just don''t kill him for now," Lein replied without objection. Gusti grinned widely at Lein''s response. He immediately pulled out a long stick from his storage space. He tied Wiko Suryo''s hands to one end of the stick and then bound his feet tightly. "Sister Hana, give me a hand... let''s go," Gusti said to Laras, who had been listening to the discussion between Lein and Laras. Hana lifted the other end of the stick while Gusti held the front. They now looked like two adults carrying Wiko Suryo as if he were a roasted pig. "Well, if there''s nothing else to discuss, let''s head back to the ind," Lein said energetically to everyone. Lein and the others quickly approached one of the portals and patiently entered it one by one. Mrs. Wati, of course, joined them, as she would receive many treatments and facilities promised by Nita earlier. After returning home, Lein and Nita went back to the town hall to tidy up and rest after a day of battle. Laras also returned to her home in the City of Light, and finally, Hana, Gusti, and the tied-up Wiko Suryo also moved away. *** The next day, World Market Trade Alliance ind. Today was the 26th day of the Inter-Racial War event. As usual, Lein and Nita were having breakfast after their daily exercise routine in the main square in front of the town hall. At the dining table, Nita, who had been enjoying her meal, suddenly asked, "Brother, how did it go?" Nita ate while paying attention to Lein''s response. She seemed to have a question deep within her heart. "Well... the usual stuff, Wiko Suryo''s greed nearly led to the destruction of Indonesia and even all the rulers in the Divine Sky Realm," Lein replied while eating his food. Lein then exined to Nita everything Wiko Suryo had told him earlier, from his initial encounter with the Blood Race leader to the process of selecting an emperor in newly-formed realms, and the information about the next event after the inter-racial war. "Disgusting... someone like that makes me sick," Nita said with a tone of disgust. She couldn''t understand Wiko Suryo''s mindset in making such decisions. How could a president think only of himself and not care about his own people? "Then what about the Indonesian ind, brother? What should we do?" Nita asked curiously. So far, every city that has been built is led by one of the core members. Currently, there are only 10 core members on Lein''s ind, so the Indonesian ind will be left without a leader. "Well... let it remain empty for now. We''ll fill the position if the right persones along," Lein replied while continuing to chew his food. "Besides, if there really isn''t anyone suitable, there''s no need to worry. Just let it be our mainnd, our living city," Lein added. Nita listened attentively to Lein''s exnation. She would follow all the orders given by her brother regarding the development of the ind. Chapter 115: Reached level 50 "Brother, what about the promise to Elder Wen?" Nita asked Lein as she was nearly finished with the food on her te. Hearing Nita''s question, Lein had already anticipated it. "Yeah, we were supposed to leave for the Guandu Realm yesterday afternoon, but due to the issues with the Indonesian ind, we had to postpone it for a while," Lein replied casually. It was true that he had dyed because of the issue on the Indonesian ind, but that wasn''t the real reason. Lein finished the food on his te and then said, "We will level up before going to the Guandu Realm." Yes, Lein wanted to increase his level before meeting Elder Wen again. He disliked the feeling of being powerless in front of someone with such terrifying strength, capable of destroying him with just one finger. That''s why Lein had deliberately gathered many tier-5 exp bottles to break through the level 50 barrier. Lein''s current level was 41, as was Nita''s. Over the past few days, after duplicating tier-5 exp bottles, Lein had amassed nearly 8 million tier-5 exp bottles. Each exp bottle would provide 100,000 exp points to the sovereign. In other words, one exp bottle was equivalent to the exp gained from killing several tier-2 creatures. "Okay, brother, I''m ready," Nita replied enthusiastically. Who wouldn''t want to be stronger? Around 8 a.m., Lein and Nita finished eating, and they were currently in the garden area next to the town hall building. As usual, Lein and Nita loved this ce because it was veryfortable and peaceful, with fresh air, the sound of small fountains, the sound of fish jumping in the pond, and the fragrance of flowers in the garden area. The word fortable" wasn''t enough to describe how Lein and Nita felt. "Brother, by the way, what is your current status?" Nita, who was sitting on one of the benches, asked Lein. Lein then exined his status panel to Nita. [STATUS] - Name: Lein - Tier 3 - Level: 41 (2%) - Attributes: STR 16877, AGI 16921, INT 16423, RES 16926 - ss: Swordsman - Skills: (Divine sh Shadow), (Sky Shattering sh), (Area of Light), (Sword Heaven Prison), (Sacred Heart Sword), (Sky Sword Rain) - Sub Skills: (Double sh), (Sword Aura), (Quick Movement), (Light Barrier), ... - Equipment: (Divine Sword +15), (Two-Step Shoes +15), (Night Splitting Cloak +15), (Fierce Fighting Gloves +15), (Durable Helmet +15) ... - Artifact: (Time Ring - pure), (Vortex te) "Wow... you got a lot of attribute bonuses from gaining titles and also a universe-level soul altar," Nita said with a slight hint of envy, hearing Lein''s attribute values exceeding 16,000 points. Nita''s average attribute was around 12,000, still 4,000 points behind Lein''s average. "What''s wrong? Don''t you like it when your brother is stronger?" Lein asked with a sad expression. "Haha... of course not, I was just kidding xD" "Brother is the strongest," Nita said with a cheerful tone. Lein rolled his eyes at Nita''s fake praise, then he took out many exp bottles and handed some to Nita to use. "Come on, use them, reach level 50, and promote." Lein didn''t wait any longer; he immediately opened the exp bottle panel and used them. [Using (Tier 5 Exp Bottles), are you sure?] "Yes" As soon as he agreed, the exp bottles in Lein''s hand disappeared. Then he felt a slight surge of energy entering his body, followed by the system notification panel. [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] ... Every time Lein used an exp bottle, the notifications kepting non-stop, clearly and in detail, showing the exp bottles consumed by Lein. [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] ... "Nita, you can turn off the notifications so they don''t bother you," Lein said to Nita, who was also seriously consuming the exp bottles. Nita''s expression was like a doctor treating a patient, she was intently focused on the exp bottles in front of her. "I already did, brother. My power is increasing so fast," Nita replied, not even looking away from the exp bottles in front of her. "This girl..." Lein sighed deeply. "Since when did this girl be a power maniac? Did something happen to her?" Lein wondered to himself. As far as Lein knew, Nita wasn''t that interested in power. [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 43, Attribute points +1000] [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] ... "Damn... just to level up once, it took 100,000 exp bottles," Lein said in surprise. He had guessed that the higher the level, the more bottles would be needed to level up. But still, Lein was shocked to realize it. [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 45, Attribute points +1000] ... [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 47, Attribute points +1000] [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 49, Attribute points +1000] ... "Come on, just a little more," Lein said impatiently. He was getting a bit bored using hundreds of exp bottles. Nita, who had been very excited before, was also getting a little tired by now. [Consumed Tier 5 Exp Bottles, gained +100,000 exp] [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 50, Attribute points +1000] "Ah... finally." Lein spoke with an enthusiastic and relieved tone, stretching his arms back to loosen his muscles. "I''m level 50 too, brother." Nita also said excitedly from beside him, having reached level 50 at the same time as Lein. "Great, what''s your status now?" Lein asked casually. Nita then opened her status panel and shared all her stats with Lein. [STATUS] - Name: Cute Cat - Tier 3 - Level: 50 (5%) - Attributes: STR 15612, AGI 15884, INT 15180, RES 15185 - ss: Archer - Skills: (Arrow Explosion), (Nature Archery Dance), (Sun Core Arrow), (Killer Eye), (Heavenly Archer''s Heart), (Falling Star Arrow) - Sub Skills: (Fatal Shoot - rare), (Quick Movement - rare), (Light Barrier - rare), ... - Equipment: (Hell Arrow +15), (Blessed Cloak +15)... - Artifact: (Time Ring - pure), (Vortex te), ... "Good, your attributes are higher than the top alliance leaders," Lein praised casually. And it was true¡ªNita''s attributes were very high, evenpared to the leaders of major alliances backed by their vast resources. "Oh, by the way, should we also share some exp bottles with the core members?" Nita asked curiously. Just imagine, if ten core members of the World Market Trade alliance reached such a level, who could possibly rival them in the Divine Sky Realm? Lein thought for a moment after hearing Nita''s question. Out of the 8 million bottles he originally had, only a little over 3 million remained. With only 3 million bottles, it wouldn''t be possible to distribute them to all the core members. "Of course, we will share them, but not just yet." "Tier-3 is sufficient for the alliance''s operational activities," Lein replied calmly. "By the way, did you see the promotion panel, Nita?" Lein asked Nita beside him. He was curious about what the promotion test at level 50 would be like, but after searching and waiting for the system, there was no response. "I didn''t see anything, brother," Nita replied, shaking her head. Since there was no information, Lein decided to try using another exp bottle. Maybe level 50 wasn''t the limit after all. [Using (Tier 5 Exp Bottles), are you sure?] "Yes" [Failed, level cap reached. Please wait for the next update.] "What? A level cap?" Lein said in surprise. He found it odd that the system mentioned level 50 as the maximum level. If that''s the case, then how would they break through to the levelsparable to Nascent Soul cultivators? "Could it be that the next levels will unlock after the uing inter-racial war event?" Lein wondered to himself. It made sense, but it was still uncertain. "Never mind, no need to worry about it for now," Lein muttered quietly. He felt foolish trying to guess what the system would do next. "Nita, get ready. We''ll depart at 1 o''clock," Lein said to Nita, who was busy chatting on her phone. "Roger that, brother. I''m going to meet with Sister Laras." After saying that, Nita stood up from her seat and ran toward the town hall to change her clothes. "This girl," Lein said, shaking his head with a smile. Seeing Nita run off happily, Lein smiled warmly. He felt a deep sense of joy because of her. Lein recalled how, back on Earth, his sister had spent her time apanying him as he sold fried snacks along the city''s streets. Because of this, Nita had little time to y or socialize with kids her age. It could be said that Nita''s childhood wasn''t particrly happy, even bordering on miserable. Seeing her now, Lein was both happy and proud. Nita had made many friends, was respected by others, and could live safely on her own ind. "Yosh... that''s why we need to keep getting stronger; otherwise, the previous situation might happen again," Lein said with determination. He then stood up from his seat, checking the time on his phone. It was 11 a.m., so there were still two hours before they would leave for the Guandu Realm. "Taking a walk around the city sounds interesting," Lein muttered to himself. With that, he started walking towards the garden, intending to get his car and drive around the city. Chapter 116: Lunch at Rudi Restaurant Afternoon in the city of life, Lein''s car moved through the busy city streets. He observed the bustling city from inside the car, feeling pleased that everything was going ording to n¡ªperhaps even better than the initial n he had devised. The five-meter-wide asphalt streets were filled with luxury cars hovering slightly above the road, sleek S-shaped bicycles zipping along the sidewalks, and cheerful pedestrians with smiles on their faces. The residents of the city of life lived in greatfort, all their needs were met, they felt no external threats from monsters, and their rights as citizens were well protected by the government. Initially, the government officials chosen by Nita tried to employ the same deceitful and corrupt methods they used back on Earth. However, Lein was always watching, and with his overwhelming power, he swiftly executed or imprisoned those corrupt officials. Of course, what the public saw was Nita reporting them to the media, while Lein worked behind the scenes, known only to high-level individuals. "Sir, we will arrive in five minutes," the driver in the front seat broke the silence inside the car. Lein snapped out of his reverie, looking at the familiar buildings they were passing. He noticed several roadside shops selling various ready-made foods and unique food carts along the sidewalk offering various snacks. Lein nodded in response to the driver and continued observing the small roadside shops. Five minutes passed quickly, and Lein''s car finally arrived at a building with arge sign above it that read "Rudi Resto." Yes, this was Lein''s favorite restaurant. This restaurant offered a variety of traditional Indonesian dishes, representing hundreds of ethnic groups with their unique cuisines. Such a restaurant with such a vast menu was rare in the Divine Sky Realm since people had migrated. The car parked in a lot next to the restaurant, and Lein got out, walking leisurely towards the restaurant. As he approached the door, he saw a security guard with a scanning device in his right hand. The guard was shocked and couldn''t believe his eyes when he saw who was approaching. "Please,e in, Ind Owner," the guard said, bowing and gesturing towards the door. He didn''t check Lein, who was arriving. Lein politely replied, "Thank you," and continued walking through the door with ease. While Lein entered Rudi''s restaurant, social media was abuzz with a post about a photo of Lein getting out of his car and entering Rudi''s restaurant. "Wow... the Ind Owner is at his favorite restaurant," posted someone named Gerald on a social media tform called "ULINK." In just a matter of minutes, the post had garnered thousands of reactions and hundreds ofments. "What? Is there still an empty table at Rudi''s restaurant?"mented an ount named Dika. "I saw the Ind Owner walk past my table too; his aura is intimidating. His status panel shows he''s already Tier-3. Very powerful,"mented an ount named Kaleb. "I''m here right now. The Ind Owner is very handsome. Unfortunately, we can''t approach him,"mented an ount named Siska, attaching a photo of Lein sitting inside the restaurant near a window. As Siska mentioned, Lein had already made a statement that people were not to approach him like a celebrity. He preferred to be treated like an ordinary citizen, albeit within certain limits. Because of this restriction, it was rare to see people approaching Lein with a book, shirt, or shoes in hand for an autograph. In response, people only discussed Lein on social media. And whenever someone posted about Lein, that post would undoubtedly trend for several days. Back at Rudi''s Restaurant, Lein looked at the food in front of him with an excited expression. He was a bit hungry at the moment, so he couldn''t wait to dig in. In front of him were several tes of food with various dishes. The first was a te of rice, salted egg, roasted meat, and brown-colored jackfruit. Yes, this was a traditional dish from Yogyakarta, Gudeg. Then there was a bowl of brown soup; Lein stirred it and found minced meat inside. "Rawon... hmm," Lein said, drooling a little. For a drink, Lein ordered bandrek, a brown beverage with a strong ginger vor. Lein loved this drink because it refreshed his throat after drinking it. Without waiting any longer, Lein started with the main course, Gudeg. The slow-cooked jackfruit of the Gudeg was very delicious, so Lein ate that first, followed by the rice, meat, and egg. "Delicious..." "The jackfruit is thoroughly cleaned. It''s veryfortable to chew." In between bites of the food in front of him, Lein couldn''t help but express words of praise and gratitude for being able to eatfortably. Every time he dined at a restaurant, Lein was reminded of the tough times on Earth, having to save his monthly sry to pay rent and Nita''s school fees. The remaining money wasn''t enough to allow him to eat in a luxurious ce like Rudi''s restaurant where he was now. Because of those bitter experiences, Lein was always grateful for the good life he now had in the Divine Sky Realm. After finishing the main course, Lein moved on to the Rawon. Not to be outdone by the Gudeg, Lein thoroughly enjoyed the Rawon in front of him. The minced meat inside had a smooth texture and a slight warmth from the spices. Feeling a bit thirsty, Lein drank the bandrek that had been untouched until now. "Ah... delicious... refreshing..." Just like that, Lein enjoyed his meal to the fullest. *** Sacred Star Academy - Leader''s Room. At that moment, the leader of the Sacred Star Academy, an old man with a long white beard, was discussing something with several Teachers in front of him. "Mr. Yusuf, is what you''re saying true?" one of the teachers asked the academy leader. Hearing the teacher''s question, the other teachers also paid more attention. They had only recently arrived at the leader''s room, hastily summoned by the leader himself for a meeting. "Yes, I also received the information unexpectedly from the Ind Owner himself. He will be visiting our academy in 20 minutes," said the academy leader named Yusuf. Chapter 117: Sacred Star Academy "What do you think the Ind Owner''s purpose is, and what will he do?" Leader Yusuf asked again. Upon hearing Leader Yusuf''s question, the Teachers pondered, trying to find a reason for Lein''s visit. They had previously attempted to send a direct invitation to Nita to have Lein attend the Academy''s opening ceremony, but at that time, Lein had othermitments and couldn''t attend. Now, upon hearing that Lein wasing, and without prior notice, they were puzzled and couldn''t pinpoint a reason for his sudden visit. "From my observation, the Ind Owner ising for a routine inspection. He doesn''t want any evil seeds like the Blood Race to emerge in a power organization like our Sacred Star Academy," said a Teacher after thinking for some time. Lein was known for the freedom he granted to all the residents on his ind. However, with that freedom came certain boundaries they had to adhere to, such as fairness, refraining from causing destruction or coups, and upholding humanity. As long as an organization followed these principles, they wouldn''t face severe consequences like disbandment. "I think the same. We don''t need to be afraid because we haven''t done anything that vites the Ind Owner''s rules," agreed another Teacher. Several other Teachers nodded in agreement, signaling that they shared the same view, believing that Lein''s visit was for an inspection to prevent the rise of the Blood Race. "I also have a suggestion to prepare a grand wee when the Ind Owner arrives. It would be great if one of our academy''s students received something from the Ind Owner," suggested another Teacher. Hearing the Teacher''s suggestion, the others concurred. They needed to showcase the achievements they had made since establishing the Sacred Star Academy. "Alright, let''s proceed with that n," Leader Yusuf concluded. "Mr. Yosep, please gather all the students to wee the Ind Owner. Also, ask some of the top students to perform a brief demonstration." "Teacher Dian, please assist in organizing the academy grounds, defenses, and facilities so that everything runs smoothly during the wee ceremony." "Mr. Chai Lu, I entrust the security of the academy and its surroundings to you." Leader Yusuf made decisions and assigned tasks to the Teachers in front of him. Of course, he had his own tasks to assist in the preparations for the wee ceremony. In this way, Akademi Bintang Suci is currently very busy preparing a weing event for Lein, who will arrive in 20 minutes. Back at Rudi''s Restaurant, Lein had already finished his meal. After paying at the cashier, he continued on his way to his next destination, Mall Mti. Mall Mti is one of the shopping destinations for the upper ss and is also thergest mall in Kota Kehidupan, owned by Lein. As the owner of the ind, it would be a pity if Lein didn''t visit at least once in his lifetime. Soon, Lein''s car was smoothly driving down the main highway without any obstacles. Due to the vast size of Lein''s ind, the city roads were very wide, preventing traffic jams. Additionally, many public transportation vehicles could hover slightly above the ground, significantly reducing traffic congestion on the main asphalt roads. Furthermore, for long-distance travel, the best option was to use small teleportation portals instead of public transport. However, it all depended on the need, as some content creators or ordinary people deliberately used long-distance public transportation to enjoy the scenery along the way. The journey to Mal Mti did not take long, only 3 minutes from the location of Rudi Restaurant. Upon arrival, the driver parked the car in arge parking area. Lein then stepped into arge building that had 50 floors. Yes, this is thergest mall in the city of life, Mal Mti. Lein walked toward the Mti Building casually, and as usual, there was a guard at the entrance with a screening device. Everyone who passed through had to go through this door to prevent anyone from carrying dangerous items like bombs and destructive weapons. "Wee, Mr. Lein," the entrance guard greeted respectfully as Lein approached. Lein politely walked through the screening door and passed it. Then he stepped into Mal Mti, his eyes immediately drawn to the magnificent and futuristic interior design. In the center of the atrium, light from the upper floors prated down to the ground, reflecting the bright colors of holograms floating in the air. These holograms disyed various interesting information, such as thetest discounts, directional guides, and interactive advertisements that looked so real they almost seemed touchable. Each floor in this mall had a different theme, ranging from modern fashion on the first floor to advanced technology on the upper floors. Shops were lined up neatly along the corridors, offering a wide range of items from luxury clothing to thetest gadgets. Lein walked slowly, enjoying every corner and hallway he passed, asionally stopping to examine items that caught his attention. "It''s true, to facilitate people''s ess to trade. Their businesses have also seriously developed," Lein muttered to himself. He had anticipated this from the beginning, not to make it difficult for other rulers to open businesses. If these small rulers were hindered in opening businesses, the city''s development would be monotonous, relying only on himself to grow. Look at it now; even some of the shops Lein passed were sellingbat items like Skill Books, Combat Equipment, Various Weapons, and other items rted to the outside world. Previously, humanity was limited to making weapons like pistols, cannons, arrows, and othermon weapons. But now, someser weapons had started to appear. All this technology, of course, came from the racial realms in the Power yer system. Naturally, those races had existed for hundreds of thousands of years and possessed thetest and most solid technology. Meanwhile, the human race in m Langit hi was like a newborn baby and needed the help of other races to develop faster. "Let''s continue..." Lein said to himself, continuing his journey through every corner of the mall. The bustling atmosphere of the mall gave a lively impression, with various conversations and footsteps echoing around. There were families gathered for shopping, children running towards toy stores, and couples enjoying time together. Chapter 118: Towards the Sacred Star Academy Lein then decided to go up to the upper floors, using the esctor surrounded by transparent panels that offered a view outside the mall. From here, he could see the magnificent city with tall buildings standing firmly in the distance. After arriving on a higher floor, Lein was drawn to a store selling thetest technological products. He decided to enter and check out some of the advanced gadgets on disy. "Wee, Mr. Lein." A store clerk immediately approached and greeted Lein respectfully. She had recognized him from afar but only admired him from a distance, not daring to approach. But now that Lein had entered the store she was in charge of, she was both shocked and nervous. "Please feel free to browse, sir," said the female store clerk with a slightly trembling voice, her breath a bit short at the moment. Lein nodded and examined the gadgets on the ss table inside the store. On the table were several gadgets andptops that didn''t look much different from the gadgets andptops back on Earth. The only difference was that theseptops were incredibly thin with very wide screens. The features offered were also varied, such as elegant design, inte capabilities, privacy security, and high specifications. Lein noticed a phone with the brand name Gxy. It had a slim and wide design, with a modern metallic ck finish. Lein picked it up and tried using it. On the screen of the phone, the main disy showed the time, wallpaper, and several applications. Not to mention, there was an image of a small child with an anime style on the phone''s screen. "Hi, sir, my name is E-Assist#071" "Is there anything I can help you with?" The small figure on the Gxy phone said with a voice like a child. "What is this?" Lein was slightly surprised by the anime figure, then looked at the female clerk beside him. "Yes, sir, this is a very new feature of our product. E-Assist is an AI technology that can help users do something." "In addition to assisting users in operating everything on the phone, this E-Assist can also connect with other electronic devices such as cars, home robots, rice cookers, and many other electronic items." The female clerk exined everything about the anime figure on the phone. In short, it was a very advanced AI feature, and the AI''s emotions on the phone felt very real due to the highly developed technology. Hearing the female clerk''s exnation, Lein nodded in understanding. However, he still had a slight question in his mind and said, "Why is the AI''s default voice that of a child?" Lein asked in confusion. Hearing Lein''s question, the female clerk could only smile shyly. She also found it strange at first. "It was deliberately set as a child''s voice, sir, because usage statistics show that almost 70% of users use a child''s voice as their AI voice," the female clerk exined to Lein. Lein, hearing the female clerk''s exnation, could only sigh deeply. Lein couldn''t be mad because he also did the same thing back then by changing his phone''s wallpaper to an anime image from Japan. "But why almost 70%? Have otakus already taken over the world? xD" Lein muttered in his heart. "Alright, how much does this phone cost?" Lein asked the female clerk. Lein was interested in the Gxy phone in his hand because of its advanced AI feature. "This is ourtest product, sir, so it cannot be purchased with paper money. We only ept energy crystals, totaling 100,000," the store clerk exined clearly. She did not think someone like Lein couldn''t afford 100,000 crystals, but as a store clerk, she still had to exin it fully to Lein. Lein didn''t mind the price, so he immediately took out 100 mid-grade crystals from his personal storage space. "Thank you, Mr. Lein." The store clerk took the crystals and immediately ran to the back counter to prepare the purchase receipt. The female store clerk quickly scribbled something on a piece of paper and then prepared the Gxy smartphone box. Once everything was ready, she ced it all into a tote bag and handed it over to Lein, who was casually waiting while browsing through other items. "Here you go, Mr. Lein," the female store clerk said politely. Lein epted it and replied, "Thank you." He checked the time on his watch and saw that there were still 10 minutes left before his arrival at Sacred Star Academy. The journey to Sacred Star Academy would take about 6 minutes. "Alright, that''s enough for now. Next time, I''ll need to check out the upper floors," Lein said casually. He then turned to head downstairs to retrieve his car. After that, he would depart for Sacred Star Academy. *** Not far from Mti Mall, Sacred Star Academy was bustling with excitement. The expansive and grand academy area was now adorned with beautiful decorations that adorned therge walls surrounding it. The sturdy stone walls were now covered with colorful floral decorations, red and white gs fluttering along the fence, and other essories that added to the majestic scenery. Along the path leading to the main gate, the students of Sacred Star Academy were lined up neatly. They wore bright-colored academy uniforms, with the shining Sacred Star emblem on their chests. Most of the students at this academy had power levels around 10, but there were also a few who had reached level 15. With enthusiasm and respect, they eagerly awaited the arrival of Lein, a figure highly anticipated by the entire academy. "What do you think Mr. Lein''s reaction will be?" "I don''t know. It''s said that Mr. Lein is still very young, but he has managed to develop the World Market Trade Alliance into the number one human race alliance." "Ahhh... do you think Mr. Lein will notice us? I''m so nervous." "Calm down, we''re just students in Mr. Lein''s eyes. There''s no need to be too nervous." Chapter 119: Walk around the Academy The students, currently standing in neat lines, engaged in lively discussions. They felt a slight pressure after receiving instructions from the teachers to gather and prepare to wee the ind''s leader. Inside the academy, preparations were in full swing. The grand and towering main academy building stood firmly, exuding an aura of greatness and power. The training rooms and expansive open grounds were ready for the students to use for practice and honing their skills. Here, the students were not only trained physically but also equipped with knowledge and strategies to help them grow and reach their full potential. The academy''s teachers, who had reached level 20, stood calmly but with heightened alertness. They were highly trained and experienced individuals, ready to provide guidance and direction to the students. They understood the significance of Lein''s visit and had prepared various events and special training sessions to showcase the students'' best abilities. "Mr. Yusuf, how many more minutes? Why hasn''t the Ind Owner arrived yet?" Among the line of teachers, one of them asked the academy leader, Mr. Yusuf. Not much different from the students, some of the teachers were also a bit nervous at the moment, knowing that the academy where they taught would soon be visited by the number one person on the ind. Not long after, a ck car slowly drove past the road in front of the academy walls. Yes, it was Lein''s car. From inside the car, Lein observed the rows of academy students weing him with various gs, and from their faces, they looked very enthusiastic. Most of the students were around 17 years old, an age typically associated with high school students. However, due to the changing circumstances, the academy also taught general subjects, though not extensively. The academy focused more on training students to fight and survive in the vast universe. "We''ve arrived, sir," the driver in the front seat said. He then got out of the car and opened the back door, allowing Lein to step out. "Ah... Mr. Lein." "Wee, Mr. Lein." "Mr. Lein, wee to Sacred Star Academy." ... Cheers from the students could be heard everywhere. Lein responded with a warm smile and waved his hand to all the students, from those at the far end of the wall to those closest to him. "Thank you." "Thank you." Lein kept expressing his sincere gratitude, seeing the enthusiasm of the students. He then turned his gaze toward the gate and saw that the path was also lined with students standing neatly in their white uniforms. Lein then walked along the main road, asionally waving to the academy students on either side of the path. It didn''t take long before Lein finally reached the end of the road and saw the Sacred Star Academy teachers. The person in the center was the first to step forward and greet Lein, followed by the other teachers behind him. "Ind Owner, Mr. Lein, wee," said an elderly man with a long beard, greeting Lein with a slight bow. The old man then continued. "I am Yusuf, the leader of Sacred Star Academy," the elderly man said in a warm voice. Yes, the elderly man was the academy leader, Mr. Yusuf. "Hello, Mr. Yusuf, nice to meet you," Lein said, shaking Mr. Yusuf''s hand and greeting him with a warm smile. After shaking hands with Mr. Yusuf, the other teachers also stepped forward and introduced themselves. "Mr. Lein, I am Dian, head of the academy''s maintenance department," said a middle-aged woman with shoulder-length short hair. Lein politely shook the hand of the middle-aged woman. "Nice to meet you, Teacher Dian," Lein replied with a warm smile. Another teacher approached and said, "Mr. Lein, I am Chai Lu, head of the academy''s defense department." The speaker was a middle-aged man with narrow eyes, seemingly of Chinese descent. "Nice to meet you, Teacher Chai," Lein replied, shaking Teacher Chai Lu''s hand. One by one, the other teachers introduced themselves and shook hands with Lein directly. Lein weed them all dly and gave them the opportunity toe forward and introduce themselves. After three minutes of polite handshakes and greetings, Mr. Yusuf, who had been standing calmly since the beginning, finally spoke. "Mr. Lein, pleasee inside. I will give you a tour," he said with amanding voice. Lein followed Mr. Yusuf along with several other teachers, entering the inner part of Sacred Star Academy. The academy was truly magnificent, with buildings standing solidly in various corners. In the distance, tall defense towers loomed, ready to protect the academy from any threats. Therge training buildings, where students honed their skills, were bustling with constant activity. On the other side, the dormitory building, where the students resided, stood gracefully with elegant architecture. Mr. Yusuf first led Lein to the dormitory building. "This is where the students rest and recharge their energy after a day of training," he said while opening the main door of the building. Inside the room, Lein saw rows of tidy rooms, each equipped with excellent facilities. "Each room meets high standards, including air conditioning, soft beds, televisions, and other amenities to ensure thefort of our students," Mr. Yusuf exined. Lein nodded, impressed by the academy''s attention to the well-being of its students. After that, Mr. Yusuf took Lein to several defense towers scattered around the academy area. "We have several highly advanced defense towers," Mr. Yusuf said, pointing to a lightning tower that stood 17 meters tall. "This tower can generate a powerful lightning bolt to protect the academy." In addition, they also saw an automatic archery tower equipped with fire arrows and a mortar cannon with tremendous firepower. Lein was amazed by the level of protection the academy had. Even though Nita provided some initial funding to help develop things like flying heads, building materials, etc., the results still exceeded his expectations. The tour continued to the learning room, where Lein was shown arge holographic whiteboard that could disy information interactively and dynamically. Next to it was a simtion room, a ce where students could practice various skills in simted situations as if they were real. Chapter 120: Academy Student Competition "This cab is filled with knowledge books from various disciplines," said Mr. Yusuf, showing the neatly arranged bookshelves. Lein observed closely, impressed by the resources the academy provided to support the students'' learning. They then headed to the training building, a ce entirely dedicated to training the students'' physical and skill abilities. "Here, we have training room arrays that can be customized to create various training scenarios," Mr. Yusuf exined. "With this room, students can train without the fear of severe injury because everything happens in a safe simtion." Lein also saw various sports equipment, racks full of weapons, and other tools designed to train the students'' strength, speed, and uracy. Their final stop was the main hall, where the atmosphere was already bustling. Hundreds of students surrounded arge tform that served as a battle arena. "We have nned this main event for you, Mr. Lein," Mr. Yusuf said with a smile. "Here, you will see the best quality of our students." Lein observed the tform where 10 students with impressive appearances were already present. They seemed to be the top students of Sacred Star Academy. Soon, Mr. Yusuf, Lein, and the others walked to a shaded area where several seats were prepared for the judges. Not long after, Lein and the other teachers took their respective seats. Initially, Mr. Yusuf wanted Lein to sit in the central seat, but Lein declined and sat directly on the right seat. After all the teachers were seated, the moderator in the center of the battle tform shouted loudly. "Everyone, let''s give a greeting to the ind''s owner." "Mr. Lein." "Wee, Mr. Lein." "Wee, Mr. Lein." ... All the students stood up and bowed towards Lein. "Alright, on this very short notice, the duel of the top 10 students will be moved up to today," the moderator announced loudly, scanning all the students. "Yay..." "Hooray..." Apuse... The moderator grew more enthusiastic, receiving such a lively response from the audience. The duel between the top 10 students was originally scheduled to be held two weekster, but due to Lein''s visit, the teachers and academy leaders had decided to move the date up. "All students, please take a ball from this box. One per person." After saying that, the moderator brought out a ck box containing several balls with numbers written on them. The ck box floated ording to the moderator''s thoughts, seemingly using telekinesis or some kind of remote control skill. The ck box floated toward the 10 best students, who were currently sitting in chairs not far from the battle tform. A young man with deep ck eyes looked at the ck box in front of him with a rxed expression. He reached his hand into the box and pulled out a white ball with a number written on it¡ªnumber 1. "Wow... Joy got number 1. I wonder who the unlucky one is who''ll have to face Joy," a student in the audiencemented. "Yeah, Joy is really strong. His vampire abilities make it easy for him to recover," another student nearby responded. The ck box continued to float from one student to the next until it finally reached a female student with fair skin and blonde hair. The blonde-haired girl extended her hand into the box, and without twisting her hand, she calmly took out thest ball from the ck box. She looked at the number on the ball and smiled softly¡ªshe had indeed drawn number 1, thest ball. "Wo... Grace will face Joy. Quickly, record this, it''s going to be exciting." "Will Grace use her strongest lightning power this time?" "I''m curious just how strong Grace''s ck lightning is. Last time, she almost destroyed the training simtion array." The discussion in the audience grew more heated when they realized Grace and Joy would be dueling. Although not officially dered, they were both recognized by the public¡ªand even by the teachers¡ªas the two strongest students. In the row where the teachers were seated, Mr. Yusuf seemed to be deep in thought. "Mr. Yusuf, should we redo the drawing?" From behind, Mr. Chai Lu whispered quietly in Mr. Yusuf''s ear. Mr. Yusuf heard him, and after thinking for a moment, he waved his hand as if to let it continue. Back on the central battle tform, the moderator once again shouted loudly, taking charge of the event. "Everyone has received numbers 1 through 5. Whoever has the same number will be matched as duel partners," the moderator announced. The moderator then opened a small piece of paper in his hand and shouted again, "As decided earlier, the first duel will start with the students who received number 1." "Great... the first match!" "Hooray... Go, Grace!" "Grace, show us your power!" Many students in the audience openly cheered for Grace. As a foreign student, Grace had many fans, both male and female. Given Grace''s stunning appearance, with her fair skin and immense strength, she had be an idol among the students. Grace soon stood up from her seat and walked toward the central tform. Joy, too, did not remain idle. He casually walked slowly toward the battle tform. In the right corner, Grace stood upright, ready for battle. "Come on... I can''t wait to show this kid my strength," Grace thought to herself, staring at Joy with a serious gaze. On the other side, Joy also stood tall and had already taken his fighting stance. His right hand was clenched and pointed forward. Both his hands were enveloped in a terrifying ck aura. "Grace, are you ready?" "Joy, are you ready?" The moderator shouted to make sure both students were ready and in position. "Ready!" The moderator then stepped out of the battle area. At the edge of the tform was a device with a blue screen. The moderator adjusted some settings and pressed "activate array." Immediately, a transparent shield in the shape of a cube enveloped the battle area where Grace and Joy stood. "Start!" the moderator shouted at length. Chapter 121: Grace vs Joy Immediately, both Grace and Joy activated their equipment. In the right corner, Grace activated the purple equipment on her body. Then, a long whip appeared in her hand. The whip was over 3 meters long and had branches at the end. Grace skillfully waved the whip, spinning it into a wheel ready to strike anyone who came close. Joy also activated the equipment on his body. Like Grace, he too had purple equipment on his body. His body was also protected by a transparent ck aura. Lein observed the two students calmly. He was somewhat surprised to see both of them equipped with purple gear and also that both were at level 19, just shy of level 20. [Status] - Name: Grace - Race: Human, Blue - Power Core: System (Level 19) - Rank: Tier-1 [Status] - Name: Joy - Race: Human, Blue - Power Core: System (Level 19) - Rank: Tier-1 Lein was actually curious about the talents they had acquired. However, he would not force them to reveal it. ording to Lein, talent was crucial and greatly influenced one''s development. In his own alliance, there were fewer than 10 S-rank talents. After exploring various realms and witnessing the power of high-level beings, Lein began to consider gathering strong humans to unite. "Well... everything takes time, step by step," Lein said, shaking his head, deciding to stop thinking aboutplex matters for now. He refocused his attention on the battle tform. The first to move was Joy. He ran forward quickly, directly targeting Grace''s side. His movements were focused, and seeing that Grace''s whip had already been released toward him, he caught the whip with his bare hands and used it to increase his speed. Grace had anticipated that Joy could catch her lightning whip. With a simple thought, she channeled powerful lightning through the whip. Boom... Zap... Joy was ready. He let go of the whip and ran to the right, preparing to unleash his skill. "Vampire Mode." Immediately, Joy''s appearance slightly changed. His entire skin turned pale white, and his fangs extended past his lower lip. Swoosh... In a fraction of a second, Joy had already darted right beside Grace. Both his hands, now equipped with sharp ws, shed at Grace''s unprotected neck. ng... The protective gear on Grace''s body activated, blocking Joy''s sharp ws from piercing her neck. "Darn," Joy didn''t expect Grace''s protective gear to be so advanced and able to activate instantly. He intended to retreat when he noticed the end of Grace''s whip quickly coiling around his waist. "Lightning Snare!" Zap... Boom... The students in the audience watched as Joy was entangled in Grace''s whip, holding their breaths. Some of the more faint-hearted students closed their eyes, hoping to skip straight to the oue of the battle. However, what they expected did not happen. Instead, Joy, who was about to be struck by Grace''s lightning, transformed into thousands of ck bat shadows. "Tch... that technique again." Grace had anticipated this. She quickly scanned her surroundings and finally spotted the ck bat shadows merging to form Joy''s figure. Without giving him time, Graceshed out with her whip. Zap... Joy raised his hand, and a red skeletal hand shadow covered his hand. sh... Swish... The skeletal hand shadow Joy summoned was incredibly sharp, even cutting Grace''s whip with ease. "Sea of Lightning!" From afar, Grace activated her strongest direct attack. Even from outside the simtion array, the power of the impending lightning could be felt. A shadow of ck clouds appeared far above the main hall building. The energy concentrated on the battle tform. Mr. Yusuf and the other teachers also turned their attention to the battle area with great seriousness. Previously, Grace''s lightning had nearly destroyed the simtion array. The cost of a simtion array was extremely high. Moreover, they were also worried that if the simtion array were destroyed, Joy, who was the target, would not be able to survive. They all then directed their gazes toward Lein. Lein felt their stares and then said, "It''s okay, let it continue, no need to worry." After saying that, Lein resumed watching the battle between Joy and Grace inside the simtion area. Immediately, the terrifying lightning directly struck Joy. The lightning first hit the protective shield of the simtion array. Crack... After the simtion array cracked, the other students nearby felt the immense power radiating from both students. "Damn... The aura Joy is emitting is so strong." "Yeah... I didn''t expect it to be as powerful as the aura Grace is emitting." From the outside, the audience only saw Joy standing calmly without resistance. But once the simtion array shattered, the audience finally felt the aura emanating from Joy. "Hahaha... Are you using your blood energy?" Laras shouted from the edge of the tform. Joy didn''t answer, his gaze focused on Grace without blinking. The lightning from above now struck Joy without any obstacles. Boom... Boom... Joy still stood without moving; each time the lightning inflicted damage on his body and even tore his flesh, the wounds healed almost instantly. "Wow... it turns out Joy''s healing ability can withstand Grace''s lightning attacks," shouted a student from the audience. "Amazing... Come on, Joy... you can win this!" Grace, hearing the cheers from the audience, could only smile slightly. On the screen in front of her, she saw the number 100. "Release." As soon as she said that, Joy, who had been standing calmly, suddenly felt a strange power approaching him. However, he didn''t know where this terrifying power woulde from. Lein, observing from the judges'' seats, also sensed a powerful force approaching. He scanned the surroundings but couldn''t see the source of the terrifying power. He activated his legendary skill, "Divine Eyes." (Divine Eyes) Enhances eye sharpness, detects enemy weak points, and increases reflexes for 30 seconds. - Level: 50 - Base Sharpness: +30% - Rarity: Legendary - Cooldown: 3 minutes - Requirement: Tier-3, Universal After activating Divine Eyes, Lein saw a transparent thread connected to Joy''s heart. The thread had no end and was floating around Joy. Chapter 122: S-level talent Lein immediately stood up from the judges'' seat and leaped onto the battle tform. Mr. Yusuf and the other teachers were shocked by Lein''s sudden action. "Mr. Yusuf, what''s happening with the ind master?" asked a teacher behind Mr. Yusuf. Mr. Yusuf could only shake his head, as he didn''t know either. "Let''s just observe; it seems something is about to happen," Mr. Yusuf replied. "Hey, look, why did the ind master suddenly enter the battle area?" said a male student to his friends around him. "I don''t know, did Grace or Joy cheat?" The students in the audience were also discussing it, as no teacher had ever entered the battle tform before. So Lein''s sudden action was new to them. Grace, seeing Lein descend onto the battle tform, was also shocked this time. She felt a bit of fear in her heart. Joy was the most confused at the moment. "What''s going on? Why is the ind master approaching me?" he thought to himself. Lein ignored them all; his golden sword then appeared out of thin air. Casually, Lein shed the thread connected to Joy''s chest. Swoosh... Without resistance, the sword cut through the thread in Joy''s chest, and it shattered. Immediately, the great power he felt earlier disappeared. "What''s going on, ind master?" Joy asked Lein, who had suddenly drawn a golden sword. "It''s nothing... you''re lucky this time," Lein said casually, then turned his gaze to Grace, who was very confused at the moment. She even wore a puzzled expression. "Where are you from?" Lein asked Grace. Grace approached and walked cautiously. "I''m originally from America, sir, but when the shift happened, I was in Indonesia. So I settled and have been living in Indonesia ever since," Grace replied politely. She was confused but not afraid. She didn''t feel she had done anything wrong. "Why did you use such power on your friend?" Lein asked. Grace was confused, feeling that Lein''s question was like asking why she was studying at school. Wasn''t she supposed to attack with all her might to win the duel? Seeing that Grace didn''t answer, Lein thought for a moment and finally realized the absurdity of his question. "What''s your talent level?" Lein asked directly. What intrigued Lein the most was that the attack Grace had just unleashed was overwhelmingly powerful, almost surpassing that of a regr Tier-3 attack, even though Grace was only Level 19, Tier-1. Hearing Lein''s question, Grace was slightly surprised and took quite some time to think in silence. After a while, she finally spoke. "Sorry, sir, I''ve sent a system message request," Grace replied. Lein found Grace''s answer odd. He then opened his system chat and saw a private message from the ruler named Grace. - (Grace): SS rank, sir. (umtor - SS rank). Seeing the letters "SS" in Grace''s message shocked Lein internally. He then looked at Grace in front of him and asked, "Are you telling the truth?" Grace nodded. "Good, good," Lein said enthusiastically. "I want to know, are you interested in bing a core member of my alliance?" Lein asked Grace directly. Lein was very interested in the girl''s abilities; the fact that Grace had hidden so well since the human shift and remained in Indonesia convinced Lein that she possessed excellent survival skills. "I''m willing, sir," Grace replied eagerly. She had been hiding too deeply all this time. Even when she enrolled as a student at the Holy Star Academy, she only mentioned that her talent was A-rank with lightning abilities. Initially, she had nned to join one of the major alliances. However, she didn''t because she wanted to wait a few weeks to see which alliances would survive in the end. And after waiting a long time, the World Market Trade Alliance, where she was, led by Lein, had be the best human alliance, proven by Lein''s 10 million-plus points on the leaderboard. "Alright,e with me for a moment," Lein said as he jumped back to the judges'' seat. "Sorry, Mr. Yusuf, please continue. The winner of the battle is Grace," Lein said casually, while Grace sat in the seat beside him. "Yes, ind master," Mr. Yusuf replied promptly. He then turned his gaze to the moderator and gave some instructions. "The winner is Grace!" After the winner of the battle was announced, the students in the audience cheered excitedly for Grace. "Congrattions, Grace... you''re amazing." "I knew it, Grace''s hidden power must be incredibly strong. Even the ind master had to intervene." "You''re right, Joy was lucky to be saved by the ind master." Small discussions arose due to Lein''s previous actions. Although the students didn''t fully understand what had happened, they still grasped the big picture. Joy, who was still standing on the battle tform, looked at Lein with a nk expression. After a while, he finally opened his mouth and said, "Why did you say she''s the winner?" Silence... Everyone fell silent, even the teachers beside Lein were now pounding with anxiety. Where did this kid Joy get the courage to speak so disrespectfully to Lein, even questioning his actions? Lein had never really taken action against the people on his ind, but with some actions on Indonesia Ind, the defense technology on the entire ind, and the military strength, everything reflected just how terrifying this seemingly friendly young man in front of them was. Mr. Yusuf was about to stand and teach Joy a lesson. But his action was stopped when a hand blocked him. "Hahahaha..." Lein''s lightughter echoed throughout the battle hall, which was now very quiet. "Tell me why I shouldn''t kill you right now. I''ll give you 10 seconds." "Nine." "Eight." ... Lein counted down casually, saying each word calmly and clearly. Joy didn''t flinch; he opened his system panel and essed the chat feature. Then he typed a few words into the chat panel. - (Joy): (Blood King - S) Lein heard the system notification sound. He opened the chat panel and indeed saw a new message from a ruler named Joy. Chapter 123: The fight continues "Damn it!" Lein cursed inwardly. "Where are these peopleing from?" Lein looked seriously at Joy in front of him, then asked and confirmed if what Joy had written was true. "I can prove it." "Attack me with your strongest power," Joy said casually. Hearing Joy''s words, Lein raised an eyebrow slightly. Without hesitation, the golden sword flew directly to pierce Joy''s chest. None of the students could see the speed of the sword shot by Lein. What they saw was Joy''s body shattering into blood. Then, Joy reappeared not far away, intact without a wound. Before a second had passed, Lein shot another golden sword at Joy. Seeing Joy reappear afterward, Lein continued to bombard Joy with golden sword shots. "Hmmm, interesting," muttered Lein as he watched Joy''s body continuously reappear without any limit. A minute passed, and Lein had already fired more than 80 golden swords, and he kept going. Just as the 95th sword was about to beunched, Joy''s voice rang out. "Stop, Ind Master!" Hearing Joy''s shout, Lein caught the sword that was about to fly with his right hand. "This is my limit, Sir," said Joy in a heavy voice, his breathing now irregr. "Alright... you can live," Lein said casually. Just like Grace, Lein offered Joy the chance to be a core member of his alliance. Joy, too, agreed happily and without hesitation. The teachers beside Lein observed everything with nervousness. They looked at Joy with astonishment. Not only Grace, but this boy had also hidden his true power, registering only with an A-grade talent. "Mr. Yusuf, please continue," Lein said, returning to his rxed demeanor. He felt fortunate this time, having found two rulers with S and SS-level talents. Lein even considered recruiting all S-level rulers directly. With his immense influence now, it would be easy to gain people''s trust. "Yes, sir." Mr. Yusuf then instructed the moderator to continue the duel showcase. "Alright... everyone, let''s hear some noise!" the moderator shouted, trying to revive the intense atmosphere from before. "Hu...." "Keep going!" "Wow, it turns out Joy hid his strength very well," said a female student. "Yeah, he''s always been quiet and rarely socializes," replied her friend. "Damn, it seems they''re going to receive some massive rewards from the Ind Master." Many small discussions took ce among the students. Of course, everything that had happened shocked them and gave them a better understanding of the two best students at their academy. "Next up, the student with number 2, please enter the Arena." As soon as that was announced, two male students stood up from their seats and walked towards the battle area in the center. The first student had a rxed appearance with dark sunsses on his face. His long hair added to his pleasing aura, and his physique was ideal. "Wow... Arial is number 2." "His opponent is Zaki; I think this battle will end quickly." ... Before the fight even began, the students had already drawn rough conclusions about the uing match. Arial''s opponent was a young man named Zaki with a bald head. His clothes were very disheveled, looking unkempt. Arial stood on the right corner, ready and activating all thebat equipment on his body. Arial''s equipment was all blue, with a massive pair of scissors as his weapon. Meanwhile, in the opposite corner, Zaki also activated his blue equipment. Yes, everything was blue except for the armor, which was purple. In Zaki''s hand was a long silver sword. "Arial, ready?" "Zaki, ready?" The moderator shouted, ensuring the two students were ready and in position. "Ready!!" The moderator then exited the battle area. As usual, he adjusted some configurations and pressed "activate array." Soon, a transparent protective cube enveloped the battle area. "Begin!" the moderator shouted with a long drawl. Zaki seemed prepared; without waiting for Arial to attack, he had already dashed forward, making several shes directly. Tang... Teng... Arial raised hisrge scissors and skillfully spun them, blocking all of Zaki''s sword attacks. Zaki, who had already understood Arial''s fighting style, tried something new this time. A ball of energy appeared in his right hand, and heunched it toward Arial''s stomach. Arial quickly and forcefully struck the energy ball. Pof... "What? Smoke? Poison?" Arial said in a panic. He hadn''t expected that the energy ball wasn''t an explosive but a smoke bomb. Now confused and unable to see his surroundings, Arial suddenly sensed movement behind his back. He lifted his scissors and immediately shed backward with a spin. Tang... Sure enough, Zaki was behind him. But it didn''t stop there. Zaki moved rapidly within the smoke, while Arial observed his surroundings cautiously, but the thick smoke still obscured his vision. Suddenly, a silver sh appeared from the left side. Arial quickly spun hisrge scissors, blocking Zaki''s sword strike that had emerged from within the smoke. Tang! A loud ng echoed, but Arial remained unfazed. He knew Zaki would try to attack him from an unexpected angle. Quickly, Arial took advantage of his momentum, spinning his scissors at high speed and swinging them in a different direction. Zaki tried to dodge, but Arial had already anticipated his movement. In one swift motion, therge scissors managed to strike directly at Zaki''s sword, hitting it with full force. ng! Zaki''s sword was knocked out of his hand, rolling away across the arena floor. Now unarmed, Zaki retreated a few steps. Arial didn''t give him any chance. He surged forward, using hisrge scissors to create a powerful gust of wind that dispersed the remaining smoke lingering in the air. With a clear view now, Arial saw Zaki looking exhausted and cornered. Without hesitation, Arial raised his scissors high and, with one swift sh, aimed his weapon at Zaki. However, just before the strike reached Zaki, Arial stopped, leaving only a few inches between his weapon and Zaki''s body. The moderator''s shout rang out, stopping the battle. "The winner is Arial!" Zaki, panting heavily, acknowledged his defeat with a slight nod. Arial, also panting, lowered his scissors and smiled, giving his opponent a respectful salute. "Yeah... Arial won!" "Yes, I expected that from the beginning. Arial is known for hisposure." "Zaki, keep it up..." Cheers erupted from the audience. While many had anticipated Arial''s victory, there were still plenty of voices encouraging Zaki. "Everyone, give a round of apuse..." The moderator shouted, rallying the audience and preparing them for the next battle. As usual, the moderator called out the students holding numbers 3, 4, and 5. Each student with the same number would step forward to duel in the battle tform area. Of course, each battle would use a simtion array to ensure that the students wouldn''t be seriously injured when fighting with their full strength. However, Grace and Joy were not included in this count because their attacks were too powerful. The next battle was between two female students wielding magical weapons. Each held a staff in their hands. In the right corner, the female student in a long skirt prepared herself, already summoning water around her. On the opposite side, the female student with a pointed hat summoned rocks from thin air, which floated around her as if weightless. The first attack came from the student with water powers, directing arge wave towards her opponent. However, the student with the pointed hat quickly responded, directing the rocks to smash through most of the water wave before it could reach her. The two continued exchanging attacks, with water and rocks colliding in the air, creating a spectacr scene. The student with water powers tried to control the battlefield by creating puddles all over the tform, but her opponent swiftly used the rocks to create a floating bridge, avoiding the water traps. In the end, the battle concluded with a narrow victory for the student controlling the rocks, who managed to trap her opponent within a sturdy stone wall. After that fight, it was time for the student with number 4. On one side, a female student with a bow radiating magical energy prepared tounch her enchanted arrows. On the other side, a male student with arge, seemingly imprable shield was readying his defense. The first arrow was released at high speed, but the man''s shield held firm against the attack without wavering. Even so, the female student did not give up and continued to release a barrage of arrows with varied strikes, trying to find an opening in her opponent''s defense. However, the man with the shield remained calm, using his defensive strength to block each attack with precision. Despite her impressive archery skills, the man''s defense was too strong, and the match ended with the victory of the man who had managed to hold out without significant injury. The final battle, between the students holding number 5, brought a more serious atmosphere. A young man in a ck robe stood on one side, holding a silver sword that glowed with magical light. On the other side, a young man with a long spear was ready with his weapon. As soon as the match began, both moved swiftly. Chapter 124: Duel is over The young man with the silver sword struck first with a series of quick shes, but the long spear of his opponent kept him at a distance, making it difficult for the sword to reach its target. However, the young man in the ck robe had his own strategy; he baited his opponent into making a counterattack and then skillfully dodged, closing in to deliver a precise counterstrike. This battle was intense, with both sides disying exceptional skill in wielding their weapons. Ultimately, the young man with the silver sword found an opening in his opponent''s defense, ending the duel with a precise strike and securing victory by a narrow margin. After the battle ended, the Moderator announced a few closing words to conclude the duel between the 10 students. "Everyone... let''s wee the 10 students who have fought bravely!" The moderator shouted in the middle of the arena. All ten top students, except for Grace and Joy, who were seated in special reserved seats, entered the arena center. "Amazing... I can''t wait to see what they''ll get..." "Yeah, I''m curious too. At the very least, they''ll get a lot of energy crystals." "No way, it''s gotta be more than that. Do you think the ind owner is poor?" ... Some small discussions broke out among the students in the audience. Everyone was eagerly anticipating what rewards Lein would give. After a while, the eight students finally lined up neatly in the middle of the arena. Then the moderator shouted loudly. "Everyone, let''s wee the Ind Owner." "Lord Lein!" As soon as the moderator mentioned Lein''s name, a roar of cheers erupted. "Yeah... Ind Leader!" "Lord Lein..." "Ind Owner..." "Woohoo..." Lein observed the enthusiastic reaction of the audience calmly. He slowly rose from his seat and walked leisurely toward the center of the arena. Although his face appeared calm, Lein felt a sense of responsibility as a leader of millions of lives. At this moment, he was only at one of the academies on his ind. How would it feel if all the rulers on his ind cheered his name, cing their hopes on him? Lein had been gradually preparing his mentality. He was trying to strengthen himself as much as possible to be a fortress for humanity in the face of other realms out there. Lein had heard several reports while he traveled to other realms during the point-hunting event in the inter-racial war. Every day, a new realm was being destroyed by higher-level races. Imagine, each race had at least tens of billions of beings. How terrifying that was. Lein, who had lived on Earth, had never heard of an event that wiped out billions of people, let alone an entire race. "Everything takes time, at least there''s still some time left before the beginning era ends," Lein said to himself, putting aside those horrifying thoughts for now. It didn''t take long for Lein to reach the arena tform, then he stood there calmly. He then looked at all the students seated below the tform. Yes, he looked at them all directly, even turning his body 360 degrees. Lein gazed at them all seriously, making sure they all saw him and gave him their full attention. Some students felt a little intimidated and surprised, as if they were being openly inspected by Lein. Some weaker-minded students couldn''t meet his gaze and turned their eyes toward their friends beside them. After standing in the center of the tform above the arena for a moment with a steady posture, his eyes sharp, Lein began speaking to the students seated below him. As the ind owner and the strongest among them, Lein felt responsible for guiding and protecting them, but more than that, he wanted to instill a deep love for humanity in their hearts. "I stand here not just as the strongest ruler or the ind owner, but as a part of the same race as you. We are human, and that is not something to be taken lightly," Lein''s voice was firm, echoing throughout the arena. "Out there, there are races far stronger, more advanced, and unhesitating in destroying what they see as weak. The dragon race with its overwhelming power, the elf race with ancient magic, the alien race with unimaginable technology, and many more. They all see us, humans, as a weak race that can be crushed at any time." The students listened silently to every word Lein said. At that moment, the arena was utterly silent, with only Lein''s voice clearly audible. Even the teachers, the eight top students, and Grace and Joy were listening attentively. Lein paused, giving time for his words to sink into each student''s heart. "But I won''t let that happen. And neither should you. You all must be stronger, more determined, and more in love with your race. Never feelfortable with the temporary peace we have. Peace is an illusion, something that can vanish in an instant if we becent." He turned his body, ensuring all the students were paying attention and understanding his message. "Our race, humanity, has incredible potential. We can endure, we can grow, and we can be stronger than anyone¡ªif we truly strive for it. You are the next generation that will protect humanity, not just on this but across the entire universe. Love your race, love humanity, and use that strength to keep us standing tall, no matter who tries to bring us down." Lein ended his speech with a determined gaze. At that moment, it was enough to instill a sense of urgency in each student''s heart. Finishing his patriotic oration, Lein then pulled out several pouches from his bag. Eight pouches floated around him. "You are all winners. As long as you have a steadfast heart and continue to strive to grow, you will never be losers," Lein said to the eight top students. "Yes, sir..." "Ready, ind owner..." ... Lein nodded in response to the students, then he distributed the eight ck pouches to each of the top students. Chapter 125: A generous gift from Lein Arial, who was at the end of the line, now held his pouch. Curious, he opened it to see what was inside. (Reward Pouch) - Energy Crystals 10,000,000 - Silver Badge x1 - Gold Chests x10 - Epic Chest - Silver Ring "Insane... what kind of reward is this?" Arial eximed inwardly. An Epic Chest? A Silver Ring? He had never even heard of those before. Not far from Arial, Zaki and the other top students also looked at the contents of their reward pouches with wide eyes. They all gaped in amazement. "Don''t tell anyone about the contents. If you feel someone is trying to do you harm, contact the city''s mayor immediately," Lein said to the eight students. He certainly didn''t want their lives to be threatened or terrorized by greedy rulers out there just because of the rewards he gave. "What''s in those pouches? I''m so curious!" "Haha... Never mind, it''s a secret of the top students." The students'' discussions reached Lein''s ears, and he could only smile slightly. He then turned his attention to the audience. "Rx... you all get something too." "Each student will receive a level 20 blue gear of their choice. You can ask the principal for distribution." "You''ll also get 10,000 energy crystals as academy fees per student." "The top 1,000 students at the end of the school year will receive a silver badge." Lein announced everything at once without pausing. He deliberately provided these many benefits to boost the students'' spirits and give them the resources to grow. A loud cheer from the students immediately echoed throughout the academy hall. "Wow... awesome..." shouted a male student hysterically. "10,000 energy crystals? I''m rich... Mom, I''m rich!" shouted a male student in in, worn-out clothes. "Huh... Thank you, ind owner. Thank you so much," a female student cried in gratitude upon hearing every word from Lein''s mouth. ... The teachers, on the other hand, looked at the students with pride. It could be said that they had seeded, especially since Lein was providing such benefits to their Star Academy. "Calm down, calm down," Lein waved his hand casually, then he called out to Grace and Joy, who were standing in the distance. Grace and Joy immediately leaped and stood right next to Lein, one on his right and the other on his left. "From today, from this very moment, Grace and Joy are the 11th and 12th core members of the World Market Trade Alliance," Lein announced in a loud voice. Once again, the students in the audience cheered with joy. Everyone pped without exception. Two people from their academy had be core members of the World Market Trade Alliance, which meant their academy''s position as the best would be secured for a long time. "Congrattions, Grace! Congrattions, Joy!" "Don''t forget our Star Academy. Best of luck to you both." Many students offered their full support to Joy and Grace. They were genuinely happy, especially their close friends. After announcing Grace and Joy''s appointment to the students and everyone present, Lein looked at Grace and Joy, then nodded at them. He then walked towards the teachers who were standing in the same ce as before. Grace and Joy obediently followed him from behind. "Mr. Yusuf, thank you for your warm wee. I hope the Star Academy continues to advance and produces many powerful human rulers," Lein said to the head of the Academy, Mr. Yusuf. "Hahaha... It''s not a difficult task, Mr. Lein." "Indeed, indeed... Our humanity will shine among the other realms in this universe." Mr. Yusuf smiled warmly and epted Lein''s praise humbly. Lein gave a light nod, then he pulled out another pouch from his storage space and handed it to Mr. Yusuf in front of him. Mr. Yusuf epted it without hesitation and immediately put it into his own storage bag, not intending to check its contents at the moment, to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Lein observed how Mr. Yusuf epted the pouch with calmness and caution. Mr. Yusuf was a wise andposed individual, so Lein entrusted the pouch to him without any doubts. The pouch itself contained the promised rewards for the students, as well as some materials for the development of the academy and for the teachers. After the matter was settled, Lein nodded once more, this time more firmly, as if to signal the end of their meeting. "I entrust these students to you, Mr. Yusuf. Guide them well. The future of humanity rests in all our hands," Lein said with a calm yet meaningful voice. He didn''t forget to nod at the other teachers behind Mr. Yusuf as well. Mr. Yusuf nodded respectfully, still smiling warmly, but with a clear determination in his eyes. "Don''t worry, Mr. Lein. They will be ready to face any challenges that await them out there." With a simple yet meaningful farewell, Lein turned around and began to walk away from the tform. In the distance, two figures were waiting patiently. Grace and Joy, the two academy students who had just been recruited as core members, were ready to return with him. Grace, with her always-enthusiastic and slightly arrogant eyes, and Joy, with her t, almost bored smile, stood tall as Lein approached. "Let''s go," Lein said briefly, and the two students immediately followed without a word. They walked together towards the exit of the Star Academy, leaving behind the grand and energetic atmosphere. The students still in the arena could only watch their departure with respect and admiration. Lein, along with Grace and Joy, stepped out of the academy building, followed by the admiring gazes of many students. It might be a long time before someone like Lein visits their academy again. After five minutes, Lein and the two students arrived at the highway area. Two cars were already waiting for them there. Lein stopped and turned to Grace and Joy, who were standing behind him. "For now, return to your respective homes. I will summon you in a few days for the core member induction ceremony." Chapter 126: Laras and Nita "Understood, Mr. Lein," Grace replied firmly. "Yes, Ind Master," added Joy in the same tone. "Good... good," Lein murmured softly. "You may use this car to return and wait for my call," he said, pointing to the other car parked not far from them. Grace and Joy nodded, then walked towards the car. The driver, who had been standing by the car, respectfully opened the door for them. "Please, Miss," he said. Grace and Joy immediately took their seats in the back, not forgetting to wave at Lein before the car door closed. Lein returned their wave with a smile. He was pleased with the two of them¡ªboth had high-level talent. A momentter, the car carrying Grace and Joy started its engine and quickly moved away, leaving Lein standing by the roadside. "Alright... it''s time to head to Guandu Realm," Lein said as he took a deep breath. "But before that, I need to meet Nita at the Teleportation Hub." Lein then entered the remaining car, giving the driver instructions to head to the Teleportation Hub, and pulled out his phone to contact Nita. *** Laras'' Home - City of Light In a very spacious room, two women were chatting casually. A woman with long hair dressed in white stood behind another woman with short hair. The woman in white was styling the hair of the woman in front of her. With great care, she gently pulled each strand and arranged them to blend seamlessly with the others. The girl in front of her looked at herself in the mirror. asionally, she would change her expression, admiring her beauty in therge mirror. Yes, those two girls were Laras and Nita. After leveling up, Nita had hurried to Laras'' house to hang out. Nita felt like Laras was her older sister, so their rtionship was very close. Laras continued to tidy Nita''s short hair with great attention, asionally smiling at Nita''s yful antics in the mirror. "Sis Laras, I''m sure if you''re the one doing it, the result will be perfect," Nita said with a wide smile, watching every movement Laras made in the mirror. Laras chuckled softly. "Yes, but you have to be patient. Your short hair is a challenge, but I''ll make sure it looks perfect," Laras replied, slipping a few small pins into Nita''s hair to ensure everything stayed in ce. "I''ve been thinking, maybe I should grow my hair out. So, you won''t have any trouble anymore, Sis," Nita said,ughing. Laras shook her head. "No need, Nita. Your short hair is unique, and it suits you well. What''s important is that you feel confident with whatever you have." Nita smiled sweetly, feeling encouraged by Laras'' words. "Sis Laras always knows how to make me feel better," she said. After a while, Laras finished with Nita''s hair and moved on to her makeup. "Now, let''s add a little color to your cheeks. Do you want a natural look or something a bit bolder?" Laras asked, picking up a makeup palette from the table. "Just natural, Sis. I don''t want to stand out too much," Nita replied, a bit shy. Laras nodded and began to apply powder gently on Nita''s face, followed by a soft touch of blush. Nita stayed quiet for a moment, amazed at Laras'' skill in makeup. "Sis, you''re so good. If I tried this on my own, it definitely wouldn''t look like this." "Everything takes practice, Nita. I used to mess up a lot too, but if you keep trying, you''ll get better over time," Laras said as she finished the final touches. When they were done, Laras suggested trying something new. "How about we cook together now? I have a great beef soup recipe. Want to try?" Nita hesitated for a moment but finally nodded. "Sure, Sis. But I''m not good at cooking. I''m afraid I might mess it up." Laras smiled and took Nita''s hand, leading her to the kitchen. "That''s okay, Nita. We''ll learn together. I''ll help you." In the kitchen, Laras began taking out the ingredients for the beef soup while Nita watched intently. "First, we need to cut the beef. Can you try?" Nita took the knife and carefully started cutting the beef, but her movements were awkward. "Sis, this is really hard. The beef won''t cut evenly." Laras chuckled and stood next to Nita, helping to guide her hand. "Just take it slow, Nita. The pressure needs to be just right, not too hard or too soft." After a few tries, Nita''s cuts started to look more even. "Wow, with your help, Sis Laras, everything is so much easier," Nita said excitedly. Laras smiled warmly. "See? You''re already getting the hang of it. Now, let''s saut¨¦ the beef before adding it to the soup." They continued cooking together, with Laras patiently teaching Nita each step, from saut¨¦ing the spices to simmering the soup. Although Nita made a few mistakes, like spilling a bit of water or adding too much salt, Laras always guided her with kindness and care. Finally, their beef soup was ready. Laras tasted a bit and then handed the spoon to Nita. "Try it. What do you think?" Nita tasted it, her eyes lighting up. "Wow, Sis! This is so delicious!" Larasughed proudly. "Of course, like I said, if we learn together, we can definitely do it. You did a great job, Nita." Laras and Nita sat down together at the dining table, enjoying the warmth of the beef soup they had just made. The enticing aroma of the spices filled the room, while the soft midday sunlight streamed into their dining room through arge window. Nita, full of excitement, scooped up her soup, unable to hide the wide smile that spread across her face. "Slow down, Nita," Laras said with a smile, watching Nita eat as if she hadn''t eaten for three days. "We still have 30 minutes before 1 o''clock. No need to rush." Nita giggled but didn''t slow down. "It''s not because I''m in a hurry, Sis, but this beef soup is just too good!" she replied, sipping the broth with pure enjoyment. Laras smiled contentedly, seeing how much Nita enjoyed their cooking. It warmed her heart, like the feeling of an older sister watching her younger sibling grow and learn. Nita always made her feel like a real sister, and Laras cherished these simple moments together. After finishing their lunch, Laras and Nita got up from the table to make some small preparations before leaving. They were going to Guandu Realm, a ce they had nned to visit together with Lein. Nita had talked to Laras earlier, asking for permission to join the trip, and Laras had agreed without hesitation. For her, the event contribution points she had umted were already enough, so there was no need to rush things. The journey to the Teleportation Hub took about ten minutes. When they arrived, Laras and Nita immediately saw Lein waiting calmly amidst the crowd. "Ah, you finally arrived," Lein greeted them with a calm voice as he saw them approaching. "Sorry, Big Brother, I was learning to cook with Sis Laras earlier," Nita exined with a shy smile, feeling a little guilty for making Lein wait. Laras, standing beside Nita, also nodded and said, "Hello, Mr. Lein. I''m sorry... I''ll be joining you this time," she said, slightly embarrassed. Lein smiled softly, signaling that everything was fine. "It''s no problem, Laras. Your presence is very wee." They then walked further into the Teleportation Hub, a vast area bustling with activity. There, they saw crowds of peopleing and going, using the portals scattered throughout the area to travel to various inds and other worlds. The portals stood tall, emitting light in different colors, creating a scene almost like a dream. Around them, heavily armed guards stood watch, ensuring the safety of everyone using the facility. The towering lightning defense towers provided additional protection, ready to unleash deadly bursts of energy if any threats approached. Other advanced security technologies were also visible around them, addingyers of protection for the city and all its inhabitants. After chatting for a while, Lein led Laras and Nita to one of the portals that would take them to Guandu Realm. They walked with confidence, though there was a slight tension, especially for Laras, who was visiting the ce for the first time. The portal they were about to enter glowed with a soft blue light, reflecting gently around them. Lein stepped in first, followed by Laras, who gently held Nita''s hand to give her somefort. With a slight flutter in their stomachs and bated breath, the three of them finally stepped into the portal, feeling a cold sensation enveloping their bodies as they transitioned to Guandu Realm. *** "Hey, did you know who they were earlier?" An old man asked a few people behind him. It seemed that the people behind him were his children and grandchildren. "Who? I feel familiar with those two girls. But I can''t recall from where," said a middle-aged man. "It''s natural that you recognize those two girls. The one with long hair is Laras, the Goddess of Light. And the other girl is the owner of the City of Life, where we are right now," the old man exined to his son. "And that man is the owner of the ind you''re standing on right now. He is also the leader of the World Market Trade Alliance," the old man added, with a slight warning to his son. "What? So young?" The middle-aged man widened his eyes in shock. How could that be? It wasn''t just the old man''s family. Many people around the Teleportation Hub recognized Lein, Laras, and Nita. But they couldn''t approach, let alone ask questions. All because Lein had established a strict, unwritten rule not to treat himself as a celebrity or idol. Chapter 127: Arrive at Guandu Realm A bustling ce with arge portal standing firmly in the center of a za paved with white stones in a specific pattern. The vast za was filled with a variety of races. There were humanoids with lion heads, crows with sharp beaks, and even beautiful women with pointed ears. However, humans remained the dominant race in this ce. At thatrge portal, people of various races would appear every so often. Besides their diverse physical forms, these people also possessed a wide range of power auras. asionally, a power equal to Foundation Building (Tier-2) would emerge, and several times a figure with the strength of a Golden Core (Tier-3) would appear. At this moment, a man with ck hair and a friendly face emerged from the portal, followed by two beautiful girls who looked joyful and energetic. "Yay... That was so easy," said the short-haired girl, letting out a light sigh. Yes, the three people who had just emerged from the portal were Lein, Laras, and Nita, who had previously nned to visit the Guandu Realm. "This ce is still as busy as before," Lein said as he observed his surroundings. He saw a long line at the registration post for new rulers wanting to umte contribution points. He also saw arge gate, the exit from the teleportation area. "Come on, what are we waiting for? Let''s get out of here first," said Lein, already walking towards the exit gate. There wasn''t anything particrly interesting in the teleportation area. Nita and Laras were still chatting lightly and observing the various races around them. asionally, Nita wouldment on a race with an unusual body shape, and Laras would try to share her knowledge about it. However, after a while, as she was too engrossed in talking to Laras, Nita lost track of Lein. She looked around and finally saw him far ahead, walking towards the exit gate. "Brother, wait! Why are you in such a hurry?" Nita called out softly, seeing that Lein had already walked quite a distance. She walked impatiently, with hurried steps, trying to catch Lein''s attention. Seeing Nita''s behavior, Laras could only smile slightly, amused by her clinginess toward Lein. ... As they stepped out of the teleportation za, the main view of Heavenly News City greeted them. The main streets of this city were filled with people from the Qian race, who were the majority poption in the Guandu Realm. The bustling streets reminded them of viges on Earth but were much livelier and more crowded. Along the road, various activities illustrated the diversity of life in Heavenly News City. There were merchants pushing carts full of hay. On the side of the road, small shops operated with just a piece of cloth as their base, where sellers offered their goods to busy passersby. However, the most striking were the Cultivators. They walked confidently, radiating an undeniable aura of strength. Long swords hung at their waists, symbols of the power and skills they had achieved. "Look, there''s a food stall over there," Nita eximed loudly. Out of all the activities and ces along the streets of Heavenly News City, Nita only cared about the food stall. "Hmm... when ites to food, your eyes are sharp," Lein rolled his eyes 360 degrees at Nita''s intense gaze at a noodle stall not far away. Even so, Lein felt they needed to explore Heavenly News City for a bit. So, without thinking further, he led the two girls towards the noodle stall. *** In the emptiness of the universe, two figures were locked in fiercebat. "Human, you will die today!" A monster in human form spoke with a terrifying tone. Its body seemed to be made of shiny ck rocks, with glowingva mes visible in the gaps between the stones. Its horrifying appearance could make lower-level rulers shiver in fear. On the opposite side of the fiery monster, an old man in a white robe hovered calmly in the void. His face showed no sign of worry, let alone fear, towards theva monster in front of him. "You talk too much." Immediately after saying this, the old man waved both hands in front of him, forming a strange pattern. Every movement left a trail of glowing blue light. "Nirvana Fire Hand!" A massive hand appeared out of nowhere. The hand was so enormous, reaching a hundred meters in size, making theva monster look tiny beneath it. The Nirvana Fire Hand, glowing with blue mes, shot down toward theva monster at incredible speed, as if intent on destroying anything in its path. Theva monster, though terrifying and full of rage, immediately jumped back, dodging the approaching attack with equally swift movements. When the gigantic hand struck the spot where it had been, a massive explosion ensued, sending shockwaves that shook the entire void. Dust particles and cosmic rocks that had been floating around now scattered in chaos. "Argh..." Not standing idle, theva monster. With a thunderous roar, it swung its arm made of shiny ck rock, hurling a massive fireball formed from zingva toward the old man. The fireball burned so brightly, tearing through the space it passed, as if it could burn the entire universe. "Indeed, this chaos monster is as terrifying as its name," the old manmented, watching the terrifying attackunched by theva monster. Without hesitation, the old man dodged the attack with a graceful movement, as if merely shifting a few inches to the side. His blue eyes gleamed with a frightening calm. Quickly, he gathered energy in his hands, and before the fireball could reach him, he made another rapid hand movement. "A Thousand Shadow Swords!" In an instant, the space around him was filled with thousands of energy swords shining with blue light. The swords shot forward with terrifying speed, chasing theva monster from all directions. Each shadow sword that struck the monster''s body emitted a small explosion, tearing through the ck rockyer that covered it and burning every crevice filled withva. Chapter 128: Entering Tou Pavilion Theva monster tried to run away from the reach of the old man''s shadow swords. However, despite running at its fastest speed, theva monster could not escape. It could only endure the pain every time the shadow sword shed its massive body. "Argh..." Theva monster screamed in pain, reaching its limit. After a few moments, theva monster let out a final roar before its body waspletely destroyed by the attack. Its body exploded into small fragments, and its mes extinguished in the void. The terrifying power it possessed vanished along with its shattered body. Seeing the destroyed body of theva monster, the old man showed no expression of joy or sadness. It was as if he was performing a daily routine, with nothing to boast about. He immediately moved toward where theva monster had been to check if any materials had dropped. The old man was about to move when he felt something and suddenly stopped. "Hahahaha... Finally, that young man has arrived," he said softly. His face now showed a happy smile, like someone who had received a long-awaited gift. Without further thought, the old man in the white robe disappeared from the void. He didn''t even bother to check the items dropped by theva monster earlier. *** Back in Heavenly News City, Lein and the others had finished eating. They were now on their way to the Tou Pavilion, where they had previously met Elder Wen. "Brother, do you think Elder Wen still remembers us and will give us the mission contribution he promised?" On their way to the Tou Pavilion, Nita was very concerned about the mission given by Elder Wen. The mission had been issued 25 days ago, and they had missed their scheduled meeting 20 days ago. "Come on, don''t worry about it. If the Wen Pavilion doesn''t remember us, so be it," Lein replied, unconcerned. Lein was not worried because he had faith in the system. The mission given by Elder Wen was still disyed on his mission system panel. [Elder Wan''s Hidden Mission] - Name: Wan Lu - Rank: S - Description: Provide Elder Wan with two Blessing Potions - Reward: 1,000,000 contribution points. Unless the mission description disappeared from his panel, Lein would not feel concerned. He thought it was natural for Nita to ask, given that she didn''t have the same mission description on her panel. After walking for several minutes, Lein and the others finally arrived in front of a tall and majestic building. It felt no different from when they first arrived in the Guandu Realm; Lein still felt a strong familiarity with the Tou Pavilion. Many people of various races entered the Tou Pavilion to take missions and purchase weapons there. Lein, Laras, and Nita entered the Tou Pavilion without any hindrance and began looking around. The main hall of the Tou Pavilion was vast, with disy cases filled with various weapons and cultivation materials in every section. It wasn''t just catering to Cultivators; there were also materials needed by other power systems. "That thing seems very powerful," Laras said to Nita. She was looking at a white orb inside one of the disy cases in the pavilion. "Let''s take a look," Nita replied as she approached the disy case selling the orb. Upon reaching the disy case, Laras and Nita asked the shopkeeper to take out the orb so they could take a closer look. They also examined the item''s description. (Orb of Divine Purity) Level: 40 - Attribute: INT +450, Agi +320 - (Light of Redemption): Releases a blinding sh of holy energy in a 30-meter radius, dealing an additional 250% of total INT damage to all enemies and restoring 50% of the total damage as health to all allies within the area. "Amazing, it even has a very good healing effect," Laras eximed in awe as she read the item''s description. This Orb not only significantly increases the user''s intelligence and speed but also has extraordinary abilities that can change the course of a battle with a single strike. "What do you think, sis? Are you interested in buying it?" Nita asked Laras. Laras nodded, of course, she wanted this Orb with such strong attributes. Since the Orb''s attribute is light, her natural talent would be activated without exception. "Okay, let''s buy it," Nita said excitedly. She then asked the shopkeeper for the price of the Orb. "The price is 6,000 medium crystals, Miss," the shopkeeper replied casually. Nita didn''t mind the price of 100 crystals, which, when converted into regr crystals, would be 6,000,000 energy crystals. She gathered the energy crystals from within her storage ring and was about to hand them over to the shopkeeper. But before she could, Lein pulled out a tinum token from behind. [Tou Pavilion Token - tinum] A token only held by a few lucky rulers and highly respected by Tou Pavilion. This token can be used wherever a Tou Pavilion stands. - Owner: Lein - Validity: Forever - Benefits: Prioritized customer at Tou Pavilion and highest privileges. "Use this," Lein said to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper initially acted casually, but the moment he saw the tinum token in Lein''s hand, his expression changed instantly. His eyes widened, and he immediately bowed with deep respect. "Ah, Sir tinum Token Holder! Please forgive any inconvenience," he said in a more polite and humble tone. He then continued, "With this token, you receive a 30% discount. The price of this orb bes 4,200 medium crystals." Nita smiled in satisfaction and nodded at Lein before handing over the energy crystals to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper quickly processed the purchase and handed the white orb to Nita with great respect. "Thank you very much for your visit. May this item bring you good fortune," the shopkeeper said with a friendly smile. Nita carefully took the orb and then handed it to Laras. "This is for you, Sister Laras," Nita said with an excited smile. Laras epted the orb calmly, nodding slightly. "Thank you, Nita." They exchanged smiles, pleased with the transaction that had just beenpleted. Lein ignored the girls'' actions and then turned his attention to another disy case, browsing for more good items. Chapter 129: Met with Elder Wan again Lein, Nita, and Laras continued to browse several items at the Tou Pavilion. asionally, they would stop and inspect an item. No matter the price, it was not a big deal for them. As long as the item was useful, they would buy it without hesitation. "Excuse me, are you Mr. Lein?" While Lein and the others were examining an item on one of the ss disy cases, a voice came from the side. The voice belonged to a woman in a blue uniform with a lotus emblem on the right side of her chest. Lein quickly nced at her status panel. [Status] - Name: Mia Ge - Race: Cui Race - Power Core: Cultivator - Rank: Golden Core (Tier-3). The woman''s cultivation level was the same as Lein''s, but Lein could sense that her Golden Core cultivation level was still in its early stage. Even so, a person like her wouldn''t appear randomly, much less act so politely as she did now. "Yes, why?" Lein replied casually. He had never met this woman before, and since she seemed polite, he had no issue reciprocating. "Sorry to intrude. I''m here on behalf of Elder Wan. He would like to invite you upstairs to discuss something," the woman exined respectfully. Hearing her words, Lein and Nita immediately felt excited. As expected, the mission given by Elder Wan was still ongoing. This meant Lein would gain additional contribution points, securing his first ce in the inter-race war event leaderboard. "Alright, please lead the way." Lein had no objections, so he nodded and allowed the woman to lead. "Follow me, sir," she said. The woman named Mia then walked toward one of the doors in the room''s inner area, apanied by Lein and the others. They ascended a wide staircase leading to the upper floor. Along the way, Lein and the others admired several ancient and beautiful paintings on the pavilion''s walls, as well as traditional dolls made of bamboo and wood that exuded a mysterious aura. "Sis Laras, do you think the scenery in that painting really exists in this world?" Nita asked Laras, pointing to one of the paintings on the wall depicting a stunning five-colored waterfall. Laras, hearing Nita''s question, paused for a moment. She also looked at the beautiful painting that Nita pointed out. The painting was indeed enchanting, with towering trees surrounding the waterfall. "Most likely it does, Nita. Why? Do you want to live there?" Laras teased with a yful tone. "Yes, it looks so beautiful and pleasant to live there," Nita replied. Laras and Nita continued their conversation about the paintings and essories on the floors they passed by. Lein asionally chimed in with his own opinions. Two minutes passed, and Mia, Lein, and the others finally reached the upper floor and approached one of the main doors on that floor. The door was massive, standing at about two meters tall. It appeared to be the room of the pavilion''s head. It didn''t take long for them to reach the door. Mia spoke politely, "Reporting to Elder Wan, I have brought Mr. Lein." "Enter." A deep voice echoed from inside the room. Just hearing it made Lein, Nita, and Laras''s hearts beat faster. Even though they had heard Elder Wan''s voice before, it seemed more impressive this time than during their first meeting. With permission granted, Mia boldly opened therge door and allowed Lein and the others to enter first. The luxurious room had walls adorned with dragon-patterned wood carvings,plemented by golden silk curtains hanging beautifully onrge windows that overlooked the city''s view. In the middle of the room, a wooden table with intricate carvings was set between two plush sofas upholstered in dark red fabric. A thick maroon carpet was spread across the floor, creating a warm and grand atmosphere. On one of the sofas, a man in his seventies sat gracefully. His body was d in a clean white robe embroidered with silver, showing his status as a respected leader. His face was full of wisdom, with long white hair tied neatly, while his sharp eyes observed every movement of the people before him. This was Elder Wan, one of the main Elders of the Tou Pavilion. "Hello, young master Lein, we meet again," Elder Wan greeted as he stood, ready to wee Lein and the others. Lein was equally respectful. He bowed slightly and returned Elder Wan''s greeting. Regardless of the high-level power that Elder Wan possessed, even if the person in front of him had ill intentions, Lein would still be polite for the rewards the mission offered. "Hello, Elder Wan, sorry I did not keep my promise. I arrived one dayter than nned," Lein replied with a polite smile. Hearing Lein''s words and his given reason, Elder Wan was not angry at all. He simply nodded and then shifted his gaze to Laras, whom he had never seen before. Lein noticed Elder Wan''s gaze and quickly exined who Laras was and why she was with them this time. "Sorry, Elder, but she is one of the core members of my alliance. Her name is Laras," Lein introduced Laras to Elder Wan. "Hello, Elder Wan, sorry foring uninvited," Laras greeted, bowing with a warm smile. Elder Wan smiled at the three of them. He then extended his hand and invited them to sitfortably on the sofa in front of him. Lein, Nita, and Laras immediately satfortably on the sofa, trying to make themselves at ease for a while. They somehow felt a bit nervous meeting Elder Wan this time. In his heart, Lein still wondered, "Why is this person''s cultivation level still a question mark?" Yes, Lein and the others had checked the status panel information about Elder Wan, but all they saw was a question mark with no further exnation. [Status] - Name: Wan Lu - Race: Cui Race - Power Core: Cultivator - Rank: ??? "Alright, young master Lein. I know you must be eager, so let''s get straight to the point. Did you bring the items you promised earlier?" Seeing that Lein did not take the initiative to ask, Elder Wan directly brought up the main topic of their meeting, which was to hand over the two remaining potions Lein had promised 21 days ago. Chapter 130: Tree of Life "Ah, yes..." Lein was slightly surprised but quickly regained hisposure. He swiftly took out two blessing potions from his storage ring. "Please examine them, Elder Wan, the two blessing potions I promised," Lein said as he casually handed the two bottles to Elder Wan. With his magical power, Elder Wan moved the potions to his hands. He carefully examined the bottles, his hands trembling slightly as if holding a priceless treasure. His usually calm eyes now sparkled with extraordinary enthusiasm. "Wonderful, the same potions as before," Elder Wan muttered softly. He kept uttering words of admiration while gazing at the potions in his hands. "Young master Lein, thank you very much," he said sincerely. Elder Wan seemed to have run out of words of praise and simply expressed his gratitude. He continued to examine the potions with awe, asionally staring into the empty space ahead as if contemting somethingplex. "Uh, hum..." Lein coughed softly. The elder snapped out of his thoughts, realizing he seemed to have forgotten something. "Haha, my apologies, young master Lein. I got too excited," Elder Wan said while producing several items from thin air. Lein observed the items and picked them up with his bare hands. Laras and Nita, who had remained silent all this time, also nced at the items. Just by looking at them, the items emitted a white glow, indicating their value. At the same time, a system notification sounded. [Mission (Elder Wan''s Hidden Mission) Completed] - Name: Wan Lu - Rank: S - Description: Provide Elder Wan with two Blessing Potions - Reward: 1,000,000 contribution points. With the missionpletion notification, the mission description also disappeared from Lein''s status panel. Without thinking twice, Lein quickly checked his hard-earned rewards. The first item Lein examined was something he had seen before¡ªa white card with some strange writing on it. What caught Lein''s eye the most was the number written: 1,000,000. (Wan Lu Message Card) This card can be redeemed at any Cui race war office to obtain the corresponding contribution points. - Contribution Points: +1,000,000 "Wow... a million points?" Laras, standing beside him, couldn''t hold back her amazement and whispered. Nita was the same; her eyes widened as she looked at the card''s description panel in disbelief. "Aren''t the contribution points too many? Is it really that easy to earn points?" Laras said incredulously. "Yes... no wonder my brother''s contribution points are so high," Nita now understood how Lein managed to gain over 10,000,000 war contribution points. No one could take him down from the number 1 spot. Lein ignored the astonished looks from the two girls and then turned his attention to the other item given by Elder Wan. The item was a round object with strange inscriptions surrounding the transparent orb. Inside the orb, he saw a portal-like structure with a few differences¡ªthis portal was supported by five pirs. Lein immediately recognized what the item was just by looking at it, and he proceeded to check the description of the portal. [Multi-Space Portal] An ancient artifact that opens pathways across dimensions, born from the secret arts of formation. Only those with a sufficiently strong soul force can control it, making it a key to boundless destinies. - Maximum distance: 10 spaces (1 space = 1,000 trillion km) - Power: 0 (1% = 1,000 power essence) - Realm Limit: 5 nodes "Terrifying," Lein muttered in awe. He was even more surprised that the system would grant them such an item for achieving first ce in the first event against the void monsters. Reflecting on the past, Lein felt a pang of sadness as he remembered how he had failed to rank in the top 1, or even the top 20. Huft... Lein shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside since they were now in the past. He wouldn''t let that happen again, not ever. After finishing his inspection of the Multi-Space Portal, Lein then turned his attention to thest item given by Elder Wan. Lein didn''t recall that Elder Wan would give any other items besides the Multi-Space Portal and contribution points. But whatever it was, since it came from someone as powerful as Elder Wan, it was bound to be good and useful. Thest item given by Elder Wan was a small tree with lush leaves, resembling a miniature banyan tree. Its roots were numerous yet incredibly thin, creating a beautiful sight due to their delicate size. Curious, Lein immediately checked the tree''s status description. (Tree of Life) An ancient tree that is the source of life for all living beings. It emits pure life energy every few months. There is nothing that cannot thrive with the pure energy from the Tree of Life. - Level: Seedling - Energy: 1,000 power essence daily - Abilities: (Pure Breath) (Heart Fruit) (Pure Breath) Increases the experience of all inhabitants of the ind by 1% daily. Enhances the brain energy of the ind''s ruler, providing an increase in the absorption of knowledge from nature. max 10%. (Heart Fruit) Grants a random attribute increase of 100 points. This effect can only be used once for the main effect; subsequent uses only provide health benefits and mental rity. Lein examined the description of the Tree of Life with a slight smile. Another highly valuable item that could significantly enhance the quality of the human rulers living on his ind. With this group item, it would greatly elerate the development of humanity in the Divine Sky Realm. "Amazing, how can such an item exist? It can even affect the entire poption of the ind," Laras said in awe as she read the Tree of Life''s description in Lein''s hands. "Yes, we certainly won''t lose to those high-tier races," Laras said with a spirited tone from the side. Lein looked at the two girls with a confused expression. He gazed at them with a questioning look, as if to ask, "Aren''t you talking about a high-tier race right in front of you?" Indeed, Elder Wan could hear their entire conversation clearly. However, he just smiled and didn''t interrupt. Chapter 131: Aetheris "How about it, Young Master Lein? Thest item is a bonus because you kept your promise." Elder Wan noticed that Lein really liked the three items he had given him, especially thest one, the Tree of Life, which was specially granted by the pavilion''s owner to be given to Lein. "Yes. All the items you''ve given me, Elder Wan, are incredibly useful," Lein said sincerely. Although he had many high-level items at his disposal, he still felt he should not show arrogance before this old man. If Elder Wan could casually give items of such high quality, it was certain that his power and wealth were hundreds or even thousands of times greater than those items. "Hahaha... No need to be so polite. It''s a pleasure to work with you, Young Master Lein." "By the way, I''m curious, have you determined the direction of your ind''s development?" Elder Wan asked casually, with a hint of curiosity about Lein''s response. Hearing Elder Wan''s question, Lein could only look back at him with a confused expression. He then asked, "What do you mean, Elder Wan?" "Well, it seems you''re still unfamiliar with Aetheris," Elder Wan said in a calm tone, like a grandfather exining something to his grandchild. "Aetheris is the ce where the realm you currently reside in exists. Aetheris pulls life from lower realms and draws them into it." "Life drawn from the lower realms will go through an initial phase, facing the Void Life, where these beings are provided with a wealth of initial resources to grow." "At a certain time, when Aetheris'' time runs out, it will lose its energy and vanish into nothingness, leaving behind a new realm like the one you are in now." Elder Wan exined everything to Lein, Laras, and Nita slowly and clearly, ensuring they understood where they were and what was happening around them. For Elder Wan, this information was not something so valuable that he wouldn''t share it with Lein, who had helped him acquire the Blessing Potion. "So, what happens to the realms inside Aetheris once their energy is depleted?" Lein asked with great curiosity. He had previously known that they were in a starter realm rich in resources, pampered by the system. However, once the protection period ended, system resources would no longer be avable, and they would have to rely on themselves to survive. "You have two options," Elder Wan replied directly. "The first is to move and follow the life path you chose at the beginning of your ascension. In the Power System concept, you can choose to move and enter the realm of the crystal core race you used during the Tier-1 promotion trials." After exining the first option, Elder Wan paused for a moment, allowing them to digest and understand. And sure enough, Elder Wan saw the three people in front of him exchanging confused looks. "Laras, what crystal core did you use during your Tier-1 promotion?" Lein asked Laras. He was sure Laras had chosen a different race than he had, which was the Holy Human Race. "I used the crystal core of the Winged Heavenly Angel race," Laras replied. It was already predictable from every skill and ability she possessed, all of which were rted to angels and light. Even just hearing the name was enough to fill everyone with awe. Hump... Lein had expected as much, so he could only sigh deeply. Had he known this from the start, he might have guided all the alliance members and the inhabitants of his ind to use the same crystal core. "What''s the second option, Elder Wan?" Lein asked, turning his attention to Elder Wan, who was still sittingfortably while asionally sipping tea at the table. "The other option you have is to be a Guardian of the realm where you currently reside." "A Guardian?" Lein murmured softly, looking back at Elder Wan with a puzzled expression. Elder Wan continued, exining that a Guardian is someone who unites all living beings in a realm and bes its protector. Of course, as the Guardian of a realm, one must possess immense strength to lead that realm. If someone whose power is insufficient bes a Guardian, the realm would be destroyed by a stronger realm within hours. Hearing all of Elder Wan''s exnations, Lein and the others took a heavy breath. They were shocked by the information they had just learned. They had thought they would live in the Divine Sky Realm for a long time, living as usual with the events released by the system. "Sorry, Elder Wan, what are the requirements to be a Guardian, and what are the benefits?" This time, it was Laras who asked. After some thought, she realized that relocating to the realm of the Winged Heavenly Angels, her crystal core race, might not be too bad. However, while bing a Guardian sounded like it came with huge responsibilities, there had to be significant benefits behind it. "Of course. Bing a Guardian is quite simple. You only need to secure the most votes from the remaining beings who choose to stay in the realm you are in within Aetheris," Elder Wan exined, then continued. "The benefits of bing a Guardian are vast; you will own the realm itself and everything within it." Elder Wan''s concise exnation of the benefits of being a Guardian was brief, but it conveyed how invaluable it was. "Brother, which option do you think the people in our realm will choose?" Nita asked Lein. Nita felt quite anxious about the choices humanity had. If everyone chose to separate and be part of other races, the Blue Human Race would no longer exist. It was unpleasant to think that human civilization, once known as the most intelligent beings, would disappear from existence. "I don''t know. Let''s hope they still have a strong sense of unity," Lein said,cking confidence. In some cases, humanity disyed a strong sense of togetherness, but when faced with life-and-death choices, many would easily turn away. Chapter 132: Exploring the City of Heavenly News. After saying that, Lein looked at Elder Wan and said, "Thank you very much, Elder Wan. We are very fortunate to have met you and received this valuable information." "It''s no big deal. I should be the one thanking you." Elder Wan waved his hand, feeling it wasn''t anything of great importance. Shortly after, Lein and the others exchanged a few more words with Elder Wan regarding life in the void, hoping to gain any useful tidbits. They were also curious about the lives of cultivators and asked several general questions in detail to Elder Wan. The conversationsted for about 30 minutes, with Elder Wan answering all of Lein and the two girls'' questions clearly and calmly. asionally, to lighten the mood, Elder Wan would ask about Lein and the others'' life origins. Listening about Earth, Elder Wan did not seem surprised at all because he felt it was normal for a from a lower realm to have such a civilization. Feeling that the conversation was enough, Lein stood up from the sofa and said, "Alright, Elder Wan, I think that''s enough for the chat. Thank you for everything." "You''re wee. Oh, and take this," Elder Wan replied, producing a hexagonal amulet made of white crystal stone. Elder Wan then tossed the hexagonal amulet into Lein''s hands. "Oh, it''s quite heavy." Lein held the hexagonal amulet and felt its weight. It was quite heavy, about 5kg, but it was nothing for Lein, who had reached Tier-3. He then checked the status panel description of the hexagonal amulet. (Portal Core Amulet) An amulet containing spatial and temporal energy that marks a precise location within the chaotic void. It serves as a beacon for multi-space portals. - Location: Guandu Realm "Amazing, I can meet Elder Wan again and visit the Guandu Realm without much trouble," Lein thought to himself. Shortly after, the three of them thanked Elder Wan, who watched as they prepared to leave. Lein and the others made their way back as before, descending the stairs to the ground floor. Once on the lower floor, they rented a star beast transportation vehicle located in front of the main road of Heavenly News City. The transportation chosen by Lein, Laras, and Nita was a two-wheeled vehicle pulled by arge bird with colorful feathers. The bird was beautiful to look at, with a gracefully curved beak. "This is great; I can barely feel any bumps. It''s much morefortable than riding cars on uneven roads," Nita said, standing on the rear seat alongside Laras. Lein and the others satfortably on the transportation cart. After meeting with Elder Wan, their next goal was to explore and try to find popr dining and sightseeing spots in Heavenly News City within the Guandu Realm. The streets were filled with the vibrant colors ofnterns and vendors offering various exotic fruits and mouth-watering grilled foods. Small shops sold glittering items and cultivation tools. The tempting aroma of food mixed with the bustling sounds of visitors, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere. Lein and the others were captivated, eager to explore all the wonders that the city of Heaven''s News had to offer. After a few minutes, the beast vehicle carrying Lein and the others came to a stop. They disembarked from their star beast transport and walked towards a luxurious clothing shop decorated with shimmeringnterns and colorful silk drapes. The entrance was guarded by two golden dragon statues that looked almost alive, creating a magical and captivating impression. Upon entering, they were greeted by rows of elegant garments hanging neatly. Each outfit had its own aura, highlighting the distinct characteristics of cultivators. There were long gowns adorned with gemstones, intricately designed robes, and leather battle armor that looked strong yet graceful. "Wow, look at this one, Nita!" Laras pointed to a white gown with gold embellishments resembling angel wings, perfectly matching her cultivation theme as a Winged Sky Angel. Nita smiled, "Yeah, it looks perfect on you. You''ll look like an angel descended from heaven." Laras tried on the gown and looked at herself in the mirror. "But¡­ I need something more flexible for fighting. This gown is too formal," she said, spinning slowly. Lein, who was browsing the men''s cultivator outfits, chimed in, "How about this cultivation robe?" He pointed to a navy blue robe with silver ents that looked light yet durable. "This robe has protective magic and seemsfortable enough for battle." Laras nodded in agreement, "This seems more suitable. What do you think, Nita?" Nita, busy trying on some essories, nced at the robe Lein picked, "Great choice! The navy blue will also make you look more dignified. Take it, and save the gown for special asions." Satisfied with their selections, Laras and Nita decided to purchase the robe. They headed to the cashier and then continued their journey to a grand building at the end of the street¡ªthe famous auction house in the City of Heaven''s News. --- The auction house was filled with wealthy cultivators, merchants, and nobles dressed in luxurious attire. The atmosphere inside was bustling, with the sounds of bids andments echoing throughout the hall. Arge stage stood at the front, disying various antique and valuable items one by one. The auction had just begun with a bid on an ancient sword said to be able to absorb spiritual energy from enemies. "Bidding starts at 500 thousand spiritual crystals!" the auctioneer announced loudly. Lein watched closely as the sword''s price kept rising. Laras and Nita whispered to each other, amazed at how each bidder fiercelypeted for the rare items. "I bid 800 thousand spiritual crystals!" a man in a ck suit raised his hand, his eyes sharply fixed on the sword on the stage. "800 thousand! Any higher bids?" the auctioneer asked enthusiastically. "850 thousand!" came a voice from an elderly woman who exuded the aura of a high-level cultivator. The auction continued with various other items, including power-boosting talismans, healing crystals, and ancient artifacts radiating magical auras. Lein, Laras, and Nita watched with great interest but refrained from bidding. To them, these items were of a lower tier. They were here just to observe and experience the atmosphere of the City of Heaven''s News. Special auctions for high-level cultivators were, of course, not open to the public and couldn''t be entered by just anyone, unlike the one they were attending now. Chapter 133: An upset William Anderson Lein and the others spent their time untilte afternoon in Guandu Realm. They explored the entire Heavenly News City firsthand, observing the lives of the cultivators. *** While Lein and the others were rxing in Guandu Realm, elsewhere, a fierce battle was taking ce. A young man in a white robe with ck stripes was seen controlling a white star-shaped energy, trying to attack arge wolf standing about a meter tall. "Hahaha... Too easy," muttered the young man in the white robe as he controlled the brightly shining white stars. Woo... The wolf tried to dodge every approaching star, asionally howling in an attempt to halt their movement. Not far from the wolf stood a figure in a green hooded robe. His hands were glowing blue, seemingly activating a beast summoning hologram. "Damn... This guy is only a mid-Tier-2, but his power is terrifying," said the man in the green robe. The young man controlling the stars, who had been smiling, now wore a frown. He stared at the empty space ahead of him with disbelief, frustration, and confusion. "Damn... This guy again!!!" he eximed angrily. "From 11 million points to 13 million in just a few days." Yes, this young man was William Anderson, the leader of the American alliance. Since finding out that Lein''s contribution points had reached 11 million a few days ago, he no longer considered aiming for the top 1-3 spots. Nheless, he continued monitoring the daily leaderboard updates of the event. "Not only do his alliance members dominate ranks 1-6, but he even gained an additional 1 million points?" William muttered, baffled and questioning himself despite having an S-rank talent. As William was deep in thought, he sensed someone approaching him. Sure enough, the man in the green robe, who had been summoning the green wolf, leaped and lunged at William with a sharp silver sword aimed forward. Shah... William didn''t panic; he quickly sidestepped. The stars around him gathered and immediately flew toward the man in the green robe. Tang... Teng... The silver sword and the stars collided. Each time a star was deflected, it would return and continue attacking the man in the green robe. "shing Killer!" The silver sword emitted a red glow, enveloping the sword in a bright red aura. Shah... With just one sh, four of the attacking stars vanished. The man in the green robe then turned his gaze toward William, who was standing a short distance away. A slight smile appeared on William''s face. He had just received news that he didn''t want to hear, but fortunately, this man in the green robe was there at the perfect time to vent his frustration. "Falling Star." It was a simple murmur, but the previously dark sky above suddenly lit up. "Damn, where is this terrifying energying from?" said a Faithwarden with a white halo behind his back. He was battling a Beast Master with an Elephant Beast, but he momentarily nced at the sky above. "Is another Tier-3 yer arriving?" asked a Golden Core stage cultivator currently fighting a Beast Master with a summoned Dragon. "Look, that thing is about to fall on us... run!" "This is terrifying, get away from this area!" The Tier-1 warriors felt a profound fear in their hearts. The sight of the sky made them stop fighting and run away from the battle area between William and the man in the green robe. Their fear was not without reason, as the sky above William and the man in the green robe now formed a circr area with a 50-meter diameter. Not long after it opened, a massive 10-meter star emerged from within therge circle. And it wasn''t just one; many smaller stars followed. "Damn... What kind of attack is this? How can a Tier-2 possess such power?" said the man in the green robe. He immediately stopped attacking William and tried to escape. "Where are you going? Let''s continue," William said. He didn''t allow the man in the green robe to flee or use teleportation skills. Tang... William rushed forward, attacking with his one-meter-long white sword. He swung it from the side, attacking every time the man in the green robe tried to move. Feeling cornered, the man in the green robe raised his hand, and the beast summoning hologram began spinning. The hologram on his wrist stopped at arge ape-like creature, and a white light emerged, forming the figure of a two-meter-tall ck-furred ape. The hologram continued spinning, stopping at another beast. "How many beasts are you nning to summon? It''s useless," William said. "Transform." Another skill activated. The stars William controlled before now transformed into figures resembling him. The difference was that these transformed stars seemed even stronger than William himself. One clone charged toward therge ape that had just appeared. Each of the other clones attacked all the beasts summoned by the man in the green robe. Argh... Hoarhrr... The roars of the beasts had no effect on the summoned clones. They attacked ruthlessly with the same white swords that William wielded. "Damn... This is impossible." Fear pierced the heart of the man in the green robe. A cold sensation enveloped his body as he looked around, realizing no one was in their vicinity anymore. The man in the green robe was terrified, but the stars in the sky were now descending, raining down on the area where he stood. Boom... "No!!! You will regret this and be hunted by the Sun Conqueror Sect." Boom... Boom... The man''s screams could be heard from afar, but no one came to his rescue. The stars'' impact was incredibly destructive, creating a deep crater in the ground. William, who had been near the man in the green robe, was now far from the st area. Just before the stars exploded, he activated his teleportation skill, observing from a safe distance. "Impressive, the president grows stronger every day." An old man with long ck hair stood beside William, speaking in an admiring tone. He always felt a shiver whenever William activated his destructive skills. Chapter 134: A vile man Hearing the old man''s praise, William remained silent. His thoughts were still on how Lein, the leader of the World Market Trade alliance, had grown so powerful and amassed such an absurd number of contribution points. The explosions in the distance had stopped. A figure in a long robe floated, observing the st area beneath his feet. In just two seconds, the figure''s gaze turned directly toward William Anderson and the old man Harisson beside him. Ugh... William and the old man Harisson knelt on the ground. Fresh blood spilled from their mouths. "Damn... this hurts!" William groaned in pain. The old man Harisson was in a simr state, unable to think, staring nkly at the ground. Fortunately, William noticed that the figure observing them was facing another figure. They appeared to be on opposing sides. Without hesitation, William and Harisson activated their skills and began to fight. "Sir... we need to return. My strength has been halved for the next hour," said old man Harisson with a sour face. Just being stared at by that figure had halved their attributes. "Yes, you''re right, Sir Harisson." Without further thought, William and Harisson vanished instantly, using their direct teleportation charms. *** On arge ind, fierce battles were raging. Every individual on the ind was killing and attacking each other, unleashing their most destructive skills and abilities. In one area, a muscr man fought alongside arge white bear, engaging in a bare-knuckle battle with a bald physical cultivator whose martial arts skills were equally formidable. With swift movements, the he swung his massive fist at the Enemy. His power-packed punch tore through the air, creating a shockwave that sted forward. The bald cultivator dodged nimbly, flipping in the air andnding perfectly. With a hint of seriousness on his face, he countered with a spinning kick to the muscr man''s abdomen, but the muscr man blocked it without injury, merely pushed back a few steps. Therge white bear then roared, a sound that rattled bones. With unexpected speed for such a massive creature, it charged at the bald cultivator, its sharp ws ready to sh. The bald cultivator braced himself, using both hands to block the bear''s ws. A pure strength battle ensued between them, each pushing with all their might. The ground around them cracked and shattered, disying the immense power being unleashed. "Bernie, Combo!" yelled the muscr man. As if understanding hismand, the bear backed away from the cultivator and returned to the muscr man. "Double Style," the muscr man said softly. Immediately after, therge bear vanished. Argh... The muscr man let out a terrifying scream, as if possessed by the spirit of the bear. His body was engulfed in a white aura, the emanating power growing stronger. "Prepare yourself..." In an instant, the muscr man had alreadyunched himself, driving his fist straight at the bald cultivator''s chest. Dum... The bald cultivator tried to block with his crossed arms, but he was sent flying back ten meters. Crack... A cracking sound was heard. Sure enough, he found himself unable to move his arms. The cultivator didn''t panic; a green aura enveloped his arms. Shortly after, his previously broken arms became firm, and he could move them freely again. However, before he could reassess his surroundings, the muscr man in the white aura was already upon him. Powerful punches rained down quickly. With no other choice, the cultivator could only fight back with his own martial arts punching skills. A quick punch from the right was gently deflected away from his body. Another punch emerged from below, aiming at his stomach, but was blocked with a slight push to the side. The bald cultivator increased his focus to the maximum level as he faced hundreds of punchesunched by the muscr man. At this moment, a powerful kick came from the right. "Uh..." The bald cultivator bent his body backward as if he had no spine. His movement was smooth and flexible, allowing him to evade the powerful iing kick. Quickly, the his body straightened, and he continued blocking all iing punches. The muscr man was quite surprised to see the cultivator in front of him keeping up with his speed and boxing skills. He then gave a thin smile, immediately directing a straightforward punch aimed right at the bald cultivator chest. Seeing the direct attacking at him, the bald cultivator prepared to block andunch a counterattack. DHUM... The punch aimed at his chest was blocked. Then he immediately pushed back with his feet. "Shit... no" He shouted in shock. He saw a white, furry hand emerging from the stomach of the muscr man, with sharp ws on the white hand aiming directly at the cultivator''s stomach, tearing into it forcefully. Argh... Aaa... His terrifying scream was filled with pain. He could not retreat at this moment, his stomach already pierced by the sharp ws of the suddenly appeared bear''s hand. "Ghihhh... Got you," said the muscr man with a wide smile. His strong hand immediately gripped the bald cultivator neck. Then his right hand delivered a powerful punch directly at the bald cultivator''s face. Bleh... The cultivator''s head shattered, leaving only a body still hanging in the muscr man''s grasp. "Damn... this guy is savage. Run!" said another cultivator not far from the fight between the muscr man and the bald cultivator. "Devil... this guy is ruthless," shouted a female Beast Master, running away with her summoned spider. Everyone who had been fighting around the muscr man fled without exception. His brutal and sadistic fighting style terrified them; none of them wanted to end up like the bald cultivator. "Heh, where did everyone go?" The muscr man asked his beloved white bear, who had now reappeared. He looked around with a nk expression as if he had done nothing wrong. The white bear couldn''t speak and just stared at the muscr man while licking its ws. Ting... The sound of a system notification rang in the muscr man''s ear. He opened the system interface panel and found a priority message sent by his subordinate. - (Yelena) Mr. President, Mr. Lein''s contribution points have increased from 11 million to 13 million. The muscr man read the message with a rxed expression. He nodded and replied, "Noted." He then checked the leaderboard. Sure enough, the contribution points of the top rank, which were previously 11 million, had now risen to 13 million. "Hahaha... This Indonesian guy is tough. I must pay him a visit when I return," said the muscr man. He then looked at the big bear in front of him, leaping high andnding smoothly on the white bear''s back. The white bear didn''t mind. After the muscr man mounted it, the bear leisurely walked toward another battlefield. Chapter 135: Checking (Island Orb) On the main road of the Heavenly News city, many people were going about their business, engaged in various activities. Along this road, a group of three could be seen: one man and two women. "Brother Lein, don''t you want to add more points?" Laras asked Lein. Yes, this group of three consisted of Laras, Lein, and Nita. They were currently on their way to the main teleportation area in Heavenly News city. "I think that''s enough. Our next task is to determine the development direction of the ind," Lein replied clearly. After receiving information from Elder Wan about the next development of the Main Ind, Lein made it his top priority. His contribution points were already high enough, making it nearly impossible for other rulers to catch up. "Hahaha... Don''t worry, Sister Laras. Even if the top alliances worked together, they wouldn''t be able to surpass Brother Lein''s contribution points," Nita chimed in from the side. Nita didn''t really care about any of that. Her task was to handle minor duties for Lein that no one else could do, not even the core members of the alliance. Thus, Lein''s group made their way through the main street toward the teleportation area smoothly and without any obstacles. Since entering the cultivation realm, they had only encountered foolish individuals a few times, but it never led to any fighting. Lein thought that it might be because it was still wartime, and the security officers'' vignce was heightened, preventing young masters from prominent cultivator families from testing their luck. These young masters could die if they messed with the wrong young master who hade to aid his race in the war. Fortunately, Lein''s group did not encounter any troublemakers, and they were able to collect points safely and smoothly. A few minutester, they finally reached the main teleportation area. As usual, the area was filled with people of various races. Lein and the others chose one of the portals at the edge of the area and entered it, teleporting to the Divine Sky realm. ... Almost at the same time, three people emerged from one of the portals in the Teleportation Hub in the City of Life. These three were Lein, Laras, and Nita, who had just entered teleportation earlier. "All right, since it''s night now, let''s rest. What about you, Laras?" Lein said to the two girls. "Um... I''ll rest too, Brother Lein. As you said, our position is already very high and won''t change," Laras replied casually. Lein nodded, then looked at Nita beside him. "How about you?" "I''m also tired; I want to rest." With that, Lein and Nita parted ways with Laras and returned to their respective homes. They entered another portal that led directly to their homes. Of course, only certain people had ess to these portals. Upon arriving at a small portal not far from the town hall building where Lein and Nita lived, Nita said goodbye and immediately headed upstairs to rest, while Lein went to the middle of the first floor. The first floor of the town hall building was amon area with a living room for receiving guests, a kitchen, a storage room, etc. Among all these, there was a special room in the center that was heavily guarded. At this moment, Lein was heading toward that special room. Lein walked down the first-floor corridor, continuing toward the center of the room. Not long after, he saw a room with metallic white walls, protected by an array formation. Not only was it guarded by the formation, but two soldiers were also standing watch. When they saw Lein, they saluted and remained in their positions. The two guards were Tier-2 strength, enough to deter any city hall officials from acting out. Seeing them salute, Lein nodded casually. He then stood right in front of the room''s door. Next, he ced his palm on the protectiveyer of the array formation. Krak... The protective array formation disintegrated and disappeared. As the owner, Lein didn''t need much time to unlock the array. Once the array formation vanished, Lein ced his palm on the door. On the left side of the door, there was a ce to rest his hand¡ªa scanner that looked like a handprint scanner. When Lein ced his palm on it, the scanner box changed color from white to green. Shortly after, a wideser beam emitted from the door, scanning Lein standing in front of it. "Huft... safe, but so bothersome," Lein said casually as he watched all the security measures this special room took for protection. Soon, the green door indicated that Lein could enter the room. As the door opened, Lein walked inside. The contents of the room were simple: a transparent orb floated above a ck box. The orb emitted a pure aura that was indescribable. Every time Lein approached this orb, he felt that it was extraordinary. Yes, this orb was the ind''s energy source; everything was managed through this orb. All information about the ind was stored in it, including poption, the number of buildings, and more. [Ind Orb] - Owner: Lein - Ind Speed: 1,000 km/second - Ind Size: 50 million square km - Poption: 1.3 billion - Defence Tower Building: (Gctic Fortress - Territory Artifact), (Fire Cannon), (Sky Punishment Mortar), (Divine Dragon Nest), (Kai Tribe Warrior Nest), ... - Defence: 5,000,000 "Hm... I wonder if this disy will change once we exit Aetheris," Lein murmured softly. After hearing Elder Wan''s exnation about Aetheris, Lein felt a bit worried about his ind, so he immediately checked his Ind Orb. Besides being the ind''s energy source, the Ind Orb itself was proof of ownership for a ruler over an ind. Like the Core Members, they no longer had an Ind Orb because they had joined Lein''s ind. Lein had already duplicated his Ind Orb, cing copies in special locations guarded by special troops. All duplicated Ind Orbs had disy panels that closely resembled the original Ind Orb before him. Nevertheless, Lein still had his own concerns and would check the main Ind Orb whenever he had time. "All right, let''s wait three days. I''m curious to see what will happen once the inter-racial war event ends," Lein said to himself. Lein then exited the white room, reactivating the main door security and re-engaging the protective array formation. Oncepleted, Lein turned and went upstairs to his bedroom. Chapter 136: Opening epic chests - Pure artefacts It took less than a minute for Lein to reach his room, which had arge door with half-body dragon statues on either side. Lein had been amazed when he first saw the dragon statues, and even now, he still admired the majestic expression on them. Opening the door, he entered the room. It was a spacious room with four windows facing outside. Even at night, the bright courtyard lights were clearly visible from inside. Tak... tak... tak... The clock on the wall ticked, and Lein nced at therge clock on one side of the room. It was 9 PM. "As usual, let''s open the Epic Chest and hope for a satisfying oue," Lein mumbled to himself. Since obtaining the Chest and building the special storage room from the start, he had developed a habit of opening chests for two hours before bed. It also allowed Lein to wait for his duplication talent''s cooldown time to reset and perform duplication. Lein walked over to arge bookshelf to the right of the door, a grand structure 5 meters tall and 3 meters wide. With his fingers extended, he began touching several books on the fifth shelf from the bottom. Each time his index finger touched a book''s spine, a small glimmer of light would sh. asionally, Lein moved his hand between the books, like ying piano keys. Drrrzz... Suddenly, the sound of creaking followed by a loud rumble echoed. A long white corridor opened before him. Bright lights emitted from the corridor walls, making the end visible. In the distance, a shelf full of chests awaited. Without hesitation, Lein stepped inside. He didn''t take long to reach the end of the corridor, finding a room filled with gold chests neatly arranged on the shelves. "Whew... With this much wealth, who can match me?" Lein said to himself. He had a habit of praising himself. He quickly walked to the center of the room, where a sofa and a small table were set up for him to rx. Yes, he would perform the tedious task of opening epic chests for the next two hours. Lein immediately opened a gold chest beside him. (High Storage Chest) - Storage slots: 1,000 - Item: Epic item - Endurance: 10,000 points All 1,000 slots of the chest contained epic chests, each slot filled with 100 items. This high-tier chest could hold up to 100,000 items in total. Lein immediately took out an epic chest and opened it. [Open (Epic Chest), are you sure?] "Yes." A purple light immediately shone from the epic chest, dazzling and beautiful, with small stars dancing around the purple chest. [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - Earth Spear - Pure Artifact x1 - Mutant Wolf Nest Blueprint x1 - High-Level Energy Crystal x10 ... "Whoa... An artifact? Hmm... I haven''t gotten that before," Lein muttered to himself. He then checked the description of the artifact. (Earth Spear) A spear made from olixum jade crystal, containing a dense amount of earth element energy. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Pure Artifact - Essence: 688 - Ability: (Wrath of Earth) Increases speed by 50%, increases power by 50%. Unleashes a killing move with a thousand spear thrusts, each thrust reduces the enemy''s armor by 1%, the cooldown resets when this skill finishes off a target. Cooldown 5 minutes. "Damn, a killing move? The skill activates without cooldown when it finishes off a target," Lein said, clearly surprised by the Earth Spear''s description. Lein quickly activated his duplication talent. Pure artifacts were a must to duplicate at least once. Even though his main weapon wasn''t a spear and he didn''t use it, it would be very useful for other things in the ind''s developmentter. [Duplicating (Earth Spear) 10,000 times, confirm?] "Yes." Immediately, items identical to the Earth Spear in his hand appeared in Lein''s storage ring. He had no doubts about his talent''s duplication ability, even if a god stood before him in the form of an item, he would duplicate it without hesitation. "Next," Lein mumbled. He quickly took out another chest and opened it. [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - Mid-Level Energy Crystal x250 - Ramur Armor - Level 30 x1 - Void sh (Skill Book - Legendary) x1 ... "Legendary? Damn... why am I so lucky this time?" Though puzzled, Lein couldn''t think of anyone in this realm praying for him other than himself. He didn''t dwell on it and checked the descriptions of the items he had obtained. (Ramur Armor) - Level: 35 - Attributes: RES+230, SPD +165 - (Iron Defense): Increases armor thickness, reduces iing damage by 20%, boosts healing effects by 15% for 1 minute. Cooldown 10 minutes. "Just average¡­" Lein said after ncing at the Ramur Armor''s description. Although the item level was quite high, its abilities were rather average, nothing special. He then quickly opened the description of the other item, the legendary skill book. (Void sh) Activates void aura on both arms for 1 minute. In void aura mode, every attack increases by 50%, speed by 50%, and attacks cannot be blocked by physical objects. - Level: 1 (0/10,000) - Base Damage: 40% - Rarity: Legendary - Cooldown: 5 minutes - Requirement: Master, Swordsman *Master level is 1 level above Tier-3 on Power Core: System "Crazy... Void aura? Does that mean I can sh using the aura?" Lein eximed, his mind running wild. He imagined himself standing valiantly before a giant dragon, casually swinging his hand, and the void aura emanating from his arm slicing the dragon in half effortlessly. Smack... Lein pped his right cheek. "Haha... This seems boring to me, but for others, who knows what their expressions would be," Lein said casually. The longer Lein stayed in the realm of the Divine Sky with the system''s presence, the more he loved and appreciated everything he had achieved and gained. He had once thought little of himself for not securing first ce in the system''s first event. But look at what''s happening now. His 13 million points would never be surpassed until the event ends in three days. "YOSHH... Next!" Lein shouted, cheering himself up. Lein actually wanted to use the legendary Void sh skill right away, but he couldn''t because his level was still 50 Tier-3. To reach master level, he needed to exceed level 50 and undergo a promotion to the master rank. And so, Lein continued his tedious work of opening hundreds of epic chests alone in the very quiet room. Chapter 137: 3 Pure artefacts The Next Morning - Day 28 of the Interracial War Event Lein woke up with a sleepy face. He had gone to bed at 11 PM the previous night, extending his time by an hour because the epic chests had given him many rare items. For three hours the previous night, Lein managed to open around 4,000 epic chests. The results were very satisfying; he obtained 17 pure artifacts, 58 broken artifacts, 22 legendary skills, 180 rare skill books, and 510mon skill books. The rest were building blueprints, materials, nt seeds, and ingredients for making weapons or alchemy forms. From the 17 artifacts Lein obtained, three items stood out as particrly useful: (Mad Summoner''s Ne), (Goddess of Enlightenment Fan), and (False Soul Ring). (Mad Summoner''s Ne) A ne made from the teeth of the Chaos Dragon, emitting great energy power into the hands of a summoner. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Pure Artifact - Essence: 995 - Ability: (Mad Summoner''s Soul) Activates the mad summoner''s aura. Each summoned beast will be tripled and inherit random attributes (25%, 50%, 75%). No cooldown time. Each summoned beast that dies will create a 1-second dy before the aura reactivates. Maximum duration: 3600 seconds. Mad Summoner''s Ne is perfect for rulers with summoner sses. Lein couldn''t use it himself, but the artifact''s ability was exceptional. He remembered a core member of his alliance who had summoning talent, nning to meet them when he had the time. (Goddess of Enlightenment Fan) A fan made from the feathers of a sky swan, forged for 1,000 years with the lightning of the god of destruction. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Pure Artifact - Essence: 615 - Ability: (Soul Purification) Activates the pure soul energy contained in the fan. Eliminates all illusions around the user and within the user''s soul, refreshing the mind, making it healthier and calmer. Regr use increases charisma and the positive aura of the owner. Cooldown: 10 minutes. This fan was beautiful, adorned with fine swan feathers. The handle was made of solid brown wood. With this fan, Lein could extend his epic chest-opening time by another hour, keeping his mind fresh and calm. The third item was a simple ck ring without any additional adornments. So in that Lein examined it multiple times, making sure the ring he got was truly an artifact. (False Soul Ring) A ring imbued with chaotic soul energy. Made from a mysterious stone with chaotic energy. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Pure Artifact - Essence: 775 - Ability: (Soul Forgery) Creates an illusion of life''s soul. When this skill is active, the user can fake their power level, but not higher than their original strength. Can only deceive beings with the same power level as the user. The ring was Lein''s favorite item. He had often read scenes where the protagonist hides their power, only to reveal their true strength and make a dramaticeback when trouble arises. "Huah." Lein stretched his arms and flexed all the joints in his body, trying to shake off the lingering drowsiness. The in ck ring on his hand was now visible. Yes, he had already worn it, but hadn''t activated the soul forgery. Everyone already knew his power level, so it was pointless to use it now. Turning his body, Lein slowly got off the bed and walked towards the mirror on the table beside his bed. He stared at his reflection in the mirror intently. His face looked fresh, though some fatigue still lingered in his eyes. His short ck hair was neatly styled, but a few strands were slightly tousled from sleeping. Lein sighed softly, feeling a rare calm. The in ck ring on his finger stood out on his firm hand. He observed his body for a moment¡ªa proportional and healthy physique, the result of regr exercise and a disciplined lifestyle. Since moving to the Heavenly Divine Realm, Lein had always tried to maintain his physical condition. After ensuring he was ready for the day, Lein headed to the bathroom. Warm water flowed gently over his skin, washing away thest remnants of sleepiness. Lein savored every moment, allowing his mind to be calm and focused. After his bath, Lein dressedfortably yet neatly. He went downstairs, where the aroma of delicious food filled therge dining room. Upon arriving, breakfast was already neatly arranged on the table. "Good morning, Brother... let''s eat." As usual, Nita was at the dining table, arranging the tes to make everything look more organized. Nita was still wearing her apron, cooking every day with their personal chef and learning from them. "Good morning." Lein walked to the dining table and finally took his seat. He began serving food onto each te, even though only the two of them were eating. Therge table felt quite empty inparison. "Brother, please try my dish. Yellow rice with rendang," Nita ced arge te filled with cone-shaped yellow rice. Surrounding the rice were green vegetables and rendang meat with a rich, fragrant aroma. "Um... delicious..." Lein inhaled deeply. He loved rendang, meat cooked in coconut milk for hours. The smell was delightful, with a dominant coconut aroma. "Haha... it''s good, right? I''ll eat too," Nita said, taking off her apron and sitting beside Lein. "Let''s eat..." "Enjoy your meal." They soon began eating the food on their tes. Lein paused momentarily after his first bite. His eyes widened slightly, and a smile slowly appeared on his face. The savory taste of the yellow ricebined with the richly spiced rendang, creating a delightful vorbination. He looked at Nita, showing sincere appreciation through his expression. "This is truly delicious, Nita," he said with satisfaction, his smile growing wider. There was pride in his voice, proud that his sister had made such a tasty meal. Nita beamed with happiness, feeling proud of her efforts. "I''m d you like it, Brother," she replied enthusiastically. They continued eating, enjoying every bite in a warm and harmonious atmosphere. "Brother... the city''s development is progressing rapidly." "Life on Earth is starting to return to normal, but now with very advanced technology." During their meal, Nita discussed the city''s progress with Lein. As someone who frequently reviewed development reports of the City and Ind, Nita had a deep understanding of the current state of the city. "Thetest trend is that humans who no longer wish to build inds are now called Hunters. This trend started by the Dawn Goddess alliance from the Russian alliance," Nita exined while continuing to eat. Chapter 138: Visiting the Central Control Tower Nowadays, people understood that being a ruler and building an ind required not just immense power, but also substantial wealth, rtionships, and a vastmunity. Without these, it was impossible to survive thepetition among other rulers. Even now, minor rulers with inds just tens of kilometers wide struggled to defend against Hunters from top alliances. Bing a Hunter and taking shelter under the strongest rulers, like the leaders of the top 10 alliances, greatly enhanced the progression of one''s strength. "Yeah, sounds good. So, can you now be called a Hunter?" Lein said casually, still enjoying the tender rendang on his te. "Yes, that''s right, but it''s still just a trend. It hasn''t be an official stance among society," Nita replied. Hearing Nita''s response, Lein nodded in understanding. He didn''t concern himself too much with such minor things. He wanted humans to be creative, to advance their civilization. The only thing he did not want was for civilization to be destroyed. Initially, Lein didn''t feel the sense of responsibility for the human race as strongly as he did now. At first, he only viewed humans as his biggestpetition. But now, after the start of the interracial war event, Lein realized how insignificant humans were in the eyes of higher races. Lein despised the feeling of being oppressed. He was doing everything he could to elevate the human race to the highest in the universe. "Brother, today I''m going to attend college. After that, I''ll visit Sister Laras''s house to hang out." "Alright... do whatever you want." With that, the two siblings continued their meal until 7 AM. Nita stayed home for a while to do some things, while Lein left the town hall to check on the current state of his Life City. *** On the main street of the City of Life, Lein sat in the back seat of his car, observing the surroundings leisurely. His destination this time was to visit the Central Control Tower,monly referred to as CCT. The CCT is a building where all operations of Lein''s main ind are managed and centralized. This building was initially constructed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the ind''s development. Relying solely on Lein''s thoughts and the system''s simple interface panel was not enough to produce urate data on the ind''s growth. With this building in ce, Lein gained a better understanding of the ind''s development, allowing him to confidently construct buildings or manage urban areas. "Sir, we will arrive in 3 minutes," said the driver in the front. His eyes were focused on the road, not daring to be negligent. Lein nodded and waited in silence. The city view was as usual, with people happily engaging in their activities, safe andfortable. asionally, foreign tourists could be seen exploring. They appeared to be very happy, sometimes stopping to ask locals for directions. However, these conversations often started with opening the system panel first. Yes, Indonesians were generally not very fluent in English, so they used the system for trantion. "Yeah¡­ Indonesians are veryzy when ites to education," Lein sighed deeply. Lein''s English level was actually quite poor and could be considered inadequate. He could only manage basic everyday words. Anything beyond that was beyond him. Three minutes finally passed. After passing through arge archway, a towering structure became visible in the center of the area. Lein''s private car continued along the patterned stone road, passing through beautiful garden surroundings, and finally stopped in front of the tall tower after a few turns. "Please, sir," a woman in a formal suit opened the door, inviting Lein to step out of the car. Lein got out and observed his surroundings. In front of the building was a vast garden filled with beautiful flowers and essories like fountains and statues. There were also ygrounds and rxing benches. Shifting his gaze to the building, Lein saw a wide staircase with dozens of steps. The tower was supported byrge pirs at regr intervals. Seeing it up close, Lein estimated the circr base of the tower to be about 50 meters wide. It was grand and majestic. "Lead the way," Lein said to the female officer beside him. The female officer immediately walked towards the building and jumped up the stairs. Huh... Even though she was just an officer, the woman had activated her system and possessed enough strength to leap over dozens of steps directly to the tower''s entrance. "Heh¡­" Lein smiled and chuckled internally. He found it amusing to see a beautiful woman in a formal, neat outfit performing such a jump. It was a rare sight. Ignoring Lein''s odd gaze, the female officer went through the security gate. Lein followed behind her, passing through the gate without any hindrance. "Can this security gate be maderger? So it doesn''t have to be so conspicuous?" Lein pondered aloud. He felt ufortable with the security gates in every major building. He wondered why inspections couldn''t be conducted discreetly and withinrger areas. "I''ll order someone to handle itter," Lein said casually. He then passed through the inspection gate and headed toward the tower''s main entrance. The entrance was wide and tall enough to amodate an elephant. "Wow¡­" At first nce, Lein could only feel immense admiration. He hadn''t expected that the building, once very simple during its inauguration, had now be so grand and advanced. Shiny steel pirs in the central area supported the ceiling of the first floor firmly. In each corner, there were ss rooms with several officers inside, operating argeputer device with many strange buttons. Lein noticed that in every corner, some ordinary citizens were queuing for something. Yes, the tower was essible to the public. Interactive kiosks allowed ordinary citizens to ess information, pay bills, and request services. In the early days, many visitors to Lein''s ind used to submitnd rental requests at this building. There were also citizens who came to pay their rent bills every few days. "This is the first floor, sir. This floor serves as a Service Center," the female officer exined to Lein about the first floor. Lein nodded, listening attentively to the officer''s exnation. Chapter 139: Visiting the Central Control Tower - 2 After observing for a moment, Lein saw an elevator leading to the upper floors. Followed by the female officer who kept trailing behind, Lein headed towards the elevator to explore the structure of the CCT. "Floors 1-3 are public spaces, sir, used to serve the general public. Next are floors 4-10 where city data management is processed; these floors are the operational data center of Life City," exined the female officer inside the elevator. Lein simply listened, asionally nodding in understanding. After a moment, the elevator reached the 4th floor. Sure enough, as exined by the officer, this ce had a giant hologram disying maps and surveince camera feeds from various locations. The statistical data on therge screen gave a deeper insight into the city''s situation. For example, the screen disyed statistics on the number of new arrivals, daily teleportation usage, and otherplex information presented in a statistical format. "No wonder knowledge is everything. Even with my current Tier-3 power, it''s still quite difficult to understand how they calcte all of this," Lein said, praising the work of the city''s top officials. He wasn''t stingy withpliments, and he appreciated it when officials did their best for the ind''s development. "Where can I see the number of nest troops and defense towers on the ind?" Lein asked the female officer beside him. "Certainly, sir, please wait a moment." As she spoke, the female officer did something on arge tablet in her left hand, seemingly setting something up. Lein waited patiently. "Alright, sir, please take a look," said the female officer, pointing towards therge screen in the center of the room. On the screen, Lein saw a densely packed graph. He focused his eyes on one of the diagrams showing the number of nest troops. 1. Nest Troops (Kai Tribe Warrior) - Level: 30 - Quantity: 11,250,000 2. Nest Troops (Silver Wolf) - Level: 30 - Quantity: 10,000,000 3. Nest Troops (Shadow Lion) - Level: 30 - Quantity: 8,000,000 4. Nest Troops (Venomous Bull) 5. Nest Troops (me Tiger) 6. Nest Troops (Storm Serpent) 7. Nest Troops (Thunder Eagle) 8. Nest Troops (Ice Bear) 9. Nest Troops (Wave Shark) - Level: 30 - Quantity: 2,500,000 ... Lein stared at the troop numbers with a shocked expression. "That many? I remember it wasn''t this much before," Lein thought to himself. He hadn''t realized that his nest troops now exceeded 100,000,000, all at level 30. The sheer strength of these forces was unimaginable! Previously, Lein had acquired the Divine Dragon Nest, but it wasn''t listed because he hadn''t summoned a single dragon yet. Summoning one dragon took 7 days. Lein had duplicated the nests 50,000 times and ordered his troops to build them on the ind''s vacantnds. Next, Lein shifted his gaze to another diagram showing the number of defense towers on his ind. 1. Defense Tower: Thunder Tower - Type: Defense Tower - Quantity: 3,800,000 2. Defense Tower: Divine Light - Type: Defense Tower - Quantity: 2,500,000 ... 8. Defense Tower: Gctic Fortress - Type: Territory Artifact - Quantity: 600,000 9. Defense Tower: Sky Punishment Mortar - Type: Defense Tower - Quantity: 500,000 ... "Hahaha¡­ terrifying," Lein said with a long breath. Even though he duplicated all the items himself, Lein was still amazed by the sheer number of defense towers in his territory. Initially, the Thunder Tower was his mainstay, which is why it was the most numerous, but now, after acquiring more advanced towers like the Gctic Fortress, Lein stopped duplicating the Thunder Towers. Lein continued observing the defense diagrams on the massive holographic screen before heading up to the next floor. "Ding" The elevator bell rang, and Lein stepped out onto the 11th floor, immediately greeted by an atmosphere of dedication and precision. "Sir, we are now on the 11th floor. This floor up to the 20th is dedicated to urban nning and management," exined the female officer beside Lein cautiously. Her task was to ensure that Lein received all the information urately, clearly, and swiftly. Lein nodded whenever the female officer spoke, constantly observing the work of the people in the room. This floor was the hub for strategic nning and city development, where new ideas and long-term ns were crafted. The room was filled withrge work tables equipped with interactive maps, 3D models of the ind, andrge screens disying projections of poption growth, resource allocation, and future development ns. Officers here were serious, checking data and making critical decisions. They worked in small groups, carefully discussing every strategic step. Lein watched a group of nners projecting potential city expansions to neighboring inds, an ambitious project that would increase production capacity and poption. "This is amazing," Lein thought. "With ns like this, my floating ind will grow into an even greater power and be able topete with the higher races." Lein continued to observe the nners at work before moving on to the next floor. A few minutester, Lein proceeded to the next floor, the 21st floor. Upon arriving, the female officer again exined the division and function of the 21st floor. From her exnation, Lein learned that the 21st floor was the center of security and defense management. This room was more secluded and equipped with advanced technology. There was a digital tactical map showing the entire ind and its surroundings,plete with the positions of defense towers, patrol troops, and potential threat points. Large screens disyed live feeds from various angles of the ind, including real-time data from defense systems like the Thunder Towers and Gctic Fortress. Lein was drawn to arge round table in the middle of the room. He walked closer and saw arge map showing the overall situation of his ind. "Amazing, it''s grown this big!" Lein said in awe. Perhaps because he hadn''t paid much attention before or because he wasn''t skilled in city management, Lein was now astonished by the results of his efforts. On therge map on the table, Lein saw the division of the 10 cities on his ind. The central part was thergest, the Life City. To the west of Life City was a city with ck-edged borders, almost half the size of Life City, managed by his core member, the old man Haikal Emanuel. Chapter 140: Central Control Tower Division On the opposite side, to the east of Life City, was a city with white-edged borders, managed by Laras, the City of Light. The size of the City of Light wasn''t much different from the City of Cmity owned by Mr. Haikal. Surrounding the three main cities were eight other major cities, each led by a core member of the World Market Trade alliance. Although their size was smaller than the City of Cmity or the City of Light, the elements andponents within the cities were no less sophisticated. "In Life City alone, there are over 500,000 Thunder Towers, followed by tens of thousands of Gctic Fortresses monitoring the area," Lein said while observing the ck tower points on the map, representing the number and location of defense towers. After observing the entire map, most towers were ced on the ind''s edges. This was understandable, considering that the strongest threats came from outside, not from within. To deal with internal issues, Lein was confident in his Tier-3 power. But not for external attacks¡ªMaster or Nascent Soul-level individuals coulde and destroy his ind out of boredom. Highly dishonorable. After examining the map, Lein casually observed the surrounding room environment. He saw security personnel seated at their stations, closely monitoring every movement recorded by the cameras. Some were discussing new defense strategies, while others were overseeing live troop training sessions. One screen showedbat training for the newly activated Nest Troops. Lein felt proud seeing how well his defenses were managed. "With a system like this, even the greatest threats would struggle to prate my ind''s defenses," he thought. "Alright, let''s move on to the next floor," Lein thought to himself, slowly walking towards the nearest elevator door, followed by the female officer. Shortly after, Lein reached the 31st floor, where the ind''s environmental monitoring and natural control were managed. The room was filled with greenery, as if a piece of the outdoors had been brought inside the building. Staff members here monitored the quality of air, water, and soil, and kept an eye on the weather and climate patterns across the ind. "This kind of situation would never happen on Earth," Lein said softly. On Earth, people often talked about reforestation or zero emissions. However, it was incredibly difficult to achieve because thergest energy sources they had were power nts that generated pollution. Lein felt annoyed when he remembered how on Earth, many efforts and campaigns were made to achieve a pollution-free world, but all of them were hindered by a dependency on technology and industries that damaged the environment. Despite the grand ambitions to create a greener world, the reality was that fossil fuel power nts still dominated, contributing emissions that harmed the atmosphere. Efforts to transition to renewable energy like wind or sr were blocked by various hurdles, both technological and economic. To Lein, this contradiction was one of the things that frustrated him¡ªthe dream was big, but the steps taken often moved them further from that goal. Here, on the ind he controlled, none of those issues were a concern. Technology had advanced so far that he could manage and maintain the bnce of nature without worrying about pollution or environmental degradation. And the most crucial factor was that the energy sources in the Divine Sky realm were pure, such as energy crystals. Lein had an unlimited supply of energy crystals and could use them without limits. "Huft," Lein sighed deeply, pulling himself out of his thoughts about Earth''s dire conditions. He then resumed carefully observing the 31st-floor space. Arge wall disyed environmental data in the form of dynamically changing graphs, showing information on pollution levels, average temperature, and sustainability of natural resources. Lein saw that efforts to maintain the ecosystem bnce on the ind were progressing well, with greening and conservation projects nned for theing years. "This is important," Lein thought. "A healthy environment is the foundation of a strong and sustainable city." Although the pollution in the Divine Sky realm was not natural, one of the possible sources of pollution was the use of chemical tools from the city''sboratory buildings. However, Lein had already established strict rules regarding this and ensured that no leaks would reach the public environment. After surveying the entire area, Lein asked the female officer standing firmly by his side, "Are there any divisions on the upper floors?" "No more, Sir. However, the top floor has a rooftop with a view of the city," the female officer suggested. "Hmmm, interesting. Let''s check it out," Lein said, walking toward the elevator door. It didn''t take long for Lein to finally arrive at the 50th floor. Upon exiting the elevator, Lein didn''t see anything unusual except for a few sofas, tables, and basic amenities like a toaster, a water dispenser, etc. But the most noticeable feature was the door leading to the outside terrace. Lein quickly headed toward the terrace, eager to see it for himself. When he reached it, a strong wind blew fiercely against his face. Lein ignored it and continued forward until he reached the edge of the terrace. The view from the top of the tower was breathtaking. Lein could see the entire city, from the bustling streets to the grand buildings he had constructed. In the distance, he could see the coastline and several small inds surrounding the City of Life. "Wow... so beautiful." This sight brought a proud smile to Lein''s face. "All of this is the result of hard work and dedication," he said calmly. He took a few moments to enjoy the view, letting the feeling of satisfaction fill him. Lein felt even more motivated to continue building his floating ind and bing the ultimate ruler. After enjoying the view for 10 minutes at the top of the CCT tower, Lein felt even more motivated to strengthen his floating ind and solidify his position as the supreme ruler. With a sense of satisfaction, he made his way back down to the ground floor. The loyal female officer apanying him opened the exit door and gave a respectful salute. Lein stepped out of the CCT building, his gaze fixed on the magnificent city. He was ready to explore further, ensuring that every aspect of the City of Life was running ording to the ns and the grand vision he had set. Chapter 141: God Slayer Academy : Survival test "Stay calm, we''ll be there soon..." A man with a stern face and sharp eyes spoke to twenty young men standing in a neat line before him. The man, with arge muscr body, wore a ck uniform adorned with various military insignias. However, the most striking feature was the golden emblem on his chest, symbolizing his high status as a Captain. Amidst the roar of the battleship''s engine they were aboard, one of the youths in line whispered, "Damn, Master Randi''s aura is so strong... It feels like it''s crushing my breath." His whisper was filled with fear, though he tried not to be heard by the stern man in front of him. "Quiet, he can hear you," his friend beside him whispered back, pressing a finger to his lips, ordering his friend to stop talking. His face was tense, knowing that Captain Randi would not hesitate to punish any signs of indiscipline during the mission. Captain Randi red sharply at the young men, his eyes scanning each tense face. "I will warn you for thest time," his voice echoed with authority. "You must help each other. If one of you dies, or even gets seriously injured," he paused, making sure every word was clearly understood, "then your team will fail, and you will not earn any points." The atmosphere instantly grew tense. One of the young men raised his hand hesitantly, his voice trembling as he asked, "Excuse me, Captain, why did the rules suddenly change?" "Yeah, we were supposed to act on our own," another youth chimed in, clearly displeased with the sudden change. "Shut up, fool!" an older youth scolded, "This is a survival test. We have to help each other, or we all fail." A small but intense discussion broke out among the students. They were students of the God yer Academy, one of thergest academies on Lein Ind. The academy was famous for its rigorous training and high discipline instilled in its students. The survival test they were about to face was the final stage after more than a month of theory lessons and training within the academy grounds. Their destination was Monster Ind, an ind far from Lein Ind. The ind was known to be filled with ferocious creatures that would be their opponents in this test. The battleship they were on was equipped with advanced security systems, though the tension among the students remained palpable. Captain Randi spoke again, this time louder, "I don''t know where these rules came from, but one thing is certain, you must win thispetition!" "Yes, Captain Randi!" the students shouted in unison, their voices echoing throughout the ship. Although they were still young, with egos that were sometimes hard to control, the awareness of the dangers ahead made them calmer and more prepared to work together. He paused, looking at each student with a sharp gaze. As the team captain this time, he would not let a single one of them get hurt. If anything happened to them, only God knew what consequences he would face from the ind''s owner, Lein. Seeing the students'' response, Randi nodded in satisfaction. He reminded them once again, "Remember, this is not just about survival. It''s about honor, teamwork, and your future in the academy. So do your best, and don''t disappoint me." The battleship began to slow down, indicating that they were nearing their destination. The students'' hearts pounded, and their adrenaline surged. Each of them tightened their grip on the weapons in their hands, ready to face whatever awaited them. As the ship approached the shore, Captain Randi gave his final order, "Prepare yourselves. The battle begins now." The ship stopped at the edge of the rugged, rocky ind, surrounded by a dense, mysterious forest. Monster Ind awaited them, ready to test their strength, resilience, and teamwork as one unit. With bated breath, the twenty students stepped off the ship, followed by six others, including Captain Randi and five officers in military uniforms trailing behind. "Hahaha... we finally made it. Rainforest Ind!" a loud, heartyugh echoed from a distance. Not far from theirnding site, a skinny man with a golden badge on his chest shouted, approaching Captain Randi with quick steps. Randi nced at the man briefly, immediately recognizing him, then said in a calm tone, "Yes, I hope nothing bad happens on our first mission." The skinny man finally reached Randi, and they shook hands casually, as if this were just another routine meeting between two oldrades. Even though they were in the middle of a dangerous ind, there was a strong sense of camaraderie between them. "Let''s hope so," replied the skinny captain, ncing at his team who were having a light discussion not far away. His face showed a hint of doubt. "It''s just that I''m not very confident with the team I''m leading this time," he continued, his voice a bit lower, reflecting the concern he was trying to hide. Captain Randi nodded in understanding, then calmly pulled out a cigarette from his pocket. He easily produced a me from his fingertip and lit his cigarette. With a long drag, he exhaled thick smoke into the air. "By the way, how many teams are participating in this test?" Randi asked as he looked around the ind, making sure no threats were approaching. "One," the skinny man answered briefly, gesturing for a cigarette from Randi. Without hesitation, Randi tossed him a cigarette, a gesture that had be a habit between them. Like Randi, the skinny man lit his cigarette with a me that appeared from his fingertip. He took a deep inhale, exhaling the smoke with a satisfied expression, like someone who had just woken up from a long sleep without a care in the world. After a few puffs, the skinny man continued, "From what I heard from Commander Ludas, the number of teams this time is 255." Randi raised his eyebrows slightly, murmuring his response calmly, "Quite a lot..." His voice wasposed, as if therge number did not cause any concern. Chapter 142: Platinum Captain However, beneath his calm demeanor, there was a great sense of responsibility to ensure that his team could survive and seed in this arduous test. The smoke from their cigarettes continued to billow, while their eyes remained alert, assessing the surroundings and the students who were preparing to face the challenges ahead. Rainforest Ind was no ce for the weak, and they knew very well that this test would push the physical and mental limits of the students. Randi exhaled thest of his cigarette smoke and looked at the skinny man. "We''ll see how they hold up. This is not just a test, but a harsh life lesson." The skinny man nodded in agreement, then tossed his cigarette butt to the ground and crushed it with his boot. "Yeah, one thing''s for sure, we have to make sure no one dies here. Lein Ind won''t give us a second chance if we fail." Randi gave a faint smile, then said, "Right, so let''s make sure they''re ready for whateveres." As the skinny captain had said, after their arrival, another 254 battleships continued to arrive nonstop, filling the vast beach of Rainforest Ind. The ind was vast and had been meticulously prepared. Several special teams had been formed beforehand to conduct field surveys, map the terrain, and identify the types of monsters inhabiting the ind. The primary purpose of these surveys was to ensure that Rainforest Ind was safe to be used as a testing ground for the academy students. Essentially, the entire operation was nned by the Academy, which worked closely with the government in terms of supervision and provision of facilities. As a result, the government sent Gold-level captains to lead each team, ensuring the safety and sess of the training. ... Among the crowd of newly arrived students, light conversations could be heard. "What ss are you from? I''m really lucky to be on Team Yanti, one of the top 10 students in the academy," said a young man to his chubby friend. "Yeah, you''re pretty lucky. My team is full of regr folks who are only level 5," the chubby youth replied with a slightly dejected tone. "I''m worried, are we going to be safe in the forest?" asked a young man with a bow, his voice anxious. "Rx, we''re being watched by Gold-ranked captains," another youth replied, trying to calm himself. "Right, don''t underestimate them. Every Gold-level captain is surely level 15 or above. I also heard that there''s even a tinum-level captain leading this test," exined a bespectacled youth who joined the conversation. The lively discussions among the students grew, with scattered groups now gathering closer as almost all the teams had arrived. Essentially, these students were around level 8, with some reaching level 10 but not yet promoted. Promotion was not easy. Crystal Cores were incredibly hard toe by. Relying on luck to obtain them from monster drops or golden chests was a slim chance. Therefore, nearly all lower-level students joined alliances to exchange member points for Crystal Cores. "Everyone, line up!!" "Everyone, line up!!" The team captains, who were previously rxing, now shouted loudly, calling their respective team members. Quickly, all the students lined up neatly, preparing to wee someone important. Sure enough, arge ship suddenly appeared out of nowhere, capturing everyone''s attention. The ship was about 250 meters long and 50 meters wide. The golden cannons adorning its perimeter and other defense systems made anyone feel both awestruck and impressed. This was clearly not an ordinary ship. It didn''t take long before therge ship finally stopped at the edge of Rainforest Ind. Without any cues or formal wee, a young man jumped off the ship andnded on the ground with a loud thud. Thud! "Hello there!" The young man shouted while trying to bnce himself after thending. A few secondster, he stood upright, his ck hair shimmering under the sun, and repeated his shout, "Hello there!" The young man''s voice was loud, yet it carried a powerful positive effect. Several students immediately felt their spirits significantly lifted. "Hi there!" "Hello, Sir!" the students shouted in unison, matching his energetic demeanor. Seeing the cheerful leader before them, they responded with equally spirited shouts. "Let me introduce myself, my name is Agis. I''m the leader of this test," the young man introduced himself with a wide smile, looking at all the students with an excited gaze. "So young, how could his power be that strong," a female student whispered among the rows. "Yeah, right, he''s not even that much older than us," added another, her tone filled with admiration. "Stop! Look, he''s a Tier-2 ruler," said a young man, his eyes fixed on Agis''s status panel while Agis still smiled warmly. [Status] - Name: Agis Mahendra (Level 26) - Race: Blue Human - Power Core: yer - Level: Tier-2 Yes, this time''s team leader was a Tier-2 ruler with the rank of tinum level captain. Tier-2 was the minimum requirement to be a team leader outside the ind. Agis, who was still standing confidently, then continued his speech to motivate the students. Although his age was not much different from theirs, he still had to be professional as the exam leader. A wee speech was mandatory. In the ten-minute speech, Agis informed them all about the rules, winning conditions, rewards, and various other important information. "I know you are all ready. But before that, all captains pleasee forward and meet me shortly to obtain your team''s test area," Agis said without wasting any time. After that, he walked towards an area where a tent and other facilities had already been set up. Many staff members who hade with him were doing the hard work of building tents, cooking meals for the three days of testing, and many other tasks. Rainforest Ind was now fully prepared to be a testing ground for the enthusiastic students, under the supervision of tough captains, and led by an extraordinary young man named Agis. Chapter 143: Battle of youth blood The test on Rainforest Ind had begun. More than 200 teams that had been formed would navigate through the dense jungle of the rainforest ind and reach the finish line at the end of the forest. The distance was approximately 100 km. "Come on, everyone... bring out your spirit!" A young man in luxurious attire shouted to his friends behind him. "Hooooo!" "Yeah...!" As if feeling the positive energy of the young man in luxurious clothing, his friends responded with equally spirited shouts. The students'' shouts could even be heard by other teams, drawing everyone''s attention toward them. "Hahaha... Reza, how about we make a bet, who will get the highest points?" At this moment, another young man dressed in a suit, equally luxurious as Reza, shouted from a distance. The young man was riding a lion monster with a red mane. The lion walked majestically, intimidating several other students. "Huh... with your little lion, are you sure you can beat me?" Not to be outdone, Reza''s arrogant words were loud, and all the students heard them. From Reza''s words and the attitude of the young man riding the red-maned lion, it seemed the two were often in conflict. Like cats and mice, they would fight every time they met. The other students who saw them were intrigued but not worried. They had seen this almost every day at the academy. "This will be interesting. Reza, the son of a Life City official, is betting against Izul, the son of the leader of the Blind God Hunter Guild!" A chubby young man with missing teeth said, eyeing his friends with an odd look. "Yeah, I think Reza will win," another student replied. "What did you say? The leader of the Blind God Hunter Guild is richer and stronger. He even often meets with World Market Alliance officials for cooperation," aid-back girl responded from the side. The discussion about Reza and Izul''s bet heated up among the students. How could it not, both were the children of people with high rank and status. The regr students were not in the same league. "Who''s backing Reza? Who''s backing Izul?" The previous chubby, toothless student casually asked. He pulled out arge ck pouch and offered it to the surrounding students. "Reza, 2 energy crystals," a student said, reaching into the pouch and dropping in 2 crystals. Not wanting to be left behind, other students did the same. One student casually said, "Izul, 1 energy crystal." "Izul, 5 energy crystals." "Reza, 3 energy crystals." Students who were initially uninterested now started to gather. They didn''t want to miss out on the benefits of the battle between Reza and Izul. Dozens of students ced their bets with the toothless chubby guy, most contributing 3 energy crystals¡ªa small fortune for regr students. Hearing Reza''s direct taunt, Izul remained unfazed, still gazing calmly at Reza and said, "Enough... if you''re scared, you''d better go home and return to the main ind." After saying that, Izul shifted his gaze forward, no longer paying attention to Reza. Swoosh... The young man on the lion sensed iing danger. Reza had already leaped toward him, with his sharp sword aimed ahead. With a flick of his hand, a golden spear appeared in his right hand. ng... The golden spear in Izul''s hand parried Reza''s direct strike, creating a loud echoing sound. Sparks flew clearly as the two weapons shed. Reza turned andnded calmly behind, repositioning himself quickly, immediately entering a fighting stance. His sharp eyes focused on Izul, who remained rxed, sitting atop the red-maned lion. "You''ve improved sincest time," Reza remarked casually. "Hahaha... How do you like my spear?" Izul said, unting his new weapon. "Thest time you won was just luck. If you dare, do you want to bet on who gets the highest points?" Izul reiterated his intent. He had lost thest duel with Reza. In his view, his defeat was purely due to Reza''s luck using some explosive talismans. But this time, he had made full preparations and wouldn''t allow Reza to use unfair external tools. "Alright... what will you wager?" Reza asked Izul, returning to a casual stance. Izul, still atop his mighty lion, pondered for a moment. Not long after, as if an idea had struck him, he said, "How about the loser gives the winner a golden chest?" Silence!!! All the students, even Reza, fell silent at that moment. Perhaps ordinary people unfamiliar with the system would not feel the same. But these were academy students, well aware of how valuable a golden chest was. Even in their families, it was a rare item. "What''s wrong? Are you scared?" Izul mocked with a sneering gaze. He felt ted seeing Reza''s deeply contemtive expression. "Is your family going bankrupt?" Izul continued ruthlessly. He deliberately provoked Reza''s anger. But contrary to his expectations, Reza was entirely different this time. Reza''s aura, initially unremarkable, intensified sharply. In less than a minute, Reza''s aura had grown wildly, even more terrifying than the aura of Gold-ranked captains. "Crazy!!! What kind of strange power is Reza using now?" A panicked student shouted. He slowly backed away. "Get back... this guy is going berserk." "Run, inform the captain." Soon, the other students ran away from Reza. Reza''s skin was now turning red, like a vessel unable to contain the massive energy exploding within him. However, among all the students who stepped back, one remained calmly observing Reza without the slightest intent to retreat. Yes, who else but Izul. He had also activated his equipment, all glowing blue, showcasing the value of his items. "Great!! Let''s fight again to decide the winner!" Izul shouted excitedly. "Arghhhhh." The lion Izul rode was not just an essory. Its aura also surged, its body enveloped in zing mes. Its roar generated a powerful shockwave. ¡­ Not far from where Reza and Izul were, several captains noticed something was amiss. A captain with swift and light movements dashed toward the scene. It didn''t take long to reach where Reza and Izul were. He observed the two, ready to fight at any moment. "You two... St¡ª" His words were cut short by a light pat on his shoulder. "Let them." A young man with ck hair and a friendly face spoke from behind the Gold-ranked captain, stopping him. "Continue without them; appoint another leader as the temporary team leader for their teams," the young man continued. Yes, the young man who had just arrived was Agis Mahendra, a tinum-ranked captain. Chapter 144: The Platinum Captain: Battle Maniac After saying that, the captain left and carried out Agis''s orders obediently. Agis, still standing in his ce, pulled out a lounge chair from his storage bag. "Huh... young ones. Keep going until no one is left standing!" he shouted, encouraging Reza and Izul. He then dropped himself onto the chair, took out more items from his bag¡ªa few fruits, some beer, and a small table to apany him as he watched the free thrilling battle. Reza and Izul noticed that Captain Agis did not stop them, making them even more excited. "Hahaha¡­e on then!" said Reza. Reza''s appearance was very different from before; now, he wielded scythe-like swords in both hands. The scythes were lined with sharp serrated edges ready to tear apart their prey. His equipment was fully blue and made of high-quality hard fabric, capable of blocking sword shes with its sheer material strength. "I''ming!!" Izul shouted, charging straight ahead with his lion. The fight between Reza and Izul had begun. Agis Mahendra''s cheers from his chair fueled the two fighters even more; there was no intention of stopping. "Hahaha! Come on, show me your skills, don''t bore me!" Agis yelled while biting into a fruit and taking a casual sip of his beer. ng! Reza''s scythe sword brutally shed toward Izul, its serrated edges spinning like a deadly saw, slicing through the air at incredible speed. Each strike was full of fury, attacking relentlessly without pause. But Izul, with his sharp wits, remained calm on his red-maned lion, dodging elegantly while spinning his spear to deflect the ferocious strikes. "He''s too emotional... but his power is indeed impressive," Agis muttered from afar, observing with a keen eye. "Izul, that boy, surely has a strategy." Reza became more aggressive, attacking from every angle. The scythes in his hands gleamed in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, creating a dazzling visual effect. He spun, jumped, and shed from above with full intensity. However, despite Reza''s speed and relentless assault, Izul always found a way to dodge or deflect with his spear. He didn''t strike back fiercely but waited for the perfect moment to counter. BRUAK! Izul''s red-maned lion suddenly lunged at Reza, its ws aimed at his body. Reza, with quick reflexes, jumped back, but the lion was already in front of him, delivering a powerful blow with its paw. ng! Reza''s scythe blocked the paw, but the impact pushed him back several steps. "Come on, lion boy! Don''t give him a chance!" Agis shouted, watching with shining eyes. Izul saw an opportunity as Reza lost his bnce. With extraordinary speed, he darted forward, thrusting his spear with precision. Reza managed to parry it at thest second, but Izul''s movements were highly skilled. Every attack was a blend of intelligence and tactics, unlike Reza''s brute force that relied on power and emotion. Reza tried to trick Izul with a swing of his left scythe, but Izul wasn''t fooled. His lion leaped high, positioning Izul above Reza. From there, Izul swung his spear at a deadly angle. Reza could only parry the attack with difficulty, each sh feeling like a sledgehammer pounding his body. "Hahaha... you''re too foolish," mocked Izul with a smile, though small beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. Enraged by Izul''s taunts, Reza attacked even harder. This time, he spun in the air, his scythes forming a deadly circle, slicing through the wind with a sharp whistling sound. But Izul had set a trap. Hemanded his lion to retreat slightly, and as Reza attacked, Izul spun his spear in a circr motion, sweeping Reza''s legs. Reza didn''t have time to react, and his body was thrown to the ground. "Aghhh!" Reza groaned, trying to get up, but Izul was already above him. "This ends now!" shouted Izul. With quick movements, he thrust his spear toward Reza''s stomach. Reza''s scythe tried to deflect it, but it was too slow. Chukk! Izul''s golden spear pierced Reza''s stomach, emitting a shrill sound. Reza fell silent, his face pale, enduring the overwhelming pain. Reza copsed to the ground, his breathing heavy, his eyes still burning with the fighting spirit, even though his body could no longer move. Izul withdrew his spear and stepped back with a smug expression. Agis Mahendra, who had been watching from afar, raised his beer cup andughed heartily. "Hahaha! What an incredible finish! You two really entertained me!" "See, you only wonst time because of sheer luck," Izul said calmly. Reza just smiled faintly, holding back the pain. "Tch¡­ You won this time, but next time!!!" "Don''t forget the Golden Chest¡­ Hahaha," Izul said before quickly leaving with his lion. Agis got up from his chair, pped his hands, and shouted, "Well done, well done! You young ones have a bright future ahead of you. I can''t wait to see your next battle!" Agis then approached Reza and observed him briefly. He nced at the wound on Reza''s stomach. "You''re lucky your vital organs weren''t hit. Otherwise, you''d be gone from this world," Agis said as he pulled out a transparent bottle from his storage bag. (High-Level Healing Potion) An elven concoction with extraordinary healing effects. It contains natural energy that can heal serious wounds. - Contents: 25 ml "Drink it," Agis said casually. He could have stopped Izul from stabbing Reza''s stomach, but he deliberately didn''t. He wanted to teach these young ones the harshness of the world they lived in. "Thank you, Captain Agis," Reza said,cking his previous arrogance. He quickly took the potion from Captain Agis''s hand and drank it. Right after drinking the healing potion, the hole in Reza''s stomach began to close at a speed visible to the naked eye. The effects of the high-level potion were potent, true to its name. "Sorry, sir, I want to ask..." Before Reza could finish his question, Agis was no longer beside him. He saw Captain Agis flying away, riding a small stick under his feet. "I was careless this time," Reza said to himself. Chapter 145: The test of survival begins Survival trials in the wild, like in rainforest inds, aremon practices at the Magic Academy. The academy sends their students to apply what they''ve learned in ss to survive, protect themselves, andpete with other students. Lein knew all this, and he supported it. If he wanted to make the human race the number one race, this had to be endured. There are no maximum results without process, struggle, and action. Even if they had hundreds of equipment or high levels, if their mentality was weak, those people would only be powerful rulers who fear someone stronger than them. After the brief battle between Izul and Reza, the trial had already begun some time before. They then rejoined their teams with the help of their respective captains. The captains'' task was to ensure the students didn''t kill each other and to protect the students if any issues arose, like wild animals that were too powerful for the academy students to handle suddenly appearing. If they couldn''t manage, Agis, who was currently in the tent, monitored everything that happened. Inside themand tent, Agis satfortably in arge chair, surrounded by advanced equipment that allowed him to oversee the survival trials in the wild that the Magic Academy students were undergoing. In front of him, arge hologram disyed dozens of small screens, each showing various teams of students scattered throughout the rainforest ind. He calmly bit into an apple, asionally moving his hand to zoom in on one of the disys. On one screen, a team of students was seen working together to build a shelter from tree branches andrge leaves. Two students were designing a simple foundation, while another agile student climbed a tree to keep watch. "Hmm... good. They know what they need to do," Agis murmured, nodding slightly. "But those fools, if they make the shelter too close to the river, they''ll get attacked by crocodiles tonight." On another screen, a group of students were building a fortress fromrge stones and y, encircling their area for protection. The team captain led firmly, ensuring all members followed instructions properly. Some of them also set up traps around the fortress perimeter. "Now this is pretty smart," Agismented, looking at the screen with a sly smile. "But if your traps are too shallow, do you think the monsters here will wait? They can easily leap over such small traps." He switched to another screen showing a team of students who had assigned two scouts to monitor the movements of opposing teams from the treetops. The two students were highly alert, noting every movement they observed. "They finally understand the importance of reconnaissance," Agis said with a hint of admiration. "But staying too long on the trees could backfire if a predatory bird passes by." The next screen showed a team of students facing a pack of forest tigers. Arge tiger pounced at them, but the students quickly formed a defensive formation. One student raised a magical shield to block the tiger''s ws, while othersunched attacks from a distance. "Not bad," Agis chuckled lightly. "But that tiger isn''t serious yet. Wait until it gets angry." On another screen, a different team of students was being overwhelmed by a group of aggressiverge forest monkeys. Some monkeys jumped from tree branches, attacking with incredible speed. One student fell, but others quickly assisted, shielding them with magic barriers while others counterattacked with fire. "Idiots, against fast monkeys like that, why are you using slow fire magic? Think about your tactics!" Agis grumbled in frustration, shaking his head. Suddenly, Agis''s attention was drawn to a screen showing a group of students battling a giant snake. The snake coiled around one student before others arrived and cut its body with arge sword. The student survived but looked exhausted. "Ah, finally, someone did something right," Agis nodded, looking somewhat pleased. "At least you have guts." Every action by the students in the field did not escape Agis''s sharp observation. He praised them when they did something right but also didn''t hesitate to mock or scold them when they made mistakes. His task was to ensure that they learned from their experiences, for in the future, they would face challenges far greater than merely surviving in a rainforest. *** "Wee to World Market Store, pleasee in," said a woman with a friendly smile, standing in front of a ten-story grand building. The building towered high, looking sturdy and elegant with a modern, futuristic design that radiated unmatched luxury. The woman wore a ck uniform with the World Market Trade logo on her chest, indicating she was part of the store''s weing team. In front of her stood a middle-aged man wearing a white robe with red ents on the edges. The man exuded a calm and wise aura, as if he had been through many adventures and battles. His sharp eyes scrutinized the building before him, seemingly curious about the store''s reputation. "They say this store belongs to the World Market Trade alliance," the man murmured softly, his voice low but firm. "I hope I can find the item I''m looking for here." With a slight nod to the woman at the entrance, the middle-aged man stepped through the automatic doors of the building. As he passed through the door, his world instantly changed. An extraordinarily grand and sophisticated view filled his sight. The room inside the store was farrger than he had imagined, seemingly exceeding the physical boundaries of the building seen from outside. With a vast space of about 200 x 100 meters, the room felt like a boundless expanse, filled with stunning items and advanced technology. In front of him stretched thousands of rows of transparent blue shelves, all neatly arranged. These shelves glowed with a soft light, giving a futuristic and modern impression. Each shelf was about 100 meters long, disying various items and materials with different variations. Nothing appeared dusty or forgotten; everything was neatly arranged and ready for use. There were magic items,bat gear, rare materials, and much more, all categorized in their respective racks. Chapter 146: World Market Trade alliance store The man stood still for a momt, captivated by the grandeur and efficicy of the ce. From the door alone, he could see thousands of items disyed with a highly organized system. He wasn''t just impressed by the room''s size but also by the orderly crowd of people busy inside. Hundreds of customers were actively selecting the items they needed, moving from one shelf to another, asionally touching the holographic panels attached to each shelf. He noticed a female customer standing in front of one of the shelves. She seemed focused, tapping the holographic scre on the surface of the shelf. With a few touches on the scre, one of the items on the shelf¡ªa beautiful sky-blue dress¡ªsuddly vanished and magically appeared, fitted directly onto her body. The man watched in awe, his eyes sparkling as he observed how the advanced technology worked. The woman casually spun a a few times, carefully examining how the dress fit her body. The blue dress looked perfect, elegantly following every curve of her figure. However, after checking the holographic scre in front of her that disyed the dress''s status, she frowned. It seemed the magical properties of the dress did not match what she needed. With quick movemts, the woman touched the holographic scre a few more times, and within seconds, the sky-blue dress vanished from her body, returning to the transpart rack as if it had never be moved. "Amazing... We can try the items on before buying them," muttered the middle-aged man as he watched the sce in awe. "Simply incredible." He continued his observations, this time noticing several small robots moving betwe the racks and customers. These robots were about half a meter tall, ed with wheels underneath, allowing them to move agilely. asionally, one of the robots would stop wh someone waved at it. The man watched as a customer spoke to the robot, seemingly asking about the location of a specific item. The robot quickly provided the information and guided the customer to the correct rack. The sce inside the store was vastly differt from ordinary shops. Every interaction felt advanced, as if technology and magicbined to create an unparalleled shopping experice. The middle-aged man continued walking, asionally ncing at the holographic panels on the racks, captivated by the speed and practicality of the system in use. The man paused briefly in front of a rack disying various types of armor with distinct glimmers. Each armor was clearly visible behind transpart ss, with detailed descriptions appearing on the holographic scres. Some were red like zingva, others were a cool gre like fresh forest leaves, and some were covered in sharp spikes. These armors exuded an aura of power, as if each one held unique secrets that could be decisive on the battlefield. He stopped at one armor that caught his eye. It was a sleek, shiny silver armor made of refined iron with a simple yet strong design. (Fine Iron Armor) - Level: 30 - Attributes: RES +30, SPD +65 - Iron Defse: Reduces iing damage by %. Provides an additional 5% damage reduction with a % speed palty. The middle-aged man carefully examined the armor. The iron armor looked heavy, but from its status description, he knew it was designed to provide a bnce betwe defse and speed. There was a speed palty, but the damage reduction from the "Iron Defse" skill made this armor suitable for heavy defsive situations. He pondered for a momt, nodding slowly. "This armor is good for closebat... but it might be less effective wh fast movemt is required," he thought to himself. After examining the fine iron armor, the man shifted his gaze to another armor not far away. This armor was vastly differt, with a fresh gre leaf-like appearance, adorned with fine gold lines that shimmered wh hit by light. (Heavly Leaf Armor) - Level: 3 - Attributes: SPD +50, DEX +80 - Forest''s Whisper: Increases movemt speed in forest areas by 5%. Provides a healing effect of % HP per second for seconds wh in the wilderness. This armor appeared light and flexible, designed for archers or warriors who relied on speed and agility. The material looked like a mix of fabric and leather, but there was a mystical shimmer indicating that the material was far stronger than it appeared. He observed the gold lines decorating the sides of the armor, giving an elegant and tactical impression. The middle-aged man frowned, "This armor is perfect for warriors who fight in op vironmts, especially in forests. The healing effect is an incredible bonus... but its strgth is certainly lowerpared to heavy armor." Though it wasn''t suited to his fighting style, he appreciated the beauty and inguity of the design. He th walked further in, and his eyes fell on another armor that was vastly differt from the previous two. This armor looked rugged, with spikes protruding from the shoulders to the chest. Its dark color, a mix of ck and bronze, gave the impression of brutal strgth. (Hellthorn Armor) - Level: 35 - Attributes: STR +300, RES +50 - Hell''s Thorns: Every received attack reflects 5% damage back to the attacker. The spikes inflict additional wounds on nearby emies. The man raised his eyebrows, examining the details of this armor. The sharp spikes jutting out from the armor''s surface looked deadly, not just as protection but also as a weapon. "This is armor for the truly brutal fighters," he thought. The "Hell''s Thorns" effect was clearly designed for closebat, forcing emies to think twice before attacking. He could vision a warrior wearing this armor in the midst of battle, absorbing blows while dealing damage back to his foes. "This armor would suit those who are not afraid to fight with full force, without much concern for other defsive strategies. Simple, brutal, and effective," he muttered again, respecting its unique design. After examining the three armors, the middle-aged man stood for a momt, reflecting. Each armor had its own strgths and weaknesses, all heavily depdt on the user''s fighting style. "Amazing, this store offers so many options, each with a uniquess that''s hard to find elsewhere," he thought before continuing his search for other items that might better suit his needs. Chapter 147: Heading to Laras house The City of Life was always filled with the dless bustle of activity in the morning. Its grand streets were crowded with hovering cars, flying at regted speeds along neatly organized aerial routes. Among the swarm of vehicles, a luxury car moved elegantly, swiftly maneuvering past other vehicles without obstruction. The car was a gleaming ck, equipped with state-of-the-art technology that allowed for automatic navigation and the ability to fly at certain altitudes. Inside the car sat two wom in the back seat, while a man dressed in a neat ck suit drove at the front. He was Nita''s private driver, his skills beyond question. Every movemt he made reflected expertise¡ªsmoothly avoiding traffic and taking the quickest routes to their destination. "Princess Nita, we will arrive at Miss Laras'' house in a few minutes," Na said softly, her eyes fixed on the tablet in her hand. The tablet was filled with notes on the agda she needed toplete today. Her fingers deftly tapped several points on her daily timeline, suring that everything was well organized. Nita, sitting beside her, responded briefly, "Okay," while she continued to scroll through the advanced smartphone in her hand. The technology on this device far surpassed regr phones, equipped with an interactive holographic scre. At the momt, Nita was browsing a social media app, scrolling through some trding posts. Her sharp ck eyes observed the details of the images appearing on her feed, asionally smiling slightly at themts apanying the photos. Earlier that morning, Nita and Lein had parted ways after having breakfast together. Lein decided to explore various parts of the city to monitor thetest developmts. Meanwhile, Nita had a ss she needed to attd. However, before heading to campus, she had promised her frid Laras to stop by first and take her a the campus. They had nned this in advance, and Nita didn''t want to disappoint Laras, whom she considered an older sister. The hovering car continued to glide among the tall buildings of the City of Life. This city was not only grand but also futuristic¡ªwith towering structures adorned with massive holographic scres disying ads for thetest products, important news, and governmt messages. On the streets, people from various walks of life were busy with their respective activities. In the air, several hovering cars of various shapes and sizes¡ªfrom public to private vehicles¡ªmoved at differt speeds on the regtednes. The driver in the front seat appeared focused, driving the car with extraordinary skill. As Nita''s private driver, he had undergone rigorous training and strict selection, so his driving skills were unquestionable. Every turn was smooth, and everyne change was executed with perfect precision, providing maximumfort for Nita and Na, who were seated in the back. "Na, what do you think?" Nita suddly asked, turning to Na and showing her the scre of her phone. "Should we participate in apetition like this sometime?" Na raised her eyebrows slightly, th nced at Nita''s phone scre. It disyed photos of a group of young people celebrating their victory after winning a survival testpetition. The most striking photo featured a young man dressed in luxurious attire, holding a gold bow in his hand, standing proudly on the first-ce podium. Next to him, the second and third-ce winners were se holding their prize boards. "Hmm¡­ we could, Princess," Na replied calmly after a momt of consideration. "The Alliance has already participated in two previous waves of thispetition. But it would look a bit odd if you, the sister of the owner of the World Market Trade Alliance, took part in such an easy test." Nita smiled at Na''s response. She nced at her phone scre again before saying, "You''re right. If I joined, first ce would be mine without a doubt." Nita''s statemt was not an exaggeration. As Lein''s sister, Nita had reached Tier-3, an achievemt attained by only a select few at this stage. Besides herself, Lein, and the core members, no other member had reached that level. It required an extraordinary amount of experice points to reach level 30 and undertake the promotion mission to Tier-3. However, the power gained was well worth the challge. With her abilities, Nita could defeat most of the alliance members with a single simple move, without much effort. Of course, this did not apply to other core members who also possessedparable strgth. "Hmm¡­ does the Princess want to be ev more famous? You are already very well known, Princess," Na said admiringly. She greatly respected Nita, not just because of her status but also due to her kind and fridly personality. However, Na realized one thing about Nita¡ªev though she was already widely recognized, she still had the desire to gain more atttion, both from those a her and from the outside world. Nita gave a faint smile, looking out the car window. The towering buildings along the road, the neon lights adorning the corners of the city, and the orderly hovering traffic all reflected the progress and luxury of the City of Life. "You''re right... everyone knows me¡­" "My task now is to help my brother protect and develop the city," Nita said, recalling a conversation she had with Lein about the city''s developmt. Lein didn''t want the same problems that gued their previous world to happ here¡ªpoverty, disease, violce, and other bad actions. They had already expericed some of these issues, such as poverty and illness. Lein knew how hard it was to survive; ev finding a job in their own country was extremely difficult. In their rect discussions, Lein expressed his desire for the City of Life to provide all sorts of resources that could be processed by its residts. The City of Life had to provide job opportunities, so as long as someone had the will to live, they could work for themselves. Nita fully agreed with her brother''s idea. Giv their abundant resources, it was not impossible to realize such a grand vision. Chapter 148: Cooking chicken opor The car continued to speed along, evtually reaching an area sured by high, expansive walls. Yes, they had arrived at the location of Laras'' house area. Nita''s car drove calmly past the high and long wall that bordered Laras''s family residce. After a few minutes, they approached the main gate, guarded by several fully uniformed soldiers. However, the guards seemed to recognize the vehicle Nita was in. Without any dy, the gates oped automatically, granting full ess to Laras''s family housing area. As the car tered the yard, a view of a wide and beautiful gard immediately weed Nita and Na. On the right and left, gre stretches were filled with colorful flowers pleasing to the eye. Some rxing seating spots were scattered throughout the gard, and a few people, who seemed to be Laras''s distant rtives, were chatting there. The air here was fresh, the atmosphere peaceful, a stark contrast to the city''s hustle and bustle. In the distance, rows of grand houses lined up neatly. Each house was built with clearly expsive construction materials, showcasing the luxury and status of the families residing there. However, thergest and most promint house was located in the cter¡ªthe residce of Laras and her family. The building stood majestically, featuring modern architecture blded with ssic touches, reflecting the prosperity and wealth of Laras''s family. Just as Nita''s car stopped in front of the house, the front door swung wide op, and Laras, wearing a delicate dress with a touch of bluece, walked out to greet them. Laras''s long hair, neatly flowing down her back, added an elegant impression. She smiled brightly as she saw Nita stepping out of the car. "Nita! You''re here!" eximed Laras thusiastically, her eyes sparkling. Nita smiled back and looked at Laras from head to toe. "Thanks, Sis. But look at you! This dress really suits you. You look stunning," Nita replied, admiring Laras''s beauty. Laras blushed slightly but quickly continued, "You always tter me, Nita. Oh, and this is Na, right?" Laras turned to Na, who was standing behind Nita. Na, still holding her tablet, smiled politely and nodded. "Yes, Miss Laras. It''s a pleasure to meet you." Na felt a bit nervous. Although she had met and se Laras several times, she still felt slightly intimidated by meeting a core member of the World Market Trade Alliance. This was understandable giv that Laras was a Tier-3, a level she rarely countered, just like Nita, who was also a Tier-3. Laras looked at Na briefly and smiled. "Nice to meet you too, Na. I''ve heard a lot about you from Nita. She says you''re very reliable!" Laras had heard about Na several times from Nita. She ev received her first message from Na because Nita had instructed her to sd a message about their meeting schedule. Na smiled wider, touched by theplimt. "Thank you, Miss Laras. I''m just doing my best." She responded shyly, bowing her head slightly. After greeting each other, Laras invited Nita and Na into the house. In the living room, they were warmly weed by Laras''s family, including her father and mother, who were already waiting on the sofa. Fortunately, Laras''s father was at home this time. "Father... this is Miss Nita, the sister of the Ind''s Owner," said Laras, introducing Nita to her father and mother. Laras''s father appeared well-groomed with very stylish clothing. He wore transpart sses with shiny ck frames. Ev while facing Nita, he managed to maintain his calm expression. "Haha... hello, Miss Nita, wee," Laras''s father greeted warmly. He walked over and shook hands with Nita and Na. "Hello, sir, we meet again," Nita replied, shaking Laras''s father''s hand. She had met him earlier during the city''s initial developmt phase. Nita saw him as someone who calcted everything based on profit and loss, ev for minor matters. After Laras''s father, other family members also greeted them. They couldn''t ignore Nita, ev though Laras was close to her; they still had to show some respect wh meeting the owner of Life City and the sister of the Ind''s Owner. After some brief pleasantries, Laras suddly proposed an idea. "I have an idea! How about we cook first before going out? I want to try making chick opor," she said excitedly. Nita immediately agreed. "Of course! It feels like it''s be forever since we cooked together, Sis. This will be fun!" Na just smiled behind them, happy to see the thusiasm of these two frids. The three of them headed to Laras''srge kitch, filled with modern cooking equipmt and various ingredits. Skillfully, they began cooking chick opor¡ªa traditional Indonesian dish rich in spices. Laras managed the pot, Nita prepared the spices, and Na helped with small tasks, asionallyughing along wh something funny happed in the kitch. "Nita, by the way, what ss do you have today?" Laras asked suddly as she added carrots to the pot. Nita, who was chopping onions, paused and, after thinking for a momt, said, "Today is calculus, mathematics." "Why do you ask, Sis?" Nita asked back. "Nothing, I was just curious if you had any assignmts? Maybe I could help youter," Laras replied casually. She used to be very diligt and meticulous in her studies. She had continued her college education until halfway through the semester wh they suddly moved to the Heavly Sky Realm. A few weeks ago, it was announced that youths who were still in college could continue their education at the newly established university, but Laras didn''t want to attd. Her father didn''t push her to continue her studies due to the vastly changed circumstances. Instead, he couraged her to keep improving her strgth and be the strongest. "No, Sis, today is my first time attding a calculus ss," Nita answered while gathering the chopped onions and cing them in an aluminum bowl. "Ev today, it might just be an introduction, not going into the actual material," she added. Laras nodded lightly at Nita''s response and continued cooking, stirring the pot with a wood spat. Chapter 149: Nita, the Old Fox The fragrant aroma of spices filled the room as the coconut milk started to boil, and the chick was immersed in a thick, appetizing sauce. "It looks like it''s done, Nita, please turn off the stove," said Laras, who was busy washing the cooking utsils. "Got it, sis," Nita quickly responded as she wt to the stove and turned it off. Na promptly helped set the dining table. She took tes, spoons, forks, and sses from the kitch cab not far from the stove, and carefully arranged them on the dining table. The dining room was just a few steps away from the kitch, where the delicious aroma of chick opor still lingered, making the atmosphere warm and cozy. Nita and Laras, having finished cooking, joined Na in bringing the dishes to the table. Once everything was ready, Laras called her parts, who were in the living room. "Dad, Mom! Lunch is ready," she called out softly but clearly. Laras''s father and mother immediately stood up and headed to the dining room. They smiled warmly upon seeing the neatly arranged dishes on the table. "Mmm, it smells so good. Impressive," said Laras''s father as he sat down in his chair. Laras''s mother added, "The aroma is so tempting. It feels like it''s be a long time since we''ve had a meal like this. Thank you, Nita, and Na," she said while looking at them. "Hahaha... It''s nothing, ma''am." "Please joy¡­" Nita and Na could only smile shyly at theplimts from Laras''s parts. Most of the cooking was done by Laras herself, while they only helped with chopping, preparing, and cleaning. Laras handled the measuremts, stirring, and other cooking techniques. Once everyone was seated, they began to joy the chick opor they had just cooked. "Enjoy your meal..." "Enjoy your meal, everyone..." The lunchtime atmosphere was warm and filled with camaraderie. They exchanged stories, starting with light conversations about the food served. "Nita, how''s your new university? There must be many new things you''re expericing there," Laras''s father asked while scooping rice. Nita, who was cing some chick on her te, paused briefly and replied, "The campus is amazing, sir. The facilities areplete and very modern. They ev have ab that uses small-scale teleportation technology for simtions." She smiled, reminiscing about her new experices at the university. "That sounds fascinating. Our world has changed a lot since we moved to this realm. The developmt on the ind is also progressing rapidly," Laras''s mother continued, delving deeper into the progress of their new home. Listing to his wife, Laras''s father looked at her with an odd expression and said, "Huh... that''s why we should thank Lord Lein and Princess Nita." Instead of getting upset, Laras''s mother nodded in agreemt and expressed her gratitude. "It''s all thanks to you, Princess Nita." "Hahaha... No need to talk about it, ma''am. We, as fellow humans, should help each other and unite," Nita responded politely. Nita th briefly exined the ind''s developmt to the couple. The ind continued to grow, especially in technology and defse. Many people from various alliances were also getting involved in the developmt. I think, in the near future, this ind could be one of the most advanced ces in this realm. Laras''s father seemed impressed. "That''s good news. With such progress, we''ll be better prepared for whatever the future may bring." The conversation flowed, discussing life on the ind and how everyone was adapting to the new conditions. While joying the soup, Laras''s father asked Nita, who was also joying her meal, "By the way, Princess Nita, I''m curious, what do you think of Laras?" Nita paused once again. Her expression shifted, resembling an older woman thinking about her child''s future. After a momt, she finally said, "I like Laras very much; I have no issues with her." After saying that, Nita nced at Laras, who was currtly staring back at her with wide eyes as if saying, "What are you saying!?" Nita smiled broadly and gave a thumbs-up, full of elegance and thusiasm. Laras, seeing this, could onlyy her head on the dining table. A dark aura seemed to fill her head, unsure of what was happing. "Hahaha... As straightforward as ever, Princess Nita." "I hope everything goes smoothly." Hearing Nita''s words, Laras''s father was obviously pleased. As a businessman, he had already nned dozs of steps ahead to sure his family''s continued prosperity. He would do anything, in any way. Na had only spok once during the tire meal, answering a question about the city''s vironmt. As a personal assistant, she didn''t have much to say. The meal with Laras''s family continued harmoniously. Laras''s parts were delighted with Nita''s straightforward and fridly demeanor. They showered her withplimts and ev tried to get closer to the younger sister of the ind''s ruler. Thirty minutester, the meal concluded. Laras''s parts returned to the living room, leaving the three girls at the dining table. "Let''s clean up everything, and th we''ll head out," said Laras as she stood up and began tidying the table. Nita and Na didn''t want to be left out; they quickly gathered the dishes they could carry to take them to the kitch. Everything was done swiftly, and within five minutes, it was all cleaned up. They th prepared to leave. The three girls stepped out of the house and headed straight to the private teleportation portal not far from Laras''s home. They needed to use teleportation for their long journey, as the New Life University was in the City of Life, while they were currtly in the City of Light, Laras''s domain. "Ready?" Laras checked to sure the other two girls were prepared behind her. After seeing them give an OK sign, she calmly tered the portal. Nita and Na followed closely behind, just as Laras had done. Almost simultaneously, they arrived at the Teleportation Hub located in the City of Life. The Teleportation Hub was not far from the campus; they only needed to take public transportation and would arrive in a few minutes. Chapter 150: McDonalds "Wow¡­ it''s so crowded," said Laras, observing therge number of people passing by in the Teleportation Hub area. "Yes, sis, there are already many foreigners moving to our ind," Nita replied casually. She th continued, "People from the American alliance have be the most frequt neers in the past few days." "I feel like that''s not a coincidce," Laras responded. In her opinion, a major alliance like America wouldn''t let this happ so easily. But wh she recalled Lein''s 3 million points, Laras could only stop the conspiracies running through her mind. All would bow to the strong¡ªthis was the primary rule of the realm they currtly inhabited. Just like that, the three of them exited the Teleportation Hub and boarded a Flying Bus to head to the campus. At their level, they could actually use items that allowed them to fly. However, the flying speed depded on the user''s basic strgth. Except for Lein, Nita, and the t core members, public transportation was faster and more efficit. *** It was still midday, and Lein was on his way to thergest hospital in the city, Pertiwi Hospital. Lein satfortably in the back seat of his luxurious car, gazing out the window while joying the view of the city. The midday sunlight shone on the modern buildings with grand architecture, their transpart ss reflecting the sunlight and offering a clear view of the activities inside. On some buildings,rge advertisemt scres disyed 3D animations in vibrant colors, giving the sce an ev more futuristic feel. Lein also noticed several police officers guarding street corners. d in full uniforms, they watched over various corners of the city. With the crime rate being very low, most of their duties involved guiding foreign visitors, assisting elderly people crossing the street, and monitoring vehicles to sure they didn''t exceed the speed limit. "Sir, please stop at McD for a momt," Lein said to his driver, pointing at a fast food restaurant not far from their view. The restaurant had arge, well-known gold "M" logo from the Earth''s McDonald''s. Lein had be nning to try McDonalds for a long time but never got to it due to her busy schedule. So, this time he will try it before going to Pertiwi Hospital. Lein''s driver skillfully maneuvered the luxury car, parking it smoothly a few meters from the grand trance of the McD restaurant. The shiny ck car gleamed under the sunlight, catching the atttion of several passersby. Everyone a the restaurant nced at the car, but dared to approach. They knew Lein disliked being approached recklessly, and this unspok rule was followed diligtly by the locals. Once the car stopped perfectly, the driver quickly got out, walking to the side of the car with a respectful demeanor. He oped the door gracefully, bowing slightly as Lein stepped out. The calmness exuded by Lein made the suring atmosphere feel solemn. Those nearby could only watch him respectfully, but dared to approach. Just seeing Lein from a distance was ough for them. Lein stood for a momt, observing the restaurant building before him. Ev though it was just a fast food restaurant, its design was extraordinarily grand. The building was adorned with elegantly curved reflective ss, reflecting light and shining under the sun. Above the main trance was the icrge McD logo, but here, the restaurant had a more exclusive vibe, more like a five-star restaurantpared to the McD on Earth he once knew. Every detail, from modern pirs to the holographic lights dancing in the air, made the restaurant seem as if it hade straight out of the future. "McDonald''s, true to its name, can adapt so quickly. Ev if Earth''s situation changes 80 degrees," Lein thought to himself. He couldn''t help but admire the intelligce of the mind behind McD. After joying the view for a momt, Lein walked toward the front door. As he approached, the thick ss automatic doors oped smoothly, revealing an ev grander interior inside. Without rushing, Lein stepped inside, greeted by cool air that immediately hit his face. "Wee, Sir. How may we assist you?" A waiter greeted Lein as he tered. The waiter spoke with a warm smile, surprising Lein slightly with their politess. Moreover, the waiter in front of him seemed to be from outside Indonesia. "It seems the building before me is just a McD branch," Lein murmured to himself. Lein paused for a momt, his eyes scanning the restaurant''s interior, which was vastly differt from the McD he knew on Earth. This restaurant looked incredibly grand, with gleaming marble floors, holographic lights dancing in the air disying various mus, and futuristic technology at every corner. Holograms disyed images of burgers and fries with almost lifelike visual quality. Lein was truly amazed at this transformation¡ªa once simple restaurant had now evolved into a high-tech dining ce. "So luxurious," Lein murmured softly, still in awe. "Please order, Sir," the waiter handed him a digital tablet disying the mu with holographic animations. With light thusiasm, Lein began selecting his meal. "I''ll have a hamburger, hotdog, and soda," he said briefly. "Certainly, Sir. We will prepare your order shortly," the waiter responded before leaving. Lein sat on one of the luxurious chairs near the window, joying the bustling yet neatly arranged restaurant atmosphere. People of various races sat joying their meals, some using their personal holographic devices for work or leisure. The restaurant''s atmosphere feltfortable and modern, far from the simple image of fast food restaurants on Earth. Before long, the waiter arrived with his food. The hamburger and hotdog looked delicious with a tempting aroma, and the soda bubbled in a transpart ss. Without hesitation, Lein took the first bite of his hamburger, his eyes narrowing slightly at the savory taste that immediately filled his mouth. "Hmm¡­ it tastes good," Lein said while chewing. "Fast food is always easy and quick, but it''s not something to eat every day." He chuckled softly, recalling health advice about fast food. Chapter 151: Pertiwi Hospital While joying his meal, Lein leaned back for a momt, gazing out the restaurant window. Cars passed by on the streets, and the blue sky looked clear above the tall buildings. Lein th thought about his next culinary advture. "I need to try food from other countries. With all the power and wealth I have now, nothing is impossible. Maybe some Frch delicacies, pasta from Italy, or perhaps something more exotic from other alliances." Lein smiled. He knew that with his extraordinary abilities, he could go anywhere in this world¡ªev to other country alliances¡ªto explore cuisines he had never tasted before. He continued finishing his meal over the next few minutes until he was done. After being satisfied with his meal and his ns for his next culinary journey, Lein stood up and walked out of McD, ready to continue his journey to Pertiwi Hospital. Lein''s journey to the hospital resumed, passing through the city''s busy main roads. It only took about three more minutes until Lein finally caught sight of the towering building dominated by and gre colors. From a distance, Pertiwi Hospital consisted of three main structures, with the tallest one being the primary building where patits requiring extded care were treated. This building contained many rooms for patit amodation and stood nearly 600 meters high. Apart from the main building, there were also two other supporting structures. One of these had arge transpart orb at its peak. Inside the orb was a floating gre nt. Lein guessed that the orb was an artifact used for healing. The other building was equally impressive, with a massive fountain at its summit, where bright blue water flowed dlessly. Again, Lein assumed that everything served a healing purpose. A few momtster, Lein''s car passed through the main gates of the hospital. After the trance, the car moved through a lush gre gard, where he saw some people walking for rehabilitation and nurses pushing patits in wheelchairs. Lein observed with a happy smile, remembering how difficult it was to receive such care at hospitals back on Earth. Services like these were only avable if you paid extra and exhausted your wealth. There was no chance for poor people like him to experice such services. "I won''t do the same thing!" Lein muttered to himself. He was determined to protect humanity and do his best to providefort, education, and adequate healthcare. Of course, only those with a will to live and proper behavior would receive such treatmt. If anyonemitted crimes or caused destruction, it wouldn''t take more than a minute for the police to imprison them. That was also the case for Wiko Suryo, the man responsible for the fall of the Indonesian Alliance. Wiko Suryo was currtly imprisoned at an unusual level and would spd his tire life there, regretting his actions. "Please, sir." The voice of his driver, who had just oped the door, woke Lein from his thoughts. He promptly exited the car and looked at the tall building before him. Not far away, near the hospital steps, he spotted a woman in a uniform waiting for him. [Status] - Name: Anisa - Level 8 - Race: Human from the Blue - Power Core: yer - Rank: - Lein was slightly surprised by the level of the woman before him. It was known that people with certain professions on Earth typically avoidedbat, preferring to continue their careers for survival. However, some professionals still cared about real strgth and increased their level, like Dr. Anisa standing before him. Lein th walked closer and greeted Dr. Anisa. "Hello¡­ sorry to keep you waiting, Dr. Anisa," Lein said, extding his hand for a handshake. Seeing Lein initiate a handshake, Dr. Anisa became ev more nervous. She awkwardly moved her hand and shook Lein''s hand. "Haha¡­ no, no, sir." "No need to apologize," Anisa said with a slightly awkward smile. To her, it seemed odd for someone like Lein to apologize to her, who was just a humble doctor. "Alright¡­ please," Lein said casually. He could sse how nervous the young doctor was, so he immediately focused on his purpose of asking her to guide him. "Ah¡­ yes, sir¡­ please follow me." Anisa th walked slightly ahead of Lein to guide him. They soon tered the hospital through a wide ss door, about meters in width. Inside the hospital''s main hall, they were greeted by a spacious room filled with chairs for patits waiting in line, a long reception desk manned by several staff with fridly smiles, and a positive ambiance typical of a hospital. Not to mtion the one-meter-tall robots bustling a with various tasks: monitoring, cleaning floors, and delivering documts from one division to another. "Please, sir, next we will proceed to the examination and initial diagnosis area," Dr. Anisa said after noticing that Lein had finished observing the main hall. Lein nodded lightly and followed. They walked through the hospital''s clean corridors, which were fairly crowded but still easily passable. Several people who passed by Lein smiled warmly and slightly bowed as a gesture of gratitude. Although not directly involved, everyone in the city knew how significant Lein''s role was in all the activities, buildings, facilities, and regtions within the city and the tire ind area. Lein was not arrogant; he also responded to people''s actions with a light nod and asionally a warm smile. "Very cool, ummm¡­" Anisa, who was leading the way, noticed all of Lein''s actions. Her face was slightly red, and she was thinking strange thoughts. After all, she was still a normal girl who admired a powerful, wealthy, and impressive figure like Lein. Seeing Lein''s fridly demeanor lessed her nervousness slightly, though it was now reced by the joy of witnessing his actions firsthand. Lein noticed that Dr. Anisa''s behavior seemed odd; her steps were stiff, almost as if she had no purpose. "Doctor, are you alright?" Lein asked worriedly, approaching and turning Anisa a. "Sorry, sir, I don''t feel well," Anisa said, her face flushed red like someone with a fever. Chapter 152: Doctor Anisa fainted Lein was a bit confused. He felt that this woman had be fine just momts ago. Why did she suddly have a fever now? Unsure, Lein extded his hand directly to her forehead. "Sorry, sir¡­ what''s¡­" Anisa tried to move away, but Lein''s hand was quicker and had already touched her forehead. "Hmm¡­ as I thought. Let''s get you checked out quickly¡­" Lein said with concern. But before he could finish his stce, Anisa''s body copsed, fainting. Lein swiftly caught her, supporting her body. "Huff¡­ this woman," Lein said with a sigh. He th jokingly added with a hint of narcissism, "Have I be so handsome that ev doctors faint?" "Haha¡­ silly," Lein shook his head. Shortly after, several people in uniforms tered the room, followed by an elderly man who exuded an authoritative aura. "Hello, Mr. Lein. Sorry to keep you waiting," greeted the elderly man with a voice that was calm yet warm. [Status] - Name: Darso - Level: - Race: Human from the Blue - Power Core: yer - Rank: Tier- Lein scrutinized the elderly man with narrowed eyes, trying to assess the figure before him. From the status panel disyed, Lein knew that this elderly man was at level and ranked as Tier-. However, what caught his atttion the most was the specialist doctor uniform the man was wearing, which indicated his professionalism. The old man''s face radiated confidce, calmness, and deep wisdom. "Not a problem, Mr. Darso," Lein replied kindly as he released Anisa, who was still unconscious. Anisa was quickly tak by the nurses apanying Doctor Darso. Afterward, Mr. Darso and Lein shook hands warmly, exchanging greetings. "Allow me to introduce myself, Mr. Lein. I am Darso... the Deputy Director of Services," the elderly man said politely, exining that his position was as the deputy director of the hospital responsible for its service standards. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Darso," Lein said in a rxed yet respectful tone. He could sse the warmth and humility of the old man before him, who, despite his high position, did not show any arrogance. Meanwhile, the nurses who hade with Mr. Darso had tak the unconscious Anisa out of the room, leaving Lein and Mr. Darso alone. "Come, Mr. Lein. I will guide you further," Mr. Darso said, inviting Lein to follow his steps. The two th walked down the long, gleaming hospital corridor. It didn''t take long before they arrived at a room with a reception desk sured by doors leading to the inpatit rooms where patits were staying. "This is the room registration area, Sir. We sure that every room here meets the highest standards, whether in terms of quality, service, or other facilities," Mr. Darso exined in detail, demonstrating his deep understanding of every aspect of the hospital. They th approached arge hologram board located in the cter of the room. "This is the avable room list, Sir. All the information here is publicly essible and transpart," Mr. Darso continued, not missing a single detail. "Hmm... good, very good," Lein nodded lightly, his eyes fixed on the room list disyed on the hologram. Each room came with photos, facility descriptions, food options, and room numbers. At the top of the hologram, Lein saw the numbers ''4700/7,000'', indicating that out of 7,000 avable rooms, about 4,700 were currtly upied. Lein didn''t linger in the lodging area. After reviewing some details, he asked Mr. Darso to proceed to another area. "Certainly, Sir. Next, we will head to the Pharmacy area," Mr. Darso said, promptly leading the way down one of the corridors that would take them to the hospital''s Pharmacy section. As Lein and Mr. Darso walked through the corridor leading to the pharmacy area, Lein could catch glimpses of the patits'' rooms along the way. Each room appeared fully equipped and modern, with adequate facilities. He noticed beds with automatic adjustmt technology, t-scre televisions mounted on the walls,fortable tables and chairs, and other well-arranged furnishings, creating afortable and luxurious atmosphere. All of this showed that the hospital paid special atttion to patitfort. Before long, they arrived at the pharmacy area, which was bustling with activity. A queue of patits waiting to collect their medication was quite long but well-organized. Each patit held a prescription from their doctor, ready to hand it over at the pharmacy counter. Lein observed the medicine disys managed by several nurses who worked efficitly. The nurses received prescriptions from patits, carefully reviewed them, and th retrieved the appropriate medications from the neatly organized shelves behind them. Every medication giv to patits came with a brief exnation from the nurse about how to use it, highlighting the importance ofmunication in their service. Lein''s eyes were drawn to the impressive pharmacy area filled with advanced technology. Holographic panels floating in the air disyed information about various types of medications, including detailed descriptions and usage instructions. Additionally, several assistant robots moved agilely a the area, helping the nurses retrieve medicines from high shelves or organize stock with extraordinary precision. "This is the pharmacy area, Mr. Lein," Mr. Darso began to exin casually. He continued, "Here, we have efficit medication counters where patits can submit their prescriptions and receive the necessary medications. Registration is done quickly through our integrated system, minimizing waiting times. Over there, you can findfortable restrooms for patits and visitors, and here, you can see information panels disying all kinds of data about the medications we have." Lein nodded, admiring the speed and efficicy of the tire system. Mr. Darso continued his exnation, showcasing every part of the pharmacy area. He described how the information panels could be essed by patits to learn more about the medications they received and how the assistant robots helped maintain smooth operations within the pharmacy. After the exnation, they moved to another part of the hospital to continue their tour, with Lein increasingly impressed by the high service standards and technological innovations applied in every corner of the hospital. Chapter 153: Healing Orb Inside the spacious and futuristic elevator, Lein and Mr. Darso chatted casually while waiting for the lift to reach their designated floor. The atmosphere inside wasfortable, with soft lighting and an elegant interior design, reflecting the advanced technology of Pertiwi Hospital. "Mr. Darso, what do you think about the impact of the system in this realm on our medical skills, we humans from Earth?" Lein asked in a rxed tone, but his curiosity was evidt. As someone in a high position, he wanted to understand the perspective of a specialist like Mr. Darso regarding the system''s influce on the medical field. Hearing the question, Mr. Darso took a deep breath, seemingly gathering his thoughts before answering. His face disyed a mix of seriousness and awe. "Honestly, the system has had a tremdous impact, Mr. Lein," he answered firmly. He continued with a deeper tone, "By utilizing the system and the ergy prest in this realm, we are able to perform many medical actions that we could only dream of back on Earth. There were so many limitations there, whereas here, those boundaries seem to have vanished." Lein listed atttively, realizing he was hearing valuable insights from a professional in his field. "For example," Mr. Darso continued, "wh we conducted internal organ examinations on Earth, we could only rely on technologies like electromaic waves and X-rays. While useful, the results were oft unclear andcked sufficit detail. But here, with the ergy avable in this realmbined with our system, we can view the internal structures of human organs very clearly, down to the smallest cells." Mr. Darso''s voice carried a deep emotion. As a doctor, he had a great passion for saving lives, and for him, moving to this divine realm was the realization of his dream. In this ce, his desire to provide better medical care than ever avable on Earth had be a reality. Lein could feel the hidd emotions behind Mr. Darso''s words. A deep longing to do more, to save more lives, was evidt in every word he spoke. The two exchanged a nce, briefly connected in a shared understanding of how crucial this technology was for the survival of humanity in this new realm. Their conversation was interrupted wh the elevator door''s disy showed the number 5. Ding¡­ Lein and Mr. Darso stepped out of the elevator and were greeted by the sight of the 5th floor, which was just as magnifict as the floors below. Lein noticed arge scre hanging from the ceiling, broadcasting important information easily essible to anyone. Soft,fortable lighting filled the tire room, while assistant robots were visible at every corner of the floor, ready to offer help. The efficit and tidy reception desk looked busy attding to patits, a routine activity on every floor of this hospital. However, there was something differt on this floor. Lein noticed the slightly anxious faces of patits waiting. This was not surprising, as the 5th floor was where surgeries and in-depth examinations were performed. For those expericing these procedures for the first time, anxiety was understandable. "This is the 5th floor, Mr. Lein. The floor where critical medical actions are tak," Mr. Darso exined patitly. Lein nodded, understanding the situation. His eyes were drawn to a few unique-looking doors on this floor. The doors were shaped like a plus sign (+) with a bright gre sprout logo. Lein quickly realized that these were the doors to the operating rooms. "Come, Mr. Lein," said Mr. Darso, guiding Lein toward one of the operating rooms. In front of the door, Lein saw a device with several buttons and a scre that looked futuristic. Mr. Darso had to press a few buttons and undergo a retina scan to op the door. [Retina scan in progress, please do not move.] A mechanical voice was heard, providing clear instructions. Lein observed calmly, waiting for Mr. Darso toplete the verification. [Idtity verified, wee, Doctor Darso.] After the mechanical voice ceased, the door slowly oped, emitting a bright light that momtarily obscured the view from outside. "Let''s go in, Mr. Lein," invited Mr. Darso as he stepped into the room. Lein followed Mr. Darso into the operation area, a vast room radiating an aura of futurism and extraordinary sophistication. Soft blue light emitted from various medical devices ced a the room, creating a calm yet technologically advanced atmosphere. The room was filled with several transpart orbs about 3x3 meters in diameter, evly spread out. Each orb seemed to float above a tform that appeared disconnected from the floor, creating a mysterious floating ssation. Inside the orbs, Lein could see patits being examined by doctors using advanced equipmt in front of theirputers. However, what surprised Lein at this momt was the strange and unusual description disyed on the device in front of him. [Healing Orb] - Energy: ,000 - Purity: low - Level: basic - Creator: Blue Human Race - (Observation) Conducts basic-level observation of living beings within its realm. Observation results depd on the ergy purity level. "Creator? Blue Humans?" Lein muttered in confusion. He th recalled that Nita had once informed him about this¡ªthat some scitists working at Origin Laboratory had created items that could integrate with the system. However, since he was still in another realm earning contribution points at the time, Lein had to postpone visiting. His next n was to visit the Origin Laboratory; he couldn''t wait any longer. Right now, he was ev seeing the items they had made firsthand. Although filled with many questions, Lein set them aside for now and continued to observe the operating room situation. "This is our operation area, Mr. Lein," Mr. Darso began his exnation with a proud tone. "The transpart orbs you see here are our most advanced diagnostic tools. Patits ter them, and the attding doctor conducts a thorough observation using real-time statistical data collected by the advancedputers in front of them. This data includes all kinds of information, from heart rate, blood pressure, and oxyg levels to DNA analysis." Chapter 154: Healing Box As Lein looked closer, he could see a patit sitting inside one of the orbs. The doctor outside the orb was examining various data appearing on theputer scre before him. Inside the room,plex graphs moved dynamically, disying the patit''s heart rate in real-time, body temperature, and various other data interpreted by advanced software. On the other side of the room, there were several smaller chambers known as Healing Boxes. Mr. Darso continued his exnation, "Aside from the transpart orbs, we also have Healing Boxes over there. These boxes are specifically designed for healing therapy through meditation. Inside, patits sit and are exposed to pure ergy that directly works to repair damaged cells. This method is highly effective for healing minor illnesses like the flu, muscle pain, and more." Lein nodded, mesmerized by the advanced technology before him. He could feel how progressive and innovative the medical treatmts at this hospital were. As they continued their tour, a middle-aged man with a weary expression approached one of the doctors on duty. "Doctor, I hav''t be feeling well for the past few days. I''ve be sneezing, coughing, and I feel feverish," the manined in a hoarse voice. The doctor on duty, a young woman with a calm and professional demeanor, nodded understandingly. "Alright, Sir. Let''s examine your symptoms further. Have you be expericing headaches or sore throat?" The man nodded slowly, "Yes, Doctor. My head feels heavy, and my throat hurts, especially wh swallowing." The doctor noted all the symptoms on her portable device and directed the man to ter one of the transpart orbs. "Please step into this orb, Sir. We will conduct a more detailed examination to determine your condition." The man tered the orb, which closed gtly with a soft sound, creating an airtight seal while still allowing the patit to breathefortably. Inside the orb, a soft blue light veloped his body, and Lein observed as data began to appear on theputer scre in front of the doctor. The doctor examined the data carefully, monitoring the man''s heart rate, blood pressure, and theposition of the air he was breathing. "Based on the initial examination, it seems you have a mild flu, Sir. Your heart rate and blood pressure are normal, but there''s a slight increase in body temperature indicating a mild fever." The doctor th tered severalmands into theputer, and the orb began to emit a soothing gre light. "This gre light will help stabilize your body temperature temporarily," the doctor said in a gtle tone. After saying that, the doctor configured a tablet in front of her, and soon the Healing Boxes glowed blue on all sides. A few minutester, the orb oped again, and the man appeared calmer after the brief examination session. The doctor directed him to one of the Healing Boxes located at the side of the room. "Please ter this Healing Box, Sir. The pure ergy inside will help repair any damaged cells caused by the flu infection. You just need to sit inside and rx for about t minutes," the doctor exined in a reassuring voice. Lein watched closely, and as he expected, the Healing Box was also a creation of the human race, prov by the status panel that appeared before his eyes. [Healing Box] - Energy: 0,000 - Purity: medium - Level: medium - Creator: Human Race from the Blue - (Observation) Releases pure ergy to repair damaged cells. Only effective at addressing damage to supportive cells. The man followed the doctor''s instructions and tered the Healing Box. As soon as he sat down, the box door closed gtly, and the atmosphere inside became warm andfortable. Lein observed with ke interest how the pure ergy, invisible to the naked eye, subtly worked a the patit''s body, repairing damaged cells and restoring his vitality. Standing beside Lein, Mr. Darso spoke up, "These Healing Boxes are designed with highly refined pure ergy technology. This ergy petrates the patit''s body and elerates the cell regeration process. In just a few minutes, minor illnesses like the flu can be cured without the need for heavy medications." Lein nodded with a satisfied smile. The technology at this hospital was truly remarkable. Not only was it advanced, but it also provided tremdous befits for the patits seeking treatmt. "This is amazing, Mr. Darso. The technology you have here is truly advanced and incredibly beficial. I''m delighted to see how well the Pertiwi Hospital has progressed," Lein praised sincerely. "Thank you, Mr. Lein. All of this is thanks to your full support," Mr. Darso replied with a proud smile. "We always strive to provide the best for our patits, suring they receive care with the highest standards," he continued. After a few minutes, the Healing Box door oped again, and the man emerged looking fresher and healthier. A small smile appeared on his face as he thanked the doctor who had assisted him. "Thank you, Doctor. I feel much better now." "I''m d to hear that, Sir. Remember to get plty of rest and drink lots of water. If you have any otherints, don''t hesitate toe back," the doctor said warmly before returning to check the next patit in line. Lein continued to observe every detail in the room, from the transpart orbs to the Healing Boxes. In another corner of the room, he noticed several holographic panels disying information about various diseases and treatmt methods avable at the hospital. All the information prested was detailed and easy to understand, providing patits with a clear understanding of their conditions. "I''d lose my hair just thinking about how they''ve managed to put all of this together," Lein muttered to himself after taking in theplexity of the hospital. Although his strgth was unparalleled among humans, if he were tasked with designing all of this, he wouldn''t ev be able toplete % of it. Mr. Darso th invited Lein to take a closer look at the information panels. "These are the information panels we provide for patits and their families. Here, they can see esstial information about medical conditions, treatmt options, and health advice that can be followed at home." Chapter 155: Leins generous gift Lein focused on one of the panels disying information about preventing infectious diseases. He carefully read how the hospital''s technology was also used to monitor disease spread and reduce infection risk. "We strive to cover all aspects of care, Mr. Lein. From diagnosis to healing, and even education for prevention. All of this is well-integrated into our system," Mr. Darso exined with great pride. "I''m very pleased to hear that, Mr. Darso. Please don''t hesitate to ask for help from the government if you need it," Lein said sincerely, showing his support. Hearing Lein''s words, a wide smile spread across Mr. Darso''s face. For him, exining all this to Lein was to gain the approval and support he hoped for. Although only spoken verbally, Lein''s words carried far more weight than an official letter signed by the president. "Hahaha¡­ I''m so d to hear that, Mr. Lein," Mr. Darso said with overwhelming enthusiasm. "We will certainly need government support for further development," he continued, smiling happily. After spending considerable time in the treatment area, Lein and Mr. Darso decided to continue their tour of other parts of the hospital. Lein felt very satisfied with what he had seen. The advanced technology, efficient treatment methods, and the care provided to each patient further convinced him that this hospital was among the best in the heavenly realms. Lein''s next exploration was to see the hospital''s various supporting facilities, such as advanced surgical machines, drugs still in the research stage, and future development ns. As a specialist doctor and deputy director, Mr. Darso exined everything in great detail, ensuring that Lein understood every aspect clearly. Untilte afternoon, Lein finally finished his tour at Pertiwi Hospital. He bid farewell to Mr. Darso. He felt very pleased that the resources he provided were used to build a hospital with excellent service. However, before leaving, Lein asked about Dr. Anisa, who had fainted earlier. Mr. Darso contacted his subordinates and informed Lein that Dr. Anisa was on the first floor. Upon reaching the first floor, Lein saw Dr. Anisa sitting quietly, as if waiting for someone. Dr. Anisa, who was daydreaming, felt someone watching her from afar. Sure enough, she saw someone she really didn''t want to meet at this moment. "Come on... you can do it, Anisa," she whispered to herself, trying to strengthen her resolve. She then stood up. With a face that began to flush, she slowly walked towards Lein, who was approaching her. "What''s wrong with you? Just rx," Lein spoke first. He didn''t want the girl in front of him to faint again. "So... sorry, sir... I fainted earlier," Anisa said with a trembling voice, trying her best to articte each word. "I wasted your time, Mr. Lein," she continued, rushing to finish her sentence. Lein observed the girl''s entire bodynguage¡ªthe way she kept her head down, her trembling voice¡ªmaking him feel sorry for her. He didn''t respond and stood still, giving the girl some silent time. Anisa also felt that something was wrong. She raised her head slightly and saw Lein''s calm gaze. He wasn''t angry nor smiling, just like an ordinary young man on the street. "Um... sorry, sir..." This time, Anisa was a bit better; she looked into Lein''s eyes and bowed properly. "Haha... why are you so nervous? There''s nothing to be afraid of," Lein said casually. Anisa felt nervous again, but she quickly adapted and said, "Um... it''s nothing, sir, I don''t know either." Lein could only shake his head hearing the girl''s answer. He didn''t press further; he then pulled out a ck pouch from his spatial storage ring. (ck Pouch) -Silver Badge: 1 - Exp Bottle Tier-5: 100 - Energy Crystals: 100,000 - Gold Chest: 1 "Take this. By using all these items, I hope you won''t be nervous when we meet again," Lein said with a small smile, handing the ck pouch to Anisa. Anisa thought it was just an ordinary ck pouch. She took it without hesitation and didn''t check its contents. She just wanted Lein to leave and let her be alone. Lein deliberately gave her 100 exp tier-5 bottles and a silver badge. He hoped the girl would level up to level 20 and promote to Tier-2. He hoped she would gain a bit of self-pride and not be so nervous when meeting someone stronger than her. Not wanting to trouble the girl further, Lein bid her farewell and headed towards the hospital exit, continuing his journey to the Originboratory. "See you, Mr. Lein..." Behind him, Anisa spoke in a relieved tone as she watched Lein''s back as he walked away. She then looked at the ck pouch in her hand. Curious, she tried to sense the contents of the pouch. "What!?" Anisa shouted loudly. Several people nearby noticed her. A mother nursing her baby not far away on the waiting bench looked at Anisa with a hostile expression. "Sorry... sorry..." Anisa realized her foolish act, then shrank in embarrassment. She went to the doctors'' lounge to check the contents of the pouch again. ... With his sharp hearing, Lein actually heard Anisa''s surprised scream; he just ignored it. He had expected it, given the girl''s shy nature. A floating ind, 200 meters in length, moved at a speed of 10 m/s, traversing the void without obstacles. The ind was barren, with only a few defense towers, sturdy wooden fences, and several people standing guard, watching their surroundings attentively. They looked like a team on a mission. A middle-aged man with arge sword led the team; behind him were two men and two women, helping him monitor the ind''s surroundings. "Damn, why is Light Bird Ind so hard to find," said a man in gray-ck armor. His face was slightly contorted in annoyance at not finding what they were looking for. "Yeah, someone mentioned in the racial chat that the Light Bird Ind would appear in this area every now and then," said a woman with a magic staff, wearing a simr expression. Chapter 156: Fighting the Mountain Cobra The middle-aged man leading the team didn''t speak; he just continued to observe the front, ensuring nothing unexpected happened. This group of five were a Hunter team on a mission they had taken from the mission board at the Hunter Association in the City of Life. Hunters had legal ess to explore outside Lein''s main ind. Ordinary people who wished to explore beyond the ind, whether by flying ship or floating ind, would not be easily permitted. At least a Tier-2 guardian had to be on board, the route must be clear, and strict identity checks had to be passed. Lein deliberately made the rules stringent to prevent humans of the Earth race from dying in vain. However, he didn''t want to imprison them on the ind forever, so he allowed Hunters to explore beyond the ind and be responsible for themselves. "Mr. Kate, we will lose if we don''t find the light bird today," said the man in ck armor with a frustrated expression. The other four team members who heard it felt the same. They had, of course, paid a number of energy crystals to rent the 200-meter floating ind they were on. They paid 500 energy crystals for one day and would pay 5% of the mission''s oue to the floating ind''s owner. The price of 500 crystals depends on the size and the number of towers or buildings on the ind. The stronger the ind, the more expensive the rental fee. Though it seemed expensive, it was actually much cheaperpared to renting abat ship. Combat ships had a rental cost of at least 5,000 energy crystals per day. However, the advantagey in the speed, which was almost twice that of floating inds, and the well-integrated defense towers. Typically, only high-ranking hunters usedbat ships as their transportation in the void. "Everyone, get ready. I sense the presence of a monster not far away," said a woman with a wooden bow slung across her back. She leapt onto the fence and looked ahead with a serious expression. "Are you sure, Lina?" asked the team leader, Mr. Kate, with a serious expression. "Yes, Mr. Kate, at least an ind with a size of 300 meters," the woman continued, her ears twitching as she tried to catch the sound waves of the monster. "Damn... 300 meters. Everyone, charge the towers!" Mr. Kate shouted loudly, filled with strong concern. Immediately, all team members ran to each tower on the ind. After a brief pause to check the tower''s status panel, they inserted crystals into the energy fill slot. Oncepleted, the towers in front of them lit up with white light, indicating that the towers were now active and ready to fire. From one tower to the next, everything was done in just a few minutes. All the towers were now activated. The five gathered in front of the wooden fence on the ind. They stood nervously, waiting to see what kind of monster they would face. Soon, in the distance, the dark silhouette of a 300-meter ind appeared. The ind moved quickly, and as it got closer, they could see that it was filled with terrifying creatures¡ªMountain Cobra Race. Giant cobras with rocky scales and sharp, poisonous fangs coiled aroundrge rocks in the center of their ind. Their eyes glowed red, and toxic green venom dripped from their mouths. "Mountain Cobra Race... This is going to be a tough fight," Mr. Kate muttered as he drew hisrge sword. "Stay focused. We''ve trained for this." Their floating ind stopped as the enemy ind approached, only a few dozen meters away. Hissing and roaring sounds filled the air as the cobras began slithering out of their ind, ready to attack. "Fire the towers! Now!" shouted Mr. Kate. Immediately, the towers on the floating ind unleashed energy bullets that shot toward the cobra ind. Small explosions erupted as the bullets hit the ground and the bodies of the cobras. Arrowsced with fire flew swiftly, raining down mercilessly on the mountain cobra monsters. Large cannons filled with energy floated above and fell onto the cobra monster ind, causing massive explosions that turned the monsters into pools of fresh blood. Lina quickly shot her arrows at one of the cobras that managed to get close. Her arrow hit its mark, piercing the creature''s eye, causing it to tumble to the ground. "One down!" she shouted. "Get ready, activate your equipment!" Mr. Kate yelled loudly. The cobra ind was now close and collided with their ind with great force. Boom... Crash... Following the impact, dozens, even hundreds of mountain cobra monsters rushed toward Mr. Kate''s team. Hiss... Swoosh... The five members of Mr. Kate''s team, with serious expressions, observed the oing horde of mountain cobra monsters. The cobras'' status panels appeared before them all. (Mountain Cobra) - Level: 12 - Type: Assassin - Attributes: Str 43, Int 21, Ag 32, Res 29. - (Bone Poison) Sprays poison in a 10-meter radius forward. Bone Poison causes paralysis on the target for 5 seconds, reducing the RES attribute by 10 for 1 minute. Cooldown: 3 minutes. (Mountain Cobra) - Level: 15 - Type: Assassin - Attributes: Str 63, Int 41, Ag 51, Res 47. - (Bone Poison) Sprays poison in a 10-meter radius forward. Bone Poison causes paralysis on the target for 5 seconds, reducing the RES attribute by 10 for 1 minute. Cooldown: 3 minutes. "Damn... Level 15," said Mr. Kate, who was now leaping high into the air, ready to sh a level 10 cobra monster. The other team members also activated their skills. In an instant, their power increased, and various spells of different colors emanated from their weapons. However, their expressions turned grim when they saw the level 15 cobra monster. Among them, only Mr. Kate was at level 15, followed by Lina at level 13, while the rest were at level 11. "Arrow Rain!" Lina, the woman wielding a wooden bow, shouted loudly. Arrow Rain is a skill that all archers gain when they first promote. It''s not without reason¡ªthis skill is highly effective against swarming enemies. Chapter 157: Bone Poison Dozens of arrows fell from the sky, raining down on the mountain cobra group. Ssssh... Hiss... The two-meter-long mountain cobras slithered swiftly, trying to dodge the arrows as best as they could. The mountain cobras had rock-hard skin, so even if Lina''s arrows hit them, only those that struck vital areas could incapacitate the cobras. "Frost Barrage!" The woman using ice magic stepped forward, quickly chanting a spell. A number of ice balls formed in the air and shot toward a group of cobras. The ice balls struck them, freezing their massive bodies and slowing their movements, making them easier to take down. Mr. Kate hovered in the air momentarily before descending rapidly, his sword gleaming, ready to sh one of the level 10 Mountain Cobras that charged forward. In an instant, the cobra''s fangs tried to strike Mr. Kate, but deftly, he twisted his body mid-air, evading the deadly attack. ng!... Mr. Kate''s greatsword collided with the rocky body of the Mountain Cobra, creating a loud sound, but only a small crack appeared. Kate''s eyes narrowed, "You''re tough. But this isn''t over." With all his strength, he used his entire body tounch a vertical strike, shing the cobra''s head right at the weak spot between its scales. Thick green blood spurted out, and the creature copsed to the ground, convulsing before dying. [Sessfully killed (Mountain Cobra | level 10), exp +53] ... The kill notification rang in Mr. Kate''s ears. However, he wasn''tcent; he scanned the area, locked onto his next target, and dashed forward with full confidence, smashing the mountain cobras. Meanwhile, Lina didn''t stop firing her arrows at high speed, aiming her arrows at the eyes of the cobras trying to approach. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she focused her gaze on the level 15 Mountain Cobra that was getting closer. "This is no ordinary enemy," she murmured softly, reaching for a special arrow from her quiver¡ªa poison-tipped arrow she only used in emergencies. On the other side of the battlefield, the other team members were beginning to feel the immense pressure. They fought fiercely against the swarm of Mountain Cobras attacking from all directions. The woman using ice magic, breathing heavily,unched her next attack, "Frost Prison!" she yelled. Larger ice shards than before shot from her hands, forming a frozen wall that trapped several Mountain Cobras inside. "I need more time to hold them!" she shouted to the rest of the team. Mr. Kate heard the shout and leaped back into position, protecting the other team members. Before him now stood a level 15 Mountain Cobra, a giant snakerger than the others, with glowing red eyes and bone poison dripping from its fangs. "Come here, monster," Kate sneered. §®???$??£¤?$ The cobra swung its tail with lightning speed, but Kate quickly used his defensive maneuver, raising his sword to block the attack. A heavy impact ensued, but Kate held his ground firmly. As the cobraunched a series of attacks, Mr. Kate deftly dodged left and right, looking for an opening amidst the monster''s relentless onught. Kate''s eyes caught a small movement at the cobra''s neck, and he knew this was the perfect moment. Taking a deep breath, he leaped high again, this time activating his signature move. "Heaven sh!" Kate shouted loudly. His sword glowed with a bright red light, absorbing energy from his entire body. In an instant, his attack shed through the Mountain Cobra right at its vital point, causing a massive explosion around it. Shards of stone and blood sttered in all directions. However, even though it was shed, the level 15 Mountain Cobra was still alive, hissing angrily as green venom began to spread from therge wound on its neck. The creature retaliated quickly, spraying bone poison toward Kate. "Damn it!" Kate jumped back, but the poison hit his left shoulder. A burning sensation spread through his body, and he felt the paralyzing effects quickly taking over. Despite this, he forced himself to move, using his sword as support as his body began to weaken. "Mr. Kate!" shouted the middle-aged man whose body had transformed into a towering, two-meter humanoid panda with ck and white fur. Hisrge ws gripped the Mountain Cobra''s tail with ease, swinging it without any sign of fatigue. His gaze focused on Mr. Kate, who looked weakened by the deadly poison spreading through his body. With a determined look, the panda man tossed the Mountain Cobra''s tail aside. Then, without hesitation, he lifted arge rock lying on the ground. His movements were swift and powerful, as if the rock was nothing more than a pebble in his hands. "Throw it!" he shouted loudly. The massive rock flew through the air like lightning, closing the distance between him and the cobra that was about to attack Mr. Kate. A loud crash echoed as the rock struck the cobra''s head with perfect uracy. A piercing shriek followed by a sharp hiss filled the air as the Mountain Cobra staggered and fell, writhing before it finally stopped moving. [Sessfully killed (Mountain Cobra | Level 13), EXP +61] ... Even though one threat had been eliminated, dozens of other Mountain Cobras still surrounded the team. Their hisses grew louder, and their red eyes gleamed with a bloodthirsty lust. "Mr. Kate, are you alright?" asked the panda man as he approached Mr. Kate, who was now kneeling on the ground, his hands trembling from the effects of the poison. "I... I can manage," replied Mr. Kate in a hoarse voice, struggling to stand. Despite his pale face, a faint smile appeared on his lips. "This poison... it only paralyzes me slightly. We must hold on, or this will be the end of us all." With great effort, Mr. Kate pulled a small vial of potion from his bag. He hoped that the potion was strong enough to counteract the effects of the bone poison spreading through his body. Meanwhile, the other team members continued to fight with relentless determination. Although their bodies were starting to tire and were wounded, they showed no signs of giving up. Their bravery was thest barrier between life and death. Chapter 158: Origin Laboratory Attack after attack wasunched with precision. The ice mage summonedrge chunks of ice, mercilessly striking the Mountain Cobras and freezing them in ce. Lina, with her archery skills, rained arrows on the enemies, piercing their tough hides with deadly uracy. Each time her arrows hit vital points, a cobra fell lifeless. On the other side, the panda man demonstrated hisbat prowess. With every martial move he used, a Mountain Cobra would surely copse. His fists were powerful, and each punch sent waves of energy that shattered the enemies'' bones. Despite the overwhelming number of mountain cobra monsters, Mr. Kate''s team had a significant advantage in their variety of skills, particrly due to the abilities and techniques they possessed. This advantage stemmed from the ongoing Inter-Race War event, which granted humans ess to the Higher Realms. Through this ess, they could acquire essential resources such as skill books,bat equipment, healing potions, and other rare items, as long as they had Energy Crystals as currency. This allowed them to continue evolving and enhancing theirbat capabilities. Explosions filled the air as the ind''s defense towers fired energy bullets. The monsters fell one by one, unable to match thebined strength of the team and human technology. [Sessfully killed (Mountain Cobra | Level 10), EXP +53] [Sessfully killed (Mountain Cobra | Level 11), EXP +57] [Sessfully killed (Mountain Cobra | Level 14), EXP +63] ... A few minutester, the battle was over. Mr. Kate''s team had defeated the swarm of Mountain Cobras, though they had paid a heavy price in blood and wounds. Battles like these had be daily routines for the Hunters. Every day, Hunter teams gathered at the Hunter Guild to n their next steps and decide on the missions they would take. In the initial stages, they would form teams, ensuring a bncedposition between attackers, supporters, and strategists. Once the formation was set, they would look for missions that matched the team''s strength and skills. These missions were posted by various organizations needing Hunters'' help to gather materials, secure areas, or fight dangerous creatures. Onemon example was Pertiwi Hospital. As thergest medical institution in the City of Life, they required various raw materials to produce medicines and medical equipment. However, many of these materials could only be obtained from outside the ind, sometimes in dangerous locations that only Hunters could reach. Therefore, they regrly submitted missions to the Hunter Guild, hoping these adventurers would collectrge quantities of materials. It wasn''t just Pertiwi Hospital; other organizations also contributed by offering missions. One such organization was the Material Procurement Organization, which focused on collecting and selling raw materials to various other organizations. They frequently posted missions to hunt rare materials to meet the ever-increasing market demand. The materials collected by the Hunters were not just for medical needs but also for construction, technological research, art, and even fashion. For Hunters, joining missions wasn''t just about earning rewards or payments. There was a sense of pride in helping fellow humans, ensuring that the human race continued to grow and be stronger. Humans are social creatures, and the need for mutual assistance is part of their very essence. Meanwhile, on Lein Ind, specifically in the City of Life, Lein''s private car slowly stopped in front of a magnificent building. This building was unlike any other¡ªmodern with shiny silver walls that reflected sunlight, adding an elegant impression. The transparent ss surrounding the structure was as clear as crystal, making the entire building appear open yet still exuding an aura of mystery. This grand building was the Origin Laboratory, the most advanced technological research center on Lein Ind. The top of the building was adorned with arge dome made of ss, showcasing its interior clearly from the outside. Inside the dome, a massive metal te rotated slowly, symbolizing innovation and technological advancement. This te was not just a decoration but one of the most crucialponents of theboratory''s mechanism, powered by crystal energy as its primary source. Lein stepped out of his car calmly, assisted by his personal driver. He gazed at therge building before him, a symbol of progress that functioned not just as aboratory but also as a technological hub that would determine the future of Lein Ind and humanity. At the entrance, an old man in a white scientist''s uniform stood waiting. His long robe draped down, and his clear sses emitted an aura of wisdom. His face was lined with wrinkles of experience, but his eyes were still sharp, as if he had been through countless studies and experiments. Again, Lein slightly frowned when he saw the status panel of the old man in front of him. [Status] - Name: Aris - Level: 23 - Race: Human from the Blue - Power Core: yer - Rank: Tier-2 Yes, the old man waiting for him was a Tier-2 ruler. It was easy to imagine how strong his background was. Even if he had spent his time doing research, he still managed to level up to 23 and be a Tier-2 ruler. Seeing Lein getting closer, the old scientist greeted him and shook Lein''s hand warmly. Although he had a high background and position at the Origin Laboratory, the person before him was no ordinary man but the owner of the ind they were on. "Hello, Mr. Lein, wee... nice to meet you," the old man greeted with a warm smile. Lein wasn''t rude; he shook the old man''s hand and returned the greeting. "Good afternoon, Mr. Aris," Lein said casually. He already knew Mr. Aris''s name because his staff had briefed him about every detail of his visits. The report mentioned that the person who would be guiding him was Mr. Aris, the head of the mecha technology department. Yes, one of the primary research areas of the Origin Laboratory was mecha technology. "Please, Mr. Lein," Mr. Aris said as he immediately invited Lein to follow him toward the entrance of the grand Origin Laboratory. The automatic doors opened smoothly, revealing an interior filled with advanced technology. Chapter 159: Crystal Battery Power Every corner of theboratory was clean and filled with bright white light, reflecting off the perfectly polished equipment. The ss floor gave a futuristic feel, while the walls were lined with panel screens disying data in holographic forms. "Wee to the Origin Laboratory, Mr. Lein," said Mr. Aris with a smile. "Here, we research and develop technologies capable of transforming human life. Most of our work focuses on mecha technology and developing new systems that can help humanity progress further," Mr. Aris exined clearly. Lein nodded while observing his surroundings. Along the hallways, he saw scientists busy at their workstations, studying various tools and forms connected to the situation in the celestial skies. There was something intriguing about how they worked¡ªhigh efficiency and focus radiated from everyone in the room. Additionally, upon further observation, Lein noticed several scientists from other countries, wearing badges with the gs of the United States, Japan, France, and Germany on their uniforms. "Scientists from various allied nations are very interested in working here because we have abundant resources and technology far more advanced than in their home alliances," Mr. Aris continued with a proud tone. "Thisboratory provides opportunities for research that might not be possible elsewhere." Lein nodded in agreement. It was true that the materials and resources provided by his alliance were incredibly abundant. There was no ce richer than his ind. The scientists before him would surely do anything to pursue experiments that upied their minds. But Lein didn''t want it to be that way; he wanted the scientists to be given their rights as they deserved. The two of them walked further, passing a room where some scientists were researching chemical reactions inrge ss tubes. Lein paused for a moment to observe the process. "What are they doing here?" Lein asked. Mr. Aris exined, "They are trying to understand how to transform raw chemical substances into usable materials for new technology. This process is crucial because we use these substances to create new items that can enhance everyday human life." Lein nodded while looking deeper. Some scientists were recording the results of the reactions, while others were busy with 3D simtion models floating in the air. The atmosphere in the room was highly productive, full of innovation and experimentation. After some time, Mr. Aris led Lein to a more specific division, the Creation Division. As the door opened, Lein was immediately greeted by a different atmosphere. This room was muchrger, filled with various advanced equipment andrge work tables upied by ongoing projects. On the walls of the room, stacks of gleaming crystals were neatly disyed. "This is the Creation Division," Mr. Aris said, pointing toward the stack of crystals. "This division is responsible for creating items beneficial to humanity by utilizing crystal technology as an energy source," he continued clearly. Lein observed the power crystals Mr. Aris mentioned. A status panel appeared. (Crystal Battery Power) - Energy: 1,000 - Energy consumption: 100 Energy Crystals/minute §ã§à§á#§ä@????-??$?§Ô+??- - Creator: Blue Human Race "Indeed, these crystals are different from energy crystals," Lein murmured to himself. At first, he assumed that the energy source of the devices made here used regr energy crystals, but it turned out to be different. Lein seemed intrigued. "How does this crystal technology connect with items made by humans?" he asked curiously. Mr. Aris smiled, seemingly having anticipated the question. "These power crystals contain natural energy that is very stable and strong. In their raw form, crystal energy cannot be used directly. However, with the technology we''ve developed, we can create a connection between these crystals and human-designed items. Essentially, these crystals serve as ''batteries'' that power various devices or items we create." He further exined, "First, the energy crystals must undergo a special purification technique. In this process, we stabilize the energy within them and convert it into a usable form. After that, this energy can be linked to items like weapons, transportation devices, or even mechas. By using control panels integrated into these items, humans can easily ess and control the crystal energy." Lein carefully watched as some scientists in the room were working on creating a crystal-powered robotic arm. The tools they used appeared highly precise, reflecting the importance of each step in this process. Mr. Aris continued, "The advantage of these crystals over other resources is their efficiency. Crystals can store and transmitrge amounts of energy without losing much power. This makes them a highly valuable energy source in various fields of research and technology." Lein nodded in agreement. "So, these energy crystals are not just a system''s currency but also act as a bridge between technology and humans, allowing smoother and more efficient interaction," Lein said, wanting to confirm. "Exactly," Mr. Aris replied. "We are currently developing this technology further, hoping that one day all aspects of human life can be enhanced by utilizing crystal energy," he exined. Lein was amazed to see how this technology was developed at the Origin Laboratory. Everything here seemed more advancedpared to other technological research facilities he had seen. "This is an incredible achievement, Mr. Aris," Lein said, ncing at a table disying the prototype of a robotic arm that had just beenpleted. "I am confident that the future of humanity will change drastically thanks to the technology you are developing here." Mr. Aris smiled proudly. "We are doing our best to realize this vision, Mr. Lein. And with your support and the resources of this ind, I am sure the Origin Laboratory will continue to be at the forefront of technological innovation." After touring the entire Creation Division and observing some prototypes under development, Lein became increasingly interested in the potential of this power crystal technology. He also saw several research projects on the human body using crystals as an energy source to enhance human physical abilities. Before concluding their tour, Lein thanked Mr. Aris for his guidance and said, "I hope to see the final results of this research soon. Technologies like these will be key pirs for the development of our human race." Mr. Aris nodded in agreement. "Of course, Mr. Lein. We will continue to work hard to achieve that goal." Lein then left the Origin Laboratory full of hope and optimism. The knowledge and technology he witnessed in thisboratory opened up many possibilities for the future of humanity, especially on the ind he built. Chapter 160: Alliance core member: Ellen After inspecting the Origin Laboratory, Lein decided to continue exploring other parts of the city. He wanted to ensure that every project was going ording to n and that the residents were bing morefortable living in the City of Life. One of his stops was at the construction site of a 200-meter-tall skyscraper that would be the new trade center. From a distance, Lein saw a steel beam floating toward the top of the building without any visible support. Curious, he looked down and saw a wide, t device at the base. Everything ced on that tform would float up toward the sky. "What an amazing device," Lein said in awe. After the beam reached the top, the workers were busy installingrge windows overlooking the cityscape. He paused for a moment, observing an architect giving instructions to the construction team. They looked focused, and the building process was progressing with impressive efficiency. "Good," Lein thought with a smile. He was proud to see his vision for the citying to life faster than he had imagined. As the day turned to dusk, Lein''s spirit remained undimmed. He continued his journey, visiting various smaller projects¡ªnew public spaces, city parks, and even a new teleportation terminal designed to amodate more residents. Night fell, and Lein felt satisfied after hours of touring. Gazing at the star-filled sky, he returned to the city hall. The building stood majestic, towering in the city center as a symbol of governance and control. The streetlights illuminated his path, and the residents still active at night greeted him with respect and admiration. Not long after, Lein''s car, moving slowly around the city hall area, finally stopped in front of the building. As usual, his driver promptly stood by the car and respectfully opened the door. "Thank you," Lein said casually as he stepped out. He walked toward therge entrance of the city hall at a leisurely pace. Lein stepped into the city hall, a vast room exuding modern luxury and elegance. The walls were d in ss and metal, intricately etched to create an elegant and futuristic atmosphere. Crystal chandeliers adorned the high ceilings, casting a soft light throughout the space. In the center of the room stood a modern bronze statue symbolizing progress and unity, emblematic of the City of Life. Shiny white marble floors stretched to the far end, where a spiral staircase with steel railings led to the upper floor. Lein walked across the spacious main hall, passing several staff members who greeted him with respect. He headed toward the dining room, where he heard the sounds of light conversation. "Are there guests?" Lein wondered. Sure enough, as he entered the dining area, his gaze was drawn to three women enjoying dinner together. Nita, who was the first to notice Lein''s arrival, smiled and greeted him, "Hello, brother, you''re finally back. We''re having dinner; care to join us?" Next to Nita, Laras sat calmly, looking rxed yet still captivating. She raised her hand slightly as a greeting without saying anything. Beside Laras, a girl with twin braids looked shy, her body tensing slightly when she realized Lein had entered. Her face flushed, and she didn''t dare to look directly at him. The girl kept her head down, busying herself with her meal, clearly feeling awkward. Lein smiled softly and stepped closer to the table. "Hello, Ellen, how are you?" Lein greeted the girl with twin braids named Ellen. Yes, Lein knew who the girl was. The shy girl before him possessed powerful summoning abilities, rivaling even the Beast Masters Lein had encountered in other realms. During missions or battles to earn points, the girl in front of him always wore a veil, never showing her shy face directly to strangers. "Hello, leader... I''m good... g-good," Ellen replied, still not daring to look at Lein for long. Hearing Ellen''s broken response, Lein could only sigh deeply. Even though she was a core member of the alliance, the girl in front of him still treated him as a stranger. He then tried to find a good topic to make the girl less afraid of him. "Haha... you''re still as shy as ever. You''re amazing, Ellen, making it into the top five ranks," Lein praised enthusiastically. Not as he had hoped, Ellen became even more embarrassed. She didn''t respond to Lein and just sat in silence, staring at her te. "Ugh... brother, what are you doing?" "If you don''t want to join us... just go," Nita yelled angrily. She had invited Laras and Ellen because she was tired of being alone. Laras and Ellen were among the three female core members of the alliance; the other member was Hana. As women, they naturally became closer and formed a special bond that even Lein couldn''t break into. "Agreed," Laras, who usually didn''t talk much, also spoke up for Ellen''s sake. "What''s with these girls?" Lein wondered, confused. Not wanting to create more problems, he quickly left the dining area and headed upstairs toward his private room. It didn''t take long for Lein to reach the floor where his bedroom was. Opening the door... Lein was greeted by a room with a warm, positive atmosphere, enhanced by the city view from the window, adding a cozy vibe to the space. "So beautiful," Lein said as he removed his outer clothing, gazing at the night view of the city through the window. Humanity had been in the Divine Sky realm for over a month. Initially, everyone had the same start, the same system, the same opportunities. But only the lucky and chosen individuals would survive. Lein was among them, possessing an SSS-level talent. Among the top alliance leaders, like the American, Chinese, and Russian alliances, all their leaders had at least S-level talents. An S-level talent never disappoints and always has a significant impact, even if indirectly like Lein''s talent. After changing into his sleepwear, Lein threw himself onto therge bed in the center of the room. Ah... Stretching his muscles and joints, Lein felt refreshed and relieved. "I wonder how the human race chat is doing?" Lein asked himself. Since the emergence of social media, the use of race chat had decreased. Although race chat allowed long-distancemunication and group chats, social media provided various tforms. Somepanies even created highly popr apps from Earth that attracted many users in just a few days. The only advantage of race chat was sending messages over vast distances, while social media required transmitters to send messages between alliances. However, Lein was confident that human technology would advance rapidly, and social media would eventually match the distance capabilities of race chat. Opening the human race chat, Lein saw that there were still some ongoing conversations. [Blue Human Race Chat] - (Blessed One): Hello everyone, good evening. I miss the floods back on Earth ?? - (White Rabbit): Tune in tonight, Ariel will be live. Here''s the link xxx - (Haruka): My points have reached 50,000; I''ll be promoting to tier-2 in a few days. - (Jeran): Skill books in the Eros realm are very expensive, don''te to this realm. - (Han Deg): Promotion at the alliance''s world market. Don''t miss out. ... Yeah... the conversations were pretty light. Not as terrifying as the early days of humanity''s arrival when every second, every minute, brought news of a fallen human leader. "Ah... time to gacha ;)" Lein said in a bored tone. Rising from the bed, Lein walked toward therge bookshelf in the room''s corner. The shelves were filled with books on strategy, technology, and world history. Without hesitation, Lein pulled one of the books from the middle of the shelf. A hidden mechanism clicked, and a panel in the room began to move, revealing ess to his private room¡ªa secret chamber where he kept his most valuable possessions. Lein stepped into the white corridor. At the end of the hallway, a spacious room filled with racks ofrge golden chests bearing ancient, faintly glowing symbols came into view. This was part of his nightly routine¡ªopening one epic chest before bed. With a faint smile, he walked toward the center of his secret room, ready to see what surprise awaited him tonight. [Open (Epic Chest), are you sure?] "Yes." Suddenly, a purple light radiated from the epic chest, bright and mesmerizing. Tiny stars sparkled around the chest, creating a magical atmosphere. [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - Mid-Level Energy Crystal x150 - Lightning Boots - Level 30 x1 - Syamung Seed x10 ... [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - Energy Crystal x650 - Double-Eyed Sword - Level 35 x1 - Prayer Stone x36 ... That night, only the monotonous voice of the system apanied Lein. Steadfast, he confirmed each chest opening, nced briefly at the contents, and proceeded to the next one. The asional bouts of boredom crept in as he opened chest after chest, but the thought of the potential within each item quickly rekindled his excitement. With his current power at level 50 Tier-3, Lein already possessed more than five high-level artifacts and equipment. His gear, tempered to a purple grade, provided a 15% attribute bonus. As a result, he wasn''t particrly interested in ordinary items¡ªeven when level 30 or level 40 items appeared, he would only nce at them briefly before dismissing them. His chest-opening activity continued until 10:30 PM. Afterward, Lein meticulously tidied up his storage room, ensuring every chest and item was in its proper ce before exiting his private space. With calm steps, Lein walked through the secret corridor connecting the storage room to his bedroom. His mind remained upied with ns on how to utilize the newly acquired items, especially some valuable ones that could enhance his alliance''s strength. Chapter 161: Last day of the Race War Event The next morning, Lein woke up feeling refreshed. Although he hadn''t found anything extremely valuable from the epic chests he opened the night before, he had still gained dozens of pure artifacts, each with unique abilities. "Uahh..." Lein yawned, his body stretching along with his deep breath. The muscles in his strong arms tensed, revealing his hidden strength. After a moment of gathering himself, he stepped down from his bed. With light steps, he walked toward the bedside table. His gaze met the reflection of a refreshed young man in therge mirror. His ck hair was still messy, but his eyes radiated vitality. Lein now looked vastly different from when he first entered the Divine Sky Realm. Back then, his face resembled that of a man in his 30s, burdened by the pressures of life and work. But now, he appeared more like a young man in his early 20s, full of spirit and unburdened. "Seems like the stories in those novels are true," he murmured with a faint smile, his eyes fixed on his handsome reflection in the mirror. Lein recalled his high school days when he loved reading novels and fiction. Almost every story depicted the same thing¡ªthe higher the cultivation level, the stronger the body, and one''s appearance could be maintained at its peak. "Tomorrow is thest day of the inter-racial war event," he muttered, remembering Elder Wan''s words. His thoughts kept circling around Aetheris, the realm where they currently resided. From Elder Wan''s stories, Lein concluded that the creatures living outside Aetheris were much stronger and more terrifying. "Aetheris..." Lein whispered softly, lost in thought. But after a few seconds, he shook his head, trying not to dwell on it. He had done his best so far. In fact, he had reached the maximum level achievable, level 50, a feat that only he and Nita had managed to aplish. Leaving his reflection in the mirror, Lein turned toward another door in his room¡ªthe door to the bathroom. He felt a fresh breeze wafting from inside as the door opened, weing him. Inside, he turned on the faucet, and the sound of water started filling the room. The water fell gently, creating a serene flow as it hit the marble floor. Each drop sounded calming, like a morning symphony of nature. Lein extended his hand, feeling the cool water running over his skin. The sound of water rippling as it touched his body made the atmosphere more peaceful, erasing any lingering worries in his mind. After a few minutes, Lein exited the bathroom, drying himself with a soft, thick towel. He walked toward the wardrobe and picked up a casual blue shirt, a usual choice for his daily wear. The fabric wasfortable, simple, yet still gave a neat impression. He put it on with calm movements, tightened the belt at his waist, and adjusted the cor. Feeling refreshed and ready to start the day, Lein walked toward his room door. The cold handle touched his fingers as he opened it, and the light from the corridor greeted him. He stepped out, passing through the sturdy, elegant walls, heading toward the stairs that would lead him to the lower floor, where breakfast was already prepared. As he descended the stairs, the aroma of food filled the air, tempting his appetite. asionally, the soft sound of Lein''s footsteps echoed on the perfectly polished wooden floor. Therge dining room downstairs awaited, with a long table filled with various dishes, radiating the warmth of the morning. "Hello, big brother...e eat!" Nita''s cheerful voice rang out energetically. She looked busy helping the staff tidy up the table alreadyden with various kinds of food. Her face beamed, reflecting her joy as she weed Lein. "Good morning. What''s on the menu today?" Lein asked as he approached the table and examined the avable dishes. There, he saw vegetable soup, sour vegetable soup, chicken curry, and several fish-based side dishes. "Try everything, brother! There''s beef empal, curry, and vegetables. I picked all the main ingredients myself," Nita said enthusiastically, her voice full of energy. She seemed ready with answers for every question Lein had, exining all the dishes in detail, as if wanting to make sure that Lein knew how serious she was about preparing the food. "And here, try my homemade sushi," Nita offered a small te with four pieces of rice topped with slices of red fish. A broad smile spread across her face as she watched Lein with hopeful eyes, waiting for his reaction. Lein examined the sushi with curiosity. "Wow... impressive, thanks, Nita," he said, taking a piece and trying it. The taste was soft in his mouth, almost like authentic sushi. "It tastes good, almost like the real thing. Though, it''s a bit salty," he added gently, offering praise with a small suggestion. Hearing Lein''spliment, Nita''s face lit up even more. "Really? Thank you, brother!" she replied joyfully. She then tasted one of her own sushi pieces, smiling contentedly even though she also noted the slight saltiness Lein mentioned. "Hmm, yes, a little salty, but I like it," Nita said with a wide smile. With that, the two of them began enjoying their breakfast, the rxed morning atmosphere making their conversation flow easily. They talked about simple things¡ªthe city''s development, Lein''s ns for the day, and Nita''s stories about trying new recipes. Between bites, theirughter asionally filled the room. "So, what''s on your agenda today, brother?" Nita asked while sipping her vegetable soup. "I''ll be checking on some more facilities and preparing myself for further preparations after the inter-racial war event ends," Lein answered, chewing slowly, savoring the delicious taste of the chicken curry. They continued chatting warmly, enjoying a simple yet close-knit breakfast. The sounds of clinking tes and spoons mingled with lightughter, creating a peaceful moment amidst their daily busyness. While Lein and Nita enjoyed their breakfast, the city outside was already bustling with its usual morning rhythm. The city streets were filled with high-tech vehicles moving in orderly lines under the watchful eye of an automated system. Construction machines were already operating, their hum blending with theughter and conversations of workers starting their day. At the Teleportation Hub area, the teleportation portals pulsed gently, channeling hundreds of people from various regions into the city. Children headed to school in low-hovering buses, cutting through the fresh morning air. This was the morning routine on Lein''s ind¡ªa busy, modern, and always active ce. In the distance, a towering building with 100 floors loomed, reflecting the morning sunlight. At the top of the building, a golden star emblem shone brightly, symbolizing authority and grandeur. At the entrance of this majestic building, people with unique traits moved in and out. Some had muscr bodies withrge weapons strapped to their backs, while others appeared ordinary but with sharp eyes hinting at their battle experience. This was the headquarters of the Star Guild, one of thergest hunter guilds in the City of Life. The Star Guild was known not only for its vastwork but also for its immense wealth amassed from various missions and contracts it managed. As a hunter guild, the Star Guild epted all kinds of missions, from individuals to organizations, rewarding hunters with energy crystals, money, or even rare artifacts. Inside the Star Guild''s main hall, the atmosphere was no less busy. Large blue holographic screens disying mission lists and other information hovered in the air, while hunters of various levels and backgrounds essed them to find missions suitable to their abilities. A young man stood in front of one of the screens, his hands moving swiftly as he scrolled through the mission list. His hair was covered by a brown headband, and a long sword hung at his waist, gleaming with a worn handle¡ªa sign that the weapon had seen many battles. "Hmph... why are the missions getting hardertely?" the young man grumbled, his voice filled with frustration. His dark eyes squinted as he continued scrolling through the mission list on the holographic screen. [Mission List] your-chapter-source - Collect 1,000 Light Stones in 3 days: Reward 10,000 energy crystals. - Forge 10 weapons into +10 weapons (materials provided): Reward 7,000 energy crystals. - Be a personal instructor (minimum level 8): Reward 1,000 energy crystals/day. - Hunt Tier-1 monsters in the Night Forest: Reward 20,000 energy crystals. "Hahh¡­ a beginner like me doesn''t stand a chance," he muttered again, his face looking dejected. He was only a level 1 hunter, and almost all the missions on the list seemed too difficult for him. Without enthusiasm, the young man turned his gaze to another holographic screen disying a list of teams currently recruiting members. [Team Recruitment List] - Looking for a level 5 mage for an expedition to the ck stone golem ind. Equal reward distribution. - Seeking an archer with level 3 Rain of Arrows skill. Mission: Hunt golden bird feathers. Reward distribution +10% of profits. - Looking for a level 4 tanker for the monster ind mission. - Looking for someone to form a team, any job. Equal reward distribution. Initially uninterested, the young man scrolled through the listzily. However, after a while, his attention was drawn to a line that made his heart race. The sentence was simple but full of hope: "Looking for someone to form a team, any job. Equal reward distribution." His previously gloomy face brightened with energy. "Yes! This is my chance!" he shouted inwardly. Without hesitation, he touched the holographic screen and quickly typed a short message to the team creator, expressing his willingness to join. "In a few days, I''ll definitely level up!" he muttered, his eyes burning with renewed determination. Chapter 162: Ravon Team The young man with the headband then submitted his application for the recruitment. After sending in his application, he waited calmly, his gaze shifting to therge holographic board disying various missions. As a level 1 youth, he had no realbat experience. He had only fought a few wild animals in the mountains around the city of life. However, those were just battles on the forest''s edge; he had never been brave enough to enter the forest''s depths, filled with dangers from both wild beasts and other hunters. His motivation this time was to find a team that could help him venture into more dangerous areas. He knew that, with his level 1 and minimal experience, joining a stronger team was the only way to gain experience and improve his abilities. *** In the corner of the Star Guild hall, a group of four sat around a round table. Among them, a woman with a ck sword leaned back in her chair, staring seriously at a green-haired man who was busy typing on his phone. "Ravon, what about the other team members? Have you chosen who will join?" the woman asked, her eyes fixed on Ravon. The woman with the ck sword asked the green-haired man sitting across from her. The man had an oval face with sharp eyes. His gaze was currently focused intently on the screen of his phone. Ravon, with his oval face and sharp eyes, paused his fingers over the screen for a moment. "Hold on... There are many applicants, but none have exined their talents," he muttered while continuing to type. Suddenly, a message appeared on his screen. The message read, "I want to apply. I''m still level 1, sword user." Ravon typed a quick reply, "No problem. You can join, but what is your talent?" It didn''t take long for a response toe, "My talent is level B. I can change the element of my sword for a certain amount of time." Ravon stopped typing and stared at the message. After a few seconds, a wide smile spread across his face. "I found a suitable team member," he said while sharing the message in their team chat. "Who? What''s their talent?" asked a middle-aged man with arge shield beside his chair. Ravon''s three friends immediately looked at the message, and their reactions were simr. Excitement was evident on their faces. "A level B talent? I didn''t expect someone like that to apply to our team," said a middle-aged woman holding a long staff with elegant carvings. "Our leader only has a level 3 talent. This is incredible," she added. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the hall, the young man with the brown headband received Ravon''s reply. He felt excited, even a bit nervous, as he read the instructions to meet them at table #B12. "Where''s that?" he muttered, his eyes searching for the table number disyed on the holographic board. *** After a few minutes of searching, the young man finally found table #B12 in a quieter corner of the hall. The four people waiting immediately recognized him from the description they had received through the chat. The young man walked closer, hesitating but full of enthusiasm. "Are you the team looking for members?" he asked politely. Ravon smiled as he stood up from his seat, shaking the young man''s hand. "Yes, we are Ravon''s team. I''m Ravon, and these are my friends¡ªFira, Reynor, and Liana." The young man introduced himself, "My name is Irsan. I''m a sword user, still level 1." "That''s fine. We''ve already read about your talent. Sword element, right?" said Fira, the woman with the ck sword on her back. She looked at Irsan with great interest. Irsan nodded. "Yes, but I haven''t fully mastered it yet." "Don''t worry, that''s why you''re joining us," said Reynor, the middle-aged man with therge shield. They then sat down together and began discussing the mission they would take. On the holographic board, many mission options were disyed, ranging from simple tasks like escorting merchants to more dangerous ones like hunting wild monsters in the forest. "There''s a mission to hunt mountain tigers in Verdin Mountain," Ravon pointed to one of the missions. "It''s located south of the City of Life. How about we take that one?" "Mountain tigers? They''re known to be strong, especially in the Verdin area," muttered Liana, frowning. "But we need a challenge, and the reward is pretty big," replied Fira. After some discussion, they all agreed to take the mission. With enthusiasm, they went to prepare. Each team member bought some healing potions, protective charms, and supporting tools like ammunition as well as food and drinks for the journey. One by one, they boarded the public transportation, a levitating vehicle that quickly took them to Verdin Mountain. The 20-minute trip felt short, though a tense atmosphere began to creep into their hearts, especially for Irsan, who was embarking on a real mission for the first time. In the distance, the peak of Verdin Mountain, shrouded in mist, loomed high with dense forests surrounding it. They knew that''s where the battle against the mountain tigers awaited. Time passed quickly, and they finally arrived at the hunter association post for the Verdin mountain area. The hunter post was a 10-story building, and in front of it, hundreds of small teams consisting of 3-5 members were gathered. They were all hunters looking toplete missions in Verdin mountain. "Finally, we''ve arrived. Let''s go," said Ravon to his friends. He was the first to step off the bus and quickly headed to the hunter post toplete some administrative steps. Irsan, the young man with a level B talent, followed them nervously from behind. He had prepared himself for all of this, and he had also gathered information about the hunter missions and what they would face. But he was still very nervous. He wasn''t sure why. "Do I really not have the talent forbat?" he asked himself. "Irsan, hurry up... what''s going on?" From afar, Fira called out to Irsan, who wasgging behind. She also noticed that he seemed a bit nervous. "Ahh, yes... I''ming." Irsan quickly ran to catch up, trying to control his nerves, attempting to be more enthusiastic and brave. It didn''t take long for the team to register at the hunter post. Of course, Ravon, as the team leader, was the one to register. "Wee, sir. Please input your hunter ID," the female receptionist directed Ravon to register on the holographic panel on the table. Ravon, as if used to this, entered his ID into the holographic panel. Afterward, information about him appeared, simr to the system panel, though not as detailed. [STATUS] - Name: Ravon - Tier 1 - Hunter ID: Ravon007 - Level: 12 (2%) - ss: Swordsman - Team: No team - Active Mission: None Ravon then entered the mission ID they were going to take into the holographic panel. Afterward, the mission details appeared on the panel. [Mission] - Mission Name: Hunt Mountain Tiger - Location: Verdin Mountain - Reward: 10,000 energy crystals - Mission Goal: Collect the fangs, tail, skin, and heart of the mountain tiger - Requirement: 5-person team (at least 1 Tier-1) - Mission Description: Hunt the mountain tigers in Verdin Mountain, south of the City of Life. The better the materials collected, the higher the bonus. Beware of the mountain tiger packs'' abilities. After ensuring everything was correct, Ravon approved andpleted the registration. "Thank you, sir. Please take this mission badge." The receptionist handed Ravon a silver bracelet. The bracelet would serve as the team member''s identifier and contain the mission details they had taken. Ravon returned to his friends, who were waiting near the hunter post''s entrance. "All done, we''re ready to go," he said, showing the bracelet with a smile. "Good," replied Fira, looking at the bracelet curiously. "Let''s get moving." They then walked toward the towering gate of Verdin Forest in front of them. The forest was notorious for its many monsters and wild beasts, including the mountain tigers, their mission target. Hundreds of other hunters filled the area, each preparing for the mission they had chosen. Ravon walked ahead, leading his team. "Listen up, we''re entering a dangerous area. I''ll be the main attacker. Irsan, you''ll support from behind with ranged attacks using your sword element. Fira and Reynor, you''ll protect us with your defensive abilities. You all know what to do." Reynor, the man with therge shield on his back, nodded in agreement. "I''ll make sure nothing gets past our defense line." Fira also nodded, adjusting her sword. "I''m ready." Irsan, though a bit nervous, tried to calm himself. "Alright, I''ll follow the n," he said with a slightly trembling voice. This would be his first real battle. They stepped through the gate, and the dense Verdin Forest stretched out before them. The air began to feel cooler and more humid, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the forest. Sunlight could only pierce through the gaps between the tree leaves, casting strange shadows on the ground. Along the way, they passed several other hunter teams. Some consisted of three members, while others had five or even six. Most were hunters of a higher level than Ravon''s team. But that didn''t lower their spirits. Chapter 163: Battle with mountain tigers "We''re not the only ones who took on this mission," murmured Fira as they passed another team resting by the roadside. "Everyone looks ready to fight." "The more teams there are, the fiercer thepetition for the best mountain tigers," Ravon replied, still focused ahead. "But we must stay focused on our mission." A few minutester, they finally arrived at the area known as the mountain tigers'' habitat. The ground became slightly rockier, and the rustling sounds among the leaves heightened the existing tension. The trees surrounding them appearedrger and older, creating a more oppressive atmosphere. "We''ve reached the mountain tiger territory." Ravon and the others stopped, carefully observing the area around them. Deep within the forest, they could see several trails where the grass had been parted, forming a path. It seemed the path had been created by a pack of mountain tigers. "Everyone, activate your gear, and stay sharp," Ravon reminded the others. They immediately activated their equipment and followed one of the natural trails where the grass had split. Moving cautiously in a formation with Reynor leading at the front and Fira guarding the rear, ready for closebat at any moment. *Rustle... rustle...* The sound of grass being stepped on echoed through the forest, filled with natural noises. Ravon''s five-member team sharpened their senses, anticipating a sudden attack from any direction. The team continued their exploration deeper into the forest, following the clear mountain tiger tracks along the path. The parted grass andrge footprints on the ground made it evident they were approaching the hunting grounds of the tigers. They walked in a steady formation, each member prepared for any sudden assault. Ravon closely observed the signs around him. "Look at this," he said, pointing at arge tree with fresh w marks. "These marks show they pass through here frequently. We need to be careful." Irsan nced at where Ravon pointed and swallowed nervously. "What kind of tiger could leave w marks that big?" he thought, feeling his anxiety creep up again. Not far from there, they also found the carcass of a savaged animal, with deep bite marks clearly visible. Reynor grimaced at the sight. "Looks like they''ve just hunted. We''re not far from their den." Suddenly, Fira, who was at the back, halted and sharpened her hearing. "Shh¡­ do you hear that?" she whispered, her right hand gripping the hilt of her ck sword. The entire team stopped and fell silent. The usual forest sounds of rustling leaves and the wind suddenly gave way to an eerie quiet. Liana, standing in the middle, started sensing that something was amiss. And in an instant, without warning, arge, muscr mountain tiger leaped out from the bushes, lunging straight at them! "watch out!" shouted Ravon. But Fira was ready. With one swift movement, she drew her ck sword and activated "Lightning sh," a skill that allowed her to attack at incredible speed. Her sword shed like lightning, striking the mountain tiger in mid-leap. The tiger roared in pain and was knocked back several meters, rolling on the ground. "Well done, Fira!" praised Reynor, who quickly stepped forward, raising hisrge shield, ready for the next assault. your-chapter-source They immediately formed a battle stance. Reynor stood at the front, his shield raised high to protect the team. Fira stood on the right, her sword glowing, prepared for another strike. On the left, Ravon gripped his sharp dagger tightly, his eyes scanning for an opening to attack. In the center, Liana and Irsan were ready to provide support from the rear with ranged attacks. But before they could rx, another loud roar echoed. Emerging from the shadows of the trees, more mountain tigers appeared one by one. Each tiger wasrger than the first, their bodies standing over 1.5 meters tall, with ck and white striped fur that stood out starkly among the foliage. Their glowing red eyes revealed a murderous intent that was terrifying. "There are more of them!" Liana called out, her voice filled with caution. Three mountain tigers now stood surrounding them. With immense strength and taut muscles, they were preparing to pounce. Irsan, standing at the back, felt his body tremble slightly. Although he had trained for this, it was his first time facing such a grave threat. His breathing quickened as he tried to control the fear creeping up on him. At this moment, the entire team could clearly see the status and attributes of the mountain tigers in front of them. [Mountain Tiger] - Level: 10 - Type: Fighter - Attribute: Str 30, Int 22, Agi 28, Res 28 - (Tiger''s Strength) Enters berserk mode, +10% movement speed, +5% increased damage for 1 minute. Afterward, attributes decrease by 10% for 10 seconds. [Mountain Tiger] - Level: 7 - Type: Fighter - Attribute: Str 24, Int 16, Agi 18, Res 15 - (Tiger''s Strength) Enters berserk mode, +10% movement speed, +5% increased damage for 1 minute. Afterward, attributes decrease by 10% for 10 seconds. "We can handle this!" Ravon tried to encourage his team. "Don''t let them separate us!" One of the mountain tigers lunged at Reynor, mming into hisrge shield with surprising force. Reynor was pushed back a few steps, but with incredible strength, he managed to hold his ground. "Now, attack!" he shouted, holding back the tiger''s sharp teeth from piercing through his shield. Fira moved swiftly, shing from the right with a horizontal strike, creating a sharp, white streak. Irsan, watching from behind, was amazed by the grace of her cutting motion. Meanwhile, Ravon seized the opportunity on the left, aiming a swift strike at the tiger''s belly as it focused on attacking Reynor. His attack was quick, with Ravon skillfully spinning and bending to strike the abdomen. *sh¡­* A long tear appeared on the tiger''s belly, and its blood gushed out. The tiger roared in agony, unable to stand, copsing helplessly to the ground. [Sessfully killed (Mountain Tiger | level 8), exp +21] The familiar notification rang in Ravon''s ears, but he paid it little mind. His gaze remained focused on the remaining mountain tigers. Liana, from the back, beganunching long-range attacks with her magic staff. A ball of light slowly formed and grewrger. When it reached its peak, Liana shouted and unleashed the magical orb directly at a mountain tiger not far from her. The team continued to take down the mountain tigers one by one. Their movements were well-coordinated, and their battle formation became more solid as time passed. Every time a tiger leaped to attack, one of them was always ready to face it. In the midst of the battle, Irsan, who had been providing support, began to gather his courage. He spotted a mountain tiger with a level of 5 not far from his position. With determination, he leaped forward and swung his sword, trying to sh at the tiger. However, unexpectedly, the tiger''s right paw kicked him with tremendous force, sending him flying five meters away. "Irsan!" Liana screamed, panicked as she saw him fall hard to the ground. Without hesitation, Ravon dashed towards the mountain tiger that had kicked Irsan. With swift and decisive movements, Ravon stabbed his dagger into the tiger''s throat, killing it in a single strike. [Sessfully killed (Mountain Tiger | level 5), exp +8] "Liana, check on Irsan! I''ll handle the rest," Ravon said, turning his attention to the other tigers closing in. Every time Ravon moved, he would kill a tiger within 3 to 5 motions. His lethal strikes were fast, agile, and powerful, even making some of the mountain tigers wary of him. [Sessfully killed (Mountain Tiger | level 8), exp +21] [Sessfully killed (Mountain Tiger | level 7), exp +19] .... The constant notifications of kills didn''t slow Ravon''s ferocity as he continued to ughter the approaching mountain tigers. Liana ran towards Irsan, who was still lying on the ground. "Irsan, are you okay?" she asked, worried, examining his clearly pained expression. Irsan tried to get up, but the pain in his chest made it difficult to move. "I... I''m fine," he replied, though it was evident he was in pain. Without wasting time, Liana pulled out a small bottle containing a blue liquid from her bag. "Drink this," she said, handing the bottle to Irsan. "It will speed up your healing." (Basic Healing Potion) A natural energy-infused potion with some basic herbal effects, capable of providing fundamental healing. Can be consumed inrge quantities, but the best effects ur within the first five bottles. Irsan took the bottle and quickly drank its contents. Within seconds, the pain in his chest began to subside, though he still couldn''t stand fully. Meanwhile, the battle raged on. Thergest mountain tiger, at level 10, suddenly roared loudly, emitting a thick red aura. Its body was enveloped in a powerful energy, drastically increasing its strength. "Tiger''s Power," Ravon whispered, knowing that this was the mountain tiger''s special skill, capable of drastically increasing their attack strength. "Everyone, be careful! Don''t let that tiger strike directly!" shouted Reynor, standing on the front line, warning his team. Reynor immediately activated one of his defensive skills, "Protection Barrier!" In an instant, a transparent energy shield enveloped the other four team members, providing them with extra protection and an inexplicable sense of safety. Chapter 164: Haikal Emanuels confusion "Maintain formation! Don''t let them break us apart!" Ravon ordered firmly. He then repositioned himself, ready to attack the tiger with the red aura. Fira, positioned on the right side, had already prepared her ck sword for the next sh. Her body moved swiftly, waiting for the perfect moment to strike as therge tiger leaped toward them. Fira moved with impressive agility, dodging the attacks of the mountain tiger that tried to pounce on her. With her ck sword in hand, she waited for the perfect moment to strike. When the tiger lunged with its fangs bared, Fira spun her body, executing a swift and precise circr motion. Her sword sliced through the tiger''s belly, leaving a deep gash. The mountain tiger roared in pain, but before it could counterattack, Fira swung her sword once more, this time hitting the beast''s neck. In an instant, the ferocious creature copsed to the ground, dead. [Sessfully killed (Mountain Tiger | level 6), exp +15] However, Fira had no time to rest. On the other side, Ravon was facing thergest mountain tiger, level 10, whose aura emitted a deep red glow. Both creatures appeared ready to pounce at any moment. Ravon stared coldly, preparing himself. "Shadow!" Ravon whispered, and instantly his shadow split into two figures, moving swiftly and circling the mountain tiger with blinding speed. The mountain tiger attempted to strike at Ravon''s shadows, but each time its massive ws swiped through the air, the real Ravon appeared from the opposite side, plunging his dagger into the tiger''s body. Wound after wound tore through the tiger, though its red aura remained strong. As Ravon readied himself for the final blow, Reynor raised his hand from a distance. "Buff of Strength!" he shouted. Golden energy flowed from Reynor to Ravon, drastically increasing his strength and speed. Feeling the surge of power, Ravon disappeared in a sh and reappeared directly in front of the tiger. With a single, sharp shadow sh, he drove his dagger into the mountain tiger''s heart. The beast let out one final roar before copsing, lifeless. [Sessfully killed (Mountain Tiger | level 10), exp +50] Ravon exhaled, watching therge tiger''s body fall. "Good, the boss is finally down." "You''re incredible, captain. Just as expected from the Shadow yer," said Reynor as he approached Ravon. The rest of the team also gathered around, discussing their next steps. As the team leader, Ravon surveyed the area filled with mountain tiger corpses. They had killed over 20 tigers, with the strongest being the level 10 mountain tiger Ravon had just in. "Alright, everyone, help extract all the corpses." "After that, we''ll scout the surrounding area." Ravon gave the orders. The mountain tiger pack they had just wiped out was only one of many in the Verdin Mountains. The rest of the team approached the tiger corpses lying on the ground. As they neared the bodies, an extraction panel automatically appeared, allowing them to harvest materials from the mountain tigers. Irsan, who had been looking slightly better, joined the extraction process. It was his first time extracting from a high-level monster. He approached one of the corpses, ready to begin the process. [Extract corpse (Mountain Tiger), are you sure?] "Yes." Immediately, the corpse in front of Irsan was enveloped in white light, wrapping around the body before slowly disintegrating into tiny specks of white light and disappearing. Irsan saw several materials fall to the ground, followed by item information from the extraction. [Sessfully extracted from (Mountain Tiger), obtained] - Energy Crystal x10 - Mountain Tiger Fang x1 - Hard Leather x3 "Wow... energy crystals," Irsan said excitedly. Ten energy crystals were a huge amount for him. He had done many physically demanding tasks unrted tobat and had only ever received one energy crystal at most. But now, he had obtained ten energy crystals from just one corpse. "How many could I get from ten corpses?" he thought to himself, trying to do some quick calctions. "Yosh... I''ll be the strongest hunter in the future," Irsan dered with determination, his eyes focused on the energy crystals on the ground. He gathered all the fallen materials and continued helping the team extract from the other Mountain Tiger corpses. And so, afterpleting the extractions, Ravon''s team moved on to another location where more Mountain Tigers awaited. *** "Huufftt... i am back," An old man let out a long sigh as he stepped out of arge portal. He was currently standing in the Teleportation Hub on Lein Ind. As usual, the area was bustling with activity. The old man nced around, taking a deep breath. His inner senses felt a vibrant energy, as if he could see the ind''s progress and development. While the old man was observing the bustling area in the distance, two soldiers in white uniforms approached, their faces tense but respectful. "Wee back, Master Haikal..." one of them saluted, his voice filled with respect. "Wee back, Master Haikal..." the second soldier followed, saluting with equal firmness. Yes, the old man was Haikal Emanuel. As one of the core members of the World Market Trade alliance, he was one of the most powerful figures on Lein Ind¡ªsecond only to Lein himself in terms of power and influence. His sharp eyes swept calmly over the surroundings, absorbing the familiar atmosphere of the ind. The old man smiled faintly at the two soldiers. "Haha... no need for the formalities," he said, his voice deep but light. He handed over a small, well-preserved leather-bound book. "Take this and document it properly," he continued. The soldiers carefully epted the book, realizing the importance of the information within. They nodded respectfully as the old man, Haikal, stepped out of the Teleportation Hub, moving through the busy crowd with calm yet deliberate steps. When he reached the gate, a sleek ck car was already waiting for him. The car exuded luxury, its metallic sheen seemingly untouched by dust or grime. "Please, Master," the driver standing beside the car bowed slightly, opening the door with deep respect. The old man entered the car without much fuss, his fit body moving with the ease of a seasoned warrior. The door closed softly, and the driver directed the vehicle away from the Teleportation Hub, heading towards their predetermined destination. Inside the car, the old man leaned back quietly, his eyes gazing out the window. Lein Ind, though changed, still felt like home. "How long has it been since I wasst here?" he murmured to himself. During the inter-racial wars, the old man Haikal had wandered through many realms, umting contribution points. Now, with more than 4,000,000 points, he ranked second¡ªan achievement only made possible with Lein''s help. Lein had provided experience potions to all the core members, allowing them to reach level 30 and ascend to Tier-3, ensuring their survival in more dangerous realms. But that wasn''t all. Lein had also equipped them with high-level artifacts and gear. One of these, the Vortex te, granted exceptional flexibility in battle, allowing for teleportation skills to dodge enemy attacks. Not to mention the golden defense talisman, capable of deflecting a full-force attack from a Tier-Master or even a Nascent Soul cultivator. "Why is this young man so generous?" the old man Haikal mused. "Isn''t he afraid of being betrayed?" the-ce-MVLeMpYr The old man pondered deeply, trying to understand Lein''s motives. His long experience in the harsh world had made him skeptical. On Earth, a ve or beggar could rise to power with enough strength, often through betrayal or seizing opportunities. Friendships could easily crumble over valuable items, especially among those fighting to survive. "Can I trust him?" he thought, his face filled with doubt. Once again, his thoughts returned to Lein. The young man was a mystery. If Haikal had reached this level of power with Lein''s help, then Lein must be far stronger. This suspicion grew stronger as he recalled the only time he had seen Lein in action¡ªduring the silver badge quest after the first void monster invasion event. Back then, Haikal and Laras had traveled from ind to ind, defeating countless monsters, though the silver badge they sought never appeared. During that mission, Haikal had witnessed Lein''s power firsthand. The young man''s sword strikes were extraordinary, his aura terrifying, and his buff skills could doublebat attributes. But at the time, Haikal had felt his own abilities, enhanced by his dark book, were equally formidable. That''s why he hadn''t thought much of Lein''s strength at the time. They had seemed like equals¡ªpartners in the alliance. However, as the days passed, Lein continued helping them all level up, providing heaven-grade equipment and artifacts that were incredibly hard to obtain. Deep inside, Haikal couldn''t ept that someone could be so generous without expecting anything in return. "Ugh... it''s too hard to understand," he sighed, shaking his head. Unable to find a reason behind Lein''s actions, he decided not to dwell on it for now. But the curiosity lingered. If Lein was this strong now, how far had his power truly grown? Chapter 165: Development of the City Life on Lein Ind went on as usual. Everyone carried out their activities like any other day¡ªparents went to work, children attended school, and the Hunters embarked on missions. Everyone was busy with their respective routines. Even Lein and the core members of the alliance were immersed in their own efforts to strengthen themselves. Far off on other inds, home to the alliances of major nations, progress continued as they focused on development. Cities were being meticulously built and managed with care and professionalism. Humanity, preupied with themselves, enjoyed the power they had gained from the system, boasting, killing each other, and fighting amongst themselves. Yet, what they failed to realize was that the transparent barrier protecting the realm they inhabited was nearing its breaking point. Lein was currently in the city lord''s chamber, reviewing the developmental data of the City of Life and the ind as a whole. Together with Nita by his side, they carefully read through several sheets of reports spread out on the table. "Has the three-year school trend been implemented yet?" Lein asked Nita beside him. "Yes, big brother. ording to several experts, three years of school is enough for general education. If anyone wants to be an academic, they can continue on to higher education. Otherwise, they are strongly encouraged to learn life skills," Nita exined clearly to Lein. Lein listened casually, asionally nodding in agreement. He supported shortening the time spent on basic education, given the state of the world today; humanity had to adapt. Lein continued reading the papers in his hand, which detailed the number of schools and students on his ind. One sheet indicated that the City of Life, directly managed by him, had the highest number of schools and students, followed by Elen''s City of Peace. "Oh, speaking of Elen, has she found her father yet?" Seeing Elen''s City of Peace mentioned in the report reminded Lein of the girl. That shy girl was one of the core members of his alliance. Her timid nature and being the youngest member of the alliance left a strong impression on Lein. "Not yet, brother. I visit asionally and help her manage her city," Nita replied. Aside from Laras, Nita often visited Elen''s house to y. If she considered Laras her older sister, then she viewed Elen as her younger sister. Lein leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting to the reports piled on the desk. After discussing education with Nita, his thoughts started to turn to other equally important aspects, such as infrastructure development and the ind''s military strength. MVLeMpYr-official-text Among the scattered reports, various topics were covered, from city construction and tourism sectors to defense and the number of active troops. Each of these aspects yed a vital role in humanity''s survival, preparing for any future threats. Lein picked up one of the construction reports ced on top. The data showed significant progress in building. "Construction in the main city is proceeding ording to n. Three new districts have beenpleted, and 1,200 new houses have been added. upancy rates have also increased by almost 15%," Nita exined while looking at the report in her hand. Lein nodded. "What about the defense towers?" Nita quickly grabbed the relevant report. "The defense tower project has reached 80% of the overall target. We now have 500 new towers equipped with long-range sensors and automated defense systems. A special team is also reviewing additional upgrades toplement the defense system with thetest advanced technology we''ve acquired." Lein paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the other details in the report. "Good¡­ But make sure they do it right." Then, he turned to the report on tourism. "How''s the tourism sector?" "Since reopening, the tourism sector has seen a sharp increase, especially in Elen''s City of Peace. Visitors are drawn to the natural beauty and the rtively peaceful environment," Nita reported. Lein smiled slightly. The City of Peace indeed offered a tranquil atmosphere, vastly different from the bustling City of Life. Elen''s peaceful nature seemed to manifest in her management of the city. But then, something else caught Lein''s attention. The numbers on the next report made him pause for a moment. The number of Tier-2 rulers. "The number of Tier-2 rulers¡­" Lein muttered as he skimmed through the figures in the report. "This can''t be right¡­" Nita looked at him, confused. "What''s wrong, brother?" Lein shook his head, still trying to process what he was reading. "The number of Tier-2 rulers has almost reached 50,000. How did this happen in such a short time?" Nita frowned, equally surprised by the information. "Hmm, maybe the price of silver badges is too low? Or perhaps other rulers are selling them at cheaper prices?" Lein carefully closed the report, his gaze still contemtive. "That could be it. The system they''ve acquired might be greater than we initially thought. With this many Tier-2 rulers, humanity has amassed great power, but also a significant risk." "A risk?" Nita asked. "If this many have reached Tier-2, that means more will aim for Tier-3. And we both know that advancing to Tier-3 isn''t just about power, but ambition. Those who are unprepared could cause new problems¡ªboth inside and outside the alliance." Nita nodded in understanding, her face serious. "We need to be ready for the consequences of this growth." "Exactly," Lein said, cing the report down. "We need a new strategy. The size of our forces is impressive, but we also need to ensure they remain controlled, disciplined, and loyal. There''s no room for error." He then picked up another report detailing the number of troops. "What''s our total active force right now?" "So far, we have 150,000 active troops spread across the ind. Most are stationed in the main city and the outer cities as border guards. Meanwhile, reserve forces continue training at our bases," Nita exined. Lein thought again, calcting everything he had heard. With this rapid growth in power, they needed to be more prepared than ever. There was a greater force forming behind the scenes. "We need to move faster, Nita. I''ll call all the core members for a strategic meeting soon. We must devise our next steps before things get even moreplicated." Nita nodded firmly. "Understood, brother. I''ll arrange everything." Lein looked once more at the reports. Behind all these numbers and data, he knew something far bigger was looming on the horizon. Something that couldn''t be faced with physical strength alone. Chapter 166: Race war event ends: alien enemies invade Tomorrow is the final day of the race war event. Lein was in his secret room, opening hundreds of epic chests. He deliberately spent his morning in the secret room, waiting for the system notification about the race war event. [Open (Epic Chest), are you sure?] "Yes." [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - me Sword - Pure Artifact x1 - Phoenix Feather Armor - Level 30 x1 - High-Level Energy Crystal x15 - Forest Guardian Token x1 "Not bad, a pure artifact," Lein muttered with a bit of excitement. He currently had over 300 different pure artifacts. Some of the good ones had already been duplicated into 1,000 copies, which he nned to distribute to the core members when the time came. Of course, he wouldn''t give everything he had to the 10 core members. He had always provided them with some help, but only when he was sure of his own strength. What gave him the most confidence was the golden talisman, capable of withstanding a full attack from a master-tier creature (equivalent to a nascent soul-level creature in the cultivation path). The 10 other core alliance members also had the talisman, though in limited quantities. His n up until now had gone ording to expectations, with the ind''s development growing nearly tenfoldpared to what he could have done alone. Whether it was attracting other Earth rulers or helping city development, the 10 other core members of the alliance had been invaluable. Putting those thoughts aside, Lein continued opening more epic chests. [Open (Epic Chest), are you sure?] "Yes." [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - Thunderstrike Bow - Level 30 Equipment x1 This-is-a-MVLeMpYr-special - Dragon Heart Gem x1 - Middle-Level Energy Crystal x4 - Elemental Core Blueprint x1 Lein kept opening chests until 8:00 a.m., and right on time, the long-awaited system notification arrived. [The race war event has ended... congrattions to the rulers who survived.] [The world protection has been removed...] [All surviving rulers have obtained the Rebirth Stone...] [Ranking rewards have been distributed...] [Congrattions, you are ranked first on the leaderboard, earning the title (Race Dominator).] [Congrattions, you are ranked first on the leaderboard, receiving (Super Territory Artifact), (100 million crystals), (epic chest), (ancestral dragon''s nest).] "Huh... it''s finally here," Lein muttered. He stood in the quiet of his secret room, his sharp gaze fixed on the holographic screen in front of him. Carefully, he read each system message, his eyes scanning the words to ensure he didn''t miss any crucial details. As usual, the system started with routine praise for the rulers. However, this time Lein couldn''t relish the moment of pride. A ring message appeared, bearing much heavier news¡ªthe world protection had been removed. Lein''s chest tightened, his heart pounding faster than usual. "What is this?" he muttered, his eyes darting around the room. A sense of unease he had never felt before suddenly gripped him, tightening its hold. A foreboding presence seemed to hang in the air. Suddenly, a barrage of urgent messages flooded hismunicator screen. (Nita): "Brother... where are you? There are unknown creatures attacking!!!" (Master Arjuna): "Emergency, Lord... strange creatures are invading our territory!" (William Alexander): "Lord Lein, intruders have arrived... let''s join forces!" (Haikal Emanuel): "Foreign enemies are approaching from outside, Lord! We need orders!" (Laras): "Brother Lein, where are you? Intruders are attacking!" Lein stared at the screen, his eyes wide. Message after message appeared, all delivering the same dire news¡ªforeign enemies had arrived! Without a second thought, he rushed out of his secret room. The sound of his hurried footsteps echoed along the corridor. Reaching his quarters, he wasted no time, leaping through therge open window, activating the Vortex te artifact wrapped around his ankle. "Swoshhh! Woshhh!" The sound of the artifact hummed as he soared into the air, his body lifted by the energy emanating from the Vortex te. The wind whistled in his ears, while in the distance, the sound of emergency bells began to wail, signaling the impending threat. "Nyirr... Nging..." The city below had already sprung into action. Everywhere, guards were moving swiftly, evacuating citizens and forming defensive formations around homes and buildings. Lein could see magical formation patterns glowing on rooftops, wrapping the city in a temporary protective barrier. Yet, the unease within him did not fade. This threat felt different, far more significant and dangerous. Sure enough, he saw it from afar¡ªa massive explosion. Lein estimated it was near the Teleportation Hub. "Did the enemies sneak in through the teleportation portal?" Lein muttered curiously. He didn''t head there immediately. First, he needed to meet Nita and hold an emergency meeting with the core alliance members. Aside from that, he had full confidence in the defense towers on his ind. Every few seconds, the thunderous sound of lightning strikes echoed loudly. (Alliance Chat - World Market Trade) - (Lein) Everyone! Emergency orders! Activate Gctic Fortress at full power. Use 100,000 power essence per tower. Activate the (Star Protection) skill to shield the ind. Summon (Star Army) 100 times, and use the (Star Shot) skill in critical moments. - (Arjuna) east city defense, Understood! - (Gerald) east west defense, Understood! Lein gave his first orders, and they were quickly responded to by his military leaders. When facing these unknown foreign enemies, Lein focused on the Gctic Fortress. (Gctic Fortress) A tower where countless stars gather, spreading star energy to all corners of the realm. - Type: Territory Artifact - Grade: Heaven - Essence: 176,900 - Ability: (Star Protection), (Star Shot), (Star Breath), (Star Army). (Star Protection) The Gctic Fortress forms a strong shield with star energy, protecting the lord''s ind. 100 power essence per day. (Star Shot) The Gctic Fortressunches a beam of starlight to attack enemies from a great distance. 1,000 power essence per shot. (Star Breath) The Gctic Fortress releases star energy over the ind, increasing all living beings'' EXP gain by +20% for one day. 10,000 essence per activation. (Star Army) The Gctic Fortress summons star troops to assist the lord in battle on the lord''s ind. 100 power essence per troop. Chapter 167: tier-3 creature attacks The Divine Sky Realm was in chaos. Among therge inds inhabited by humans, the sound of explosions echoed without end. Battles raged everywhere, especially on the weaker inds, whose defenses were on the verge of copse. Even the top five human alliances were not spared from the turmoil. In the emptiness of the divine sky, arge ind could be seen floating, protected by a transparent shield that emitted a soft glow. This was the American Alliance Ind, and the center of chaos was happening in the Teleportation Hub area. Looking closer, tension covered every corner of the ind. Tall buildings copsed from explosions, and vehicles raced frantically. Some met fatal idents in their attempts to flee. At the heart of all this chaos,rge portals stood tall, the source of the cmity. "Everyone, move back!" A man shouted loudly, his voice reverberating, warning the people around him. He was wearing a military uniform adorned with several star insignias on his chest, indicating his high rank in the armed forces. This man stood in the Teleportation Hub area, where all the portals from various inds were connected. His sharp gaze focused on a strange old man not far from his position. [Status] - Name: Zooman - Race: Hanyu - Power Core: Cultivator - Rank: Golden Core (Tier-3) "Damn... he''s a Tier-3 ruler," the uniformed man muttered with a tense face. His expression grew tighter, andrge veins bulged on his temples as he struggled to find a solution to the threat before him. wee-to-MVLeMpYr "Captain Jhon... the citizens have been evacuated, reinforcements are on their way," a subordinate soldier reported respectfully, his eyes also focused on the strange man who had just emerged from the portal. But Captain Jhon didn''t respond. His mind was in turmoil, processing the reality that before him stood a powerful cultivator with a menacing aura. The flying sword hovering beneath the man''s feet only added to his fear. "What should I do? I''ll die if I go alone..." he muttered, his inner voice filled with despair. Alert... the tower''s energy is fully charged... The notification from hismunicator distracted Captain Jhon. His face instantly changed, as if he''d found a way out of his predicament. Next strike in 3... Captain Jhon held his breath, counting down, hoping the defense tower would activate soon and destroy the threatening cultivator in front of him. 1... strike! Arge energy ball began to gather at the top of the defense tower at the edge of the Teleportation Hub wall, radiating light like lightning. Zooman, the cultivator, sensed the approaching aura of the attack. He sought its source and locked his gaze on the tall tower. Suddenly, an enormous energy shot from the tower, its lightning streaking with incredible speed, striking directly at Zooman''s head. Boom! Zap! A massive explosion urred. Blinding white light enveloped the surroundings, making Captain Jhon unable to see what had happened. His heart raced, waiting for the dust and light to settle. But when his vision cleared, a greater fear overtook him. "What?!" he screamed internally, his chest tightening. In front of him, he saw Zooman standing tall, protected by a golden barrier surrounding his body. The powerful lightning strike hadn''t left a single mark on the shield. "Hmm... a fairly strong tower," Zooman muttered while ncing at the tower in the distance with a knowing look. Then, his gaze shifted back to Captain Jhon and the soldiers around him. "Lowly beings like you don''t deserve to live..." he said calmly. Without warning, he shot towards them with terrifying speed. "Run!" Captain Jhon yelled, his voice mixed with fear. He knew there was only one oue if they stayed¡ªdeath. The soldiers quickly activated their blue and green gear, triggering the best escape skills they had. But as they started running, a head fell without warning, marking the death of one of the soldiers. The horror froze their blood, forcing them to flee as fast as they could. "One," Zooman said coldly, wiping the blood from his dual-edged sword, which emitted a fearsome white glow due to its sharpness. One by one, the fleeing soldiers fell to the ground, helpless against Zooman''s savagery. With each deadly sh of his sword, blood flowed freely, and their bodies copsed lifeless. Zooman showed no mercy. His expression remained nk, as if these killings were mere routine for him. Desperate screams and the tter of fallen weapons echoed around the Teleportation Hub. The chase extended beyond the area, and many civilians began to panic. They fled as fast as they could, trying to escape the deadly threat that was closing in. Amidst the panic, Captain Jhon witnessed the horror unfolding before his eyes. The soldiers he led had been ughtered, and now Zooman was moving towards the innocent civilians. His body trembled, but his heart felt heavy. Something inside him told him he couldn''t run anymore. "I have to stop him, no matter the risk," Captain Jhon thought. Without hesitation, he stopped running, staring at the approaching Zooman. Captain Jhon''s hand reached behind him, pulling out arge weapon¡ªa spiked iron mace that gleamed, his trusted weapon in battle. The veins in his arms bulged as he lifted the weapon. "I won''t let you kill any more people..." he said firmly, though his heart was still filled with fear. He took a deep breath, gathering all his courage, then activated his ultimate skill: Killer Strike. The size of his spiked mace suddenly grew, revealing sharp, terrifying spikes. Red energy began to shimmer around the mace, giving off a deadly aura. (Killer Strike) Attack power +10%, Bleeding effect 20%. Each spike on the mace will inflict a 50% bleeding effect with each hit. Cooldown: 5 minutes. Captain Jhon didn''t wait any longer. With all his strength, he swung his giant mace directly towards Zooman. The strike was incredibly fast and powerful, creating a massive airwave around them. The mace aimed straight at Zooman''s body, ready to deliver a fatal blow. However, Zooman didn''t remain idle. Calmly, he raised his sword and effortlessly activated his skill, Continuous sh. His long sword danced in the air, releasing several quick shes in session. The first sh blocked Captain Jhon''s mace, creating an explosion of energy that spread around them. The second sh swept across Captain Jhon''s chest, making blood spurt from his body. Chapter 168: Officials meeting Captain Jhon was thrown back, his chest covered in wounds. He fell to the ground, coughing up blood, his body trembling in pain. His eyes remained open, though his vision began to blur. He knew there was nothing more he could do. With one final swing, Zooman thrust his sword into Captain Jhon''s chest, ending his life mercilessly. The brutal battle was over. Captain Jhon''s bodyy lifeless on the ground, along with the other soldiers, blood flowing from every wound. Zooman stood tall amidst the scattered corpses, his sword still glowing with a cold light. Casually, he looked around, searching for his next prey. The distant screams and footsteps of fleeing people echoed in the air. "Who''s next?" Zooman muttered, his voice filled with arrogance and bloodlust. *** Main Hall - American Alliance Arge meeting was taking ce in the main hall. The high-ranking officials of the American Alliance gathered around a long table, with William Alexander sitting at the head, leading the meeting. The atmosphere in the room was tense; no one dared to speak. asionally, the soft voice of a female assistant could be heard, reporting thetest information from the battlefield. "Sir, the Teleportation Hub in the southern city has been destroyed... A Tier-3 entity," the assistant said. The word "Tier-3" made everyone in the room take a deep breath. They were all Tier-2 fighters, except for William Alexander and the two individuals sitting on either side of him. "Sir, those creatures can withstand attacks from low-level defense towers," said a man in a ck suit. "Only high-level defense towers can have any effect on them, especially the Tier-3 beings." William Alexander nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on themunication screen before him, his expression serious. Though he himself was a Tier-3, the current situation felt out of control. Tier-3 beings had appeared in almost every city across the American Alliance Ind. On the chat screen before him, several messages remained unanswered. William Alexander thought hard, trying to decide what course of action to take. (William Alexander) Mr. Lein, what should we do? Many Tier-3 beings are attacking. (Lein) I understand. I can save your alliance if you''re willing to meet the conditions I''ve outlined. William Alexander felt conflicted. He didn''t know how to respond to the offer. After a moment, he turned his gaze toward the senior officials in front of him. His sharp blue eyes scanned the faces of everyone in the room. Once confident, he took a deep breath and spoke. "Everyone, listen." William Alexander''s voice echoed the tension felt by everyone. They all immediately focused on him, sensing that something important was about to be revealed. "I contacted the leader of the World Market Trade alliance a while ago," William Alexander began to exin. "He''s willing to help, but with two conditions." After delivering thatst sentence, William Alexander paused briefly, waiting for a reaction from the senior officials. As expected, the faces in front of him grew tense. Some scowled, while others furrowed their brows. "What''s happened to you, President? Have you been hypnotized by him?" one senior official scoffed with a mocking tone. "Exactly... We don''t need the help of that young man. We can handle this ourselves," added another. "I disagree. That would only degrade us as the top alliance." Words of disagreement began to emerge one by one. All the senior officials spoke out, rejecting William Alexander''s idea of asking Lein for help. The atmosphere, once tense, now shifted into chaos, with voices shing throughout the room. Thud! Suddenly, the sound of the floor cracking was heard. An old man sitting to William Alexander''s right dropped hisrge sword to the ground. The nging noise echoed, silencing everyone in the room. The power of a Tier-3 was not something to be taken lightly. "Enough of this nonsense. Let''s first hear what that boy''s conditions are," the old man said in a tone of authority. Even though he too seemed displeased with the forting demands, he wouldn''t allow the chaos to continue. William Alexander nodded at the old man as a gesture of gratitude. He knew the man wasn''t happy either, but at least he was willing to listen. "Alright," William Alexander continued in a steady voice, "the first condition is to elect Lein as the ruler of the Divine Sky Realm." For a moment, silence enveloped the room. "The second condition," he added, "is to hand over 25% of the Alliance''s shares to Lein." William Alexander scanned the room, observing the clear disapproval on the faces of the senior officials in front of him. The tension quickly escted as voices of protest began to arise one by one. "25%? That''s too much!" shouted a senior official with a serious face who sat in the middle of the table. "In the long run, our alliance will be under his control. Giving away a quarter of our shares is insane. This isn''t just aid, this is surrender!" That statement was met with nods of agreement from several others around the table. The voices of dissatisfaction grew louder. "We cannot let someone like Lein be the ruler of the Divine Sky Realm," said another senior official firmly. "If he bes king, he''ll rule over all of us without opposition. He''ll do whatever he wants, disregarding our interests." The atmosphere became even more heated as intense discussions erupted. William Alexander remained silent, listening to all the opinions without giving an immediate response. He knew that this decision was monumental and couldn''t be taken lightly. The old man who had cracked the floor earlier sat with a cold expression on his face. After listening to the various opinions, he finally spoke up. only-found-at-MVLeMpYr "Lein''s demands are excessive," he said in a grave tone, his eyes locked on William Alexander. "Electing him as ruler of the Divine Sky Realm? And handing over 25% of our alliance''s shares? That''s too much. We cannot simply give away our rights and power just to gain protection. There has to be a limit." Chapter 169: Russian alliance, foreign enemies coming The room fell silent again. Everyone knew that this old man, with his immense power as a Tier-3, wielded significant influence. His opinion could not be dismissed lightly. your-chapter-source-MvLeMpYr But in the midst of that silence, a soft yet firm voice suddenly spoke from the other side of the table. The man in the ck robe, who had been quiet all along, began to speak. "I agree with Lein''s proposal," he said calmly yet with conviction. His sharp eyes gazed around the room, particrly at William Alexander. "I believe it would be wiser to ept these terms now." His statement shocked nearly everyone in the room, including William Alexander. The man in the ck robe was usually reserved, only speaking when absolutely necessary, but now he was openly supporting Lein. William Alexander was curious about his reasoning. "Why do you think so?" William Alexander asked, breaking the silence that followed the ck-robed man''s statement. The man sighed for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts before answering. "Lein''s power far surpasses ours. We must be realistic. Facing the Tier-3 creatures attacking us now is a massive challenge, even for those of us at the same level. But Lein... he possesses unparalleled strength. Aligning with him will provide us with protection far greater than what we can offer ourselves." Some seemed ready to interrupt, but the ck-robed man continued, his voice louder to ensure everyone heard him. "We can view this as a long-term investment. Yes, 25% of our shares is a significant sacrifice, but under his protection, we''ll gain ess to power we can''t even imagine. Rather than continue fighting with limited resources and losing more, we can strengthen our position through a powerful alliance. The benefits far outweigh the losses." Everyone remained silent, processing his words. William Alexander pondered in silence, weighing everything that had been said. His gaze fixed on the ck-robed man as various possibilities began to unfold in his mind. Now, the monumental decisiony in his hands. *** Not unlike the American alliance, the same chaos was unfolding on the Russian alliance ind. A muscr man was currently watching strange creatures continuously emerging from a massive portal. These foreigners looked simr to regr humans, but the ck lines covering their bodies made them appear bizarre and distinctly different from Earth''s human race. The alien beings kept appearing without pause, and now there were more than a dozen, ranging in various ages, though most were adults standing nearly two meters tall. [Status] - Name: Kan Wildheart - Race: Red Star - Power Core: Star Beast - Rank: Sr Empowerment (Tier-3) [Status] - Name: Lyra Fangshadow - Race: Red Star - Power Core: Star Beast - Rank: Lunar Growth (Tier-2) The muscr man remained unfazed by the endless emergence of these alien creatures, but his serious gaze suddenly narrowed. "What''s this? Are they moving their entire family over? HAHAHAH," the muscr manughed loudly, clearly not taking the alien beings, whose auras were no less powerful than his, seriously. With a slight shake of his body, he leaped onto the back of a white bear beside him. "I''ll wait for all yourckeys to show up," said the man, extending his hand forward. With a simple trick, a beer bottle appeared in his grasp. glug..glug... In one gulp, he downed half of the bottle and belched loudly, as though enjoying a show. Although on the surface, he appeared unafraid and dismissive of the enemies before him, there was a burning fire in his eyes. "What''s going on with President Nova? Shouldn''t he have wiped out these aliens when there were only a few?" At this moment, a hunter wielding a gleaming green bow asked hisrade, who was standing alert beside him. His eyes were filled with fear and confusion at their president''s actions, the muscr man riding the bear. "I don''t know either. Let''s prepare for the worst," replied his equally perplexed friend. The tension at the teleportation hub was mounting. On one side stood the Star Beasts, with some at Tier-2 and a few at Tier-3, while on the other side were the citizens of the Russian alliance. The teleportation hub in the main city was a bit quieterpared to other ces. At other teleportation points, the defense towers had been continuously firing, bombarding all alien creatures emerging from the portals. -(Staff) "Mr. President¡­ the teleportation hub in Tambov City can no longer be held. Ten Tier-3 creatures with Faithwarden power cores have appeared." Nova, the muscr man, nced at the iing message on his chat. His body trembled slightly as he read it. "Even with the defense towers, Tier-3 power is no small thing," dimir Nova muttered to himself. He deliberately refrained from using the defense towers to attack the Star Beasts in front of him because many civilians still needed to be evacuated. Besides, he was waiting for someone. "Hahaha... this fresh aura, it''s been a while since I''ve breathed it in." A man with an incredibly handsome, smooth, and charming face spoke with a delighted expression, smiling broadly. He carefully surveyed the surroundings, his gaze inspecting every ce and building with nostalgic eyes. "So beautiful¡­ the essence of this world must be exceptionally high," he said casually. The man continued observing until his gazended on the human forces there. A muscr man, casually drinking beer, sat without a hint of fear. The handsome man''s eyes met his directly, and their gazes locked. "Heheh, interesting," the man said, his eyes gleaming with intrigue. With a wide smile, the handsome man signaled to his subordinates. "Spread out and destroy everything. Leave this ce for me." His voice was calm yetmanding, exuding an aura of unquestionable authority. His subordinates, all sturdy and full of vigor, immediately nodded in obedience. Their bodies began to glow with foreign energy, and in an instant, they transformed into massive Star Beasts. Ferocious creatures with immense power¡ªsharp ws and starlit eyes¡ªready to destroy everything in their path. They quickly spread out, shaking the ground as they moved. Chapter 170: Leins plan and the alliance On the other side, the handsome man remained, locking his gaze on dimir Nova, who was still seated casually, sipping his beer as if nothing was happening. "Your confidence is quite extraordinary," said the handsome man with a smile, his eyes sharp and filled with curiosity. Nova only gave a faint smile, cing his beer bottle on the table unhurriedly. "It''s not about confidence. I just know who I can bring down and who''s worth my attention." The handsome man chuckled softly. "Haha¡­ you''re truly intriguing. Not many lower races can stand so calmly in front of me. But let''s see how far your conviction holds." Nova raised his hand slightly, signaling to his subordinates. "You all, go. Guard the other areas and leave this one to me." His voice was calm, yet hismand was instantly understood. His subordinates, consisting of elite warriors, immediately moved, activating their powers. Their energy surged into the air, and they swiftly spread out, intercepting every approaching creature, ready to fight to the death. Now, the two men stood facing each other. Their auras of confidence were unshakable, and the atmosphere around them seemed to freeze for a moment, anticipating the great sh that was about to unfold. *** World Market Trade Alliance Ind read-first-at-NovelFire The current situation on Lein Ind is no less chaotic, not due to destruction, but because of the continuous sound of cannon fire that never ceases. Right now, a dozen main Teleportation Hubs are shielded by protective arrays created by cultivators. These arrays can iste an area within a radius of several meters with considerable strength. Every time someone steps out of a portal, a ck lightning immediately strikes and kills them on the spot. Several soldiers are currently on standby outside the protective array, ready in case the ck lightning towers fail to kill in one strike. Not only the soldiers, but many hunters are also prepared to fight to the death. Lein Ind is on high alert, but its defenses are so solid that they are imprable to the foreign enemies that keep emerging from the portal. The main Teleportation Hubs are tightly sealed by protective arrays designed by the finest cultivators, enveloping the area with ayer of energy capable of withstanding attacks across a wide radius. Each time an enemy appears, in the blink of an eye, the ck lightning from the defense towers activates with extraordinary power, striking them without mercy. The enemies have no time to react¡ªthey appear for a second, then vanish into ashes, leaving no trace behind. The power of the ck lightning towers is so ferocious that no enemy attack has been able to break through Lein''s defenses. "Amazing... look at that lightning tower strike! So powerful, nothing remains of them," a hunter said in awe, his hand patting therge shield hanging on his back. His voice echoed among the troops on guard, their eyes witnessing the relentless might of the tower. "Nothing can get past this," muttered another hunter, his eyes filled with admiration. Despite the emergency situation, Lein Ind''s efficiency in handling the threat is extraordinary. Within minutes, all civilians had been evacuated to underground shelters, fortified with high-level defensive arrays. These shelters are not just ordinary protection spaces but hidden fortresses with multipleyers of defense capable of withstanding even the most powerful enemy attacks. The soldiers and hunters standing guard outside the array remain vignt, though the lightning towers have so far always seeded in destroying the enemies in one blow. They are prepared, knowing that if anything escapes the lightning strikes, it will be their turn to confront the enemy directly. However, so far, no creature has managed to breach Lein''s defenses. While chaos rages outside, the World Market Trade Alliance is holding an important meeting, discussing further ns to deal with the alien creatures. The grand meeting room of the World Market Trade Alliance exudes an atmosphere of grandeur and unparalleled beauty. Its walls are adorned withrge paintings depicting the history of the alliance, epic battles, and symbols of prosperity. Marble statues stand proudly in the corners of the room, representing legendary figures who contributed to building this trading world. Modern neon lights hang above the long conference table, emitting a soft glow that creates an elegant and professional ambiance. Lein stood at the head of the table, exuding a rxed yet positive aura. Nita, beside him, calmly observed the tablet in her hand, her eyes focused. The ten core members of the alliance sat on either side of the table, their faces serious yet calm, reflecting their vignce in the face of the ongoing threat outside. Lein opened the meeting with a firm and charismatic voice. "Good morning, everyone... thank you for taking the time to be here amidst this urgent situation." For a moment, Lein paused, looking at each member in the room, ensuring they were all paying attention. "We all know that the alien attacks are ongoing. Our Teleportation Hubs are still under siege, and although Lein Ind''s defenses have not been breached, we cannot ignore this situation. We need to act faster and more effectively." After pausing for a moment, Lein continued, "After the natural protection was removed, other realms could enter our realm with ease. Currently, a special team is investigating the realm''s edge, ensuring no intruders are heading toward the divine sky realm fully prepared." Lein went on to briefly exin the current situation. All the portals above the ind could be essed by the alien creatures. As far as they knew, portals could only connect if they had identified each other. One portal could not enter another''s endpoint without a mark. Currently, the leaders of the human alliance are specting that the alien race must be using some special trick to forcibly connect the portals. Even more impressively, even after the portal above the divine sky realm was destroyed, another portal appeared in the same ce. Thus, people could not destroy the portals to avoid attacks from the alien race. Chapter 171: Laras and Haikal emanuels opinions After discussing the general situation, Lein paused for a moment before finally saying, "Nita will exin the specific situation and current conditions." Nita nodded and began exining, her voice calm yet firm. "Up to now, the alien creatures emerging from the portal have been attacking in random patterns, but the intensity of the attacks is increasing. The defense arrays and lightning towers are still holding, but we have noted an increase in the number of enemies with greater power¡ªincluding some that seem to have Tier-3 Star Beast cores." "The situation for the human alliance is quite concerning; almost hundreds of small and medium alliances have been destroyed. The top 10 human alliances are fighting the alien race directly." Nita presented all the data avable on her tablet. "The alien race attacking is very diverse, ranging from Power Cores of Cultivator, Faithwarden, Star Beast, Beast Master, and even yer." "So far, the highest known power is Tier-3," Nita confirmed, emphasizing the strength level of the alien race. The faces around the table reflected deepening concern. Laras, always quick to think, raised her hand and spoke firmly, "We can''t just keep defending. If we don''t find a way to stop them all, humanity will fall." Haikal Emanuel, a wise yet strong old man, nodded slowly. "Laras is right. We must send aid and help other alliances survive." Dion, sitting at the other end of the table, added, "But the question is, do we help for free?" Lein nodded as he heard these inputs, his eyes calm amidst the urgent situation. "You are all correct. In fact, many alliances have already asked for our help. But I don''t want to assist them for free," Lein exined to the ten core members of the alliance. "I''ve given them the condition that they must hand over 25% of their alliance shares and choose me as the ruler of the divine sky realm," Lein said enthusiastically. His ultimate goal was to be the ruler of the divine sky realm, allowing him to set the rules as he pleased, striving to improve the quality of life for the human race on Earth. Old man Haikal Emanuel pondered deeply as he heard the terms proposed by Lein. Though they seemed reasonable on the surface, his mind was troubled by the percentage offered. To him, 25% was too small, especially given Lein''s current power and influence. Even if Lein demanded 50%, many alliances would likely agree without much question. Meanwhile, the other core members of the alliance also contemted Lein''s terms, which required approval from the major alliances to cooperate. They all understood the importance of electing the ruler of the Divine Sky Realm, as Lein had exined before. ording to the established rules, the leader of that realm must be chosen by the people of the Divine Sky Realm through a majority vote. thanks-for-reading-on-NovelFire "I agree with the terms you''ve given, Brother Lein," said the old man Takni, nodding his head with conviction. "Imposing too much on the other alliances will only stifle their development." Takni, known for his patriotism, cared deeply about the welfare and growth of smaller alliances. "Yes, I agree as well..." A woman with a radiant aura and shoulder-length hair added her agreement. This woman was Hana, a core member who had long worked on building the tradework for the Alians World Market Trade. Her extensive experience had taken her to nearly every human alliance in the Divine Sky Realm. Because of this duty, Hana understood very well the situation and conditions of the human rulers, especially the smaller alliances with limited wealth and resources. Adding too much burden would only worsen their situation. Almost everyone in the room had expressed their approval, except for two people: Laras and Haikal Emanuel. The two figures stared at each other in silence. Haikal looked at Laras as if waiting for her to speak first. However, Laras, known for being quiet and calcted, simply returned the gaze without saying a word. The heavy silence filled the room, as if a great decision was hanging in the air. Haikal Emanuel let out a long sigh and said, "I''m sorry, Young Master Lein, but I cannot agree to the 25%. In my opinion, it would be better if the number were 75%." Everyone was shocked, especially Lein. Haikal continued calmly, "If all resources were managed by you, Young Master Lein, the management of the realm would be far more efficient. The other alliances are too fragmented. Relying on each of them to contribute small amounts will only hinder our progress. It would be disastrous if you were to govern the Divine Sky Realm but had to constantly supply resources from your own." Lein looked at Haikal in silence, pondering his words. But before he could respond, Laras''s cold and calm voice cut through, "I also disagree with this division." Laras surveyed the room with certainty before adding, "Why should there be any more divisions between alliances? We''ve reached a point where all of humanity should unite. I believe the Divine Sky Realm should be governed as an empire, with you, Brother Lein, as the emperor. The other major alliances could be kingdoms supporting you. This way, we could consolidate our strength without any boundaries or sectoral egos." The atmosphere in the meeting room grew tense. The core members who had previously agreed to the 25% division now began to reconsider after hearing Haikal and Laras''s reasoning. Slowly, they exchanged nces, nodding in silent agreement. Lein, though surprised by their statements, understood their point. Haikal and Laras were the strongest after him, and it was natural that they wanted somethingrger to support the future of humanity. Lein sat quietly, deep in thought. He hadn''t expected Laras and Haikal to have such ruthless ideas. To him, 25% was already quite substantial; in fact, he had initially considered proposing 10%. "Am I being too kind? Hmm," Lein thought to himself. He remained silent for a while, contemting Laras and Haikal''s suggestions. From Lein''s perspective, Laras''s proposal was the hardest for the human rulers to ept. Changing the percentage from 25% to 75% might still be debatable and negotiable. However, if they had to directly submit under Lein''s rule as subordinates, the freedom they had enjoyed, like being presidents or alliance leaders on Earth, would vanish. This would likely provoke resistance, as humans fundamentally long for sovereignty, even if it''s limited. Chapter 172: Enemy danger level Lein certainly desired the position of supreme ruler of the Divine Sky Realm, but he didn''t want to force his will or make people feel coerced. For Lein, it was important to build leadership that was respected without using power harshly or exploiting their weaknesses. He wanted to create an environment where every alliance leader felt they were contributing voluntarily, not under pressure. Lein turned to the side and asked, "Nita, what do you think?" your-NovelFire-source Nita, who had been busy reviewing data on her tablet, paused suddenly at her brother''s question. She raised her face, slightly surprised, but quickly donned her usual calm expression. Her sharp eyes met Lein''s for a moment, then she ced her tablet on the table. "This isn''t just about numbers, Brother. It goes deeper than that; it''s about trust and security. If they feel we''re trying to control thempletely, that fear will destroy everything we''ve built," Nita said, her tone calm but thoughtful. She continued, "But if we can give them enough space to still feel independent while working under strong leadership, they''ll be more likely to ept it. The imperial system Laras proposed... could work, but it will take time to convince everyone." Lein nodded slowly, considering Nita''s words. To him, it was crucial to find the bnce between strong leadership and enough freedom to make people feelfortable with their positions. "Alright, for now, we''ll postpone the decision regarding the cooperation with the other alliances." "The main point is, as long as they agree to me being the ruler of the Divine Sky Realm and bing their guardian, we will assist them." After thinking for a while and unable to find the best solution at the moment, Lein decided to postpone the decision. He believed the most important thing now was to help the alliances face the onught of the foreign races. Everyone nodded in agreement, even Laras and the old man Haikal Emanuel remained silent, indicating their approval. "Nita, assign the tasks for the rescue operations," Lein said to Nita. Nita was already prepared and quickly began reading the data on the tablet in her hands. "In general, almost all of humanity has asked for help, and we have already outlined the major list of enemies attacking," Nita said in a clear,manding voice. "We''ve sent the deployment data to the alliance chat. The red markers indicate inds with the highest danger levels," Nita exined, disying her tablet, which showed a list of alliance inds along with their danger levels marked by various colors. On the screen, most of the danger levels were marked in yellow. Yellow indicated less than 10 Tier-3 creatures. Meanwhile, the blue danger level indicated fewer than three Tier-3 creatures. The green level meant no Tier-3 creatures were present on that ind. The final danger level was red, where the number of Tier-3 creatures exceeded 10, with the numbers constantly fluctuating as data updated in real-time. "Crazy... all the top 20 alliances are marked red," muttered a young man with glowing ck eyes. He stared at the screen with a hint of worry and sadness, as if he could already see the horrifying situation on those inds. This young man was Efan, gifted with the Eyes of Fortune. He, along with the old man Takni, were among the first to join the alliance formed by Lein. "I wonder why these foreign creatures are targeting the inds with the highest human power?" Gusti, with his muscr body, asked with a puzzled expression, as if he thought the foreign creatures were seeking their own death. Several members of the alliance turned their gaze to Gusti, feeling that there was some truth to what he said. The unfortunate ones who entered Lein''s ind never even saw what the ind looked like before they were reduced to ash by the lightning tower. "What''s there to wonder? Of course, they think they''re strong enough and are going straight for the highest power inds," Laras said coldly, eager to crush the foreign invaders. Her usually bright and smiling expression had turned into a permanent frown. "I also believe their teleportation technique depends on the number of portals on an ind. Obviously, the top alliance inds have more portals. That way, they can bring in more and stronger foreign creatures," added the old man Haikal Emanuel. The other core members nodded in understanding. The old man Haikal had a wealth of knowledge, having spent much of his time exploring high-level realms during the inter-race war events. Nita then continued the briefing on the rescue operation. Her gaze was sharp, but her face remained calm. "Brother, Laras, and Haikal Emanuel will immediately move to assist the top 5 alliances marked in red," she said firmly. "The number of Tier-3 creatures attacking there continues to grow, already exceeding twenty. The situation is extremely dangerous, and you must be prepared to face powers we''ve never encountered before." All alliance members listened attentively, knowing the gravity of the situation. Every decision could mean life or death. "Efan and Master Takni, you two will remain on the ind to guard its defense," she continued, ncing at Efan, who was still focused on his screen, and Takni, who nodded resolutely. "We need you here to ensure no surprise attacks ur." Efan, with his Eyes of Fortune, seemed able to sense impending danger, while Takni, with his vast experience, was ready for any eventuality. "The remaining six core members," Nita shifted her gaze to them, "will be sent to assist the alliances ranked 6 to 20. You will help them fend off the attacks from the foreign creatures. While the threat level there is slightly lower, we cannot underestimate the enemy''s strength." The members in question nodded, epting the responsibility given to them. Nita then raised her voice, more firm andmanding, "Remember, our primary goal here is to ensure the survival of humanity. However, your safetyes first. Do not act recklessly. Move strategically, and if the situation bes too dangerous, retreat immediately to save yourselves." Chapter 173: Soul contract The entire room nodded again, taking in Nita''s every word. They understood that in this chaotic battlefield, one wrong move could lead to ruin. "The special forces and hunters in the city will assist the inds marked in blue," Nita continued. "There, the number of Tier-3 creatures is smaller, and they should be easier to handle. But do not let your guard down. Every creature attacking is a threat to all of us." story-source-NovelFire The atmosphere in the room grew tense, but also filled with resolve. Everyone knew their role, and the great battle ahead would be the ultimate test for them all. Lein gazed at Nita for a moment before finally saying, "Alright, let''s move ording to the n. Don''t let them destroy everything we''ve built." After saying that, Lein took out several items from his spatial ring. The items were sheets of paper radiating an incredibly sacred aura. The holy energy emanating from them even made Laras feel like crying as she was deeply touched. She felt as if the item was a part of her. "What is that, Lord Lein?" Elen, the little girl who rarely spoke, suddenly asked, curious about the item Lein had just produced. She also felt a bit offort from it. "I''m sure it''s not just any ordinary item, as long as ites from Lord Lein," Arya added, having silently observed throughout the entire meeting. Her green hair did not match her quiet nature. Hearing their questions, Lein merely smiled warmly and didn''t intend to answer. He looked at each of them one by one, recalling when they first met. Back then, none of them knew each other, yet they trusted him to lead the alliance. Yes, although that trust wasn''t entirely pure, there was always the possibility of betrayal. Luckily, it hadn''t happened yet. His core members continued to follow his orders and respect him. But as Lein thought about humanity''s progress in the Divine Sky Realm, he began to realize that he couldn''t maintain his previous open-minded approach. They might only follow his orders now because of his immense power and wealth, and they knew they couldn''t challenge him in any way. Yet, deep down, what if they grew stronger than him one day? Who could guarantee they would remain loyal? Who could assure him they wouldn''t turn against him? No one. No one could be trusted but himself. Staring at the items in his hands, he paused briefly. After a few moments of silence, he finally summoned the courage to toss the sacred papers to each of the core members. The papers floated gently in front of them. Each core member caught one with a confused and curious look, then examined the description of the item Lein had given them. Old man Haikal read the item description: (Soul Paper) An ancient soul paper crafted from mysterious materials, adorned with magical symbols that shimmer in the dim light. When touched, it feels warm, as if it channels the energy of the souls bound within. - Master: Lein - Bound: - - (Soul Contract): The bound soul will not and cannot harbor malicious intent toward the Master. Punishment: 99% status reduction and imprisonment in the soul prison. * Please drop your blood on the paper to agree. * The bound soul limit is Master level & cannot exceed the Master''s soul. Reading this in his heart, his expression remained neutral before finally breaking into a smile. "This is how it should be," he murmured. Old man Haikal then sliced his pinky finger slightly, allowing a drop of blood to fall onto the paper. The blood dripped onto the Soul Paper, which immediately absorbed it and disappeared into thin air. Not just old man Haikal, the other core members followed suit. They even smiled slightly as they did so. Letting out a sigh of relief, they then nced around at each other. Lein watched their actions. He frowned and observed them carefully, while Nita, beside him, looked puzzled. "Brother, what did you give them? Where''s mine?" Nita asked Lein, raising her eyebrows and extending her hand like a child asking for a treat. Expecting this reaction, Lein responded with, "What? There''s none left." He raised both hands, gesturing that he no longer had any of the items. "Brother!!! What was that?" Nita yelled in frustration. She nced at the others and noticed that none of them had the papers anymore, except for the muscr man sitting in the corner. "Lord Gusti!!! Stop!" Nita shouted as she stood, and in a sh, she was already beside Gusti. "What is it, Princess Nita? Do you want one?" Gusti asked with a clueless look. He was puzzled by Nita''s sudden movement. Nita ignored Gusti''s question, her eyes fixated on the description of the (Soul Paper). She stood still for a moment, reading the system panel with a serious expression. After finishing, she turned to look at Lein across the room. "Hehe... sorry," Nita said in an embarrassed tone. Her face flushed slightly from shame. "Sister Nita, your face is red," Elen observed innocently, her eyes wide with curiosity. Nita couldn''t bear to look at Elen and obediently walked back to her seat, resuming her habit of fiddling with her tablet. "This girl..." Lein shook his head at Nita''s foolish actions and returned his attention to his core members. Moments ago, Lein received a notification that all the core members had agreed to the soul contract he had given them. [(Soul Paper): Sessfully connected with a new soul (Haikal Emanuel)] [(Soul Paper): Sessfully connected with a new soul (Takni)] ... [(Soul Paper): Sessfully connected with a new soul (Arya)] ... He hadn''t expected them all to agree so easily. The soul prison punishment and the 99% status reduction seemed harsh enough to scare anyone. Yet, here they were, all in agreement, without a single question. It seemed his core alliance members had anticipated this move from him. "Young Master Lein, you''ve finally done it," a voice suddenly spoke. It was old man Haikal, looking at Lein with a kind smile. "I initially had doubts about you, young master, given all your actions. But today, I understand that you are fair and have no intention of harming others. You truly are fit to be the leader of this realm." Chapter 174: Item preparation Old man Haikal shared his thoughts calmly, expressing everything he had felt. "However, as a fellow human, my advice is this: young master Lein, you must learn to be a little more ruthless if you wish to rule such a vast realm," he said with a deep voice, concerned that someone like Lein could be hurt by those close to him. When he saw the soul contract on the paper Lein had given, a small excitement stirred within him. By doing this, those under Lein would no longer harbor any ill intent toward him. "I also agree, Brother Lein. We must adapt to the new environment we''re in. It''s not just about adapting our lifestyle, our mindset must also change to fit the rules of this world," Laras chimed in, nodding in agreement with everything the old man Haikal had said. Her father had been a businessman for several decades, building multiple sessful enterprises on Earth. Laras often heard her father exin to her about the cruel nature of humans. Because of this, she had a deep understanding of human nature and even developed an instinct to perceive the true intentions of those around her. One of the reasons she joined the World Market Alliance was due to that very instinct, which told her that the person before her wasn''t a bad person. The other members didn''t want to be left behind, and they quickly shared their own thoughts. "Master Lein, thank you for allowing me to join and be a core member of the World Market Alliance. This soul contract is a small matterpared to the benefits I''ve received," said Efan enthusiastically. Without Lein''s help, he wouldn''t have reached Tier-3 or have the quality of life he now enjoyed. stay updated with m,v,l,e,m p _y,r "Master Lein... thank you," Elen managed to say, struggling with her words. She was still very shy when speaking with strangers, even with Lein himself. Hearing all the responses from his core members, Lein felt relieved and happy. His biggest worry had dissipated as everyone had agreed to his actions. He also recalled the advice given by the old man Haikal earlier. With his age and experience, Haikal''s mental strength was formidable. He was even the first to agree to the soul contract proposal. "Everyone, thank you for not disappointing me," Lein said sincerely. Despite the bond of the alliance, Lein still maintained limits on how much he shared with his core members. He only distributed resources that wouldn''t cause him any trouble, such as the artifact (Ring of Time). He still hadn''t shared this powerful artifact with his core members. The artifact (Ring of Time) reduced skill cooldowns by 80%, an item that could drastically change the oue in a bnced situation. The defense towers spread across the inds were entirely under Lein''s control. Although the government staff had ess to operate them, they were merely executors, as the entire system was controlled by Lein, the ind''s owner. With the system equipped with an integrated administrator, Lein felt at ease knowing the ind''s defenses were firmly within his control. Lein nced at his core members, reminding himself of their unwavering loyalty and dedication. "Alright, let''s get back to the main topic," he said, his tone calm yet firm. He raised his hand, and from within his private storage space, several ck bags appeared before him. "Everyone, take this," Lein said as he distributed the ck bags to each core member. "Use them wisely." After each person received their ck bag, Lein continued, "Once you''ve sessfully helped one ind, don''t stop. Move to assist another ind as quickly as possible." He threw ten ck bags to each core member, one by one. Laras, who had been listening attentively, swiftly caught the ck bag thrown at her. Curious, she immediately opened the bag and checked its contents. "What?!?" she eximed in her mind, shocked. It wasn''t that she had never seen these items before, but the sheer quantity inside the bag left her stunned and overwhelmed. (ck Bag) - Gayol Fairy Dolls x100,000 - Gctic Fortress x100 - Gold Protection Amulet x100 - Gold Teleportation Amulet x100 - Time Ring x1 - Power Essence x10,000 "Isn''t this a bit too much?" murmured one of the core members near the table. They were even more surprised than Laras,pletely unprepared for the extent of Lein''s wealth. The fact that Lein had given each of them a ck bag meant his total worth was more than ten times the contents of a single bag. "Terrifying... I seriously underestimated the power and wealth of Master Lein," Haikal muttered to himself. Not only was Lein kind-hearted, but his wealth was also beyond imagination. Even if Haikal were given a year in the Divine Sky Realm, he wouldn''t be able to obtain items of such high quality and quantity as those in the ck bag. The most valuable item in the bag was the (Gctic Fortress), a powerful defensive item with incredibly high attributes. Its passive skills were astounding both in defense and offense. However, activating it came with a steep cost, as it required the use of Power Essence. Next was the (Time Ring), the artifact Lein had previously mentioned. This was Haikal''s first time seeing an artifact with such a remarkable effect (Time Ring) - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Pure - Essence: 890 - Ability: Reduces skill cooldown time by 80%. "Damn¡­ what kind of artifact is this¡­ reducing skill cooldown by 80%?" "Even if a skill''s cooldown is an hour, it bes just 12 minutes. This is truly a terrifying artifact." The core members of the alliance disyed a variety of facial expressions¡ªranging from awe to utter shock¡ªas they looked at the contents of the ck bags given to them by Lein. Some of them even froze for a moment, as if unable to believe what they had just received. "This¡­ this is insane!" eximed Dion, his eyes wide as he gazed at the (Gctic Fortress) in his hands. "An item like this¡­ it should be worth a fortune! And not just anyone can buy it, right?!" Chapter 175: Core Member "Damn¡­ what kind of artifact is this¡­ reducing skill cooldown by 80%?" "Even if a skill''s cooldown is one hour, it bes just 12 minutes. This artifact is terrifying." All the core members of the alliance disyed various expressions¡ªranging from awe to sheer disbelief¡ªas they examined the contents of the ck bags handed to them by Lein. Some even froze for a moment, as if they couldn''t believe what they had just received. "This¡­ this is crazy!" eximed Dion, his eyes wide as he stared at the (Gctic Fortress) in his hands. "An item like this... it should cost a fortune! And not just anyone can buy it, right?!" Laras, still holding the (Time Ring) in her hand, could only nod slowly. "I never imagined I would see such a high-level item this powerful," she whispered softly. "Amazing¡­" said Hana, admiring the (Time Ring) on her finger. "But when exactly should we use all of this?" Lein, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "You''re right, don''t rush to use these items. The real threat hasn''t arrived yet. But when the timees¡ªwhen all the inds require our best defense¡ªyou''ll know what to do." He looked at all the members with a gaze full of conviction. "Be ready, because we''re going to face enemies stronger than anything we''ve ever imagined." All the core members listened carefully to Lein''s words, determined to follow his instructions. They continued to inspect the contents of the ck bags, unable to hide their shocked expressions. "Well then, if there are no more questions, we''ll end the meeting here," said Lein as he noticed there were no further inquiries. "Yes, sir. Thank you." "Thank you, brother Lein." With those words, all the core members stood up from their seats and expressed their gratitude. Lein quickly left the hall with Nita, as he needed to act fast and help as many inds as possible. The more inds he saved, the stronger Earth''s human race would be. After Lein and Nita left, Laras followed suit. She stood up, backed away from her seat, and hurriedly left the hall, looking as if she was in a rush. Hana, noticing Laras leaving immediately, turned to Gusti, who was seated beside her. "Mr. Gusti, why do you think Sister Laras left so quickly? She didn''t even say a word after the meeting ended." Gusti, arge, muscr man, shifted his gaze towards the hall''s door. He too had noticed Laras''s hurried departure. "I don''t know, Miss Hana. Maybe she has something urgent to attend to," he replied with an innocent expression, not giving it much thought. "I think she has pressing matters in the Chinese Alliance inds. I''ve heard her father''s business there is quiterge," said the old man Haikal, who had also noticed Laras''s swift exit. He didn''t find it strange, given that foreign enemies were attacking. With his vastwork, Haikal could easily guess a logical reason for Laras''s haste. "Ah, yes, you''re right, Mr. Haikal. I''ve been to the Chinese Alliance inds, and indeed, her father''s business there is quite substantial. It''s just as big as what they have in our alliance," Hana said, nodding slightly. She recalled her visit to the Chinese Alliance inds to set up a branch store for their alliance. When she arrived, the dominant force in the market was the Chinese Alliance, followed closely by Laras''s family business. The Laras family''s main business involved selling various system-rted items, from rare monster materials to finished products likebat suits specially designed to protect adventurers. They also producedbat weapons renowned for their durability, as well as support items like potions that granted extra strength and talismans that aided in various situations. The sess achieved by Laras''s family in the Chinese Alliance was a clear reflection of her father''s extraordinary abilities as a merchant. After Lein left the hall with Nita, the atmosphere in the room began to calm down slightly, but the sense of responsibility among the core members remained strong. Each of them knew that a great threat was looming, and they couldn''t stay idle for too long. In one corner of the room, Efan was speaking with the old man Takni, an elderly man with the job of a swordsman. Their conversation sounded casual, reflecting the close bond they had built as the first ones to join the alliance together. powered by mvle mpyr "Mr. Takni, will you oversee the East or the West?" asked Efan with a smile, though he already knew the answer. Takni, with his hair turning white but his posture still firm, let out a short sigh. "I''ll be heading East, of course. My Heaven Sword City is there. There''s no way I''d leave that ce unprotected." He looked out therge window, watching the sun dip towards the West. "Besides, the Eastern region is always more vulnerable to enemy attacks. That''s my responsibility." Efan nodded in understanding. "Alright then, I''ll focus on the West and make sure everything stays secure there." Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, some of the other core members also began casually discussing things after the official meeting had ended. Arya, arge man who always carried a shield with him, was speaking with Budi, a young man with green hair and a friendly face. "So, which alliance will you be helping?" asked Arya, his voice calm but firm. Budi let out a sigh. "I''ll be supporting the Dragon Heart Alliance. The situation there is tough because most of their forces are Tier-2 and below," he replied. Budi, being a mage, was a perfect fit for the task since his abilities excelled at area-of-effect attacks. It would be easy for him to deal with the Tier-2 and lower monsters. Arya nodded, then turned his gaze towards Elen, who was sitting in the corner of the room. "Elen, what about you? Which alliance will you help?" Elen, known for being shy, blushed slightly before answering. "I''ll help the Japanese Alliance." Her voice was soft but loud enough for the room to hear. "I... I used to watch anime, so I thought I could help them. I don''t want their anime industry to die." Chapter 176: Leins main weapon Arya and Budi smiled at Elen''s response. Budi chuckled lightly, "Yeah, we can''t lose anime. That would be a huge loss for humanity too." The room''s mood lightened with the yful banter, but behind the smiles andughter, there was a deep understanding that what they were about to face was much bigger than personal matters. Their task wasn''t just to protect their alliance''s inds but also to safeguard Earth''s human civilization. Outside the hall, the morning breeze blew gently, as if signaling the calm before the great storm. Efan and Takni exited the hall, continuing their discussion about strategy and defense ns. "We can''t just sit around on the ind," said Efan as he looked up at the sky. "Brother Lein told us to protect the surroundings, but we need to be more proactive. There''s a chance the foreign enemies could appear in remote areas." Takni nodded. "Exactly. We need to make sure every region¡ªfrom the major cities to the smallest viges¡ªremains protected. No one should let their guard down." The two of them agreed to divide tasks and immediately began moving across the ind. Meanwhile, the other core members also started preparing for their respective duties, ready to face whatever mighte. *** Teleportation Hub The sound of endless thunder filled the area of the teleportation hub. From the dozens of portals at the Teleportation Hub in the City of Life, all had been marked by the foreign invaders. The invaders continued to arrive, only to be killed on the spot by ck lightning. In reality, the main defense at the teleportation hub wasn''t just the ck lightning tower. There were also automatic arrow towers, fire cannons, and lightsers. However, none could match the power of the ck lightning tower. Lein had specifically ordered the use of cannon towers to ensure that no enemy would survive or escape with a single strike. The vast area of the Teleportation Hub was now eerily quiet, with only the storm of lightning visible. Along the perimeter, a few military guards silently observed, watching over the area with caution. At the northern gate of the teleportation hub, a young man in a blue robe could be seen casually walking into the area. He showed no fear of the ck lightning that was striking everywhere. As the ind''s owner, none of the towers on hisnd could harm him. "Quite lively as usual, hahaha," Lein murmured as he continued walking toward one of the portals. Yes, the young man was Lein. He had a strong suspicion that the invaders weren''t system-made entities. It was highly likely that the creatures attacking were beings just like them. Ever since the natural protections had been lifted, the barriers preventing invasions from other realms had fallen, allowing ess to the Divine Sky Realm. After walking several meters, he finally arrived at one of the main portals, which stood three meters tall. He then examined the description on the status panel of the space portal in front of him. --- (High-Level Space Portal) A space portal crafted by a master cksmith. The High-Level Space Portal has the capability to connect two points in space up to 1 million kilometers apart. Designed with pure energy extracted from the universe''s core, this portal is the result of profound knowledge about dimensions and energy flow. - Range: 1 million km - Energy Consumption: 1000 - Space Stability: High *Status: Negative (Taken Over) --- "Taken over? Just like they reported," Lein muttered with a slight nod. He had been informed earlier that the space portal was in a negative state and could only be used in two directions¡ªbetween the destination set by the invader and himself. So, while the portal in front of him had previously allowed teleportation to many other portals, that was no longer possible. Fortunately, Lein''s ind still had many other functioning portals, otherwise, they would have had difficulty traveling to monitor the allied inds. As Lein pondered, he suddenly saw a creature with a bull''s horned head emerge from one of the portals. "Argh..." The creature let out a loud, terrifying roar. Zap... Zzzpp... In less than a second, the creature was reduced to ashes by the ck lightning, not even its bones remained, only the ck ash being carried away by the morning breeze. "Damn... so vicious," Lein muttered, slightly surprised. He nced at the remains of the ck lightning and the smoke still lingering in the air, then shifted his gaze toward the tall tower in the center of the field. The tower was surrounded by a bright white light, and at its peak, ck lightning danced freely, ready to strike at any moment. Lein returned his attention to the space portal in front of him. "Alright... we''ll find out once we go in," he said, preparing himself. Yes, he was about to enter the portal to discover the origin of the attackers invading his Divine Sky Realm. Though not officially his realm yet, Lein was the strongest candidate. "Lord Gold..." Lein called out casually, and suddenly, a sword covered in golden light floated before him. "You grow more magnificent with each level up," Lein remarked, admiring the beauty of the sword gracefully hovering in front of him. --- (Divine Sword - Part 1) see mvl,em,pyr for more - Level: 50 (Growth) - Attributes: STR +2065, INT +2012, AGI +2048, RES +2004 - Enhancement: +15 (Bonus attribute increase by 15% & +15% attack power) - (Holy Blessing): Heals all body wounds, increases base attributes by 20%, and boosts damage by 20% for 1 minute. Cooldown: 10 minutes. - Binding Skills: (Echo Phantom: Clone with 50% attributes), (dewarp: Teleport to sword location), (Phantom Exchange: Swap position with sword), (Phantom Assault: Sword passively auto-attacks nearby enemies). --- This golden sword was Lein''s first golden weapon, given to him by a crowned middle-aged man when he advanced to Tier-1. With a "growth" type, this sword had been with him from level 10, growing to its current level of 50. This sword had helped him ovee many obstacles and y countless enemies. Its growth attribute allowed it to level up alongside Lein. As the sword''s level increased, its shape and size changed too. Initially, it had been a short sword, only half a meter long, but now it had grown over a meter. Additionally, its de, once fully golden, had now be more transparent, with golden energy swirling inside it. "Truly beautiful," Lein murmured in awe, eager to use it. Due to his fondness for this golden sword, he called it "Lord White." Chapter 177: Lein clone: Echo phantom "Alright, now it''s your turn, Lord ck." Soon, another sword with simr features appeared from the void. A blinding dark light pulsed from the core of the sword, leaving Lein equally mesmerized as with the golden one. --- (Infernal de - Part 2) - Level: 50 (Growth) - Attributes: STR +2036, INT +2056, AGI +2070, RES +2078 - Enhancement: +15 (Bonus attribute increase by 15% & +15% attack power) - (Abyssal Curse): Each attack inflicts a random negative effect on the enemy (Dizzy, Paralyze, Sleep, Silence, Blindness, Confusion, Weakness), boosts base attributes by 20%, and increases damage by 20% for 1 minute. Cooldown: 10 minutes. - Binding Skills: (Echo Phantom), (dewarp), (Phantom Exchange), (Phantom Assault). --- mv,le mpyr story "Hahaha... these attributes are absurd," Lein said with a sly smile. The sword''s attributes were truly outrageous. He believed that even Tier-2 rulers would struggle to wield both swords due to their overwhelming stats. Besides the immense attributes, the binding skills of these two swords were equally terrifying. Just as a ruler gains new skills upon advancing to Tier-1, so had these swords received new abilities after binding. With a calm voice, Lein said, "Echo Phantom." Immediately, the golden sword before him transformed into a figure that closely resembled him. Lein stepped closer, his eyes locked on the figure that was an exact replica. Every detail, from hair color to facial expression, was perfect¡ªas if a living mirror stood before him. Curiosity swelled inside him as he began to circle his clone, ensuring there wasn''t a single difference between them. "Can you speak?" he asked, his voice filled with admiration. Casually, his clone replied, "Yes, of course... you gave me a name, Golden Master." The voice was identical, even in its intonation. Lein felt as though he was conversing with a part of himself. He smiled widely, as if discovering a powerful ally, but deep inside, his curiosity burned even brighter. "What else can you do?" he asked, excitement rising within him, eager to explore this newfound potential. Lein''s clone nodded confidently. "I can do anything you can," it said, before demonstrating an elegant and skilled fighting movement. The clone stepped forward, swinging its empty hands in a series of impressive maneuvers. Lein was stunned, realizing that the clone''s movements were even more perfect than his own. "Amazing..." he whispered, feeling both inspired and slightly intimidated by the skill of his mirrored self. But as the awe slowly faded, a thought suddenly crossed Lein''s mind. He wondered aloud, "Do you have a system panel?" His question flowed with deep curiosity, as if his clone was a mysterious machine harboring limitless potential. "Yes, of course, Master," the clone answered confidently. It then exined that its system panel was simr to Lein''s,plete with status, attributes, and skills that could be upgraded. The clone disyed a shiny panel, filled with detailed information that mirrored all of its abilities. Lein felt a surge of excitement, as though he''d found an ally not just as a reflection, but also as a tool to help him achieve even greater goals. "But..." Lein said, his voice tinged with curiosity. His gaze focused on the clone''s body. "Didn''t your system panel not show up before?" he asked, with a deep sense of wonder. When he first activated the Echo Phantom skill, there was no system panel visible. Even just moments ago, that panel had remained hidden. Now, in front of him, the clone''s status was clearly disyed, just like anyone else''s. [Status] - Name: Lein - Level: 50 - Race: Earth Human - Power Core: System - Rank: Tier 3 Looking at the clone''s status panel, pride swelled within Lein. The number 50 on the panel reflected his hard-earned progress so far. He was the highest-level individual among humanity. "Take... use all of this," Lein said, throwing several items toward the clone. Lein''s clone swiftly caught all the items, without asking many questions. It was Lein, after all, and could feel the thoughts and emotions of its owner. As if there was a telepathic connection, Lein could feel his mind flowing easily into the clone''s body. He watched the clone use the items he had thrown, and a satisfied nod crossed his face when he noticed that the clone''s rank was no longer visible on the panel. [Status] - Name: Lein - Level: ??? - Race: Earth Human - Power Core: System - Rank: ??? "Well, that''s enough... it''d be great if there were items that could hide all status," Lein muttered, letting out a long sigh. "Go..." hemanded his clone with a slight nod toward the portal ahead of them. "Yes, Master," his clone replied enthusiastically. Without fear, it stepped into the portal whose destination was unclear. Lein watched from behind, seeing his clone walk with a posture both rxed andmanding. The golden and ck sword hung gracefully at its waist, adding to its striking presence. *** Alliance Ind of China - Changdu City The atmosphere in Changdu City reflected deep sorrow. The grand buildings that were once filled with advanced technology nowy in ruins, surrounded by debris that formed a maze of grief. Fires zed from several homes, creating a gray sky that nketed the city, while thick smoke added to the oppressive mood. Streets that were once bustling were now littered with lifeless bodies, silent in their helplessness, as if the city itself was a reminder of heroism long lost. Amidst this chaos, a fierce battle raged between the Chinese alliance and terrifying alien creatures. Various forms of beasts attacked brutally, resembling nightmarish mythological animals, threatening every life that dared resist. The sounds of weapon fire and terrified screams filled the air, invoking an overwhelming sense of dread that enveloped every corner of the city. The alliance soldiers, with unwavering courage, fought valiantly even as their bodies grew weary and wounded. "Why aren''t the towers firing?" One of themanders, struggling in a desperate fight against a lion-shaped alien creature, shouted loudly, his body exhausted and unable to endure much longer. "Damn it... all the towers have been destroyed... the main tower''s out of energy!" another soldier cried, his voice filled with despair. Chapter 178: China island: Laras arrived Ugh... The soldier who had asked earlier was thrown 30 eters, crashing into the rubble of a building that had been reduced to ruins. The lion-shaped alien lifted its head, disying a wide, horrifying grin, as if relishing the destruction before it. "Hahaha... pathetic! You will all die today!" it jeered, its voice echoing amidst the sounds of gunfire and fear-filled screams. The lion then charged at the man, ready to finish him off. The man who had been thrown earlier struggled to lift his body. His vision was still blurry, unable to think clearly anymore. Looking forward, he saw his fellow soldiers still fighting the alien creature. Observing further, his eyes focused on the lion he had previously fought. "Ahahaha..." Hearing the man''s carefreeughter, the Chinese alliance soldiers nced for a moment. They saw himughing as if he was in the happiest moment of his life, despite the terrifying situation around him. "Come on, let''s die together," said the man, his eyes glowing with ferocity. He knew he couldn''t hold on any longer; his Tier 2 power, once a source of pride, seemed meaningless against the powerful lion-like creature. "Die!" roared the lion-shaped creature, now airborne, its hands enveloped in a blue aura, its ws gleaming sharply. As the lion shot toward him with incredible speed, the man who had beenughing earlier looked at it calmly. With a smooth movement, he pulled out a piece of paper from his storage space, ready to activate an explosive talisman. But suddenly, a terrifying scene unfolded before his eyes. He witnessed the lion''s body being split into four parts, falling to the ground like delicate fragments. Not only that, after hitting the ground, the lion''s body was bombarded by waves of white light that turned it into dust, vanishing without a trace. "What??? Who?" The man shouted internally, shocked and awed by the devastating attack. He hadn''t even seen the attacking. "WUOHH!" His eyes fell on a figure with long hair, a delicate white gown, and a floating white cross hovering around her. Aside from him, there were also several others in ck uniforms, appearing to be her subordinates. "Miss Laras?" shouted a soldier from afar. "Incredible... I thought the intelligence from headquarters was joking, but it turns out they really requested help from the World Market Trade alliance," said a female soldier in awe. She asionally nced at Laras. As a woman, Laras was the pinnacle of power she knew. Yes, it was Laras. She had arrived near Changdu City due to an active portal still present in the area. All the portals in the main city had been destroyed by the alien creatures. Her gaze swept over the alien creatures attacking. From their appearance, it was clear they were beings with bloodline power cores. These aliens could transform into fierce beasts with terrifying strength, a unique ability from their bloodline power cores. "Spread out, and regroup once the city is clear," Laras ordered the 10 officers apanying her. "Yes, ma''am." "Yes, ma''am." The 10 officers immediately spread out, rushing to assist the Chinese alliance soldiers in facing the alien enemies. Fortunately, there were no Tier 3 creatures, allowing them to help without much hindrance. Laras didn''t remain idle either. She directed her cross toward the sky in the middle of the battlefield. The cross, originally 2 meters tall, grew to 10 meters, radiating a refreshing holy aura. It continued to float higher into the air, and once it reached a certain altitude, the holy light spread out like the morning sun, shining on everyone. "Holy Offering Zone," Laras uttered calmly. Immediately, the area within a 200-meter radius of the cross was bathed in the holy light. The Chinese alliance soldiers, who had been exhausted both physically and mentally, were now revitalized, returning to their peak state. "Incredible... so powerful," said a soldier wielding arge sword, shing at the golden-armed gori in front of him with renewed strength. "Miss Laras... truly powerful," the female soldier from earlier remarked, her admiration for Laras rising even higher in her heart. "Thank you, Miss Laras... you saved me." "I''m alive... hahaha!" The enthusiastic shouts of the Chinese alliance soldiers made the alien creatures tremble. They had previously dominated the battle due to theirrger number of Tier 3s, but now a woman with a giant cross hade to help. "Quick, inform the leader that the operation at Point #13 has failed..." "A human with Sr Empowerment has appeared," said one Star Beast, a half-human creature, to arge crow next to him. He looked in horror at Laras, who continued to mercilessly ughter hisrades. "Understood!" The crow nodded and immediately flew into the sky, trying to deliver the message as quickly as possible. But fate had other ns. At an altitude of nearly 1000 meters, a woman in a long white gown suddenly appeared beside him. "What? At this height?" the Tier 2 crow screamed in terror. In front of him stood Laras, blocking his path. He realized it was impossible for an ordinary human to chase him at this altitude. "An artifact? Damn, this girl is terrifying!" the ck crow shouted in despair. In an instant, he understood that the flying device beneath Laras''s feet was a high-tier artifact. Indeed, Laras was able to catch up to him at this height thanks to the Vortex te, a celestial artifact given to her by Lein. As the crow tried to escape by diving downward, Laras swiftly drew a golden sword very simr to Lein''s. "Heavenly Light sh!" Laras yelled as sheunched a fast, sharp attack. story by m|v_l,e,m,p,y,r Although the ck crow had flown 50 meters away, its speed was still no match for Laras''s strike. The light from the golden sword sh immediately sliced the crow''s body without resistance. [Killed (Crow Poert - Lunar Growth) EXP +26,000] [Crow Poert drops: (silver storage ring)] Laras heard the notification from the system, confirming that the ck crow was truly dead. She saw an item drop from the crow''s severed body, a silver ring. Before the ring could fall to the ground, Laras moved quickly to retrieve it. Chapter 179: Banjing City Without exaining it further, she stored the silver ring and immediately continued her mission to assist in other battles. Below her, the battlefield was still in chaos, but signs of the Chinese alliance''s victory were bing clear. Only a dozen Tier 2 alien creatures remained, and they were sure to be eliminated soon. Not long after, the battle ended. All the alien creatures attacking Changdu City were killed without a trace. The alliance soldiers, still mourning their fallenrades, began extracting the enemy corpses, venting their anger on the lifeless bodies. Laras observed her surroundings, feeling a sense of relief as she saw that all the Star Beasts were dead. The officers gathered around her once again, their faces reflecting a mixture of exhaustion and determination. "Miss Laras, everything is secure," reported a male officer, his tone filled with respect, though the fatigue in his voice was unmistakable. After all, they were only Tier-2 with limited realbat experience. Laras nodded, fully aware of their condition. In an instant, she retrieved an item from her storage ring, gazing at it briefly before tossing it into the air. With a blinding sh of light, the item expanded into a magnificent flying ship, gleaming under the fading sunlight. The ship was about ten meters long, with an aerodynamic design and a sturdy body adorned with shining brass ornaments. Mounted securely on the ship''s sides were several cannons, ready to defend them from any impending attacks. The clinking of metal as the ship ascended added to the tension still lingering in the hearts of the officers. "Everyone aboard, our next destination is Banjing City," Larasmanded, her voice firm yet calming, as if encouraging her team to face the next challenge head-on. With renewed energy, the ten officers leaped onto the flying ship, feeling the surge of power flowing through it. Laras immediately issued the order to activate the ship. Soon, the vessel soared swiftly into the sky, leaving the Chinese alliance soldiers at the battle site gazing in awe. "Thank you, Miss Laras, you saved us all!" "Thank you, Miss! Crush those aliens!" Voices of support, curses, and pleas filled the air. The soldiers were all traumatized by the sudden attack, pouring their rage into every word they uttered. Meanwhile, Laras and her team were en route, unaware that a terrible battle was raging in Banjing City. Banjing City, once the pride of the Chinese Alliance with its major developments, was now reduced to ruins. The towering buildings had copsed, leaving only shattered debris strewn across the streets. ck smoke billowed from various parts of the city, obscuring the already dimming sunlight. The sounds of defensive cannon fire, the destructive sts from the Chinese alliance soldiers, and the roars of the alien Star Beasts filled the air, creating an atmosphere of dread that gripped the souls of the survivors. Terrified residents scrambled through the wreckage in search of shelter. Some clung tightly to their families, while others tried to help the injured along the way. "Where is the government?! Why hasn''t anyonee to help us?" shouted an old man, his hands trembling as he supported an injured child. His face was filled with panic, reflecting the chaos around him. see ,em,pyr for more "God, save us!" cried a woman who copsed in front of a ruined convenience store, desperately seeking refuge among the unsafe rubble. Amid the panic, a few soldiers from the Chinese alliance struggled to maintain the city''sst line of defense. They wore high-tech battle armor, but it couldn''t hide the fatigue and despair creeping into their hearts. "Hold the west side! Don''t let those damn Star Beasts push any further!" yelled onemander, trying to issue orders in a strong voice despite his own body being covered in wounds. "Commander, we''re running out of healing potions and ammo! How much longer can we hold out?" a young soldier responded breathlessly, fear evident in his eyes as he watched the alien forces closing in. "They''lle... The Alliance will send reinforcements!" another soldier shouted, though his voicecked conviction. In one corner of Banjing City, there remained a fairly advanced area despite the destruction. All the buildings were in ruins, yet this spot used to be a bustling hub on ordinary days. And indeed, behind the copsed structures stood a building that still held firm, though its walls were marred with cracks and sections of its roof had caved in. The building bore arge logo in the shape of a star encircled by a silver ring, representing the grandeur of the establishment. Yes, this was the main branch of Laras'' family business in Banjing City, within the Chinese Alliance. Although the building was no longer in perfect condition, it had be one of thest safe havens for many citizens andpany workers. "Quick, get inside! This building is the only ce left that''s safe!" shouted a man in a neat suit, one of Laras''pany managers, at a group of citizens seeking shelter. His face was drenched with sweat and dust, yet he continued to give directions. "But... they said those monsters are heading this way. How can it be safe here?" asked a young mother, clutching her crying child tightly to her chest. Her eyes were filled with fear, but she had no choice but to trust the man in front of her. "I don''t know. But it''s better here than out there! Trust me, help wille to save us," the man reassured her, though his voice couldn''t fully mask his own fear. In situations like this, ordinary people had little to do but seek refuge to survive. Without hesitation, the woman rushed toward the building. As the main headquarters of Laras'' family business, the structure surpassed all other buildings in terms of strength and security. Aside from the previous staff, a few soldiers were now stationed outside, standing guard. Various weapons were already in their hands¡ªsome wielding longbows, great swords, golden staffs, and other strange armaments. As thepany''s internal guards, their duty was to protect the building, disregarding anything else like aiding the Chinese alliance citizens in need. Chapter 180: President of China: Bai Qi Back in the heart of Banjing City, the Chinese alliance forces continued to fight fiercely against the rampaging Star Beasts. They were engaged in brutalbat, where every attack from the aliens caused massive explosions, obliterating everything in their path. "Keep your distance! Don''t let them get any closer!" shouted a battlemander, releasing a powerful spell from the staff in his hand. The effect of the spell was devastating. What started as a volleyball-sized magic orb quickly grew to the size of a house, surrounded by crackling lightning. The lightning orb shot toward a bird-winged, human-like Star Beast far in the distance. "Damn it... Just a lowly creature, daring to act cocky with such a small skill?" the winged Star Beast sneered condescendingly. With a p of its wings, feathers shed from its body, forming a protective shield around itself. Boom... zap... Duar... Dar... The collision urred, a massive explosion erupting and leveling everything within a 30-meter radius. "Run... Get away now!" shouted a Tier-3 man as he ran from the winged Star Beast. With only Tier-1 power, he wasn''t much different from the helpless civilians. In the skies above the ruined city of Banjing, an epic battle raged between a gigantic long dragon and a man with the head of a hammerhead shark. The air seemed to tremble under the roar of the two beasts. The long dragon''s body shimmered with golden scales, its razor-sharp ws cutting through the air like knives, while the hammerhead shark man floated steadily, wielding a massive trident that glowed with a deadly aura. His eyes shone with cruelty, disying a ferocity that was not to be underestimated. The long dragon roared fiercely, its massive ws shing forward, attacking with the speed of a storm. However, the hammerhead shark-man agilely dodged each strike, swinging his trident with full force, creating sharp energy waves that split the sky. Each swing of the trident produced sparks of lightning, shattering the clouds and causing the air to sizzle. With extraordinary speed, the hammerhead shark-man used his trident tounch a fatal strike, thrusting the spearhead straight at the dragon. The attack was so powerful that it made the sky tremble, creating a long trail in the air. The trident pierced through the dragon''s energy barrier and almost reached its scales. "Damn... I underestimated you," the dragon muttered with a serious expression. It was furious now, its once-ck eyes turning golden. "Dragon Suppression!" the dragon bellowed loudly... In an instant, the air around the hammerhead shark-man grew heavy. The space surrounding him seemed to freeze, restricting his movements and thoughts. The effect of "Dragon Suppression" was overwhelming¡ªthe hammerhead shark-man suddenly froze, his body stiff as if petrified, while his mind was shackled by the dragon''s mystical power. "Damn it... how could a lower species possess such pure dragon blood?" His once sharp and confident eyes turned vacant, unable to think or n his next move. This was the moment the dragon had been waiting for. With its gleaming ws, it charged forward with incredible speed. Blue fire erupted from its mouth, enveloping the sky in a destructive ze. The helpless hammerhead shark-man could do nothing but endure the dragon''s relentless onught. The dragon''s sharp ws tore through his defenses with ease, ripping apart flesh and shattering the energy armor protecting him. In those deadly seconds, the long dragonunched its final, fatal attack¡ªit bit down on the hammerhead shark-man''s body with its enormous jaws, crushing bone and flesh mercilessly. "Levon... save me!!!" The man cried out in agony, but he couldn''t fight back. His trident slipped from his grasp, floating helplessly in the air before plummeting far below. Blood gushed from his wounds, painting the dark sky with a sorrowful trail of red. The long dragon roared again, this time with triumphant glee. The hammerhead shark-man''s body was utterly destroyed in the dragon''s grip, and the remains of his body were hurled to the ground. Experience stories on m _v _lempy _r. With heavy breaths, the long dragon gradually shrank and swiftly transformed back to its original form. A woman in her twenties appeared, with long hair and a bright red robe that enhanced her fierce and untamed aura. Her gaze turned downward, biting her lip slightly, unable to express her bottled-up emotions. With no other choice, she hurried down to take a closer look. "President Bai Qi, they''re too strong! We can''t hold them off much longer!" cried one of the elite soldiers beside her, his face battered and weary from relentlessbat. "We must not give up! Hold the line! I''ll take care of them!" Bai Qi replied, his voice deep and resolute. ... Around Laras''spany building, the situation was growing dire. A Tier-3 Star Beast monkey led the attack on the building, destroying everything in its path. The few remaining security guards tried to hold the monster back, but they were effortlessly crushed. Inside the building, in the conference room, Laras''s father, along with severalpany stakeholders, watched the situation unfold through arge screen connected to security cameras. Their faces were filled with anxiety. "You said this building was safe! Look, the monster''s getting closer!" one of the stakeholders shouted, his voice full of anger. "What do you mean? This is your responsibility! This building was supposed to be the final stronghold, but now we''re all going to die here!" another yelled, his face flushed with fear. Laras''s father, though worried, tried to remain calm. "Laras wille. Trust me. She won''t leave us behind!" "How can you be so sure? We should''ve fled from here long ago!" cried a panicked woman. But before the argument could escte further, a massive rumble echoed from outside. The Tier-3 Star Beast monkey had arrived near the building, itsrge red eyes staring at the structure with clear intent to destroy. The internal security personnel tried to fend it off, but the monkey''s brutal attacks shattered their defenses in an instant. It easily tore through the outer walls and approached the conference room. Chapter 181: Laras vs Tier-3 Monkey At the same moment, a loud whirring sound echoed from the sky. Laras''s airship appeared above the building, drawing the attention of everyone inside and outside. Without wasting any time, Laras leapt from the ship, using her Vortex te to fly swiftly. "Father! I''m here!" she shouted, her voice resonating loudly among the ruins. Her father''s eyes widened as he saw his daughter arrive just in time. Quickly, Laras descended, positioning herself between the Tier-3 monkey and the building, ready to defend it. Laras looked at the monkey with a calm demeanor, though deep inside, she was furious because the monster in front of her was trying to harm her father. "Laras, be careful, that monster is very strong!" her father shouted from inside the building. His eyes, once filled with hopelessness, now glimmered with renewed hope. He had regretted not leaving with the others earlier, but considering the assets he owned, he tried to protect and move them to a safer location. Laras heard her father''s cries but remained silent. Inside, she was also slightly angered by her father''s greed. His wealth meant nothing to someone as powerful as her, so chasing after wealth in their current world was essentially useless. Not far from where Laras stood, the Tier-3 monkey stood tall, nearly two and a half meters, with a body covered in thick brown fur that radiated power. His muscles bulged, and his long arms hung by his sides, his knuckles twitching as if ready to strike. Laras looked at the monkey with disgust, a smug smile etched across her face. "Die," she muttered softly, but with strong determination. The monkey felt a surge of anger boiling inside him, but at the same time, he was terrified by the weapon Laras wielded. A white cross floated above her palm, emitting a pure, sacred aura that made the hairs on his neck stand on end. "You don''t know who you''re dealing with, girl! I am the heir to the most powerful Heavenly Monkey bloodline!" Laras remained unfazed. She hovered on her flying vortex te, exuding a terrifying aura. Even though the monkey before her was also a Tier-3, she was confident in the attributes and items she possessed. With just the vortex te under her feet, the monkey wouldn''t be able to touch her. The monkey braced himself, feeling the Tier-3 energy coursing through his body. He straightened, unting his massive muscles, proud of his high-tier race. "If you dare,e at me! I''ll crush that arrogance of yours!" In an instant, the air around them grew tense, ready for battle. Sure enough, right after the monkey finished his words, Laras had already moved her cross,unching it straight toward the Tier-3 monkey with incredible speed. "Transform," Laras whispered softly. With a quick hand gesture, the cross expanded, radiating a blinding holy light, and mmed down at the spot where the monkey stood. The monkey''s red eyes reacted swiftly, tracking the iing cross. Instinctively, his legs tensed, preparing to leap away. Stay updated with NovelFire|le|mp|y|r. "Hahh..." Although caught off guard, the monkey leaped with extraordinary reflexes. With a swift jump, he managed to dodge the blow that shattered the ground beneath him. "Your cross is beautiful, but is that all you''ve got?!" he shouted mockingly. "Hmph..." Laras muttered, her focus unwavering as she tracked the monkey''s movements wherever he went. She moved her cross again and again, smashing it in different directions, generating waves of energy that shook the air. The monkey struggled to dodge Laras'' relentless attacks. Several times, he narrowly avoided getting hit, but every time he was flung a few meters away, he quickly regained his stance, ready to attack again. "You can''t keep this up forever!" he growled, frustration mounting. Laras sneered. "Keep running, you foolish beast!" With extraordinary agility, the monkey leaped once more, dodging yet another attack. At this moment, he noticed that Laras'' cross was slightly further from him. Reacting swiftly, his legs and hands worked together, and heunched himself directly toward Laras. Seeing the monkey preparing to strike, Laras gave him no chance. A golden sword materialized out of thin air. She grabbed it effortlessly and rushed toward the monkey''s attack head-on. "Foolish beast, stay foolish," Laras said in a calm voice as she prepared to kill the monkey outright. As the Tier-3 monkey lunged forward, his heart started to tremble. His instincts screamed at him to retreat, but his body was already hurtling toward Laras. With hisrge hands, he pulled his right arm back slightly, forming a powerful fist enveloped in a green aura, ready to strike Laras. "Argh..." The immense power radiating from his fist shook the air around him, a clear sign that he intended to end this fight with one deadly blow. However, Laras remained unshaken. She stayed calm, even smiling slightly. The golden talisman protecting her body activated, emitting a soft, shimmering light. Under her feet, the vortex te''s teleportation cooldown had ended, granting her full mobility. The golden sword in her hand gleamed brightly, ready to counter the attack. She had prepared for all possible oues. She knew the monkey would fall under her golden sword. As the distance between them narrowed, the moment arrived. The monkey''s fist, brimming with green energy, barreled toward Laras, while she gracefully swung her golden sword with swift, precise movement. The loud sh resonated through the sky and ground. The green aura of the monkey''s punch collided with the holy light of Laras'' golden sword. A powerful energy wave exploded around them, creating a storm of force that pushed everything away. The ground beneath them cracked, and the air grew heavy, filled with pure power from both sides. Yet, in that direct confrontation, Laras remained steady in the air, controlling her vortex te with remarkable calm and poise. "Arghhh..." a loud scream echoed. It was the cry of the Tier-3 monkey. He felt the overwhelming power of Laras'' strike, as her golden sword collided with his fist, a force he couldn''t match. A roar of pain escaped his mouth as his body was flung backward, soaring past the crumbling buildings behind him. Laras wasn''t finished. Chapter 182: Cruel old man haikal With a smooth motion, the white cross above her head began to rise higher, spinning rapidly until it formed a blinding circle of holy light. "Divine Retribution," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with determination. In an instant, the cross glowed even brighter, radiating a holy aura that enveloped Laras. Her attributes surged drastically, and at the same time, the aura began to exert a crippling effect on the Tier-3 monkey before her. The once-strong muscles of the beast now felt weakened, as if something was draining the life force from his body. Slowly, the monkey''s power began to wane. "Damn it... What''s happening to me?" he cried out in panic, his terrified voice echoing. His body felt like it was burning from the inside out. He looked around, his eyes catching the sacred light radiating from Laras'' cross, which only deepened his fear. Without a second thought, the monkey made a decision. He had to flee. His legs were already bent, ready to leap away from this deadly situation. After just one encounter with Laras, he knew his strength was no match for hers. The pressure of the holy aura,bined with the sharp strikes and energy that continued to sap his strength, made this battle feel impossible to win. But Laras, standing firmly on her vortex te, wasn''t going to let her enemy escape so easily. With quick reflexes, she activated the vortex te''s teleportation. In an instant, she appeared right beside the fleeing Tier-3 monkey. In the perfect position, Laras swung her golden sword with precision, aiming for the monkey''s abdomen. "Crack!" A sharp sound rang out as her sh pierced the beast''s tough hide. But strangely, as her sword struck, a sudden white mist emerged, enveloping the entire area around them. Within seconds, Laras'' visibility was drastically reduced, the thick fog obscuring her view. Laras swung her hand forward, trying to clear the mist that obscured her view. However, before she could fully dispel it, she felt something strong gripping both of her hands. "What?!" Laras was shocked. "When?" As she turned, her gaze fell upon a cluster of hands tightly gripping her. In front of her, dozens of monkeys appeared, all looking identical to the enemy she had just fought. They surrounded her from every direction, satisfied smirks etched on each of their faces. "Hahahaha..." one of themughed, its voice full of satisfaction. "Why? Surprised? Confused?" one of the monkeys taunted as it spun a silver sword in its hand. "You neers... just frogs trapped in a well. You have no idea how vast the outside world is." "Hurry up and finish her!" another monkeymanded. "Lord Crok is waiting for us." Laras furrowed her brows. Something was off. "They''re talking to each other," she thought. "This isn''t an illusion or just some cloning technique." Her eyes gleamed sharply. In front of her, dozens of Tier-3 monkeys stood firm, each holding a different weapon. A dozen enemies with equal strength? This situation was far from what she had anticipated. Such a scenario could easily turn into a disaster. The two monkeys in front of her now gripped Laras'' hands tightly, preventing her fromunching another attack. The other monkeys around her quickly activated their weapons, ready to deliver a fatal blow. "Finish this woman off!" one of them shouted, giving the order. The battle aura intensified, and within seconds, Laras knew she was on the brink of great danger. Yet, despite being surrounded, the confident glint never left her eyes. Laras smiled faintly, her gaze piercing toward her enemies. "Alright then... let''s see who survives," she whispered softly, preparing her final move. *** Alliance Ind - America In one of the major cities of the American Alliance, thick smoke billowed into the sky, marking the destruction wrought by a brutal attack from foreign creatures. Towering buildings that once stood tall nowy in ruins, torn apart by the destructive power from beyond. Magical explosions echoed from all directions, deafening and spreading inevitable devastation. Automated defense towers continued firing energy, trying to repel the invading cultivators. However, the power of the attackers was too overwhelming. The city''s defenses were faltering, and the soldiers of the American Alliance fought desperately while civilians ran for shelter, trapped in the chaos. Amidst the rubble and thick smoke, an old man stood, his white robe fluttering in the winds of battle. His face was lined with age, but his eyes still burned with extraordinary power. His white hair shone in stark contrast to the darkness enveloping his body. In his hands, a thick ck booky open, its pages flipping rapidly as if alive. Ancient symbols glowed from the book, summoning dark powers that seeped into the air. The old man was Haikal Emanuel. Without hesitation, he hade to assist the American Alliance, even though they were not close allies. As their greatest rival after the Lein Alliance, America had always stood at the frontlines of defense. Now, Old Man Haikal was here, bringing destruction to the invaders who underestimated his strength. always on m|vl|e|mp|y|r Old Man Haikal raised his hand, and from the air, dark shadows began to gather. In a deep voice, he muttered, "You are cruel... Join this darkness," before thrusting his hand forward. In an instant, a vortex of dark energy emerged, sucking the foreign invaders into a deadly void. Their bodies were pulled in by Old Man Haikal''s power, trapped in the vortex with no hope of return. "Stay away from that vortex! He''s a Tier-3 warrior!" one of the foreign cultivators shouted in panic, his body trembling as he tried to escape the pull of the darkness. "Call Elder Nixian! Quickly!" another cried out, his voice filled with fear. But their warnings came toote. The foreign invaders caught in the range of Old Man Haikal''s power could only scream in terror as their bodies disintegrated, unraveled, and vanished into the shadows that consumed everything without mercy. "Burn them all," Old Man Haikal whispered to his book. Instantly, ck mes ignited around him, quickly spreading across the city''s ruins. The wave of ck fire surged to every corner, consuming everything it touched. The buildings that were already damaged became engulfed in the dark mes, and the enemies trapped within were burned to ashes without mercy. "No! Please!" Horrific screams echoed amidst the ze as the remaining enemies thrashed, desperately seeking escape. "I want to go back! Where''s the portal? Where is it?!" Chapter 183: Fight for the Alliance Desperate cries filled the air. Seeing theirrades burnt alive, the invaders'' morale crumbled. Many of them began to surrender, retreating, running desperately to find a way out. But the ck mes of Old Man Haikal relentlessly hunted them down, showing nopassion. In a corner of the city, the soldiers of the American Alliance, who had witnessed the horrifying scene, stood frozen. They had heard rumors about the mighty old man from the Lein Alliance, but seeing him in action with their own eyes was apletely different experience. "Damn... that old man... he''s a monster," one of the soldiers whispered with a choked voice, his eyes still fixed on Old Man Haikal as he calmly ughtered the enemies. "He saved us...," another soldier murmured, his gaze filled with admiration. With all the advanced technology possessed by the American Alliance, they still struggled against the foreign cultivators. But the old man, with his dark powers, had ughtered them as if it were nothing. The ck mes continued to ze, licking every corner of the remaining city, leaving behind nothing but destruction and rubble. Old Man Haikal Emanuel, calmly, closed his book slowly. Without another word, he walked away from the battlefield, ready to assist the next city. *** In the bright empty void, the sun rose toward noon, shining upon arge ind about 250,000 square meters in size. Like many inds, this one was teeming with life, with city walls 20 meters high and numerous defense towers standing firm at every corner. Unfortunately, the ind''s beautiful and sturdy appearance was from a few hours ago, before the inter-racial war event concluded. Now, the ind was engulfed in chaos almost everywhererge cities, small towns, and remote areas, all embroiled in relentless battles. "Hey... stop chasing him, finish off this area first!" yelled a captain as he kept shing at a man with a white halo behind his back. His movements didn''t stop or weaken, even as he issued themand. Join the journey at m-vlempy _r. The soldiers who heard the captain stopped chasing the fleeing foreign enemies. Their gaze scanned the surroundings¡ªone, two, more than ten duels were taking ce. Just watching it made their hearts weary and filled them with dread. Just a few hours ago, he had been with his family celebrating his son''s 4th birthday. Now, the city was enveloped in emergency sirens. All soldiers were ordered to report to the military headquarters to form teams. Along the way, he had seen many strange beings with white halos and wings on their backs. He saw some rogue Hunters trying to fight them off, attempting to block the foreign invaders. As an official military soldier, he had to obey everymand from his superiors. Even though he wasn''t from the lower ranks, his role in the military was significant, and his presence was highly required at the headquarters. But here he was now¡ªin the midst of a sudden and terrifying battle. Whoosh! Suddenly, Galen felt a sharp sh approaching at high speed. His reflexes immediately kicked in, ducking quickly as he activated his escape skill, trying to distance himself as far as possible from the attack. "Galen, watch out!!!" a soldier''s loud voice came from behind him, warning him of the threat that had nearly hit him. Sure enough, in the sky above him, a middle-aged man with wide-spread white wings hovered gracefully. With a sharp gaze, the man adjusted his posture after his failed strike at Galen. The winged man''s gaze surveyed the battlefield around him, his face¡ªpreviously showing indifference¡ªnow creased slightly with anger. "Useless, they can''t even handle a city without a Holy Disciple (Tier-3)," the man said angrily, ring at the Faithwarden soldiers around him. Galen, who had narrowly avoided the winged man''s sh, stood and fixed his posture. His eyes locked onto his airborne opponent. His face showed deep shock. He saw a middle-aged man with white wings floating in the air,manding the battlefield with a powerful holy aura radiating from his body. His wings, as white as swan feathers, pped gently, though his body remained unmoved. The man''s loose, slightly open white clothing made him look like a war god descended from the heavens. The aura around him was so strong that the air felt heavier and hotter, as if it were being pressed down by an invisible force. "Tier-3?" Galen muttered in disbelief. He swallowed hard, realizing just how powerful this winged man was. His entire body trembled¡ªnot only from fear but also from the knowledge of how difficult it would be to face an opponent of this level. On the ground, the other human soldiers began to grasp the situation they were in. The duels that had been raging around them now seemed insignificantpared to the threat looming above. Even the captain, who had been swinging his sword tirelessly, now appeared cautious. He stepped closer to Galen, his eyes never leaving the winged man who had once again focused his attention on them. Back in the sky, without warning, the winged man raised his long sword. A bright white glow radiated from the de, emitting a holy aura that filled the air within a three-meter radius. The holy energy vibrated like a small storm, causing everyone who felt it to recoil in fear. "Go now, Galen! Get help... your talent is still needed by the alliance," the captain''s voice was firm but full of urgency. He didn''t wait for a reply; he stepped forward, ready to face the winged man who was far stronger than they were. He knew they were all only Tier-2, including himself. Fighting against a Tier-3 enemy would only end in death if they persisted. Galen nodded resolutely, without objection. In his heart, he knew their best option was to minimize casualties. Facing an enemy of this caliber without reinforcements from stronger individuals would only bring destruction. He quickly turned and ran towards the headquarters, hoping the alliance leader had already finished his own battle against another Tier-3 enemy. "Attack!!!" "For the Harmony Circle alliance!" Chapter 184: Tier 3 Faithwarden: Holy Disciple The Harmony Circle alliance soldiers shouted loudly. They knew that ever since the arrival of the Tier-3 winged man, the city they were in was doomed to be 100% destroyed. Earlier, a Tier-3 enemy hade and was immediately dealt with by the alliance leader. But now, another had appeared without warning. Who else could they rely on? Boom... sh... As Galen continued running and flying with his escape skill, he heard terrifying explosions behind him. The sounds of buildings copsing, trees falling, and the ground shaking echoed all around him. Even without looking back, he knew there was no more hope. Discover more at m-vlempy _r. Far behind, the winged man was now lifting arge sphere of light with a 10-meter diameter. The ball of light radiated an immense aura. "Take this," he said casually. Soon, he threw the ball of light directly at the soldiers of the Harmony Circle Alliance. The ball flew swiftly and exploded over an area with a 50-meter radius. Everything waspletely destroyed, even the faithwardens within the vicinity were affected by the impact. "Attack!!! Don''t retreat!" a man with arge shield shouted, trying to rally the remaining alliance soldiers. He raised his shield high into the air, attempting to activate his Barrier skill. "Barrier!" he yelled with full confidence. Instantly, a system notification appeared before him: [Barrier active, link has been established. Sessfully connected with 0/10 friends.] The man''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Zero? No one connected?" he muttered bitterly. The emptiness of that notification pierced his heart. A cold sensation spread through him, not just from the battle, but from the reality that all hisrades were gone. He looked around. There was no more fighting. What remained were only the ruins of the city, buildings that once stood tall now leveled with the ground. A few faithwardens with their white halos still stood atop the rubble, and above them, the winged man observed with an empty, indifferent gaze. "Damn it¡­ bastard¡­ you killed all my friends!" the man with the shield roared, his voice hoarse and full of hatred. His eyes locked onto the winged man above, no longer filled with fear¡ªonly with burning rage. He steeled his resolve, tightening his grip on his shield and silver sword, and without a second thought, he charged forward, running as fast as he could toward his enemy. "Arrggh!!!" he screamed, filled with the final determination to exact revenge. The winged man remained gracefully airborne, looking down at his opponent''s every move. His face was rigid, almost expressionless, as though what he was witnessing was something of no significance. With a single wave of his hand, a beam of light shot out from his fingertip, aimed precisely at the approaching shield-bearer. Sing! The sharp sound pierced the air, followed by a short thud, as the beam of light prated the man''s chest. The man''s body froze instantly, his running feet stumbling. Slowly, he fell to his knees, his shield slipping from his grasp, ttering emptily atop the debris. He looked down at his chest¡ªarge hole gaped open on his right side, where the beam had pierced through. Blood flowed heavily, soaking his tattered clothes, staining the ground beneath him a deep crimson. His eyes began to blur, his vision hazy. The air seemed to thin, and the pain that had ravaged his body started to fade, reced by emptiness. A bitter smile appeared on his lips, a final smile full of resignation. He knew his life hade to an end. With hisst breath, his body copsed onto the ground, unmoving. The shield-bearer''s death was tragic, but to the winged man who still floated above, the event was nothing more than a trivial sight¡ªnot worth his attention any longer. "You will gain no points from this city," the winged man''s voice echoed through the air, cold andmanding. His face looked frustrated, his jaw clenched as he red at the remaining faithwarden soldiers. His eyes were full of displeasure. The faithwardens who heard him exchanged nces, trying to grasp the extent of the winged man''s disappointment. Fear began to creep into their hearts. They knew who stood before them¡ªnot just a superior, but someone whose power far exceeded their own. Failure in front of this man was not something to take lightly. "There''s no excuse for repeating this mistake," the winged man continued, his voice heavy with implicit threat. "Finish off the other areas and secure the entire ind. Leave no one alive." He took a deep breath, but his anger was clearly not yet abated. "Our forces have already lost at Ind #12. One more defeat¡­" his voice grew more dangerous, "and our share will be reduced further." Hisst words hung in the air. The faithwardens felt their hearts race, realizing that failure was not an option in front of this winged man, who could obliterate them with a single gesture. One of the faithwardens even furrowed his brow, his hands trembling slightly as he adjusted his sword, struggling to hide his fear. With a cold, unchanging gaze, the winged man signaled for them to move. Without further words, the faithwardens quickly rushed off, not wanting to wait or risk provoking further wrath from the figure they so deeply feared. The faithwarden troops left, and the battle in the city was over, leaving the winged man alone. He slipped his hand into the pocket of his pristine white robe and pulled out a small, round object. It resembled apass, though its needles spun in an unusual pattern, pulsing in sync with the flow of energy from the surroundings. A thin smile appeared on his face, as if something he had anticipated had been confirmed. "As I thought..." he muttered lightly, almost as if speaking to himself. "Their movements are quick." His eyes focused sharply on thepass, its needles spinning endlessly, indicating arge movement in the distance. He sighed softly, but his face remained untroubled by the urgency of the situation. "We need to move quickly...," he said with a more serious tone, though still calm. "Otherwise, more reinforcements from the enemy will arrive." His words carried an unspoken tension. Time was running swiftly, and every second wasted was a chance for the enemy to fortify their position. Without wasting more time, the winged man disappeared in an instant, his body fading gracefully, as if merging with the wind. All that remained was dust, swirling lightly in the air. Chapter 185: Leader of the Harmony Circle Alliance The sky above the grand city of Harmony Circle was filled with the sounds of thunder and fiery explosions that shook the heavens. Below, the remains of destroyed buildingsy scattered, debris from the fallen towers littering the ground alongside heaps of corpses and chaotic rubble. Thin smoke drifted with the breeze, carrying the scent of destruction and decay. In the midst of the ruins, civilians hid behind the remaining walls, shielding themselves from the chaos above. Their faces were bruised and battered, blood flowing between the dust and grime. Some soldiers, severely wounded, leaned against the cracked walls, the only refuge they had left. Despite their fear, their eyes were fixed on the sky, watching the fierce battle above with bated breath. "Master Puno, please win this... defeat that woman!" a mother clutched her trembling child tightly, her voice filled with hope and fear. "You can do it, leader! Take down that demon!" shouted another man, his voice trembling. "God, please help us," whispered an old priest, his hands sped together in a prayer full of faith. Above them, two figures floated, locked in a battle of epic proportions. Puno, a middle-aged man radiating a zing aura, wielded unimaginable fire magic. Every time he unleashed a burst of me from his palms, the temperature in the air spiked, burning everything around him until the debris from the buildings began to melt and smolder. However, in front of Puno stood a woman with a calm gaze, her face serene and showing no trace of fear. She wore a gleaming blue-and-white robe that sparkled in the sunlight, with arge white halo spinning gracefully behind her head. Even as Puno unleashed his destructive powers, the woman remainedposed, waves of sacred energy emanating from her hands, holding back the mes that sought to engulf her. Puno gritted his teeth. "Damn it! Why is this woman so strong?" he hissed. They had been fighting for over 10 minutes, and with every passing moment, Puno increasingly felt the danger from each of his opponent''s moves. The woman, wielding deadly illusion powers, only needed one touch to imprison Puno in the dream world she created. A brief touch was enough to leave her enemies disoriented, but a longer touch would trap them in an illusion where she could do anything. Puno had learned this trick. Earlier, he had almost lost consciousness when the woman managed to touch him for a few seconds. However, Puno had his trump card¡ªby taking on his fire elemental form, he could sever the illusion easily, burning away the woman''s magic before it could take root too deeply. The woman''s eyes flickered. She knew Puno was growing more cautious, but she did not give up. "I just need to touch you a bit longer this time," she thought, continuing to search for an opening. Her movements were light, almost like she was dancing in the air, dodging the scorching mes. Puno didn''t give her any room to move. Each time the woman approached, he unleashed a brutal attack, hurling explosive fireballs that left searing heat in their wake. Every strike left a fiery mark on the woman''s body¡ªa burning red trail that marked his next target. When the number of marks reached seven, a massive explosion would ur, incinerating the victim alive. "Heh, such a beautiful shade of red..." the woman smiled slightly, looking at the fiery mark now glowing on her arm. She already had four marks, and only needed three more for the deadly explosion. "I have to be careful," she murmured, soaring forward with rapid movement. Puno let out a sinisterugh, "You won''t touch me again!" he growled, releasing an evenrger burst of me. He leapt backward, creating a circle of fire to limit the woman''s movements. However, she continued to move swiftly, using her light shield to withstand the searing heat around her. In one swift motion, she closed in, her hand outstretched, almost touching Puno''s skin. But just at that moment, Puno unleashed a massive wave of fire, forcing the woman to retreat for a moment. "Not so fast!" Puno shouted. The woman frowned but remained undeterred. Puno''s attacks grew wilder, but he was also bing more reckless. The woman saw her chance and, with a daring move, dashed forward, dodging the final burst of me and managing to touch Puno''s chest! Puno''s eyes widened, "NO!" he screamed. In an instant, his body transformed, the human skin that encased him melted away, reced by pure, raging fire. He was no longer human, but a giant fire elemental. The heat emanating from his body was enough to destroy the light shield protecting the woman, little by little. The woman gritted her teeth. Her body began to feel the intense heat, her light shield groaned under the pressure of Puno''s fire, cracks forming on its surface. But she didn''t give up. With determination, she moved closer and wrapped her arms around Puno''s fiery form, ensuring her touch remained connected. "I just need a few more seconds..." she whispered. As her shield melted away, Puno suddenly felt his world shake. His vision blurred, and the sounds around him faded. "What''s happening?" he muttered in confusion. Before he realized it, he was trapped. Everything around him vanished, the raging fire on his body disappeared, reced by shadows and illusions. Puno was caught in the woman''s illusion world. "Ugh..." A faint groan escaped the lips of the Faithwarden woman as she descended from the sky, her breath ragged. The halo of light surrounding her back began to dim, indicating her dwindling spiritual energy after the intense battle. "Damn it... This man is only at the early Holy Disciple (tier-3), but his power is so unique," she muttered, recalling the events from a few seconds ago. Her gaze fell on her arm, where the fire marks had now grown to six. In his elemental form, Puno had elerated the marking process with rming speed. Just one more mark, and the fire explosion would ur. Below her, the atmosphere in the devastated city grew even more tense. The civilians and soldiers of the Harmony Circle Alliance who saw the Faithwardennd on the ground were now filled with fear. Theirst hope seemed to vanish. Their leader, Puno, whom they believed could save them, was now trapped in an illusion. They didn''t know if he was still alive or not. Chapter 186: Inside the illusion space The wind carried stinging dust, but that wasn''t the only thing fueling their fear. Some of the citizens exchanged nces, their eyes reflecting deep despair. It seemed as if there was no way out. Destruction and death loomed over them, inevitable. Suddenly, a shout broke the oppressive silence. "Arghh!!" A young man with a frail body stood up quickly. His gaze was anxious but filled with determination. He walked toward the Faithwarden woman, his steps quick and firm, as if he had made his final decision. Thud! He knelt before the woman, his head bowed low until it touched the dirty ground. "Mydy... I am willing to be your servant. I will do whatever youmand," he said, his voice trembling, but there was a firmness in his tone. Silence enveloped the scene for a moment, and soon, other citizens, influenced by the young man''s actions, followed. They moved forward, one by one, then knelt before the Faithwarden woman with faces full of fear and hope. "Mydy, spare our lives!" cried an old man, hobbling forward before copsing to his knees. "We''re willing to be your ves! As long as we can live!" shouted another, their voices quivering between fear and hope. The Faithwarden woman, still feeling the effects of the exhausting battle, looked at the scene before her with an expression that was difficult to read. Her gaze was filled with surprise and a hint of frustration. "A moment ago, these people called me a demon, a madwoman. And now look at them." She thought to herself, realizing how fear could twist loyalty. Meanwhile, her body still felt the intense heat from Puno''s rapidly activating fire marks. The next few seconds would determine whether she could survive the final explosion or be trapped in a fatal destruction. Yet beneath her frustration, she couldn''t ignore the fact that the human, Puno, though trapped in an illusion, still had the power to explode at any moment. Puno might be caught in her illusion, but that didn''t guarantee her safety. The Faithwarden woman gazed at the civilians kneeling before her with a nk expression. The exhaustion from the recent battle seemed invisible on her face. She slowly raised her hand, and in an instant, several bright red fruits appeared in her grasp. "Fine¡­ eat this," she said coldly, tossing the fruits towards them without any ceremony. The young man who was the first to kneel caught one of the fruits in his hand. At a nce, it looked like an apple¡ªsimr to the ones he had seen on Earth before. But he didn''t have time to think. Being under 15 years old, hecked the ability to see any description of the fruit, a limitation that had saved many lives before, but not this time. With trembling hands, he lifted the fruit towards his mouth. "Stop!!! That''s an illusion fruit!" a soldier shouted from behind, his voice filled with fear and warning. He was one of the few who refused to bow and worship the Faithwarden woman, clinging to the remnants of his dignity as a soldier. But before the warning could sink into the minds of the desperate civilians, the Faithwarden waved her hand with a graceful yet deadly motion. A wave of white energy shot forth, emanating from her hand like a sh of lightning, and struck the shouting soldier. Screech! Without the slightest resistance, the soldier''s head was severed from his body. His eyes remained wide open, still reflecting fear, while his headless body slowly tilted forward, then copsed to the ground with a heavy thud. The head rolled, leaving a trail of blood on the dusty ground, eventually stopping with its face bowed down in surrender before the terrified citizens. "Ahhh! No!" Screams erupted among the people. Some immediately covered their eyes with both hands, unable to bear the horrifying scene before them. Fear gripped their souls, freezing any intention of resistance. Hope, even the will to fight, had vanishedpletely. The Faithwarden woman showed no hint of mercy. Her eyes scanned the kneeling civilians, observing the fear swelling among them. With a thin smile on her face, she conjured more red fruits, throwing them toward those still frozen in confusion and terror. "If you still want to live¡­ eat this fruit, quickly," shemanded, her voice like venom seeping into their hearts. She also directed the fruits toward those who had previously refused to kneel, forcing them to confront their final choice. The civilians, having witnessed the tragic death of the brave soldier, now had no choice but to obey. One by one, their trembling hands reached for the fruits. Some of them stared at the fruit momentarily with eyes full of doubt, but fear overcame all. They slowly lifted the fruit to their mouths, hoping for survival, if only for a moment. *** Inside a vast cubic chamber, Puno, his body engulfed in swirling mes, was fiercely battling a group of strange, half-circr creatures. Their round eyes gleamed, and their bodies were covered in deadly red thorns. Puno smiled with satisfaction as his fiery attack sliced through the air, scorching one of them until it was charred to ashes. "Twelve," Puno muttered, keeping count as his final fire strike hit its mark, reducing the creature to dust. [Sessfully killed (Thorn Blossom Demon), exp 10,400] The notification echoed in his mind, but Puno gave no time to dwell on his sess. He immediately moved, spinning with incredible speed toward the next target. With a swift motion of his hand, fire erupted from his body, incinerating another Thorn Blossom Demon in an instant. "Thirty," Puno said with a more cautious tone, though a smile still lingered on his face. [Sessfully killed (Thorn Blossom Demon), exp 10,000] However, the atmosphere started to shift. Puno''s caution wasn''t without reason. In the distance, a muchrger creature emerged from the shadows. Its body was not only covered in thorns, but also writhing with long tentacles that moved like agile snakes, vibrating with a terrifying intensity. Itsrge round eyes bulged, with red veins spiraling around its eyelids like knots of energy ready to explode at any moment. Chapter 187: Out of illusion, Deryu [Blood Thorn Demon] - Level: 25 - Species: Ghost - Attributes: Str 2486, Int 2527, Agi 2486, Res 2239 - (Blood Tentacle): Moves its tentacles to sting enemies and apply a blood mark. Each mark reduces the enemy''s attributes by 0.5%. When the mark reaches 100, a second body transformation is unlocked. Puno''s eyes sparkled as he read the description of the monster. "An interesting skill... Unfortunately, its base attributes are too low," he muttered, feeling slightly disappointed. He knew that despite the monster''s impressive abilities, it wouldn''t be tough enough to offer any meaningful resistance. Puno carefully observed the monster''s movements. The Blood Thorn Demonshed one of its tentacles toward Puno with incredible speed, but Puno''s me-covered body reacted instantly. Swiftly, he dodged to the side, his body moving with the grace of a burning shadow. Swoosh! The blood tentacle mmed into the ground with tremendous force, creating deep cracks in the floor of the cube. Dust and small debris flew into the air, but Puno had already positioned himself perfectly to counterattack. He raised his hand high, concentrating fiery energy into his palm, and in an instant, a massive burst of me exploded from his hand, slicing through the air like lightning. Boom! The fiery attack struck the Blood Thorn Demon squarely, scorching its thorns and destroying several tentacles. The creature howled in pain but didn''t give up. Quickly, it iled its remaining tentacles in all directions, trying to ensnare Puno from multiple angles. Puno, having anticipated this move, dodged with impressive agility. His feet glided effortlessly, evading the vicious tentacle strikes. Each time the tentaclesshed out, he spun gracefully, using the speed and dexterity of the mes surrounding him to create distance. One of the tentacles almost managed to wrap around his leg, but Puno wasn''t surprised. With a sharp motion, he ignited the tentacle with the fire from his leg, severing its tip and causing the monster to howl in pain once more. "That should be enough," Puno whispered, then threw himself forward, spinning rapidly like a firestorm. His final attack shot out like an explosion, piercing straight through the center of the Blood Thorn Demon''s body. The mes spread rapidly, burning the creature from the inside. Kaboom! The Blood Thorn Demon''s body exploded into dark red fragments, leaving nothing but ashes scattered across the battlefield. Puno stood amidst the destruction, while the sound of the system''s notification rang clearly in his ears, confirming his sess in defeating the tentacled monster. [Sessfully killed (Blood Thorn Demon), exp +96,000] As the Blood Thorn Demon''s body faded away, the cube-shaped room that had imprisoned Puno began to crack. Small fractures quickly spread across the walls of the cube, which then shattered into pieces within seconds. His vision cleared, revealing that he was still in the same ce as before the battle. Puno quickly detected the presence of the Faithwarden woman he had encountered earlier. She wasn''t far from where he stood, but this time, she wasn''t alone. Beside her was a man radiating a much stronger power, watching over the civilians who were eating something in their hands. Puno clenched his fists, frustration swelling in his chest. "Damn it... I already signed the agreement with the World Market Trade Alliance, but where''s the help?" Puno muttered, feeling both disappointed and desperate. His heart ached as he saw the devastation around him, while the remaining civilians knelt before the two Faithwardens, seemingly subdued by their power. His mind was in turmoil. On one hand, he knew his chances of surviving the next battle were only 1%¡ªdeath seemed certain. On the other hand, he could flee and try to rebuild his alliance from scratch. His hope had briefly rested on assistance from the World Market Trade Alliance, but that help never arrived. He felt trapped, powerless. Puno closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm the storm inside him. After a few moments, a bitter smile appeared on his face, followed by a softugh. "Hahaha... What''s wrong with me? I reached Tier-3 by risking my life fighting against high-level races. Why am I afraid now? Hahaha!" Hisughter grew louder, though it was filled with sorrow. Puno steeled his resolve. "If I''m scared of just these two, then I''ll always live in fear of the stronger races in the future," he thought with increasing determination. His eyes now gleamed with courage. Puno had made his decision. "Transform!" he shouted softly. In an instant, his human body began to change. His skin peeled away, reced by a shimmering red liquid, glowing like zing fire. His ck hair transformed into strands of fiery red mes, and his body swelled, growing over three meters tall as he rose into the air. Yes, in his elemental mode, Puno gained the natural ability to float. "Fire Field!" "Soul of me!" Puno activated two skills simultaneously, ready to go all out this time. In an instant, an area within a 50-meter radius around him was engulfed in mes, consuming everything on the ground, including the civilians and the two Faithwardens standing nearby. In addition, a small fire orb floated around Puno''s body, appearing like a seed of fire he had summoned. "Win or die!" Puno shouted fiercely, his body transforming into a massive ze as he soared at high speed toward the Faithwardens, disregarding everything else, including the fate of the civilians trapped in the inferno. He no longer cared. His attack was now entirely focused on the two Faithwardens. The Faithwarden woman and the man beside her noticed Puno''s movement. As the mes engulfed the area within a 50-meter radius, the woman quickly formed a protective barrier around herself and the civilians, preventing the fire from consuming them. Whatever her motivation, it was clear she wanted to keep the civilians alive. "Deryu, handle him... My faith energy is still recovering," the woman said to the man beside her, who was now known as Deryu. The white light radiating from her back grew brighter, but she knew it wasn''t enough to face Puno''s raging power. Deryu looked at Puno calmly, a slight smile on his face. "Of course... I can feel this man''s firepower as well. It''s quite strong," he said casually. Chapter 188: Puno deaths Deryu elegantly spread his white wings, each feather shining with a holy light. A single p of his wings was enough to create a powerful gust of wind that swept away much of Puno''s approaching mes, extinguishing a portion of the ze. "Come," Deryu said calmly, his voice full of unwavering confidence. The sword in his right hand, which had dimmed, now glowed with radiant energy once more. With a wave of his hand, a white halo appeared in his left hand, shining brightly and expanding to a radius of two meters. The holy halo spun rapidly, creating a strong pull in the air, like a small cyclone ready to obliterate anything it touched. Puno was undeterred. The mes around his body zed even hotter as his massive form floated with a fiery red aura, clutching the Fire Seed that emitted extreme heat. His left hand shone brightly with pure red mes, while the sword in his right hand was engulfed by fierce mes, threatening to consume everything in its path. Both surged forward. Puno with his zing fire, Deryu with his intensifying swirl of light. Boom! Crash! In an instant, the two massive forces collided in the middle of the ruined city. Red fire and white light shed, creating an explosion of energy so powerful that the ground around them cracked and was thrown far by the impact. The st sent shockwaves so intense that both men were knocked back 20 meters. "Unbelievable..." gasped the Faithwarden woman in disbelief as she witnessed the shockwaves from the explosion. She quickly created another barrier of light to protect the civilians from the destructive aftermath of the energy collision. Her aura of light shone brightly, trembling under the pressure of the dangerous shockwave. In the midst of the destruction, Puno''sughter echoed. "Hahaha...!" Hisughter erupted, loud and full of spirit, as if the previous explosion hadn''t caused him any pain at all. With an energetic motion, he quickly stood back up, the mes on his body zing even fiercer. His eyes burned with the thirst for battle. Without hesitation, Puno swung his sword with full force. A sh of bright red fire was released toward Deryu, creating a long wave of fiery light heading directly at his opponent. The wave resembled a wall of fire, consuming the air around it and moving at an incredible speed. Deryu, who had previously been calm and unshaken, now felt the serious impact of Puno''s attack. His normally expressionless face began to show signs of strain. His body was thrown 20 meters back by the massive explosion, and although he remained floating in the air, his breath was slightly heavy. "This man..." Deryu muttered to himself, his eyes now serious. A me mark appeared on his arm, disying the number 3. He knew from his femalepanion that this would trigger an explosion with terrifying power. His halo''s energy had been drained by half due to the death explosion from that fire mark. Deciding not to y around anymore, his gaze sharpened, focusing all his energy on Puno, who was now charging toward him. The crazed smile on Puno''s elemental face only caused Deryu''s eyebrows to furrow slightly. With a swift motion, Deryu raised his palm, and the holy halo he controlled floated high into the air. The halo moved with incredible speed, reaching the sky above Puno within seconds and continuing to follow him like a shadow that couldn''t be escaped. "Fate''s Light Sword," Deryu spoke, his tone calm yet full of menace. Puno, who had initially been confident, now felt something was wrong. He nced up and saw Deryu''s white halo still hovering above him. He could feel an immense holy power emanating from it. "A sword?" Puno muttered in worry. Sure enough, light from the halo suddenly formed a glowing sword, floating right above his head. In mere milliseconds, the sword descended without resistance, ready to cut Puno down in an instant. Sssiii... Falling... The sword fell at incredible speed. Quickly, without hesitation, Puno activated his sprint skill, his body moving 50 meters away from his previous position. His breath was slightly ragged, but the sense of relief onlysted a moment. "Why¡­?" Puno shouted, his face filled with terror. Despite moving far away, the dreadful feeling from the light sword still haunted him. His eyes scanned the area, but he saw no sign of the halo or sword he had seen before. In the distance, Deryu, whose faith energy was beginning to dwindle, remained still. He didn''t chase Puno, merely gazing calmly at the spot where Puno had once stood. There, a transparent human-shaped figure could be seen. "Your body can move, but not your soul..." Deryu''s mockingughter echoed, condescending. Deryu watched with satisfaction as the sword of fate continued to descend, aimed directly at Puno''s soul, still standing beneath it, unavoidable. Puno, who finally realized what was happening, flew quickly back to his original spot, his face filled with fear. "No! Stop!" Puno screamed in panic. The feeling of death haunted him, and his breath became heavier. In desperation, he mustered all his strength. "Hold it off!" Punomanded, and his Fire Seed, a glowing red orb, flew into the air. In an instant, the seed expanded to 10 meters in size, directly colliding with Deryu''s sword of light. Boom! A massive explosion urred, shattering the ground around them, creating a shockwave that shook the entire city. The debris of buildings flew through the air due to the explosion. The bright glow of Puno''s fire seedsted a few seconds, shining brightly, attempting to stop the pressing sword of fate. However, no matter how powerful it was, the fire seed couldn''t hold it back. The sword of fate pierced through the fiery power, striking Puno''s unprotected soul, driving deep into the earth until it vanished from sight. Silence. All sound faded with the destruction of Puno''s soul. The sword of fate that had prated the ground disappeared without a trace, and the holy halo in the sky shrank before drifting back toward Deryu, like a warrior returning afterpleting its mission. Chapter 189: America Island – NewYard City "Hahaha... Your attributes may be high, but your tricks are quite limited," Deryu mocked, waving his hand to summon his holy halo back. At the same time, Puno, who was still flying in the air, attempted to shield his soul. But no resistance remained. His elemental body crumbled, reverting to his normal human form. Without clothing, without life, he fell like a bird shot down, crashing to the ground with a soft thud. Thud. Puno''s body, sprawled on the ground, now resembled that of a fallen soldier, lifeless. "Deryu, we need to leave now. I''m afraid they''lle after us once they learn we''ve killed their leader," the Faithwarden woman''s voice sounded, full of concern. She knew that Puno''s death was inevitable the moment Deryu unleashed the Sword of Fate. No one could survive that technique. "Yes... you''re right. My faith energy is also running low," Deryu agreed with a nod. But before leaving, he flew down to Puno''s body, calmly taking the spatial ring from his left finger. Afterward, Deryu returned to the Faithwarden woman''s side. They were ready to leave. "Let''s go..." Deryu said simply. The Faithwarden woman took out a ck stone, tossing it into the air, and a ck portal immediately appeared out of nowhere. "All of you... enter," shemanded the civilians behind her. "Yes, Your Grace..." "Yes, Goddess..." The looks on the civilians'' faces were filled with admiration and fanaticism. They revered the Faithwarden woman as if she were a goddess they worshiped. Without hesitation, they began entering the portal one by one, vanishing into the darkness. The Faithwarden woman was thest to enter, along with Deryu. They stepped through the portal, disappearing from Harmony Circle ind without leaving a trace. The two Faithwardens disappeared, leaving behind a city reduced to ruins. Buildings that were once majestic nowy in rubble, leveled to the ground. Clouds of dust and smoke rose high, darkening the sky that should have been clear. Moments before Puno''s soul took itsst breath, an unexpected message appeared on the Chat Ras System screen. [System Chat Message: Human Race of Earth] [yer (Puno) has fallen. Keep fighting to defend the divine heavenly realm.] Upon receiving the message, the chat system was flooded with various responses from Earth''s rulers. - (Dunto) "What is this message? What does it mean? Why did it appear so suddenly?" - (Alex) "Impossible! Puno is a Tier-3 ruler. How could he fall so quickly?" - (Herman) "I think the system is notifying us of the death of someone who has achieved Tier-3 promotion." - (Sima) "So, Puno is the first Tier-3 ruler to fall?" - (Klein) "Yes, you''re right... I wonder what the strongest alliance leaders think right now." ... Thousands of messages appeared in an instant, shaking the chat room due to the system''s sudden notification. Instead of receiving a helpful message, they were greeted with sad news that dampened the spirits of the rulers. *** America Ind ¨C NewYard City A young man stood tall on the cracked asphalt, ring at the man in front of him with eyes full of hatred. "Damn... this guy is such a nuisance," he muttered, his face burning with anger. But the young man''s attention was suddenly drawn to a message from the system. He nced at the message, and his expression quickly showed signs of pain. Not just him, but the other soldiers around him received the same message. They exchanged nces, looking confused. It was the first time they had received news of death since the battle had begun earlier that morning. "Official information from Mr. Hudson says the system will announce the death of Tier-3 rulers," said a male soldier after reading the alliance''s official announcement. "Crazy¡­ even Tier-3 rulers are starting to fall? How big is the scale of this invasion?" one soldier asked, eyes wide, unable to believe that a Tier-3 could be destroyed in this alien assault. "I heard the aliens invading our divine heavenly realm are from a race slightly stronger than ours. The World Market Trade Alliance has already released official information," replied hispanion. "Is that so? By the way, where is the main support from the World Market Trade Alliance?" another soldier asked with a frustrated expression. A few moments ago, the leaders announced that their alliance and the World Market Trade Alliance had reached an agreement to coborate in fighting off the alien invaders. However, after waiting for four hours into the afternoon, no main reinforcements had arrived. "You all just keep quiet¡­ why are you still hoping for help from others?" The young man standing tall in front of them spoke with a tone of resignation and irritation. His face showed dissatisfaction, as if reminding them that relying on others would only make them more vulnerable. "Prepare yourselves... let''s keep going," he said firmly, his eyes zing as he reactivated his equipment. "Yes, President¡­" "Understood." The soldiers shouted in unison, activating their gear. All their equipment glowed blue, with some emitting a purple shine. The weapons they held varied, but the mostmon were long swords. Meanwhile, the young man in front of them had already prepared. Seven circr stars, each a meter in diameter, hovered around him, creating a fearsome aura. In his right hand, a long golden sword shone brightly, its energy making the soldiers behind him feel a slight sense of fear. Yes, this man was the current President of America. "Is the President going to get serious this time? They''ve been fighting for 30 minutes, but no results yet," a soldier said nervously, feeling the pressure from the energy being emitted. "Stop talking¡­ let''s get ready and support the President!" shouted a middle-aged man who seemed to be their captain, scolding the soldier who was still chatting in the midst of this dire situation. Hearing the reprimand, the soldier who had spoken earlier quickly shifted into serious mode. Both his hands now glowed with sky-blue light, ready to activate his skills at any moment. "Move out!" As soon as themand was given, William flew up, followed by his seven circr stars. After reaching a sufficient height, his gaze locked onto the middle-aged man standing below, who still stood calmly on the cracked asphalt. Tch... The condescending look from the middle-aged man filled William with deep disgust. He loathed it when someone looked down on him like that. "Star Shoot," William said in a calm tone. Chapter 190: Williams crazy attack Immediately, the seven circr stars behind him formed aplete circle. Each star then shone brightly,unching massive energy spheres directly at the middle-aged man standing below on the asphalt. Boom... Shots fired... The energy spheres released by the seven stars weren''t just one; they continuously fired energy balls without stopping. Like a machine gun spewing hundreds of bullets in a minute, the seven stars unleashed hundreds of energy balls every second. "Insane¡­" Even the captain of the soldiers behind William couldn''t contain his surprise. They all widened their eyes, full of awe. With such powerful energy, they were curious about the middle-aged man who was the target of the attack. From a distance, nothing could be seen except the constant explosions raining down on the exact spot where the middle-aged man had been standing. After a few seconds, William ceased his assault. "Tch... annoying," he muttered, his face scowling. "Pin him down!" "Don''t let him reach the city''s core!" "Restrict his movements as much as possible!" William issued a series ofmands to the soldiers behind him. Immediately, he dived forward, his golden sword aimed ahead, descending from the sky directly toward the middle-aged man''s location, which was now shrouded in smoke. The smoke dissipated in an instant, revealing a middle-aged man in a gray robe standing with a wide grin on his face. His hand held a mirror, which he promptly tucked into his robe, preparing to face William, who was approaching him. "Relying on artificial and baseless techniques like that, you think you can kill me? Don''t dream, foolish human." The middle-aged man taunted with a mocking tone, while making strange but structured movements. His hands seemed to be pulling something from thin air, sweeping to the right and left before pushing forward with his palms, as if shaping an invisible force in front of him. "Damn... this technique again. Crazy cultivator!" William, who was darting through the air with his golden sword, suddenly felt a tremendous force pulling his body. He couldn''t resist the pull, as if he were being forced to follow the movements of the middle-aged man''s hands below him. Helpless, William''s body was dragged like a puppet pulled by two invisible strings, moving directly towards the middle-aged man. Suddenly, a wall of earth rose from the ground. The asphalt beneath them churned, as if something was moving beneath it. The movement eventually stopped far enough from its original location, and a soldier appeared, his body now resembling that of a mole. "Nice work... now it''s my turn," said another soldier in a firm voice. He threw his staff forward, and from the ground, a massive root with a 10 cm diameter emerged right under the cultivator''s feet. The root moved deftly, wrapping tightly around the cultivator''s legs, as if it had a life of its own. The other soldiers activated their abilities, trying to disrupt the cultivator''s attacks and assist William. "Pathetic ants," muttered the middle-aged man with a look of disdain. He was forced to release his control over William''s body and broke free from the weak soldiers'' interference. "Good..." William, now freed from the grip of the middle-aged man''s power, shot forward like lightning. His golden sword gleamed, emitting an aura that sliced through the air, ready to strike down his opponent. Without hesitation, William unleashed a series of sharp shes, forcing the cultivator to engage in closebat. "So, you want toe closer? Fine, let''s see how tough you really are." The middle-aged man sneered as he waved his hand, creating waves of energy that merged with the surrounding air. His extraordinary reflexes and body control allowed him to dodge each of William''s shes with surprising precision. His movements resembled a graceful yet deadly dance, evading the golden sword''s strikes with light steps, only to retaliate with magical punches that hit back with force. Hisss... "How is this man''s magic stronger than my golden sword?" William wondered in disbelief. He began to feel overwhelmed by the middle-aged man standing before him. If he used pure magic attacks with his stars, they would all be absorbed by the middle-aged man''s mirror. William suspected that the mirror was a highly powerful artifact. "Why are you hesitating? Have you already realized your limit? Hahaha." The cultivator''sughter rang in William''s ears, breaking his concentration as he continued to swing aimlessly. He moved with unpredictable speed. His right hand glowed with thick blue-white energy, making the air around him tremble. Without warning, he delivered a powerful punch directly to William''s chest. BOOM! The air around them seemed to explode as the punch hit William square in the chest. William couldn''t evade in time, and an intense wave of pain surged through his body. The world around him spun rapidly, and his body was hurled through the air like a doll thrown by an immense force. William was flung back 50 meters, crashing into the ground and rolling violently. The sound of cracking bones echoed in his ears. KRRAAK! His ribs had fractured. His breath caught in his throat, and fresh blood gushed from his mouth with force. "Ughh...!" William groaned in agony, his body trembling violently from the impact of the attack. Blood continued to flow from his lips, staining the ground beneath him. Excruciating pain shot through every part of his body, nearly driving him into unconsciousness. The coldughter of the middle-aged man echoed faintly in William''s ears. "You''re so weak... Even with your golden sword, you''re nothing more than an ordinary human." William''s body remained suspended a few meters in the air, unable to control its movement, until finally, a captain leaped and caught him before he could fall further. "President! Are you alright?" the captain asked with a panicked tone. The captain felt a sense of dread. If William, their leader, were to fall, their fate would hang by a thread. William coughed hard, fresh blood spilling from his mouth once again. "D-Damn it... What did... you do to me?" His voice was raspy and weak, barely able to speak properly. With what little strength he had left, William propped himself up on the ground, trying to stand even though his body was wracked with pain. His broken ribs felt like sharp knives stabbing into him every time he took a breath. Chapter 191: Haikal Emanuel arrives Feeling slightly better, William began to regain his consciousness. Trembling, he checked his status panel, trying to assess his condition. His gaze briefly scanned the glowing text on the panel, until his eyesnded on a notification at the bottom. [Soul damage detected, remaining soul: 40%] [Due to the soul being only 40%, all attributes are reduced to 40%] "What?!" William gasped, his desperate cry echoing in the air, making him cough up fresh blood that spurted from his lips. "Damn... a soul attack?!" He gritted his teeth, feeling both anger burning in his chest and shivers of fear running through his spine. William''s mind raced, spinning without direction. "What should I do now?" Even with full attributes, he couldn''t defeat that cultivator. Now, with only 40% of his strength left, he was certain he would be the next victim. "No... no... there must be a way!" William muttered, trying to grasp onto the fading hope. He kept thinking hard, but the situation seemed to offer no way out. "The tower? No... it''s all destroyed..." "Harrison? No... he''s in the middle of a fight too..." One by one, names crossed his mind, people who might be able to help him. But that hope disappeared as quickly as it came. Despair gripped him even more when he saw the cultivator, the inevitable figure, preparing to attack again from a distance. "President... let''s get out of here..." a soldier captain tried to persuade him in a desperate tone. His face showed anxiety, knowing that William was in no condition to fight. He wasn''t sure William could face that cultivator either. Thud! Without warning, William threw a punch, hitting the captain with enough force to send him flying ten meters, crashing into a building at the side of the road. "Coward! Leave if you want!" William shouted, his eyes red with anger. Yet, behind his rage, William knew he was cornered. He had lost to Lein in the inter-race warpetition, failing to even reach the top three. And now, he couldn''t protect the American Alliance from the threat of foreign invaders. The feeling of failure overwhelmed him. "What is there left to be proud of?" His S-ss talent seemed meaningless in the face of this situation. "What should I do...? No... Lein?" William suddenly muttered, his eyes brightening as if finding a glimmer of hope. "Yes, if there''s someone who can save him now, that person is Lein." Lein, the leader of the World Market Trade Alliance. William may have never met him in person, but Lein''s reputation as a protector of humanity was well-known. Lein was someone who cared about the safety and progress of the human race. Without hesitation, William opened the chat system panel and wrote a short but urgent message: "Lord Lein, I need your help. I will fulfill whatever you ask!" He read the message three times, ensuring there were no mistakes before pressing send. But before his finger could touch the button, his body froze. William could feel the presence of someone approaching at incredible speed. --- Meanwhile, in the distance, the middle-aged cultivator preparing his attack paused for a moment, sensing a strong aura approaching. His casual expression tightened slightly, showing signs of difort. "Another intruder?" he muttered, his voice still full of arrogance. He smiled disdainfully. "Hah, no matter how many of theme, they are still newborn creatures... There''s no way any of them has broken through the Nascent Soul stage (Tier Master)." He didn''t give much thought to the approaching aura. His focus returned to William, who nowy helpless. The cultivator began to dance with hand gestures, gathering immense energy, then raised both of his palms. From a distance, William''s body lifted like a feather caught in the wind, flying towards the cultivator with an unstoppable speed. "No... President!" a soldier shouted as he witnessed the situation, running to try to stop the attack. The other soldiers joined in, attacking the cultivator with all their abilities. Large fire magic rained down from the sky, while giant wooden roots emerged from the ground, trying to ensnare the cultivator. But all of it was in vain. ng!... The soldiers'' attacks struck a transparent barrier protecting the cultivator, as if all their power was nothing more than a gentle breeze. "Nooo, President..." muttered a soldier hoarsely. They all knew this was the end for William. In front of them, the cultivator''s fist, filled with glowing blue energy, began to shine brightly, ready to deliver the final blow to William''s chest. William was trapped under the cultivator''s control. He tried to summon his star power, attempting to respond to the attack, but it was all in vain. The stars hemanded seemed to explode before they could even approach his enemy, disappearing as if powerless in the face of the overwhelming force confronting him. "It''s over!" dered the middle-aged cultivator with a smile of satisfaction, ready to unleash the fatal blow that had previously nearly destroyed William. The sound of the wind whistled. Suddenly, William felt a cold wind sweeping over his body, as if something very fast had passed by him. His eyes, which had been closed in resignation, now opened wide. He saw a dark figure standing in front of him. The figure wore a ck cloak that reached the ground, with a skull-like head containing glowing red eyes that stared sharply at the cultivator. In the figure''s hand was arge scythe, a weapon that looked like it could reap souls. "Who... who are you?" William shouted in fear, his mouth trembling, while his body felt free from the cultivator''s control. He jumped back fifty meters, joining the soldiers who had been fighting by his side all along. His soldiers stared in awe. "Mr. President... we''re saved!" the team captain eximed with excitement, his breath ragged but his face full of hope. "Sir Haikal has arrived," he continued, looking at the old man who had just appeared on the battlefield. William frowned, his eyes narrowing. "Haikal...?" Chapter 192: Dark magic The team captain immediately exined what had just happened. "When the cultivator was about to finish you off, a dark figure with a scythe appeared out of nowhere, attacking the cultivator with his scythe. The cultivator was forced to retreat!" William nced at the dark figure the captain referred to. Beside him stood an old man in a white robe, standing calmly, holding a thick ck book that floated in front of him. The book''s pages spun aimlessly, exuding a mystical aura. The old man was Haikal Emanuel¡ªone of the core members of the World Market Trade Alliance. William''s soldiers began to cheer, their confidence returning. They knew Haikal was no ordinary person. His dignified appearance, despite his advanced age, exuded an aura of great power and wisdom. With Haikal''s arrival, there was hope that this battle might still be won. However, William''s heart was in turmoil. He indeed felt relieved that his life was saved, but the relief was iplete. William''s thoughts drifted back to his earlier hope that Lein would be the one toe to his rescue, not Haikal. As a core member of the alliance, Haikal was indeed strong, but William doubted whether the old man''s strength could match that of Lein, the alliance leader he regarded as more superior. While suppressing another bout of blood-filled coughs, William observed Haikal with a mix of emotions. Hope and doubt warred within him. "Can this old man really be trusted?" William thought, even though he already knew the information he had gathered about Haikal. Still, his confidence was shaken. When his soul was intact, William believed he could face Haikal, but now, with only 40% of his soul left, he felt far weaker and more vulnerable. "Ugh..." William grimaced, feeling the pain in his chest. --- The old man, Haikal, stood calmly atop his Vortex te, a ck flying tform with glowing blue light. His sharp eyes fixed on the middle-aged cultivator in the distance. In front of him, the status panel of the cultivator was open, providing Haikal with all the information he needed. [Status] - Name: Yehu - Race: Pris Race - Power Core: Cultivator - Rank: Nascent Soul (Master). "Another cultivator?" Haikal murmured, frowning slightly. "Are they all from the same race and faction?" He had fought several Tier-3 cultivators before, most of them from the Pris Race, just like Yehu standing before him. Haikal''s suspicion grew stronger¡ªthere was something bigger behind this invasion. Wasting no time, Haikal raised his hand, and the atmosphere around him shifted. ck shadows shaped like ws emerged from thin air, extending swiftly toward Yehu like hungry, living entities. Haikal''s Death Shadow, the hooded figure that had earlier saved William, also moved with lightning speed, its long scythe swinging with lethal intent, aiming for Yehu''s throat. Yehu felt a threat unlike any he had encountered before. From afar, his eyes focused warily on Haikal. The dark aura radiating from the old man wasn''t something to be ignored. Something deep inside Yehu screamed¡ªthis attack wasn''t just ordinary magic; it was something far more terrifying that was aiming for his very soul. Yehu took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind. But his curiosity piqued as he noticed the ck tform under Haikal''s feet. The Vortex te emitted an energy far stronger than that of ordinary flying artifacts. "What is that thing?" Yehu thought as he examined the disk intently. Although he was focused on Haikal''s deathly aura, he knew the Vortex te was no ordinary flying tool. It felt more like an ancient artifact containing immense power within. But Yehu didn''t have much time to analyze. Haikal''s first attack came. The ck shadow ws lunged forward at an incredible speed. The air around the battlefield grew oppressive, as if a dark creature had emerged from the depths of the night. The w sliced through the wind, heading straight for Yehu''s chest, ready to tear him apart. Swish! With quick reflexes, Yehu pulled out a silver mirror artifact from beneath his robes. The mirror, engraved with ancient runes, shone brightly, forming a barrier in front of him. It spun rapidly, creating an energy shield that deflected the iing ck w. A loud sh echoed as the shadowy w struck the mirror''s shield, sending powerful vibrations through the ground. Haikal''s shadow didn''t relent; the Death Shadow swung its long scythe again from behind, aiming to slice through Yehu''s back. Yehu moved with agility, bending backward in an unnatural way. He activated his body control magic, a special technique that allowed his body to move with extraordinary sticity. His bones and muscles seemed no longer bound by naturalws. With fluid yet rapid motions, he twisted and darted backward, evading the deadly swing. "This can''t be underestimated," Yehu thought seriously, his eyes locking onto Haikal. The barrage of attacks from the old man was anything but ordinary. Each time he deflected or dodged, the energy he felt from the ck shadows and scythe pressed harder on his soul. "Why are you running?" Haikal didn''t stop. ck magic shot from his fingertips, forming towering shadow pirs that rose from the ground, surrounding Yehu from all sides. The shadows resembled ghostly hands, reaching out to capture Yehu from every direction. Above him, the Death Shadow hovered, its scythe spinning and poised to strike at any moment. "This mirror won''t be enough," Yehu thought quickly. He knew Haikal''s attacks were too powerful to be withstood by a single artifact. With swift motion, he raised his hand, and the silver mirror in front of him spun even faster. Its light radiated in all directions, and suddenly Yehu''s body became enveloped in ayer of transparent mirror, forming a full shield around him. Boom after boom resonated as Haikal''s shadows mmed against the mirrored shield, but Yehu held firm. He moved his body with controlled magic, making acrobatic movements that would be impossible for an ordinary human. Each time Haikal''s attack came close, he twisted his body, strengthened his mirror shield, and dodged with extraordinary agility. But Haikal didn''t slow his assault. The Vortex te beneath his feet spun faster, amplifying his power. The ck magic hemanded grew even more intense, and now the shadows around them began to takerger shapes, like giant creatures of darkness, ready to smash through Yehu''s defenses. Chapter 193: Haikal Emanuel vs Yehu Yehu leaped to the side, his breath ragged. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, but the shadow of the Grim Reaper was always present, like a tireless hunter. It appeared from the side, then vanished behind him, only to strike again from above, then below. Cold sweat drenched his forehead as every movement demanded perfect focus, as if even the slightest misstep could be hisst. Far ahead, a spinning ck de hurtled toward him, spinning with a speed nearly impossible for the eye to follow. The air roared, sliced apart by the sharp spinning de that struck without mercy. Yehu didn''t waste time thinking. With a single decisive motion, he swung his hand, hurling a glowing blue energy orb into the air. The orb of light shot forward sharply, cutting through the space between them as if dividing the world itself. The spinning ck deunched by Haikal whirred with deadly speed, tearing through the air as the two forces collided in the middle. A massive explosion echoed, shaking the ground beneath them and destroying everything around. But before the dust from the explosion could settle, arge shadow floated beside Yehu¡ªthe Grim Reaper. Its massive scythe raised high, its hollow eyes staring coldly, as if bringing forth a freezing void. Yehu twisted his body, realizing the threat, and ducked just as the scythe swung down, slicing through the air with a terrifying sound. Siiiing... A deadly sh passed just inches from his head. Yehu rolled to the side, his eyes zing with suppressed rage. In one swift motion, his hand began to glow¡ªa brilliant blue, full of power. With his bare hand, he struck toward the Grim Reaper''s neck, a lethal blow charged with energy radiating from his fingertips, ready to tear through anything in its path. Tang! The massive scythe met his glowing blue arm, the sound of metal shing reverberating through the air. Yehu sneered, not expecting his attack to be blocked. But he didn''t stop. In a rapid motion, his body spun 360 degrees, slicing through the air and unleashing another strike toward the Grim Reaper. Each spin unleashed sharp blue energy, aiming to tear apart the enemy''s defenses. Yet the Grim Reaper''s scythe moved with surprising agility. Block!¡ªits weapon shed, blocking attacks from the right, then from the left, as if reading Yehu''s every move. Its horrifying body moved with eerie grace, spinning, disappearing from sight only to reappear elsewhere in an instant, like an unreachable shadow. Yehu''s eyes red, his teeth gritted. "Damn it¡­" he cursed inwardly, frustration creeping into him. All his attacks seemed meaningless. Far off, Haikal stood still, unmoving, as if lost in his own thoughts. His face remained calm, with no intention of advancing, merely observing the fight with an empty gaze, making Yehu''s blood boil even more. --- Haikal watched Yehu struggle against his Grim Reaper, his face calm, though his eyes began to narrow. He took a step forward, light yet full of certainty. "Enough ying around," he muttered quietly, though his voice echoed through the air like an undeniablemand. In front of Haikal, a ck book opened to a page filled with chaotic lines colliding at the center. His old hand moved slowly, touching the surface of the page. "Hell Spear." The moment those words were spoken, the world around Yehu changed drastically. Time seemed to slow. The earth and sky rumbled with uncontroble power. Yehu felt his chest tremble violently. Panicking, his hands moved swiftly, tearing through the air to create a portal. Crah! A loud crack apanied the shattering of the portal just as it formed, with the Grim Reaper''s scythe destroying it instantly, giving him no chance. Attack after attack flowed, relentlessly pressing down on Yehu. "Damn it! Leave me alone!" he roared in desperation, fear beginning to w at his heart. But the greatest threat had yet to arrive. From below, the ground split, and a massive ck spear¡ªits length immeasurable¡ªshot up, straight toward Yehu. His eyes widened, his body moved, but it was too slow. In seconds, the spear pierced his heart. "Ugh!" A pained groan escaped his lips. His hand trembled as he reached for a vial from thin air, quickly gulping it down. Warmth flowed through his body, instantly healing his wound. With thest of his strength, Yehu shed at the ck spear lodged in his body. Crack! The spear shattered, and Yehu broke free from the deadly strike. But he knew, his time was running out. "I have to escape," he thought quickly, with no other options. He pulled out a talisman from his spatial ring, his hand ready to break it¡ªthe only way to flee. But before the talisman could activate, another spear suddenly fell from the sky, once again aiming directly for his heart. "Ugh!" Yehu gritted his teeth, his body writhing in pain. Not long after, another spear came from the side, striking with the same deadly speed. Two ck spears now impaled him deeply, blood slowly seeping out. Each spear drained his life force, weakening him further. A coldugh echoed. From a distance, Haikal began approaching, his steps slow yet sure. "A high race, huh?" His mockingughter grew louder as he saw Yehu''s body, hanging like a roasted pig in the air, trapped between two spears. Yehu''s furious eyes could only re at him with unspeakable hatred. "You''re like a dog on a leash," Haikal said, his voice calm yet cutting sharply. "Daring to bark only when next to your master." Another swift, merciless strike. A ck spear pierced Yehu''s thigh with terrifying precision, forcing his body to sag even more. Haikal stepped closer, his eyes full of wisdom as if lecturing a child. "Your barking may sound loud in front of the weak, but where is it when you face someone above you?" Shortly after those words left his mouth, another ck spear appeared, this time piercing Yehu''s neck. Blood oozed from his throat, his breaths grew shallow, as the pain began to erase his consciousness. Chapter 194: The horror of haikal emanuel Far in the back, William and the soldiers watched the scene with wide eyes, horror creeping into their hearts. "Is Master Haikal... a human or a demon?" whispered the team captain, his voice trembling, his throat dry. --- "That old man lives up to the rumors. Some acquaintances said his dark magic was extraordinary... and now I truly believe it," muttered a disheveled blonde-haired soldier, his blue eyes filled with dread as he stared at the sky. The figure of Haikal Emanuel controlled the ck spears effortlessly, like a conductor leading a symphony of death. The other soldiers'' eyes were fixed, standing still as if facing a living nightmare. There was a faint sense of gratitude among them, though subtle¡ªthankful they were still breathing. But fear pierced deeper. Haikal Emanuel, the old man with the cold smile, was a real threat that sent chills down their spines. "I... was blind," William muttered, his voice breaking with deep regret. His face, once glowing with optimism, was now a shadow of his former self. His eyes were vacant, staring down at the dusty ground. "How... could I have missed such an opportunity?" he whispered again, more to himself, trying to understand but failing. His mind was filled with once-unshakeable dreams¡ªhis S-ss talent that he had always prided himself on, now felt like a bitter joke. His leadership over the American Alliance, which he once thought was his destiny, now seemed trivial. All of it had made him forget the harsh reality he now faced: in the Divine Sky realm, true power held dominion, not status or empty achievements. He turned, looking at his closest soldier, Ricky, with a tense gaze. "Ask about Master Harrison''s condition," he said, his tone more of amand than a request. William could have asked Harrison himself about the situation. But that wouldn''t be wise in the heat of this intense war. If he dyed Harrison even a few seconds for a response, wouldn''t that be foolish? "Yes, Sir." Ricky quickly activated themunication device on his wrist. His fingers danced across the screen, typing rapidly. His eyes scanned, reading every iing piece of information, then bowed slightly before reporting. "Master Harrison has encountered some difficulties, but reinforcements from the World Market Trade Alliance have arrived," Ricky calmly replied, though his breath was heavy. "Additionally, the Russian alliance has also intervened¡­ even President dimir Nova has arrived on the battlefield." William listened carefully, blinking lightly as he heard about the iing aid. However, when dimir Nova''s name was mentioned, his eyes suddenly widened, his expression shifting drastically. "dimir? He came down personally?" His voice rose, reflecting deep disbelief. William''s face, previously marked with traces of pain, was now adorned with shock. "That bald man¡­ he''s too clever to hide in the shadows," William said, his voice trembling. His mind was again filled with insignificance, struck by the bitter reality that even the allies he once considered equals¡ªhad now left him far behind. In front of Haikal Emanuel, Yehu''s body was almost unrecognizable. Dozens of ck spears pierced every part of his body, creating a horrifying sight. His blood soaked the ground, while the remaining parts of his body appeared like unrecognizable chunks of flesh. Moments ago, a cold system notification had announced Yehu''s death. Haikal just stared emotionlessly, his old face calm, as if what had just happened was nothing extraordinary. With a simple gesture, Haikal deactivated his Hell Spear skill. The spears that had impaled Yehu''s body slowly faded from the air, leaving the remaining chunks of flesh to fall to the ground with a sickening thud, like meat being pulled off steel skewers. The cold night wind swept through, carrying the stench of death with it. "All the same," Haikal muttered softly, his gaze distant. "Their strength only reaches peak Tier-3..." The old man''s thoughts drifted back to the previous battles, retracing the steps of the enemies he had already vanquished. None of them had been beyond Tier-3, and the group of weak Tier-2 and Tier-1 soldiers that hade along, as if rushing to their own deaths. Haikal then turned to the side. There, a figure of a grim reaper floated¡ªa fleshless skull draped in a long ck robe. Its hollow eyes stared emotionlessly, only silence radiating from it. Haikal nced at the figure with a slight smile on his lips. "How do you feel? Was he strong enough?" Haikal asked, his voice t, but full of mockery. The grim reaper only let out a long sigh, a cold breeze echoing faintly around it. No clear words were spoken, but the slow movement of the skull was answer enough. Haikal smiled faintly. "You''re right," he muttered, nodding slightly, "Without a soul attack, he was indeed weak." He then shifted his gaze around. The buildings that had once stood tall nowy like the remnants of old ruins, shattered. Most had been leveled to the ground, copsing under the brutal assault. The once green and peaceful garden was now filled with rubble, the small pond in the distance littered with debris. Its water was murky and filthy, reflecting the gloomy gray sky above. The asphalt road that had once been smooth was now cracked, fissures extending as far as the eye could see. The concrete defense towers, once sturdy, were strewn across the ground, silent witnesses to the destruction. Small shops, public buildings, none had escaped the sudden onught. Only the remnants of a world left powerless in the rubble remained. "No wonder," Haikal said with a long sigh, his voice low and resonant. "A surprise attack... is always like this." The anger that simmered beneath the old man''s calm exterior was hidden, burning in every memory he had of the foreign attackers. They did not deserve to live, and Haikal made sure each of their leaders suffered before death. Finally, Haikal turned his gaze toward a group of American soldiers and William, standing stiff in the distance. Their eyes were fixed on him¡ªfaces filled with fear and horror, as if witnessing the true angel of death. Chapter 195: Haikal Emanuel message With the wind swirling around him, Haikal Emanuel hovered in the air, standing firmly on the slowly spinning Vortex te beneath his feet. In an instant, he shot toward William''s army, the silent figure of the grim reaper floating behind him, its shadow like a curtain of death trailing his steps. As he approached, William''s soldiers tensed, their breaths held, while the cold aura that Haikal brought with him spread around, gripping their hearts. Haikal descended from the Vortex te with a light movement. His feet touched the ground with a grace that contrasted with the destruction he had just caused. His figure stood tall in front of William and his troops, and his previously cold face now softened, presenting an unexpectedly friendly smile. "Hello, Mr. William, it''s an honor to meet you." His voice was soft, but there was something hidden beneath that softness, something that made everyone who heard it feel a chill creeping down their spines. William stammered, his blood seeming to freeze for a moment. The horror still lingering from what had happened to Yehu was now overshadowed by the old man''s friendly gaze, yet still, the fear could not be dispelled. Haikal''s smile felt like a piercing irony. "Ah¡­ n-no, Sir. We are honored to meet you," William quickly replied, his voice stiff, desperately trying to hide the tension that gripped him. He knew, that friendly smile was merely a mask for the cruelty that could strike at any moment. Behind the facade of politeness, Haikal Emanuel was a monster who couldn''t be predicted. Behind William, his soldiers exchanged nces. Although they had seen firsthand how Haikal treated his enemies, none of them dared show their fear openly. Instead, they nodded politely, offering words of praise with slightly trembling voices. "We are honored to meet you, Sir Haikal." "Pleasure to meet you, Sir Haikal." They spoke in voices that sounded mechanical, trying to maintainposure in front of a man they knew could destroy them in an instant. Though they were all human, they fully understood that Haikal Emanuel was not someone who could be faced with the confidence that he would be fair just because they were of the same race. Their gazes asionally shifted to the remains of Yehu''s body that had fallen from the sky earlier¡ªthe memory still fresh in their minds, etched into their dark recollections. They knew, if they took one wrong step, their fate might end in the same way. "Well... you''ve been wise enough to remain on the side of humanity up to this point. Thank you for that." Haikal Emanuel''s voice echoed, emphasizing his words as if issuing a warning. Every tone that left his lips carried the subtle message that if circumstances were reversed, their fate wouldn''t be much different from Yehu, now lying lifeless on the ground. "Of course, Sir... of course," William and his soldiers nodded in unison, their faces disying clear tension. No one dared to argue, knowing they were facing someone capable of changing their lives in an instant. Silently, they agreed to support every word Haikal spoke. "Good... good." Haikal smiled, a smile that wasn''t entirely reassuring. "I have a small message for you, Mr. William. Perhaps it will be very useful for your future development." William raised both eyebrows, waiting cautiously. "What is it, Sir? I''ll do it," he asked, his voice trembling despite trying to sound calm. "Do not act contrary to Young Master Lein''s direction, for your own good." Haikal''s words flowed smoothly, yet with a firmness that etched them into their minds. A suggestion reminding them to follow Lein''s methods. William recalled his agreement with Lein not long ago. Tension filled the air as everyone fell silent for a moment, processing the meaning behind those words. Finally, they all nodded in unison, refusing to question the implied meaning. In their minds, one thing was clear: they just wanted Haikal to leave as soon as possible. After delivering his message, Haikal turned, leaving them without looking back. With a swift motion, he opened the panel in his hand and scanned the next area that required his assistance. On the tablet screen, a list of inds in need of help appeared in vivid colors. Three inds in red at the top, followed by several yellow ones, indicating high urgency levels. "Good... very efficient." Haikal sighed deeply, his gaze fixed on the remaining red list. Haikal Emanuel focused his gaze on the tablet screen in his hand, weighing the inds with the most concerning statuses. His eyes eventuallynded on one of the Top 10 inds shing red. "Athar Ind," he thought. Athar Ind was formed by independent rulers without any national identity in its creation. Recalling the description of Athar Ind, Haikal felt respect for its leader. After making his decision, Haikal moved his finger across the tablet screen, trying to check thetest announcements from the alliance. Pressing a few buttons, he finally arrived at the announcement page. He saw the top announcement: the current status of the war. Almost 90% of the inds had been secured and brought under control, though many had suffered severe damage. "Huft¡­" Haikal let out a deep sigh as he looked at some of the attached photos. Images of ravaged cities, the bodies of civilians lying in the streets, and foreign soldiers attacking without mercy. He swiped through the screen, seeing a picture of a group of civilians praying in a field, giving thanks to the gods. Their faces were shrouded in sorrow, some weeping in each other''s arms, showing how the war had devastated their lives. "Sigh..." Haikal could only let out a long breath. He wasn''t a god who could save every suffering soul. Behind his stern gaze, there was an unspoken pain. Those civilians might not know how much effort he had put in, but he understood that this was all he could do¡ªhelp as much as possible. After scrolling through a few more heartbreaking photos, he noticed several new messages in the Alliance chat. - (Laras): "The battle on China Ind is over, thanks to President Bai''s help, everything went smoothly." Haikal tapped the photo embedded in the message. The image showed a woman, and behind her was the figure of a giant dragon rampaging on the battlefield, brutally crushing foreign enemies. Bai Qi in her dragon form. Haikal smiled slightly, recalling how fierce that girl could be. Chapter 196: Japan Alliance Island "Such a fierce girl," he muttered. Bai Qi, President of the Chinese Alliance, was indeed famous for her terrifying dragon transformation. Haikal had heard about her from various sources, and every time, he couldn''t help but be impressed. The next message came from Hana, who was helping the Top Ten Alliance, and a message from Efan, recounting his experience fighting a group of beast tamers on a weakly defended ind. As usual, all these messages were apanied by pictures of their actions, most of which served as a showcase of their power. "These kids..." Haikal could only shake his head, chuckling. Their funny and childish behavior often provided some amusement amidst the seriousness of war. However, he wouldn''t join in showing off his actions, let alone take pictures of himself killing enemies. That would be too strange, he thought. After scrolling through the messages with mild curiosity, Haikal closed hismunication device and carefully stored it away. He looked up at the sky, the scorching sun directly overhead. Yes, it was already midday. With one smooth movement, he jumped onto the Vortex te hovering beneath his feet. The wind rushed past as the Vortex te shot away, carrying Haikal toward Athar Ind¡ªthe ind that needed to be saved immediately. *** Japan Alliance Ind ¨C Kyoto City Kyoto Cityy in ruins. The once-towering buildings that stood proudly had crumbled, reduced to scattered debris. However, this destruction seemed to have a boundary; only the city center was inplete ruin, while the surrounding buildings still stood tall. A hastily constructed half-meter-high emergency wall encircled the city center, built by Japanese soldiers trying to contain further damage. Behind this wall, observation posts stood. Soldiers kept vignt watch, their eyes tense as they stared at the distant battle. Silently, they pinned their hopes on those fighting for their ind. In the heart of the city, three figures were locked in a fierce battle. Two women faced off against a massive golden griffin, towering at 35 meters. Despite itsrge size, the griffin''s movements were anything but slow. Each p of its wings caused massive tremors in the ground, forcing the two women to retreat momentarily before resuming their assault. The first woman, dressed in purple, moved swiftly with her long hair flowing in the wind. Purple lightning crackled from her palms, unleashing relentless attacks toward the griffin''s body. Her magic struck wildly, splitting the air with a roaring sound. On the other side, the second woman moved more gracefully, hovering in the air with calmposure. Several magic circles appeared around her body, spinning like clock hands before shooting toward the griffin. Each time a circle hit the griffin, the affected part instantly froze, though only for a few seconds. Thebination of lightning and time magic began to overwhelm the griffin. However, the giant creature didn''t remain passive. With one powerful p of its wings, a fierce gust of wind swept over the two women, forcing them to momentarily retreat to avoid the dangerous sweep. Behind the wall, far from the heart of the battle, a female soldier turned around, her eyes full of hope as she looked at the middle-aged man standing nearby. The golden badge on his chest signified his authority¡ªCaptain Kaito. "Captain Kaito, are we just going to watch?" she asked, her voice filled with anxiety. Kaito kept his gaze fixed on the distant battle, his eyes narrowing as the ongoing attacks made little impact on the griffin. His face showed an unspoken weariness, and he asionally sighed, as if he knew the answer to the question long before it was asked. After a moment, he slowly turned, his eyes meeting the female soldier''s. "What do you think we can do?" he asked, his voice tired and t, almost emotionless. The question hung in the air, leaving the female soldier silent. She quickly realized the foolishness of her own question. What could they do? Fight a creature thatrge? All they could do was hope and watch. Kaito said no more. His eyes returned to the battle. He understood the anxiety of the soldier beside him, but the reality before them couldn''t be changed. They were too weak to intervene. "Come on, President¡­" he muttered softly, "you can do it." In the midst of the battle, Ayumi¡ªthe woman in purple¡ªquickly nced at Elen, who hovered not far from her. "Elen, is your time magic ready?" she asked, her voice calm despite the chaos around her. Elen, floating in the air, lowered her head slightly, her trembling voice answering, "Y-yes, Princess Ayumi¡­ you can move at any time." Her face flushed red, shy as usual. Even so, the hands holding her magic staff didn''t tremble at all. Ayumi gave a faint smile, understanding Elen''s timid nature. Although Elen seemed young and often filled with doubt, her power was terrifying. It was no wonder the girl had be one of the core members of the World Market Trade Alliance. Ayumi stood tall in the air, her arms spread wide as if challenging the sky. Purple lightning began to gather between her palms, wild yet controlled, forming a vortex of energy that spun faster and faster. The air around her body vibrated, emitting subtle electric waves that caused her long hair to rise slowly, as if dancing with the power she summoned. A deep purple light illuminated the clear Kyoto sky, with wild lightning crackling across the heavens, enveloping the ruined cityscape in an aura that was both terrifying and beautiful. "Come," Ayumi whispered softly, as though speaking to an old friend. The lightning in her hands responded, crackling louder, wild yet obedient under her control. In the distance, the golden griffin ceased pping its wings. Its massive wings jolted, lifting dust and shards of stone that scattered around its feet. The sharp eyes of the monster locked onto Ayumi, glowing red, filled with rage. Its deafening roar echoed, shattering what remained of the crumbling buildings. Yet beneath its ferocity, there was a hint of unease in its movements. Its primal instincts sensed the danger emanating from the wild lightning in Ayumi''s hands, a power not to be underestimated. Chapter 197: Fighting Fryon Ayumi took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling gracefully. Without hesitation, she spun her body fluidly, her movements seemingly in sync with the current of lightning that surrounded her. As her palms faced the griffin, a tremendous sh erupted from her hands¡ªlightning that wasn''t just a glowing spark, but a living entity. "Thunder Dragon!" Her voice echoed, loud and full of power. The lightning exploded from her hands, forming a giant dragon d in shimmering scales of electricity. Its sharp ws radiated blinding light, and its massive form shot forward with speed that tore through the air. The thunderous roar of the lightning dragon mixed with the crackling sky, charging toward the griffin as if it were ripping the heavens apart with its sheer force. The griffin''s sharp gaze focused on the lightning dragon speeding toward it. The dragon''s body was covered in crackling lightning that struck erratically, emitting destructive energy that made the surrounding air tremble. The griffin''s eyes narrowed, full of caution. Its jaw slowly opened, revealing rows of sharp teeth like the fangs of a bloodthirsty wolf, exuding an aura of majesty and menace. From the griffin''s mouth, a stream of golden energy slowly manifested. Strands of golden light gathered from all directions, as if responding to an invisible call, being drawn into its mouth. In mere seconds, a basketball-sized orb of golden energy formed and began to expand, creating a vortex that shook the atmosphere around it. In the distance, Elen stood on her Vortex te, her hair billowing in the fierce wind created by the thunder dragon''s power. Her face was calm but serious, her eyes focused on the spell she was casting. In front of her, a white magic staff rotated slowly in the air, emitting a soft glow. Unlike ordinary magic, the aura of this staff felt silent, still, as if time itself stopped just by looking at it. At the tip of the staff was a transparent orb containing a circr clock that spun endlessly, its numbers floating like dancers within, radiating a mysterious aura. "I have to seed... I have to slow down this creature''s time," Elen muttered quietly, her voice nearly drowned by the distant rumble of thunder. Her usually innocent face, with a small furrow on her brow, showed a rare expression of determination. Taking a deep breath, Elen opened a magic panel in front of her, quickly reviewing the description of her staff. [Time Circle Staff] - Level: 32 - Attributes: INT +1570, AGI +1200 - Enhancement: +15% bonus attributes, +15% attack power - Skill: (Time Circle) Reduces enemy''s time usage by 30% for 10 seconds within a 50-meter radius. Cooldown: 20 minutes. Elen''s eyes carefully examined the panel, ensuring everything was ready. Without hesitation, she cast her spell. From the staff, a glowing white circle shot into the air, slicing through the space between them and the griffin. The magic circle moved quickly, heading towards the griffin, which was still focused on gathering its golden energy. Momentster, the circle hovered above the griffin''s head, slowly expanding, creating a magical field that enveloped the massive creature within a 50-meter radius. Time energy began to spread, wrapping the griffin in invisible threads of magic. Its movements slowed, its eyes dragging as they shifted towards Elen, the realization of the trap dawning on its face. The casting of its golden energy orb also slowed, as if time itself was restraining all its efforts. "Not this again..." the griffin thought, its expression growing tense. It recognized this magic¡ªthe time magic circle that had been a thorn in its side in the past. The two women had prepared everything perfectly. Frustrated, it halted its casting of the golden energy orb. Now, it stood still, unable to fight back. Its eyes remained fixed on the lightning dragon approaching ever closer. From afar, Ayumi watched the griffin''s strange behavior with suspicion. "Why is it standing still like that? Not taking any action?" she thought, her sharp gaze tracking every subtle movement the griffin made. Her instincts told her that something was wrong. Slowly, Ayumi strengthened her defenses, preparing herself for the worst. The lightning dragon drew closer, its purple bolts crackling wildly. Thunder roared deafeningly, growing louder as the massive creature hurtled toward the griffin. With the griffin offering no resistance, the lightning dragon reached its target, and in an instant¡­ BOOM! Zap... A massive explosion rocked the air. Purple lightning erupted, mming into the area around the griffin, striking both earth and sky as if trying to tear them apart. The lightning bolts hit everything, leveling anything within its radius. Some buildings outside the barrier wall caught fire, copsing into ruins under the uncontroble power. "Incredible! The President is truly powerful," one soldier said from behind the wall, his awe clearly evident. "Yeah, that griffin must be dead this time," another soldier replied, raising his fist in triumph, certain of the oue. In the same ce, Captain Kaito clenched his fist. His eyes gleamed with hope, eager to see the end of this battle. The griffin had killed many of his team members, and he longed for Ayumi and Elen to finally avenge them. Thick smoke rolled over the area where the griffin had fallen, obscuring the view and preventing Elen and Ayumi from seeing what was happening inside. Ayumi, her brow furrowed, quickly flew towards Elen, keeping them close together. "Elen, do you sense anything?" Ayumi asked, her voice trembling slightly, though she tried to remain calm. "No, Princess. But it''s not dead yet." Elen spoke with calm certainty, though her eyes couldn''t pierce through the thick fog. The griffin''s breath was still palpable in the air. That was enough for her. sh... Suddenly, without warning, a figure shot out of the fog. Quick, silent, it lunged towards Ayumi. A gleaming sword with sharp golden feathers cut through the air, aimed straight at her chest. Ayumi froze, her entire body tensing. Everything moved too fast. Even her crackling purple lightning couldn''t respond in time. Slick. Chapter 198: Rotating Time The sword pierced her, right in her right chest. A sharp pain paralyzed her body instantly. In her fading consciousness, she slowly turned her gaze to see who had attacked her¡ªa middle-aged man with shining golden hair. His piercing ck eyes bore into Ayumi with cold indifference, and the feathered ents on his ears confirmed her suspicions. She knew who this was. To make sure, Ayumi''s fading eyes tried to view the man''s status panel. [Status] - Name: Fryon - Race: Golden Griffin Race - Power Core: Bloodline - Rank: Sr Empowerment (Master). The man smiled arrogantly. "You think you can defeat me?" he said, his voice low and taunting, as though everything was a game to him. Without dy, he dragged his sword upward, slicing through Ayumi while she remained in shock and anger. Her dull eyes widened again, ring at Fryon with terrifying intensity. Ayumi bit her lip, trying to endure the pain. But there was no time. In an instant, the man''s sword rose, tearing through her body. Blood sttered, and her body was split in half, slowly falling to the ground, apanied by the distant screams of soldiers. Fryon looked at Ayumi, his eyes shing with twisted satisfaction. His tongue flicked across his lips, savoring the blood that stained his sword. Ayumi''s split body floated briefly in the air before gravity pulled it down, falling powerlessly towards the earth. "Noooo... President!!!" "This can''t be... Wait for me, Princess Ayumi..." The soldiers'' cries echoed behind the barrier wall, their voices filled with both hope and despair. With all their strength, they leaped over the wall and ran, their feet trembling in tension as they watched Ayumi''s body plummet. "I can''t... I can''t believe it!" One female soldier ran with tears streaming down her face, her voice full of anguish. Just moments ago, she had watched Ayumi''s thunder dragon soar with grandeur, destroying the terrifying griffin. But now, panic gripped her soul. How could this happen? It felt as if time had stopped, and the world around her blurred into confusion. Outside the perimeter wall, a middle-aged man stood still, his eyes vacant, as though unable to process what had just happened. Beneath his calm exterior, a torrent of emotions shed¡ªshock, disbelief, and sorrow, all mixed into one. His lips trembled, and his voice escaped in a faint whisper, barely audible to anyone. "Princess¡­" It was all he could say, as if other words were trapped in his throat. Not long after uttering those words, Kaito, who had been frozen in confusion, suddenly snapped out of it by something different. A cold wind swept across the battlefield, but beneath its chill, there was an energy more ancient, more primordial. That aura radiated from the heart of the battle, from Elen, now surrounded by lines of light forming patterns of time around her. The light moved, crawling through the air, touching each soldier still running toward Ayumi''s body. The energy was invisible, but its presence was palpable¡ªa vibration that pierced through both mind and body. The soldiers, who had been rushing forward with determination, suddenly halted. Their feet moved backward as if pulled by an unseen force. They began retracing every step they had just taken, but this time, their movements felt slower, more reluctant, like puppets controlled by invisible strings. "W-what''s happening? My body isn''t moving ording to my will!" one of the soldiers shouted, his voice shaking, filled with confusion. His hand lifted forward, but not of his own ord. "Help!" cried another, his voiceced with growing panic. Some of them tried to resist, but it was futile. Their bodies continued to reverse, repeating each motion they had made as though time itself had reversed. Then one of the soldiers yelled, his eyes wide in astonishment. "Look! President Ayumi''s body!" They all looked toward the battlefield, and there, amid the fading fog, Ayumi''s body, which had previously fallen to the ground, was now rising again. Slowly, her body floated, following the same path it had taken during the fall. But even more astonishing, in the distance, Fryon, the Gifrin who had stabbed Ayumi earlier, was also moving in reverse. His actions reyed, the golden feathered sword that had torn through Ayumi''s body returning to its position before the strike, as if the world was rewinding the scene. Fryon squinted his eyes, his gaze vacant, his movements sluggish, as though his body no longer belonged to him. Around him, a soft light shimmered, embracing time, slowing his motions to a near standstill. Everything around him felt as though it was being drawn into a greater force. Every second slowed, but Fryon was fully aware of being trapped. His mind raced for an exnation. Time? Only one person could do this. "Elen." The name shed in his thoughts, and the urge to turn toward her grew stronger. But his body couldn''t respond, ensnared in the reverse flow of time. Not far from Fryon, Elen stood, her body surrounded by glowing sheets of light spinning like lotus petals in the breeze. Her eyes were closed, her face radiating a gentle glow, deep in concentration. A single bead of sweat trickled down her forehead, but she remainedposed, despite the heavy burden she carried. Bit by bit, she rewound time, undoing what had already urred. On the other side, Ayumi, who had previously been lying still, now blinked her eyes. Her breath hitched for a moment, and her body trembled as she clearly saw what was happening before her. Her lips parted, forming a barely audible whisper. "What¡­?" Her voice quivered, disbelief spreading across her face. Her eyes widened further as she watched Fryon''s golden feathered sword¡ªpreviously embedded in her chest¡ªslowly retracting. The pain still felt real, but now it was reversed, the wound that should have killed her vanishing as the sword withdrew from her body. Fryon could only growl in shock. "Impossible¡­" he muttered in a low voice, his eyes wide in disbelief. "How could that child master the power of time...?" Pop. Chapter 199: Lein appears The golden feathered sword finally slid out of Ayumi''s chestpletely, leaving only a faint scar. Right after that, time resumed as normal. Ayumi staggered backward, quickly distancing herself from Fryon, gasping for breath that had been caught in her throat. In the distance, Elen opened her eyes, slowly surveying the scene around her. But now, her face lookedpletely different¡ªwhere it had once shone with energy, it now appeared drained, as if exhausted. Her steps faltered, and before she could say much, she whispered softly, "Ah... Brother Lein... I''m sorry..." Her voice was barely audible before she copsed into unconsciousness. Fryon grinned. "A golden opportunity¡­" he hissed, raising his feathered sword high, ready to strike down the defenseless Elen. His hand, gripping the sword, moved swiftly, poised to deliver a merciless blow. From a distance, Ayumi, who had retreated, suddenly jolted with a piercing sense of guilt. She had never intended to leave Elen behind, it was just a reflex to protect herself from Fryon''s counterattack. Without a second thought, she sprinted back toward Elen, her heart filled with resolve to protect the girl, no matter the cost. In slow motion, Fryon had unsheathed his sword, directing it right at Elen''s body as she fell toward the ground. From a distance, Ayumi elerated with incredible speed, attempting to reach Elen before Fryon could strike. "Die¡­" Fryon muttered to himself. The thin de of his sword reflected the blinding midday sun. Its gleaming edge appeared razor-sharp, ready to im Elen''s life in one deadly blow. Fryon felt a fiery rage within himself. The previous battle had cornered him¡ªall because of that girl, Elen, who could manipte time. Elen''s power slowed everything around her, causing Fryon to lose speed, even though his attacks were deadlier than Ayumi''s. His failure in thest fight continued to haunt his mind, making him imagine countless ways to exact revenge. But just as his de was mere inches from Elen''s body, something stopped him. "What is this?" Fryon thought, his pupils dting. Near Elen, a golden sword appeared, hovering in mid-air as if to protect her. This sword wasn''t just an ordinary weapon¡ªit emanated a deadly aura. Fryon''s skin prickled, a chill running down his spine. A terrifying energy emanated from the sword, and his body seemed to reject moving any closer. The golden sword emitted a soft glow that rotated along its translucent de. It was more than a meter long, with intricate details that gleamed each time the sunlight struck it. Golden energy swirled gently within its de, exuding a sense of indescribable strength yet feeling peaceful. The sword seemed as if it was carved from light itself, though its gentle appearance contrasted with the sharp, menacing aura it exuded. Fryon had no choice but to halt his attack, stepping back a few meters. His instincts screamed¡ªthis was no ordinary sword. He knew there were more tricks hidden by this girl. In an instant, the sword radiated a bright white light, nearly blinding Fryon. The sword began to transform, changing into a young man with short ck hair. The young man wore a long blue robe, with two impressive-looking swords hanging at his waist. "Leader Lein¡­" Ayumi''s voice echoed from afar, faint but full of wonder. The newly appeared figure was unmistakable¡ªLein, the leader of the World Market Trade alliance, now stood calmly beside Elen, exuding authority without needing to say a word. --- Lein, or rather a clone of him, moved gracefully to catch Elen''s falling body, supporting her with his right arm to prevent her from falling further. He looked at her pale face with a mix of pity and pride. Elen, who was usually so shy, had fought to the point of exhaustion. "This girl¡­ she rarely says much, but this time, she fought with everything she had," Lein murmured, a faint smile crossing his lips. However, holding someone was notfortable. A sense of fatigue crept into his arm. Not wanting to hold Elen any longer, Lein pulled a small bottle containing a blessing potion from his bag. Carefully, he raised the bottle and, using his pinky finger, gently opened Elen''s red lips, which were still unconscious. Gently, he brought the mouth of the bottle close to Elen''s, holding it so the potion could trickle slowly. The shimmering potion flowed down Elen''s throat smoothly, rejuvenating her weakened body. Lein poured every drop until the bottle was entirely empty, then set it aside casually, allowing the healing process to take effect. He stood up straight, watching Elen without hurry, waiting for her to regain consciousness. At this moment, Lein''s entire focus was on Elen, as if the presence of Fryon, standing in the distance, was nothing more than a meaningless shadow. From a distance, Fryon could feel the terrifying pressure emanating from Lein¡ªa force so overwhelming that his body trembled unconsciously. His breathing becamebored, while his body temperature soared in panic. Fear seeped into him, emptying his logical thoughts. Fryon quickly calcted the various options he could take to escape this situation. However, his ns fell apart one by one as he thought about the power emanating from Lein. This was not just any power¡ªthis was the aura of a ruler at the Constetion Binding level (Tier-Master). One wrong move, and he could lose his life in an instant. The first option that crossed his mind was to flee. If he could open a portal and escape as quickly as possible, he might survive. But that n immediately seemed impossible. Lein was too close¡ªeven before the portal could open, Fryon knew he might already be cut down by an unexpected attack. The second option, to fight with all his strength. But Fryon quickly realized how foolish this n was. The difference in power between him and Lein was like the difference between heaven and earth. There was no realistic chance of sess if they faced each other head-on. The remaining option was to surrender. Fryon clenched his fists, feeling a pang of pain in his heart just thinking about it. Chapter 200: Elen woke up Bing a subordinate of Lein¡­ it would be a humiliation for him. However, on the other hand, it was the only realistic option for survival. Fryon''s fear slightly eased as he thought of his n. He realized that the information he possessed might be a valuable asset. As a ruler who had followed various hunts and conquests in new realms, Fryon knew the value of knowledge about outer races and foreign worlds. If he could offer this information to Lein, there was a good chance he could save himself, perhaps even gain something through a deal. While Fryon was lost in his survival n, a soft yet firm voice suddenly sounded nearby. "Leader Lein, hello... I''m Ayumi, leader of the Japan Alliance." Ayumi now stood next to Lein, who was still supporting Elen''s body with his right hand. Her words were brief, direct, without hesitation, reflecting her efficient personality. Though she had just been in a battle, Ayumi''s current posture was different. This time, not just a fighter stood there, but a princess, exuding an aura of elegance and strength that couldn''t be underestimated. The flowing purple robe on her body added to her noble grandeur, every fold of the fabric gleaming under the sunlight. Lein shifted his attention from Elen, looking at Ayumi with a bit of admiration. The woman''s face had a ssical beauty that was hard to ignore¡ªher sharp nose, deep eyes, and a jawline that was strong yet still feminine. "So beautiful... and fair-skinned," Lein thought to himself, unable to help but notice Ayumi''s pale, porcin-like skin, a stark contrast to most Indonesians, who generally had a more tannedplexion. Her skin shone with a soft glow under the sunlight. Ayumi stood tall before Lein, her posture radiating confidence though her gaze remained gentle and unassuming. Her dark eyes sparkled with a sense of self-assurance, as if awaiting Lein''s response without haste. Lein stared at her for a moment, admiring her graceful figure. With calm and controlled poise, Lein gave a slight nod before speaking, "Hello, Princess Ayumi. It''s a pleasure to finally meet you." Lein''s friendly smile caught Ayumi by surprise. In her heart, she felt both relief and wonder. Lein, the figure rumored to be a greedy and arrogant leader among the top alliance leaders, was different from the gossip she''d often heard. His demeanor was warm, even approachable. "Haha... no need to call me princess, just Ayumi is fine," Ayumi replied, smiling awkwardly. Her voice was warm, though there was a slight unease behind herugh. She briefly nced at Fryon, standing not far away; he seemed frozen, standing there with a nk stare and a pale face. After a few seconds, Ayumi refocused on Lein, but at the same time, Elen, who had fainted, began to show signs of life. Her fingers moved slightly, then her tiny hand gripped Lein''s robe. With an unexpected tug, Elen clung to Lein''s arm, holding it tighter. Not long after, her once-closed eyes started to open slowly. A hint of confusion appeared on her face as she looked directly at Lein. "What¡ªwhere am I?" Elen mumbled weakly, her mind still foggy. Her body tried to rise, but she was too weak to stand upright. With no other choice, she leaned against Lein, feeling the warmth of the person she usually didn''t want to meet. Then, as her vision cleared, Elen looked at the figure supporting her. Her face paled, then suddenly turned bright red. "Wh¡ªwhat?! Leader?!" Elen''s scream echoed, her voice full of embarrassment and panic. She tried to cover her face with both hands but couldn''t because she was still gripping Lein''s robe to prevent herself from falling. She had no other choice but to lower her head, hiding her flushed face against Lein''s chest, struggling to contain her embarrassment. Lein, puzzled by her strange reaction, could only smile faintly. "Elen, what''s wrong? Why are you so afraid of me?" he asked, his tone more confused than angry. To him, Elen was just a much younger girl, very shy and introverted, but loyal. In a barely audible voice, Elen replied, "No, Leader... it''s nothing..." Her face remained downcast, and her voice faltered as if someone struggling hard to suppress their embarrassment. Feeling Lein''s gaze still fixed on her, Elen quickly pulled out a Vortex te from her storage ring and leaped onto it. Once her body hovered over the magical te, the tension that had gripped her began to ease. She could control her emotions better now. Standing atop the Vortex te, she looked at Lein with a mixture of curiosity and slight confusion. "Leader..." Elen began, her eyes filled with urgent questions. Lein looked at her calmly, sensing the questions in Elen''s mind. "What''s the matter?" he replied with a rxed tone, as if he already knew what she would ask. "Where did youe from? Why did you suddenly appear here? Weren''t you in another realm investigating the source of the foreign attacks? Have you found the cause?" Elen fired off those questions quickly, unable to hide the curiosity mixed with her concern. Lein simply gave a small smile, then, without saying anything, he drew a golden sword from his waist. In one graceful motion, he swung the sword in front of Elen. The sword''s light shimmered under the sunlight, reflecting mesmerizing golden glints. "Do you remember this sword?" Lein asked, skillfully twirling it, as if yfully. "I once gave it to all of you. One for each core member." Elen gazed at the golden sword, recalling the moment when Lein had given it. Although she had never used it¡ªbeing not a closebat fighter¡ªElen kept it well. To her, the sword was a gift from Lein. The golden sword floating in mid-air suddenly radiated a blinding sh of white light. In an instant, another figure appeared beside Lein¡ªidentical in every detail of his appearance. Elen gasped, her eyes widening. "What? Leader... there are two of you?" Ayumi frowned, her gaze sharp as she observed closely. "A clone? Or transformation?" she murmured, trying to make sense of what was happening, while Lein stood calmly, watching their reactions. Chapter 201: leins decision "The one speaking to you now is only my clone," said Lein, nodding slightly. His expression remained calm, not wanting to rm Elen or make her doubt him just because it was only his clone. When he gave his golden sword to the ten core members, he had a specific purpose, one of which was to help them in times of danger. At that time, he didn''t reveal that he could transform the golden sword into his clone, inheriting 80% of his power. He believed it would be detrimental if the core members relied too much on his clone and didn''t grow on their own. A short while ago, Lein sensed through the golden sword in Elen''s spatial ring that her life energy was extremely weak, almost gone. At that moment, Lein, who was outside the divine realm, decided to use his clone skill and appeared right beside the unconscious Elen. Upon hearing Lein''s exnation, Elen nodded in understanding. In her eyes, Lein was incredibly powerful and capable of anything. So it wasn''t surprising that he had the ability to create a clone from afar, and this clone seemed quite strong. Remembering when Lein had given the core members high-level items, Elen had already be ustomed to Lein''s extraordinary techniques and abilities. "Thank you, Leader Lein, I''m sorry for troubling you," said Elen, filled with gratitude. To hide her face, which was beginning to blush, she bent her body slightly for a few seconds. Lein, observing the girl''s awkwardness, could only smile and shake his head. His gaze shifted to Ayumi. "Thank you, Princess. Are you alright?" Lein asked, his voice full of concern. He had almost forgotten that her life had been on the line earlier, but thanks to Elen''s time maniption skill, Ayumi''s energy had been restored. Ayumi offered a faint smile, lifting her hand slowly and waving it gently as if to ease Lein''s worries. "I''m fine, Lord Lein," she replied, her voice calm yet firm. She took a slight step back, almost imperceptible, as though afraid of causing Lein more concern than necessary. The remaining wounds were now just faint marks, as though they no longer mattered to her. Standing nearby, Ayumi had heard Lein''s exnation about his clone ability. Though she had guessed it earlier, she was still amazed to hear it. Her beautiful face reflected her thoughts on how powerful the man before her must be. "Of course... this man is incredibly strong," she thought, feeling a chill run down her spine. She could sense that even though the figure before them was just a clone, the aura emanating from him was far stronger than hers, even more than Fryon, whom they had fought earlier. Remembering that they all had systems, she wondered how someone could be so powerful, far beyond the American alliance. "Leader Lein, he''s approaching," Elen whispered, her eyes narrowing in anticipation. From a distance, they saw Fryon walking toward them, his steps steady and full of confidence. However, unlike before, there was no sign of hostility radiating from him. His face looked calm, even friendly, as if the battle between them had never urred. Fryon drew closer, his bare chest exposed and his long robe fluttering softly in the wind. There was no longer the terrifying aura that had apanied his every move earlier. He now seemed more like a guest than a threatening enemy. Every step he took was rxed, as if he were meeting an old acquaintance. Lein turned around, his gaze locking onto Fryon, who was now just three meters away. Without warning, Fryon suddenly bent over, his muscr body bowing so low it was parallel with the ground. "Honorable Senior, I apologize for my foolish actions earlier," his voice was filled with respect, making the air around them feel slightly chilled. Ayumi and Elen exchanged nces, their jaws ck in disbelief at what they had just heard. They never imagined that the once-ferocious Fryon would lower himself so much. Still bent over, Fryon extended his hand, tossing a golden ring toward Lein. "I surrender, sir. Take all my belongings," he said in a t but resolute tone. The ring floated through the air before Lein caught it with one hand, his gaze filled with curiosity and a hint of surprise. Lein scrutinized Fryon, his eyes narrowing slightly as he weighed the situation. The thought crossed his mind¡ªhow unlikely it was for a high-level being like Fryon to humble himself sopletely to a lower-tier race like Earth''s humans. "I am willing to be your servant, Senior," Fryon continued with a firm tone, as if every word had been carefully chosen after hundreds of considerations before being spoken. There was no hesitation in his voice. As he awaited Lein''s response, Fryon''s heart pounded in his chest. His fate was about to be decided at this very moment. Lein observed the man''s body with a calm gaze before speaking, "What benefit would I gain from taking you as a servant?" Upon hearing Lein''s question, Fryon rxed slightly. At least Lein was still considering it. He immediately exined that he could do anything. "I will do whatever youmand, Senior... I can even provide all the information about my race," Fryon said firmly, though his eyes flickered with tension. As one of the leaders of the invasion, he knew more than the others, but now, he had no choice but to offer everything. "Haha¡­" Lein chuckled softly, nodding his head slightly. But shortly after, his smile faded, and an immense aura erupted from his body, pressing the air around them. "Sword Heaven Prison," Lein said as he waved his hand slowly. From the clear sky, four enormous golden swords appeared suddenly, shooting down with incredible speed, encircling Fryon. The swords stabbed into the ground, forming an inescapable prison around him. Once the swords touched the ground, golden energy radiated from each de, creating a dome-shaped prison that enveloped Fryon entirely. *Note: Skill 4: (Sword Heaven Prison) Summons a sword prison to trap enemies for 5 seconds. Reduces enemy attributes by 50%. Cooldown: 30 minutes. Chapter 202: Sky Shattering Slash "Elen, Ayumi... stay behind and just watch," Lein ordered calmly, though the energy radiating from his body was anything but calm. Ayumi and Elen, standing a little distance away, could only stare in pale-faced awe. Even though Lein''s aura wasn''t directed at them, they could still feel the terrifying pressure, as if their bodies were being crushed by an invisible force. "No... I''ve lost," Fryon growled inwardly, trapped within the sword prison that confined himpletely. Frustration welled up inside him; all his efforts, all his carefully crafted strategies, were now crumbling. He had given Lein all his belongings and items. Fryon''s face flushed red, his muscles tensing as his jaw clenched tightly. He growled low, ring at Lein with eyes full of hatred. In his fury, golden energy surged around him, while the griffin feathers surrounding his body bristled sharply in the air. In an instant, the golden feathers shot toward the sword prison walls, attacking with full force. ng! A loud crash echoed, creating ripples of energy across the golden barrier that trapped him. Fryon didn''t give up. More golden feathers followed, mming into the barrier with brutal strength. ng!.. ng!... Each impact rang out, sending shockwaves through the air with every blow. But despite the strength of the strikes, the golden prison remained unshaken. "Damn it... What kind of prison is this?" Fryon muttered in panic. He gritted his teeth, his eyes frantically searching for a way out. He knew Lein was strong¡ªstronger than he had ever imagined. Now, that fear was starting to consume him. Fryon took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he tried to calm himself. His gaze remained fixed on Lein, who stood outside the prison with an expressionless face, his sharp eyes seemingly assessing Fryon''s every move. Fryon felt disgusted but powerless. "Anyst words?" Lein asked coldly, his voice devoid of any mercy. He didn''t need any information from Fryon. His only desire was to end this man with his own hands¡ªrevenge for the massacre of humanity. Fryon remained silent, his gaze full of anger, locked onto Lein, with no words leaving his lips. Seeing no response, Lein raised his sword, and holy energy began to flow from the golden de. "Sky Shattering sh," he murmured calmly. The sword in his hand glowed brightly, emitting an aura so powerful that the air around it trembled. The holy light from the sword shone with deadly intensity, instilling fear in anyone who witnessed it. *Note: Skill 2: (Sky Shattering sh) creates a sword aura 100 meters long. Ignores 50% of enemy defenses, self heals 50% of damage. Cooldown: 10 minutes. With a single motion, Lein swung his sword back, then shed toward Fryon, his gaze never leaving the man trapped within the sword prison. From behind, Ayumi held her breath. "Strong... so strong..." she muttered, her voice barely audible amidst the sounds of battle. Her eyes couldn''t tear away from the sight of Lein and his glowing sword. Elen, who stood nearby, smiled proudly. She knew for certain that the sword¡ªwith one sh¡ªwould end everything. There was no longer any doubt in her mind; Fryon had no hope of escape. In the distance, outside the barrier walls, the Japanese soldiers watched the entire scene with excitement. A few moments ago, when time had reversed, their sorrow from Ayumi''s death had vanished. Their alliance leader was alive once more, and now the World Market Trade leader, Lein, had appeared to help. At this moment, they observed Lein''s final move, having activated his Sky Shattering sh. The massive sword aura, 100 meters long, looked like a beam from the heavens, visible even in broad daylight. Every soldier held their breath, their eyes fixed on Lein, who stood valiantly before Fryon. "Look... Lord Lein is going to finish him," said a young soldier, his voice filled with excitement and anticipation. His eyes sparkled as he watched the golden sword aura shoot from Lein''s hand, ready to mercilessly sh through Fryon. To him, Lein was theirst hope. Fryon had brutally killed their alliance leader before, leaving deep scars in the hearts of the soldiers. "Haha... Lord Lein is so strong. I''m sure that man is done for," another soldier replied, his voice full of confidence. There was hope in his tone, a mix of admiration and relief at the sight of Lein. However, among them, Kaito, the captain, stood slightly apart, observing with a deeper gaze. His eyes were sharp, his face calm, but within his heart surged a deep sense of gratitude. "Thank you, Leader Lein," he whispered with a tone of profound respect and gratitude. Since Lein''s arrival on the battlefield, Kaito had felt relief and could breathe normally again. As the captain leading their small alliance, he knew that the World Market Trade Alliance had made an agreement with other alliances to help. However, he hadn''t expected direct assistance from the World Market Trade Alliance, as they were not the only alliance in need. Fortunately, Elen hade and prevented massive losses, but Fryon, their enemy, was simply too strong. Now, seeing Leine in person, he could finally set aside his worries. As the leader of humanity''s number one alliance, Lein was incredibly powerful¡ªthe strongest. If Lein couldn''t defeat Fryon, no one could. "Go on... kill him, Lord Lein," Kaito muttered with excitement, feeling the cold wind blow through his long, flowing hair. His gaze remained focused on the battlefield. Without saying a word, Lein raised his sword and shed directly toward Fryon. Fryon, who had once appeared so formidable, now resembled a chicken trapped in a cage. His eyes widened, filled with panic he couldn''t hide. "You will regret this... Your race will be wiped out..." Fryon''s voice sounded like an empty threat, caught between fear and the realization that the end hade. His eyes filled with terror as Lein''s sword descended like lightning from the sky, directly toward him. "Crack!" Lein''s sword aura had descended, piercing through the protective sword prison. The sword''s light bypassed the barrier and effortlessly sliced through Fryon''s body. Not only that, but the ground along the 100-meter stretch was also split, creating a shallow fissure in the earth. Chapter 203: Elen collapsed again However, before splitting further, Lein had already deactivated his Heaven-Splitting Sword skill. He sheathed his sword, and thest glimmer of its light slowly faded. The body of Fryon, which had been lying on the ground earlier, had disappeared by now, leaving emptiness in the air. A system notification echoed in Lein''s ears. [Killed (Fryon - Sr Empowerment) exp +411,500] The system notification echoed again in Lein''s ears. "Not bad... 400k exp," Lein said casually. The extra exp bonus he received had increased the amount of exp gained from killing monsters significantly. Even though he relied on tier-5 exp bottles to level up, 400k exp was still the equivalent of four tier-5 exp bottles. Not far from Lein, Ayumi watched as Fryon shattered into pieces. A wide smile spread across her face, unable to be hidden. "Finally dead," she eximed with joy. Close to her, Elen, who was always calm, also smiled. Her lips curled slightly, eyes glimmering as she whispered, "That ugly monster is finally dead." Outside the walls, the atmosphere erupted with explosive joy. Soldiers jumped up and down, tears flowing uncontrobly. Tight embraces between soldiers felt like a release from the heavy burden that had weighed on their chests for so long. "Hahaha... our brothers'' revenge has finally been taken!" said a female soldier, sobbing in the embrace of herrade. Her crying mixed withughter full of victory. "Hooray! We won! We won!" Their cheers echoed throughout, breaking the tension left over from the battle. Wide smiles and hugs reced the fear that had previously filled their hearts. Among them, Captain Kaito stood tall, watching his soldiers. A faint smile yed on his face, unable to be hidden, as his hand patted each of their shoulders, offering unspoken congrattions. They had survived. That alone was a victory. "Congrattions, Captain! Our mission isplete!" A soldier looked at him with bright eyes, full of pride. Kaito bowed his head slightly, his once heavy breath now feeling lighter. "Thank you all... you are extraordinary," he said, his voice filled with pride and sincere appreciation. Every word was like a new energy enveloping them. Lein, from a distance, observed it all. Theughter, tears, and cheers that echoed in the air. He could feel how frustrated and oppressed they had been, how darkness and fear had gripped them. But now, seeing how they celebrated, Lein knew that burden had been lifted. Light footsteps approached. Ayumi, her eyes sparkling, stood before him. No words were spoken immediately, but her actions spoke clearly. She bowed deeply, at 90 degrees, showing full respect. "Master Lein, thank you so much for saving us..." her voice trembled, revealing the deep relief and gratitude, even though her words were few. Lein smiled slightly, looking at her gently. "You''re wee, Princess Ayumi. This is all the result of our teamwork," he replied. His warm smile reflected an empathy unseen from the outside, especially when he realized the great sacrifices made by the Japanese forces¡ªmany had fallen for this victory. Ayumi was silent for a moment, staring at the man before her, who seemed kinder than her first impression. Not wanting to prolong the debate about the praise, she finally opened hermunicator. For a moment, her eyes scanned the stream of requests for help pouring in. "Forgive me, Master Lein. I must go immediately. There are still many areas in need of assistance," she said, looking at the screen. Lein nodded slowly, his expression remaining calm. "Alright... I won''t hold you back," he said. As the strongest leader, he knew for sure the state of the battle right now, and everyone needed help. As president, Ayumi was responsible for aiding her allies. "And don''t overexert yourself either. The attacks from foreign invaders will stop for a while," Lein continued, reassuring Ayumi. Hearing Lein''s statement, both Ayumi and even Elen, standing beside her, were confused. "What do you mean, Master Lein?" Ayumi asked, somewhat hesitant. "Have the foreign enemies surrendered?" Lein gave a small nod, then said with a slight smile, "You could say that... just wait for thetest news." Ayumi actually wanted a direct answer from Lein, but seeing that Lein seemed unwilling to reveal more now, she could only nod and say, "Alright, I understand." Elen beside her also nodded, though in her silence, her respect for Lein grew even more. "So, what is your next n, Leader Lein?" Elen asked, mustering the courage. At the moment, she had no intention of continuing the battle; she nned to return and restore her energy first. Hearing the girl''s question, Lein was a bit surprised, but he held back a smile at the corner of his lips. Elen''s gaze, mixed with embarrassment, made it impossible for him not to look at her with a gentle expression. "I will stay by your side for a while," he said softly but firmly, apanied by a charming smile that made the air around them feel warm. Puff! Just after those words were spoken, Elen''s body suddenly weakened. Her face turned bright red, like a balloon running out of air, and in an instant, she copsed, losing consciousness. But before her body could hit the ground, Lein was already by her side, swiftly catching her in his arms. Elen''s breath was weak, but her face was calm, as if she were enjoying a sweet dream. Lein chuckled softly, looking at the girl. "It seems I joked a little too much..." he murmured. At the same time, Ayumi, witnessing the moment, gave a wry smile. Awkwardly, she stepped back slowly. "Ah... I should take my leave now, Master Lein," she said quickly, feeling the atmosphere around them shift strangely. Without waiting for a response, Ayumi activated her Purple Lightning, and in an instant, her body disappeared in a sh of light, speeding away from Lein, who still held Elen. Lein watched Ayumi''s departure with a nk stare for a moment, letting his mind drift to the past. He recalled the times when he had once dreamed simply¡ªa dream of marrying a Japanese woman. A small smile yed on his lips, reminiscing about his youthful days full of hope. Chapter 204: Chaos outside the Divine Sky Realm But as time passed, that smile faded. His eyes sharpened, staring seriously at the sky. "Now''s not the time to think about such things," he muttered, contemting something. *** A while ago, on the alliance world market trade ind, Lein watched his clone enter the portal. While Lein''s clone entered the portal, far from Lein''s ind, beyond the borders of the divine sky realm, a breathtaking sight unfolded. Thousands of warships lined up neatly like a group of predators ready to pounce. The void around them trembled from the energy radiating from each ship, each adorned with unique features and different uniform colors¡ªa clear sign that they came from variouspeting races. Upon closer inspection, the ships were filled with hundreds of thousands of soldiers. On every deck, the soldiers stood tall, d in armor bearing scars from past battles. Some walked steadily with glowing weapons in hand, while others chanted spells with pulses of energy surrounding their bodies. None of them seemed unfamiliar with the atmosphere of war¡ªtheir eyes were cold, their movements calcted. The scent of the impending battle hung in the air. From afar, each fleet group had one ship dominating the formation,rger, more majestic, and surrounded by an aura of authority. These ships clearly belonged to their leaders, terrifyingmand ships. There were at least ten different groups, ten fleets clustered under their own banners, each representing a different race. From their appearance, it was clear that none hade for peace. Standing on one of the leading ships, magnificent before the fleet, a man with an unusual appearance sat on the front deck. He gazed far into the distance towards the gship of another fleet, though in a tense silence. His facial features were extraordinarily beautiful, so perfect they created an almost illusory impression. His skin appeared smooth, like porcin shining under the starlight. The man was bare-chested, wearing only a thin and transparent shawl that fluttered in the wind, disying his proportional and stunning body. His muscles were sculpted to perfection, as if carved with high precision. Every curve of his body exuded an irresistible allure. Anyone who saw him, whether man or woman, would stop in admiration, not just for the beauty of his face but also for the elegance of his physique. Seated on a throne that resembled a royal sofa, soft and surrounded by luxurious silk fabrics, he lounged casually. His expression was t, but his deep eyes showed how frightening his power was. Beside him, a beautiful woman stood gracefully. Her attire was slightly revealing, showcasing her wless curves, but her gaze remained lowered in respect, serving the beautiful man faithfully. Each time the man emptied his wine ss, the woman silently refilled it with elegance, as if this was a ritual they had long performed. The woman''s delicate hands moved with perfect calmness, though her eyes reflected unwavering devotion. It wasn''t just the woman at his side. An elderly man stood nearby, dressed in long, elegant, and clean white robes. His face was lined with the wrinkles of wisdom, signifying long life and years of experience. His silver hair was neatly tied back, and his sturdy hands were sped in front of him, awaiting orders. Though his body appeared thin, there was an aura of strength emanating from his every movement, indicating that he was no ordinary person. The old man''s sharp eyes remained focused on the beautiful man on the throne, ready to execute anymand without hesitation. "Lord Thalor, how is the progress of the opening attack?" The beautiful man''s voice flowed softly, yet there was amanding calmness in his tone. The old man named Thalor, who had been standing still like a statue behind the beautiful man, was startled slightly. His body shifted, and his mouth moved slightly, ready to answer the beautiful man''s question. "My apologies, Your Majesty¡­" His voice cracked briefly before returning. "We were utterly defeated." Though he was not responsible for the loss, his tone trembled, unable to hide the fear creeping into his heart. The air around him seemed to grow colder. The beautiful man didn''t react immediately. Only his head slowly turned, his gaze fixed on arge round sphere floating in front of the fleet. It looked like a giant soap bubble, but the inside was obscured by thick ck smoke swirling around, concealing whatevery within. "Interesting¡­" One word slipped from the man''s lips, apanied by a faint smile that was hard to interpret. Although calm, the aura around him began to tremble, signaling unstable emotions. Thalor, still standing behind him, felt the sudden pressure that sank his spirit, as if the gravity around him had increased several times over. Silent, the old man didn''t move. Cold sweat drenched his back. He restrained himself from offering any further exnation, not wanting to provoke more dissatisfaction. His mind raced, preparing for the worst. The beautiful man spoke again, this time with a lighter tone, though there was sharpness in his voice. "If I''m not mistaken, this new realm uses the power core system, correct?" Thalor bowed his head lower. "Correct, Lord Guardian," he replied, his voice nearly a whisper. A spark flickered in the man''s eyes. He seemed surprised, though he didn''t fully show it. Slowly, he pondered, swirling the wine in his ss before asking again, "How many core crystals are active?" Thalor felt a slight sense of relief as the man''s voice returned to normal. "Approximately 1.5 million crystals, Lord. Based on our calctions, at least 5% of them are from this realm. And 25% of those will choose our Seraphis Vali race." The beautiful man let the wine in his ss swirl slowly, the golden-red liquid reflecting the starlight around them. He raised an eyebrow, seemingly impressed by the answer. "That many?" he muttered, half to himself. A small smile appeared at the corner of his lips, more out of satisfaction than joy. "If it were only five thousand, that would already be more than enough. But seventy-five thousand¡­ this is interesting." Chapter 205: Guardian Aurelius His gaze returned to therge orb, which now seemed more vibrant, spinning slowly in the empty space. "No wonder the Guardians are so concerned about the Divine Sky Realm this time," he murmured, as if speaking to himself. "This new realm is full of surprises¡­ it seems there are even more toe." His voice lowered, barely audible in the silence of space. But in his eyes, there was a spark of excitement¡ªsomething he had long craved. A passion that grew as his power reached its peak, yet one he had rarely felt in a long time. The beautiful man finally shifted his gaze from the sphere. "What is Lord Serai''s condition?" he asked, though his focus still wasn''t entirely present. "He continues sending troops, Your Majesty. Their assault hasn''t stopped," Thalor quickly responded, trying to keep his tone steady. The man shook his head slightly, as if something was bothering him. "Tell them to stop," hemanded, his voice a little firmer this time. "There''s no point in sending more troops. We''ll wait until this realm fully emerges. Everything will be clearer after that." ... "Very well, Sir. I will inform Lord Serai immediately," Thalor said firmly before his body slowly vanished, disappearing in an instant from where he stood. In the midst of the dark void, a massive altar floated gracefully, not far from the Seraphis Vali race''s armada. Its diameter was extraordinary¡ªaround 500 meters¡ªappearing as though it was part of the very space itself. At the top of the altar, a colossal 50-meter-high portal swirled with consuming energy, looking like a ck hole ready to devour anything that came near. Around it, soldiers stood in orderly ranks, their faces etched with determination, their eyes burning with unshakable resolve. Next to the portal, an old man in white robes floated silently, watching those about to enter the dimensional gate. His thin hands gripped a long scroll, asionally reading it with a calcted tone. "Next, team #4121, prepare!" His voice rang out with authority, echoing above the altar. His eyes scanned the crowd, ensuring that the called team was ready. From the ranks, team #4121 stepped forward in unison. "Ready, Sir!" they shouted in a disciplined chorus. The old man frowned as his eyes traced down the scroll he held. At the bottom of the list, glowing red numbers slowly faded. One by one, the teams he had dispatched turned gray, dimming without light¡ªa sign of death haunting each name. He lifted his gaze toward the focal point of the entire army. In the distance, a giant round orb shimmered faintly, floating like a in the middle of space. The surrounding bubbles became clearer, with thin clouds slowly unraveling, revealing something deeper, something not yet fully exposed. "Impossible," he muttered, his voice low, almost swallowed by the void. "This realm has just emerged, not particrly special¡­ How could every troop I''ve sent be wiped out?" The corner of his lips trembled, a mixture of anger and confusion coloring his weary face. His eyes narrowed, searching the distant void. "I wonder... Are the other races facing the same?" Dozens of transport ships floated around the altar like giant insects swarming a massive flower. Each time a team entered the portal, more soldiers descended from the ships to immediately fill the ranks. There was no pause, only endless motion and turnover. "Hey, did you hear the news? The Guardian is joining the fight for this realm," a soldier said, peeking from the edge of the transport ship. His eyes squinted, trying to gauge hisrade''s reaction standing next to him. As low-ranking soldiers, they were powerless and could only hope the highestmander was a strong one. That way, there would be no need to fear the armies of other races. "Really? That''s great¡­ I thought only Lord Serai was leading," hispanion quickly turned, surprise shing across his face. Hearing the Guardian''s name mentioned, he held his breath for a moment, and his heart raced. There was a respect mixed with fear that he couldn''t hide. Around them, several other soldiers who overheard the conversation exchanged nces, small smiles beginning to form on their lips. Excitement spread quickly, and the previously heavy atmosphere was now filled with eager whispers. "I heard he once destroyed a realm by himself. If he''s here, we''ll definitely win!" a young soldier pped his friend''s shoulder, their eyes now burning with fierce anticipation. They began to look forward to their turn to step into the portal, eager to be part of the vanguard. However, a soft but firm voice cut through their euphoria. "But¡­ aren''t the other races also led by their Guardians?" A female soldier in a long white dress with a purple headband stood with a worried expression. Her gaze swept the ranks in front of her, her anxious tone catching the attention of many. It was clear she came from an educated family, her knowledge broader than that of ordinary soldiers. The previously spirited crowd instantly fell silent. Faces that had been filled with confidence now began to shift. Their gazes met, some soldiers biting their lips, reconsidering what they might be up against. The shadow of a massive battle loomed in their minds. "There''s nothing to fear!" a deep voice from another soldier, a burly man, broke the silence. He tossed his hair back, standing tall. "Guardian Aurelius once destroyed a mid-level realm all by himself! What can the other Guardians do? We''ll win for sure." His grin widened, full of confidence, as if challenging anyone to doubt the strength of their leader. "Right... Lord Aurelius is incredibly strong, even if the other races are also led by their Guardians, we''ll still win," another soldier chimed in with a quick nod. The soldiers'' enthusiastic shouts began to echo once again above the ship. "Yeah, that''s right! Lord Aurelius is the strongest!" Their cries zed like fire, reigniting the spirit that had momentarily dimmed after the female soldier''s statement. The ship became lively, as they all discussed the might of Aurelius, recalling tales passed down from their grandparents, boasting of their knowledge about Guardian Aurelius. Chapter 206: Closing the Altar Near the portal, Lord Serai stood silently, listening to the roar of his soldiers'' conversations. His eyes didn''t move, though a thin smirk appeared on his lips. They were right, he thought quietly. Guardian Aurelius was a force to be reckoned with. Old memories shed through his mind¡ªback when he was just a lowlymander, watching from afar as a beautiful man with silver hair obliterated the yer realms without breaking a sweat. He remembered clearly how hundreds of ships equipped with advanced yer technology were destroyed with a mere wave of Aurelius'' hand. The void trembled, and everything became useless wreckage. A small smile crept across his lips as his gaze shifted to the massive orb hanging in the distance. "You''re no stronger than those yers," he muttered with a voice full of hatred. "I''ll make you suffer before you die." Some soldiers below him, who happened to catch sight of that eerie grin, shivered instantly. They quickly bowed their heads, not daring to stare at Serai for too long. "Lord Serai... Pardon the interruption," another voice suddenly broke the silence. An old man, Thalor, appeared a few meters from Serai. His body trembled slightly as he approached the figure floating beside the portal. Serai turned slowly, offering a slight nod, waiting for Thalor to speak. Thalor dared not dy any further, then said, "I bring a direct message from Guardian Aurelius. He requests the cessation of troop deployment." Thalor spoke clearly, with firmness. He ryed exactly what Aurelius had said, not daring to add or omit anything. Serai''s brow furrowed. "Why? What is the reason¡­" Serai asked again, a hint of displeasure in his tone, though it was directed purely at Thalor. Thalor took a deep breath, feeling the heavy pressure around him. "Apologies, Lord. The Guardian gave no reason. Only the order to stop sending troops." Serai''s expression hardened. His eyes narrowed as they shifted toward the main ship where Guardian Aurelius resided. "Does he no longer trust me?" he muttered under his breath, barely audible. "Any news from the other races?" Serai asked. Thalor reacted quickly, immediately thinking of the best answer to give. "There is, Lord. The other races are experiencing the same. Their casualty rate is nearly 80%, higher than that of our forces." Thalor decided to share information that might please Serai. "Anything else?" Serai''s voice was t, but the sharpness in his gaze revealed his impatience. A faint smile briefly yed on his lips but quickly faded. That number, 80%, seemed meaningless to his ears¡ªslightly better, but still rming. What''s the difference between 70% and 80%? To him, both figures meant too much blood had been spilled. Thalor, standing rigidly a few steps in front of him, lowered his head, his face filled with unspoken fear. "Nothing else, Sir." "Alright," Serai said, his voice emotionless. His gaze drifted elsewhere, as if he no longer wished to look at the old man. "You may leave." Thalor quickly turned, hastening away, his breath a mix of relief and lingering unease. The air around Serai felt heavier, pushing him to retreat faster than he''d expected. Serai stood in silence for a moment, his eyes fixed on the portal before him. Something stirred in his mind, but it remained unspoken. With a slow wave of his hand, he cut through the air as if drawing something unseen. Soon, the space around the portal began to respond. Energy¡ªsubtle yet tangible¡ªpulsed, like a breeze moving through the cracks of dimensions. The ground on the altar trembled slightly. Ancient runes, glowing with dim light, appeared one by one from the empty air. They floated, moving slowly but surely, encircling the portal as if they were invisible guardians. Each rune grew brighter, forming aplex pattern that resembled an intricate spiderweb, trapping the portal in its center. "Everyone, stand down. The assault is over," Serai spoke without emotion, but hismand echoed, sweeping across the entire altar. The soldiers, initially confused, quickly reacted. Some of them jerked in surprise, exchanging nces before rushing back toward the transport ships. The hurried steps filled the air, while hushed whispers carried a mixture of relief and fear. Above the altar, the runes had woven a magical script that connected, flowing from one point to another seamlessly. Their glow now faded slowly, mirroring the portal''s diminishing energy, which had once radiated so brightly. The white light in the center of the portal dimmed, turning into a dull gray, until finally, only silence remained. "It''s done," Serai murmured. The words were barely audible, more to himself than anyone else. His gaze swept downward, observing how the once-busy altar was now marked only by the footprints of soldiers who had already left. He nodded slightly, satisfied. He descended, approaching the edge of the altar. Once again, his hand moved with a simple gesture, but this time there was more power behind it. A surge of magical energy flowed from within him, seeping into the altar''s core like a river filling a basin. Immediately, the altar responded with a stronger vibration. From the four corners of the altar''s floor,rge pirs rose, one by one, until they reached a height of one hundred meters. It wasn''t just one pir¡ªthey emerged like a row of giants ready to guard an ancient kingdom. 360 pirs, glowing faintly, formed a majestic dome over the altar, like eternal sentinels that couldn''t be shaken. "Crack¡­" A soft cracking sound echoed, marking the end of the sealing process. Serai watched for a moment, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips, though only slightly. Then, in an instant, his figure vanished¡ªdisappearing from sight, leaving behind the now-protected altar. --- Far beyond the reach of the Seraphis Vali fleet, another group of ships floated quietly, like predators stalking their prey. On themand ship, a strong-built woman with a prominent chest stood on the deck. Her gaze was fixed on the distant fleet. "Why did they suddenly halt the opening attack?" Her voice was cold and sharp, but it didn''t hide the curiosityced within every word. Her eyes narrowed, piercing through the void outside, as if trying to see through the starry veil separating them from Aurelius. Chapter 207: Outside the Divine Sky Realm The man beside her, with an arrogant smile on his handsome face, chuckled softly, his shoulders slightly shaking. "Maybe they''ve surrendered," he said, his voiceced with mockery, the smallugh echoing in the air. The woman ignored his lightughter. "Aurelius is not the type to surrender so easily," she said, her voice low but filled with conviction. Her gaze sharpened, as though the void of space before her was nothing more than a thin veil she could pull aside at any moment. Her eyes seemed to traverse the distance, searching for Aurelius, who stood on themand bridge of his ship on the other side. As if some unspoken connection existed, Aurelius¡ªwho had been idly sipping from a ss of wine¡ªpaused for a moment. Slowly, he turned, gazing straight at the woman, despite the millions of kilometers of empty space separating them. Their eyes met. An eerie silence surrounded the two of them, even though thousands of ships and war-ready weapons were gathered around them. No one moved, no one spoke. Only an exchange of nces filled with unspoken meaning. The woman smiled faintly, a smile tinged with curiosity. "Interesting... I wonder what he''ll do next," she murmured, as though speaking to herself. Her slender fingers touched her lips, her thoughts racing like a storm, trying to unravel the strategy behind his actions. The man beside her raised an eyebrow, seemingly puzzled by the excessive attention given to Aurelius. "What''s the matter? Why are you so interested in Aurelius? He''s just a young man without a wife... hahaha!" Hisughter was louder this time, spreading arrogantly throughout the room, but the woman paid no heed. Still in the void, a fleet of advanced ships floated gracefully. Each ship was coated in metallic ck, shimmering as integrated ck and white neon lights flickered along their hulls. Toweringser turrets, like giant spears over a hundred meters long, stood ready to strike the enemy at any moment. On themand ship, an old man with a wrinkled face sat leisurely on arge sofa that seemed mismatched to his age. His gaze focused on a white crystal ball on the table before him, where the scenes of battle shifted continuously. In his calm eyes, a glint of cold satisfaction flickered. If Earth''s humans were present, they would recognize the scene as a depiction of the celestial heavens¡ªlocked in a massive war. "How is it, sir?" A deep voice asked from a middle-aged man standing nearby. The man was impably dressed, with slicked-back hair and a wless face. His ck clothing with gold ents exuded a sense of great authority. He gazed at the old man before him with keen interest, patiently awaiting a response. "Very good... your contribution this time has been significant." The old man smiled broadly, briefly ncing at the man before returning his gaze to the crystal ball disying the battlefield visualization. "Our forces are almost defeated, as are the other races," he said calmly, as though unaffected by the ill fate befalling his army. Yet, there was no sadness in his voice, only a cold eptance of reality without emotion. "That''s to be expected, given the level of this realm. A three-star realm rarely appears, even in thest hundred thousand years," the old man continued with a tone of longing. Flickers of memories from hundreds of years ago shed through his mind, recalling the first time he witnessed the appearance of a simr three-star realm. "Indeed, sir," the middle-aged man before him agreed with a small smile. "By the way, check how much longer the seal''s effect willst?" the old man asked, this time with a firmer tone, reflecting his impatience. "I''ll check it right away, sir," the man replied, and without warning, his figure vanished from the sofa where he had been sitting. In the blink of an eye, the middle-aged man, known as Aric, appeared in apletely different room. The sound of machinery and hurried footsteps echoed around him. The room was heavily guarded, with guards d in ck uniforms and modern weapons mounted on their arms. All eyes were on Aric as he walked straight toward the main room at the center of the area. "Salute to Lord Aric," the two guards at therge door greeted with raised hands in salute. "Salute to Lord Aric." With a slight nod, Aric acknowledged their greetings and stopped before the tightly sealed door. A series of scanning beams swept across his body, checking for any potential threats or disturbances. Once the scan wasplete, the door opened with a faint, almost inaudible sound. Aric stepped into a cube-shaped room, filled with a sterile white color. The walls of the room appeared to be lined with special damping materials, preventing any form of energy or vision from high-level beings from prating inside. The room resembled a prison, but far more terrifying and silent. In the center of the room, arge eyeball-shaped object floated without any support. It was twice the size of a basketball and closely resembled a human eye, with a jet-ck pupil that asionally blinked. Thick ck chains coiled around the eye, holding it in ce, unmoving. With slow but steady steps, Aric approached the eyeball. The giant eye''s gaze followed Aric''s every movement, warily watching like a living surveince camera. However, Aric was undisturbed by the sharp stare. He continued forward, his gaze fixed on therge object until he finally stopped behind the eye. Aric kept checking the item''s description, his eyes focused on the inscription, "4 hours and 12 minutes remaining." "Still enough time," Aric murmured softly. Thinking for a moment about something, he then turned and left the cube room. It didn''t take long before he returned to the ce he had been earlier, back on themand ship with the wrinkled old man. "The time is 4 hours and 12 minutes, sir. It should be enough time to await Lord Lorin''s arrival," Aric said calmly. Chapter 208: Trapped inside the portal The old man nodded in agreement. His gaze now shifted from the orb on the table to the spherical orb disying the celestial heavens amid the assault of the fleet. "Any important information from the other realms?" he asked, still staring at the celestial heavens orb. "Nothing significant, sir, except that the Seraphis Vali race has halted their attack," Aric replied candidly, hiding nothing. "Seraphis Vali?" The old man repeated, as if recalling someone. "What is Aurelius thinking?" he continued, sounding somewhat intrigued. "When did they stop?" "A few minutes ago, sir, around 20 minutes ago." Hearing Aric''s response, the old man''s gaze drifted toward the altar of the Seraphis Vali race. Indeed, he could see that no energy was being emitted from the altar, meaning it had ceased operation. "What''s their reason?" the old man asked again. "No clear reason, sir, but it''s certainly not an idea from Serai, that battle maniac," Aric replied, shaking his head. "Very well, keep up the surveince," the old man instructed before shifting his gaze back to the spherical orb on the table. ... The tense atmosphere mixed with the liveliness in the void created a breathtaking scene. Each fleet had its own altar where they sent their warriors to enter the divine heavenly realm. They were all waiting for one thing: for the grand realm at the center, the divine heavenly realm, to be part of the cosmos. They waited like dogs in a cage, ready to run out and devour the meat their master would provide. They were all prepared, constantlyunching their opening assaults through the altar. Yet amidst the tension, in a seemingly endless white corridor where the flow of time and space continued, a young man drifted along, his face wearing an odd expression. "What is this? Am I inside a portal?" he muttered in confusion, his gaze fixed on the system panel screen before him. [Detected: creature of the sky divine realm. Unable to pass through the portal temporarily.] [Detected: Aetheris being, unable to pass through the portal.] [The divine heavenly realm is in the process of merging with the Origin Cosmos.] - Merging progress: 7% "Unable to pass?" His voice broke the silence, echoing in his mind. Surprised, he stared at the screen, narrowing his eyes in disbelief. "Origin Cosmos? What is that? Is it another kind of floating realm?" he continued, his face scrunched in concentration, trying toprehend the sudden new information. The young man¡ªGolden Master, a clone of Lein¡ªwas currently trapped inside the portal. Although only a clone, the original Lein''s consciousness remained connected to him, experiencing everything the clone encountered. Around him, there was only darkness, interrupted by the flow of white time, spinning rapidly like a whirlpool. He looked around, trying to grasp where he was, but all he could see was a long, endless corridor. His steps made no difference; the ce seemed frozen in time, despite the illusion of movement. "Why could I freely pass through the portal during the inter-race war, but now I''m blocked?" Lein thought to himself. His brow furrowed deeper, recalling that massive battle when the Aetheris beings never seemed to have trouble crossing the portal. "Strange," he muttered, his voice reflecting his dissatisfaction. He then turned around, attempting to reach the walls of the corridor, which seemed to sh by at an incredible speed. Like being in outer space, the white lines streaked past at blinding speed, forming andscape akin to stars moving swiftly. Yet, despite his continuous motion, it was as if the walls remained distant. The hand that should have touched an unseen surface only met emptiness. "Strange... It looks close, but it''s actually far," he whispered to himself, frustration creeping into his mind. He looked up, down, and all around, but the view remained the same. Void. Empty. "So... what can I do now?" he asked himself in his thoughts. Trapped in this ce, without an exit, it felt like a prison without bars. Suddenly, a spark of excitement shed in his eyes. "Ahh!" he eximed, filled with energy. Drawing his golden sword from its sheath, he prepared to unleash a sh with full conviction. "sh¡­" A wave of the sword gleamed, shooting straight toward the end of the corridor in front of him, followed by another shadowy sh¡ªthe effect of Lein''s passive skill. But¡­ nothing happened. Lein frowned, frustration growing within him. "No effect. How about a skill?" he muttered, contemting. The earlier sh was just a passive skill, so it made sense that it didn''t do much. Now, he intended to try something stronger. "Sky Shattering sh," he dered firmly. The golden sword in his hand was immediately enveloped in a white aura, extending up to 100 meters. He observed it carefully. "The tip is still visible?" Lein''s voice became soft, confused. The aura of his sword, although long, wasn''t powerful enough to break the invisible walls of the corridor. "Sky Sword Rain!" he shouted then. The golden sword gleamed again, and this time dozens, hundreds, even thousands of swords began to appear around him. Like a sea of golden needles surrounding Lein''s small body. Each sword pulsed with energy, waiting for themand. Lein moved his thoughts, and instantly, the hundreds of thousands of swords surged forward, racing toward the corridor''s walls. The swords flew straight, slicing through space at incredible speed, forming a formation like a school of fish swimming in the ocean. But the longer Lein waited, the clearer it became that the walls remained unreachable. "There''s still time¡­ 40 seconds left," Lein thought, his eyes continuously monitoring the countdown timer. The swords, which initially seemed promising, now merely danced in the air, failing to reach their target. Until finally, time ran out. "Finished." The golden swords vanished one by one, leaving Lein in silence. He sighed, realizing that despite all the effort, the invisible walls remained untouched. ¡­ At that moment, in the teleportation hub, the real Lein stared at the portal as if he were gazing at his clone trapped within it. "Hmm¡­ what exactly is happening?" Lein said, puzzled. The system hadn''t informed them about the merging of the cosmos. This raised a big question in Lein''s mind. Chapter 209: Promotion to Master rank Lein pondered, trying to think amidst the roar of explosions echoing around him. The guard towers continued to destroy the portals connecting to the outside world, but he ignored all of it. His mind was focused on another issue. "The portals to the outside world have indeed been closed," Lein muttered quietly to himself. "But foreign entities can still enter the Divine Sky Realm." His gaze was nk, aimless, as he tried to figure out the real cause behind all this. After a few moments of silence, Lein finally spoke in a t tone, "What about the other situations?" He quickly opened the system panel disyed in front of him, selecting the messaging feature, and opened the alliancemunication section. [Chat: Alliance] - Admin: Number of casualties: (Alliance: 120 people), (Ind: 5 people), (All of humanity: 420 thousand). No additional deaths in the alliance and ind, but the human death toll continues to rise rapidly. - Admin: Number of support troops: 1,400 teams, each led by a tinum-level Captain. Each team consists of 200 people, assigned to assist any ind in need of help. - Admin: New items have been added to the alliance shop, please check them out. - Admin: All portals are currently in an emergency situation. Except for war purposes, crossing portals is forbidden. - ... Lein only received general information; chaos was spreading everywhere. However, his biggest question remained unanswered: Where did these foreign enemiese from? "They couldn''t have just appeared out of thin air," Lein muttered softly. He decided to check the messages from the Earth Human race. [Chat: Human Race] - William: The alliance portals are currently closed to the public, the situation is dangerous, red alert. - dmir Nova: For anyone needing assistance from the Russian alliance, send a message. For a certain price, we are ready to help. - Bai Qi: Give me the coordinates of a Tier-3 creature. I will reward anyone who provides it. - Jack: Please, I need help. My mother is bedridden and can''t walk. - Hary: I regret joining the God Grave Alliance. I''ve been abandoned by the higher-ups, and I''m going to die now. Don''t join them! - ... Lein could only shake his head after reading the messages from ordinary people. They were full ofints and suffering. On the other hand, the three supreme alliance rulers disyed their distinct personalities. Of the three, William seemed to be struggling the most in his region. Lein was still staring at the human race chat panel when a message suddenly caught his attention. [Chat: Human Race] - System: yer (Puno) has fallen. Keep fighting to defend the Divine Sky Realm. At first, Lein didn''t find anything odd about the message. However, within seconds after it appeared, dozens to hundreds of responses flooded the human race chat column, like an unstoppable wave. [Chat: Human Race] - Iwan: "What kind of information is this? System messages don''t usually show up in the human race chat like this." - Corn Farmer: "Puno is a Tier-3 ruler. This is terrifying. If a Tier-3 can fall, what will happen to us? Be careful when dealing with those foreign enemies!" - Blue Sun: "Impossible... My uncle, no..." - Sima: "So, Puno is the first Tier-3 ruler to fall?" - Klein: "Yes, that''s right... I wonder how the strongest alliance leaders will respond to this." The messages flowed endlessly, each one filled with worry, fear, and panic. Lein watched it all, his brow furrowing deeper. The name Puno was familiar to him¡ªa Tier-3 ruler, someone with power that should have been able to dominate the battlefield. "A Tier-3, huh..." Lein murmured, his voice heavier than usual. Even though he had already reached level 50, hearing that even a Tier-3 entity could fall left him feeling uneasy. Something about the event nagged at him, as if it reminded him of something deeper. It felt like being an adult watching a child get bullied by another adult, yet standing idly by without doing anything. It wasn''t a pleasant feeling. "Foolish... why am I confused?" Lein spoke to himself, this time more firmly. The confusion that had momentarily clouded him began to fade, reced by something else¡ªsomething bolder. All this time, he had deliberately hidden his power. He feared people discovering just how terrifying his talent was. But now, seeing the fall of a Tier-3 ruler, Lein felt a strong urge rising within him, something he could no longer suppress. A chuckle escaped his lips, soft at first, but then it turned into fullughter. "Ahahaha... yeah... why should I hide?" Lein nced around him. He saw the tall buildings around the Portal Hub, the advanced walls built from high-level materials, the thunder towers standing firm, and the automatic shooting towers continuously monitoring the surrounding area. All of this was part of his world, part of his strength. "Did I forget who I am?" he thought to himself. "Didn''t I want to be strong so that no one would dare challenge me? So that they would fear me, respect me, and never dare to wrong me?" He realized how foolish he had been all this time¡ªholding back, constantly hiding his true strength simply because he feared being noticed by too many people. "Yes... I am strong enough. There''s no need to hide anymore." Lein''s gaze changed, no longer empty and doubtful. Instead, his eyes burned with a newfound fire of determination. In a low voice, he sneered at himself, "Idiot... why was I hiding?" Lein turned away from the Portal and started walking toward the Teleportation Hub gate. His steps were steady, but after a few paces, he suddenly stopped. His expression shifted, as if something important hade to mind. He quickly opened his system panel, scrolling rapidly through various pieces of information, until he finally stopped at the status panel. His eyes scanned the screen intently, checking every detail listed. A few seconds passed, and he stared at the system panel, his grin widening as something clicked in his mind¡ªsomething he had been waiting for. [Promotion to Master rank has been unlocked] [Mission: Soul Formation] "You''ve finally appeared!" Lein eximed excitedly, his smile growing broader. He read the information again and again, ensuring he hadn''t misread it. Chapter 210: Soul Formation Mission Without further hesitation, Lein checked the requirements for promotion to the Master level. [Promotion to Master Level] - Soul Essence 10 - Power Essence 10,000 - Energy Crystals 100 million - Soul Altar - Complete soul formation "Hmm..." His eyes narrowed as he stared at the list of requirements. "Soul Essence? Power Essence?" he muttered, his voice calm, almost indifferent. "Quite easy." Only God knew how difficult it was for ordinary people to obtain those items. But for Lein, it was merely a matter of time. Seeing Soul Essence on the list of items, he recalled the moment when he killed Kanpolu during the Cui race war. When Kanpolu died, it dropped a single Soul Essence. It could be imagined how difficult it was to collect 10 Soul Essences, requiring the killing of 10 Nascent Soul (Tier-Master) rulers. But that was no big deal for Lein¡ªhe already had over 10,000 Soul Essences, so he didn''t have to worry about that. Next was Power Essence, which was the same... he also already had it. "These items are very useful," Lein remarked. Not only were they useful for activating the Gctic Fortress, but Power Essence was also needed for the promotion test. He had previously duplicated it inrge quantities, so obtaining 10,000 was no problem. Thest thing needed for the promotion test was 100 million crystals. Needless to say, Lein had crystals as numerous as the grains of sand on a beach. Lein then turned his gaze to the next item: the Soul Altar. "Soul Altar, huh?" Lein asked himself. He then inspected the attributes of his own Soul Altar. (Soul Altar - Universe) - EXP: +100% - Attributes: +100% - Skill Cooldown Reduction: +50% - Soul: not active "Hmm, how do I activate this?" Lein muttered. Since bing a Tier-3 ruler, he had never activated his Soul Altar. "Hmm..." Lein pondered for a moment, recalling when he first formed his altar core. He remembered sensing a sword shadow within himself. With a slight focus of his thoughts, he concentrated and tried to look inward. In an instant, a breathtaking sight appeared. Lein was stunned. "Whoa¡­" he whispered in surprise. In the silence of his mind, he saw something spinning inside him. A shadow of a gxy¡ªmetallic ck, shimmering with tiny white points of light scattered among its spirals. The gxy rotated slowly but brimmed with energy. Its beauty rivaled any gxy he had ever seen during his time on Earth. "If I''m guessing correctly, this mission must be rted to forming a soul. It''s probably connected to the Soul Altar within me." Lein concluded after thinking more deeply. Reflecting on it, he became curious about regr altars, golden altars, and even the Royal Altar. "I''ll ask Nita about itter," Lein decided, not wanting to overthink. Lein pondered over other Soul Altars¡ªregr altars, golden altars, and even the Royal Altar. What if there was a higher level? A concept crossed his mind. "A Soul Altar beyond the universe level?" Smack! He suddenly gave himself a light p. "I need to stop overthinking," he muttered with a wry smile. Others might spend their whole lives just trying to form a single Soul Altar, while here he was thinking about altars beyond the universe level. "Never mind... I should go to the hospitalter to clear my head," he said with a smallugh, finding humor in his own thoughts. After all, overthinking wouldn''t get him anywhere. Refocusing on his mission, Lein stared at the screen in front of him. "Next... Soul Formation Mission," he said eagerly. This was the most crucial part of it all. With anticipation, he pressed the soul formation mission feature and waited for what would happen. [Mission : Soul Formation] A mission for the chosen rulers. Form the strongest soul to conquer the universe. Steady your heart, focus your mind, stand tall, and walk with the souls of true rulers. - Mission duration: unlimited - Cost to unlock the trial: ->[Free: each failure will permanently reduce attributes by 10%] ->[1 Soul Essence, no penalty. The cost will double for each subsequent trial] Lein carefully examined the mission screen, scrutinizing the words disyed there. "Just like the previous missions," he whispered softly, recalling the promotion mission to Tier-3 he had undergone before. He snorted lightly, staring skeptically at the screen. "This system is getting more devious by the day. Choices like these... are they running low on Soul Essence?" he muttered cynically, feeling the system was bing ''money-hungry.'' "Should I take the trial now?" Lein pondered to himself. The situation was currently one of war, and he didn''t know how long he would spend within the soul formation mission''s trial. Lein observed the teleportation hub around him, hearing and seeing explosions caused by the towers aimed at killing the alien creatures emerging from the portals. Even though the intensity of the attacks had decreased significantly, they were still dangerous. To ease his worries, Lein opened the alliance chat and the ss system. He saw that most were safe, leaving only a few inds marked with red-level threats. "Alright then... now¡­" Lein made up his mind after thinking for a while. His ind wasn''t under severe pressure, and he had left many of his clones on standby to help the human race alliance in case they were needed or encountered high-level creatures. Reopening the mission panel, he selected the (Soul Formation Mission). [Do you want to undertake the Soul Formation Mission?] "Yes." [Please choose a payment method: Free / 1 Soul Essence] "1 Soul Essence." As soon as he selected the 1 Soul Essence option, Lein''s body seemed to be sucked in by some force, and gently, he saw his surroundings change in the blink of an eye. He looked around and found himself on a vast field of fresh green grass. As far as the eye could see, Lein saw only fields of green grass, with bright-colored flowers scattered here and there, making him feel at ease. Wush¡­ A gentle, fresh breeze blew, brushing against Lein''s face and tousling his short hair, caressing his entire body with the softness of nature. He took a deep breath, feeling as if he were standing on a mountain peak, amidst a flower-filled garden brimming with peace. "Ahh¡­ so refreshing," he eximed in admiration. Everything in that ce felt so real and captivating, yet Lein remained cautious. "Is this just an illusion?" he asked himself, now examining every detail closely, hoping to find something unusual. A momentter, his eyes caught sight of a strange object in the distance. A round sphere floated atop a tall white pir shaped like a cylinder. He slowly approached. (Soul Construction Orb) Insert a piece of the soul to receive an evaluation from the Soul Construction Orb. The higher the level of the soul piece, the higher the evaluation of the soul produced. Current Evaluation: - Soul: - - Strength: 0 - Defense: 0 - Intelligence: 0 - Agility: 0 "Okay, so now what?" Lein asked in confusion. Aside from the item''s description and a simple evaluation from the construction orb, there were no other useful features. He examined the pir holding the Soul Construction Orb, only finding the smooth surface of the support pir¡ªnothing else. Dum¡­ Dum¡­ Lein, who was closely inspecting the pir and the Soul Construction Orb, turned around and saw several 5-meter-tall portals suddenly standing upright on the ground. Dum¡­ Dum¡­ Not just one portal¡ªmore portals kept appearing. They materialized from the empty air above, then quickly dropped down, crashing into the ground and disturbing the grass that swayed gently above the soil. "Damn¡­ such an unesthetic trial," Lein muttered with slight annoyance. He could''ve slept on the grass beneath his feet if it were possible. But now, seeing dozens, hundreds, even thousands of portals descending from the sky and ruining the fresh grass was irritating. Each portal was almost identical to the others. The only small difference was the figure on top of the portal¡ªsome shaped like objects, others shaped like animals, and some resembling humans. Lein stepped slowly toward the nearest portal that stood tall in front of him. The door stood five meters high, made of green jade material that emitted a soft glow. Its sides were adorned with fine but sturdy hexagonal patterns, creating an artistic and mystical impression. Atop the door, a turtle-shaped figure adorned the portal''s pinnacle, as if symbolizing it. A holographic text appeared before him: [Soul Door: Hard-Shelled Turtle] "A turtle living in the boundless ocean, capable of enhancing the durability of its shell. If your strength is insufficient, do not waste your life attempting to defeat it." Lein read the description with a slight smile. "Hmm¡­ an interesting turtle," he said lightly, as if talking to himself. Without a second thought, he stepped closer and slowly extended his hand toward the portal. When his skin touched the portal''s surface, it felt as though he was dipping his hand into water¡ªsoft, fluid, yet without any resistance. [You have sessfully entered the Soul Door.] In an instant, the scenery around him changed. Lein, who had previously been standing in a vast field of grass, now found himself standing on the edge of a beach. The sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky, and the sound of gentle waves greeted him. Pristine white sand stretched along the shoreline, while palm trees swayed Chapter 211: Entering the Soul Door In the silence of the beach, Lein took a deep breath. The fresh air mixed with the strong sea breeze made him more alert. Something bad was approaching, and the feeling grew stronger. He closed his eyes for a moment, sensing the flow of energy around him. Far off in the ocean, a giant creature slowly emerged from the water''s surface. A ten-meter-tall turtle stared at him with eyes that seemed to hold a grudge from the past. On its snout, a white orb of light formed, growingrger with each passing second. The gleam of light vibrated the air around it. (Hard-Shell Turtle) - Rank: Soul C - Soul Energy: 10,000 - Defense: 90 - Attack: 40 Lein calmly observed therge creature, then gave a faint smile. "Ah... so you''re the one here," he muttered, as if he had just found the answer he was seeking. Not far from the shoreline, Lein saw the giant turtle more clearly. Its shell was dark green,rge, and sturdy. The sunlight reflecting off its shell made it look like an imprable steel shield. The turtle''s head stretched out, preparing an attack with the ever-growing orb of light in its mouth. The creature''s eyes locked onto Lein, as if they were old enemies meeting again in a final battle. Lein, while staring back, raised an eyebrow, letting out a small sigh. "What''s your problem? I didn''t mean to end up here." His words were followed by a mocking grin that adorned his face. As if understanding the taunt, the orb of light on the turtle''s snout changed color to a deep blue. Streams of energy began to hiss, creating sshes of water around it. Pow... Lein watched the blue orb shoot out slowly, as if time had stopped. He merely shifted slightly to the side, letting the attack miss without much effort. "This light orb is too slow," he muttered quietly. The shot continued onward until it hit a coconut tree not far from the beach. Boom... A small explosion urred, sending sand flying into the air and creating a shallow crater in the ground. Lein stared at the result of the attack with a nk expression. A big question formed in his mind. "Is this some kind of promotion test to Master level?" he murmured, frowning in confusion at why the attack was so weak. Even if he had taken it head-on, he was sure he wouldn''t have been hurt, maybe not even after years. "System... are you kidding me?" Lein grumbled, speaking to himself, or more urately, to the system he usually relied on. However, there was no response, only the sound of the wind blowing in his ears. WOSH... But there was no answer, only the wind blowing in his ears. In the distance, the giant-shelled turtle once again formed an orb of light in its snout, ready to shoot again. Lein just sighed, already used to the system''s silence, not even expecting to get a response. "Alright, let''s finish this." His voice was calm, though there was a hint of annoyance in his tone. Sing... Lein drew his golden sword, setting his gaze on the turtle in the middle of the sea, then started running toward it without a second thought. Ssh... The seawater sshed as he broke through the small waves, his legs now submerged up to his knees. "Damn... why am I running into the sea?" Lein cursed at himself, only realizing his mistake now. Not used to fighting in watery areas like the seaside, Lein approached the turtle with small steps. Feeling foolish, Lein stopped thinking about it for a moment and activated his long-range skill. "Sky Sword Rain" With a quick motion, golden des began to appear in the air around him, floating like mosquitoes ready to strike. "Kill it for me," Lein said lightly. Immediately afterward, the golden des shot straight toward the green turtle in the middle of the sea. [Sessfully hit Hard Shell, dealing +120 damage] [Sessfully hit Hard Shell, dealing +112 damage] "Only 120?" Lein was surprised. Even though his attack was strong, the turtle''s HP bar, which reached 10,000, still had plenty left. At least 80 more attacks like that would be needed to finish it off. Meanwhile, the turtle''s shell glowed green. A protectiveyer formed around it, reducing the damage it took. [Sessfully hit Hard Shell, dealing +15 damage] [Sessfully hit Hard Shell, dealing +15 damage] "Damn it..." Lein muttered in surprise. Far away, the turtle''s shell emitted a green light, forming some kind of protectiveyer on its back. The lightsted for 5 seconds before finally disappearing. Despite being protected by damage reduction, Lein could see the turtle''s HP bar decreasing quickly. It made sense, considering his golden des numbered in the thousands at this point. [Sessfully killed Hard Shell, dropping (Hard Shell - C)] In an instant, Lein heard the notification of the kill. He was initially pleased, but after reading the reward he got, his face turned sour. "Damn it... why is the system so different now?" Lein felt that since the race war event had ended, the system''s behavior and functionality had changed somewhat. "Not even any EXP? How stingy!" Lein cursed again, though he couldn''t do anything about it. He quickly approached the spot where the Hard Shell turtle had died, where the hard shell item bubble awaited. With a vortex te, Lein reached the bubble in an instant. Bending down slightly, he then picked up the item bubble on the surface of the water. [Obtained (Hard Shell - C)] Lein stared at the shell, observing how it looked exactly like the turtle shell of the creature he had just in. His eyes narrowed as he read the item''s description, continuing to curse at the increasingly confusing system. (Hard Shell - C) When used, it provides strong defense to the user, offering protection that can save lives in critical situations. - Ocean Fortress: Reduces damage taken by 90% for 5 seconds. During this crucial moment, enemies will feel the power of the sea protecting you, causing hesitation in their attacks. - Cooldown: 5 minutes *Note: Soul Items "Pretty good," Lein said casually as he stared at the item in his hand. The hard shell had a defensive ability that could reduce damage by 90%. "This kind of defense is really useful," he muttered, imagining how impactful it would be in a battle against high-level creatures. It could be a crucial barrier to minimize the massive damage from strong enemy attacks. Lein''s gaze then shifted to thest note about the item, particrly the part mentioning "soul item." He frowned, trying to connect the dots. "Is this item only meant for building something rted to the soul?" Lein guessed, feeling that the item might be more than just a regr defensive shield. He recalled the glowing orb he had once seen in the middle of a green in. That orb was called the "Soul Construction Orb," and it seemed that the item in his hand might be part of the process of forming soul-based power. "Store it for now," he said while cing the turtle shell into his space ring. He took a deep breath, letting his mind rx for a moment as he enjoyed the beauty of the beach around him. The cool sea breeze blew gently, providing a brief calm after the battle. Wosh... However, after a few minutes passed, Lein realized a major problem. "How do I get out of here?" he shouted in panic. He turned around, but couldn''t find a clear way out. "Damn system, where are you?" he yelled, beginning to curse the system harshly. As if hearing hisints, the system finally responded. [Sessfully killed the soul (Hard-Shell Turtle), you will be teleported in 1 minute] A countdown appeared before his eyes, and the seconds began ticking down one by one. "Good, at least you understand now," Lein sighed in relief, though feeling a bit embarrassed by how he had begged like a child asking their mother to open the door so they could go y outside. The moment of anxiety he had just experienced made himugh at himself. One minute passed, and as promised, Lein was teleported back to his original location. Now, he was standing again on a vast in filled with flowers of various colors and shapes. A cool breeze blew, carrying the fresh scent of flowers, and the giant five-meter-tall portals still stood where they had been before. Each portal had its own unique characteristics. "Hmmm... let''s continue," Lein said confidently. He now felt he understood more about how this trial worked. His task was clear: to enter the avable portals and find items to form his soul power. Without wasting any time, Lein set his sights on the nearest portal. The portal was red like hotva, surrounded by glowing pebbles beneath it. Above the portal stood a statue of a short, human-shaped creature. Each limb was made of hard stone that emitted a menacing red glow. "Golem," Lein thought to himself. He recognized the type of creature he would be facing. Without hesitation, Lein stepped forward, entering the portal that glowed like burning embers. His body was immediately pulled by the portal''s power, and in an instant, he vanished from the vast in, ready to face the next challenge. Chapter 212: B-level Guardian Soul Lein slowly opened his eyes, squinting as he tried to adjust to the searing heat. The air around him felt heavy and suffocating, with the pungent smell of sulfur filling every breath, causing him to grimace slightly. "What a strange smell," Lein muttered, fanning his nose as if to drive the scent away. He stood at the edge of a steep mountain, the ground beneath his feet glowing bright red, radiating extreme heat. Cracks along the surface emitted a yellowish-orange glow, shimmering as though alive. Below him, a stream ofva flowed sluggishly, sending up waves of heat that spiraled into the air like thin wisps of dancing smoke. [You have sessfully entered the Soul Gate.] "Where is the guardian soul? Where''s the golem?" Lein asked himself, his voice echoing among the silent rocks. He turned his head, scanning the area with full alertness, searching for signs of life. Yet, all he found was an expanse ofva-covered rocks, asionally puffing steam, as if the ce had been abandoned long ago. Far ahead, Lein spotted a small hill. From the cracks along its surface, hot steam billowed out, forming a thin curtain that floated in the air. Curious, Lein decided to approach the hill, carefully treading along the edge of the steep mountain. Throughout the journey, he moved cautiously, aware that even the slightest misstep could send him tumbling into the boiling pool ofva below. Plup¡­ plup¡­ Soft bubbling sounds from theva echoed around him, like a whispered threat. Despite having reached level 50, Lein could still feel the tension building in his chest, swallowing hard as the bubbling grew louder. No matter how strong his body had be, his human instincts kept him vignt. His survival instincts remained as sharp as ever. "Phew¡­ It''s really hot," he muttered, wiping the sweat trickling down his temple. Lein paused for a moment and opened the spatial ring wrapped around his finger. His fingers moved quickly, searching for something inside the storage space. "Ah, found it!" he eximed cheerfully as a book appeared in his hand. The book was blue, encased in a glowing white cover that looked both elegant and sturdy, protecting its contents from damage. A brief description of the book surfaced before his eyes, clear as day. (Aqua Barrier) Creates a water shield that protects against fire attacks. The user gathers soul energy, forms a water sphere in their hand, and hurls it forward, generating a shield that extinguishes mes and reduces heat. - Level: 1 (0/10,000) - Base Defense: 1,200 - Rarity: Rare - Cooldown: 1 minute - Requirement: Level 20, Universal Without hesitation, Lein decided to learn the skill. [Do you want to learn the skill book - Aqua Barrier? Yes / No] "Yes." [Congrattions! You have learned the skill (Aqua Barrier)] [Congrattions! You have acquired a new skill: (Aqua Barrier)] Lein raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Hmm? The system seems smoother now. Has it finally recovered from its chronic issues?" he muttered, confusion evident in his expression. Usually, the system''s information was sparse and unreliable, like a broken machine. But this time, everything appeared detailed and well-organized. "Good." Lein shrugged it off. He opened the skill description panel for (Aqua Barrier) and found two new features: [Upgrade] and [Forget]. Intrigued, he selected the upgrade option, and a pop-up window appeared before him. [Please insert (Insight Stone)...] The system panel disyed a slot to input the number of (Insight Stone) required for the upgrade. (Insight Stone) Contains universal insights and can be absorbed. - Insight Points: 100 - Insight Level: Low - Type: Universal Lein checked his inventory and found over 100,000 (Insight Stones). However, he decided to use only 10,000 for now, preferring to save the rest for emergencies. [Using (Insight Stone) x 10,000 to upgrade (Aqua Barrier) skill level.] [Sessfully upgraded (Aqua Barrier) to Level 6.] Hearing the sessful notification, Lein smiled with satisfaction. He checked the skill panel and saw that (Aqua Barrier) was now at level 6 with 40% progress toward the next level. "This should be enough," he muttered. Without further dy, he activated the skill. Immediately, a blue shield with ripples reflecting light appeared around him, encasing him like a serene sphere of ss. Lein felt as if he were inside a protective bubble, shielded from the scorching heat outside. "Much better." The oppressive heat vanished, reced by a soothing coolness. "Must be the effect of reaching level 6," Lein remarked with a slight smile, satisfied with his wealth and progress. Few could level up their skills this high in one go, and he was among the privileged few. "Let''s move on." With the water shield surrounding him, Lein resumed his steps along the edge of theva pool, heading toward the nearby hill, suspecting it might hold the soul guardian he was searching for. Argh... Lein heard a deep groan from behind the hill, the sound reverberating through the hot air. His suspicions were confirmed¡ªthe guardian soul was here. With determined steps, he reached the hilltop and surveyed the area beyond. There, a vastva pool stretched out, one side spanning approximately 30 meters. The pool glowed with a fiery orange light, releasing steam that made the air even more stifling with its sulfurous scent. In the center of the pool, a colossal figure immediately captured Lein''s attention¡ªa massive stone creature, towering at 10 meters tall. Its entire body was made of hardened rock, coursing with moltenva that flowed like blood. Its glowing round eyes burned with life and fury, locked onto Lein. (Lava Golem) A creature born from ancient magma that hardened over millennia, carrying heat potent enough to melt crystals. This monster''s molten skin radiates with deadly force,unching fireballs and shing withva ws. Each of its steps leaves a fiery trail, transforming the ground into an impassable sea of magma. - Rank: Soul B - Soul Energy: 40,000 - Defense: 3,000 - Attack: 2,400 - Inferno Rampage: The Lava Golem heats its body to extreme temperatures, then detonates, dealing 200% of its total attack damage. Afterward, the surrounding ground turns into magma, inflicting 10% damage per second for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 30 seconds. Chapter 213: Using Divine Eyes "A B-rank soul, huh¡­" Lein muttered, examining theva golem''s stats disyed before him. Its towering figure and molten body made it look like a giant from the depths of hell. Yet, to Lein, it was nothing more than a practice dummy. He was confident he could take it down in seconds. "This thing has 30,000 more soul energy than the Hard-Shelled Turtle I fought earlier... And 3,000 defense? How tough could that be?" Lein mused,paring theva golem to the previous turtle. It was like night and day. "Well, it is a B-rank golem," he said lightly, feeling no sense of threat. Far off, theva golem had already detected Lein''s presence. The massive creature began to move, its steps heavy but deliberate, advancing through the bubblingva pool toward him. Argh... arhh¡­ The golem raised its massive right hand, clutching a zing fireball that spun wildly. With slow but powerful movements, it hurled the fireball straight at Lein. "Damn... that''s fast!" Lein was shocked to see the fireball shoot like a bullet. Without thinking, he immediately jumped to the side, dodging the attack. Boom... The fireball struck the ground hard, creating an explosion that shook the earth around Lein, leaving arge crack where he had been standing moments ago. "Not bad... pretty strong," Lein said with a slight smile, observing the smoky fissure in the ground. Whoosh... Lein was still focused on the explosion area when he suddenly sensed another attack. Without needing to look, his instincts kicked in, making him kick to the side to dodge. Sure enough, theva golem wasn''t stopping¡ªthis time, it hurled several fireballs at once. Boom... Boom... One fireball after another shot towards him, but Lein evaded them with ease. His movements were swift, leaping betweenva rocks gracefully, as if dancing amidst the rain of fire. The fireballs were fastpared to the previous attacks from the Hard-Shelled Turtle, but for Lein, it meant nothing. He knew that while the golem''s attacks were fierce, its real strengthy in its defense, not its offense. Crack... As Lein was enjoying his evasive movements, the ground beneath his feet trembled oddly, as if something was about to burst from the earth''s surface. Crack... The ground fractured, emitting a sh of orange light. From within the crack emerged a massive skeletal hand, zing with orangeva. The giant w shot up from the ground, swiftly reaching for Lein''s leg. Clutch... Lein gasped. Before he could react, theva w had already seized his leg. Its grip was firm, and the heat from theva burned even through his Aqua Barrier protection. [Your body has received 10 points of damage...] A system notification appeared at the corner of his vision, making Lein frown. "Damage notification? Huh, interesting..." he thought, slightly surprised. But he had no intention of staying trapped. Quickly, he raised the golden sword in his right hand and shed toward the w gripping him. sh... The golden sword sliced through theva w like a hot knife through butter. The w shattered into pieces, andva sttered in all directions. Lein immediately jumped back, creating some distance from the trap, his sharp eyes monitoring the golem still standing across from him. The golem seemed to move faster, perhaps enraged by its failed attack. "I need to finish this quickly..." Lein muttered as he prepared his sword, readying himself for a counterattack. Lein''s eyes locked onto the Lava Golem, which was now approaching, each step making the ground tremble as if echoing the power of the earth itself. "You''re pretty strong, Golem," he said with a sly smile, giving a thumbs-up. Even though he had just escaped from the w''s grasp, Lein showed no signs of frustration or anger. Instead, he looked like someone who had just found a new toy. Watching how the Lava Golem moved¡ªslowly but with undeniable power¡ªLein couldn''t help but feel curious. "I wonder if I can get a soul in the form of thisva golem?" he thought to himself, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. He recalled that every soul gate contained only one soul entity¡ªlike when he had previously entered a soul portal and fought the Hard-Shelled Turtle. After defeating the turtle, the system detected that Lein had in it. Since he had only killed one turtle, it confirmed that each soul gate contained only one soul. "In that case, what if I try duplicating itter?" he whispered softly, as if making a promise to himself. This soul gate was a special item, just like the Alpha Orb during the system''s first event. If that could be duplicated, then perhaps the soul gate could be as well. But Lein didn''t want to drag this out. The fight had to end soon. With steady hands, he activated one of his favorite abilities, "Divine Eyes." (Divine Eyes) Sharpness of vision and reflexes are significantly enhanced when this skill is active, making it easier to detect enemy weak points and speed up actions. This skill is ideal to activate before battle or when facing a tough opponent. Active for 30 seconds, it increases attack and speed by +50% when striking enemy weak points. - Level: 9 (20%/8.640k exp) - Base Sharpness: +120% - Rarity: Legendary - Cooldown: 1 minute - Requirement: Tier-3, Universal A golden aura enveloped Lein''s eyes, making him look like a god observing the world from above the clouds. His eyes, now sharper and clearer, scanned every movement of the Lava Golem, detecting weaknesses in theyers of stone and the flow ofva that encased its body. With Divine Eyes active, every move the golem made appeared slow in his vision, every weak spot glowing bright before him. He could see indicators marking the eyes and joints as critical points. "Vortex te," he whispered in a low yet controlled voice. Instantly, a thin white disc materialized from thin air, hovering in front of him. His favorite flying device appeared as if summoned by its master. Without hesitation, Lein jumped onto it, his body floating lightly in the air, ready to strike. From atop the Vortex te, Lein could see the entireva pool churning below, along with the sturdy body of the Lava Golem walking steadily toward him. Chapter 214: Killing lava golems "Prepare yourself, cuteva doll," Lein muttered, his gaze burning with excitement. Adrenaline surged through his body as he raised his golden sword, igniting a two-meter-long golden light along its de. He stood firm atop the vortex te, ready to attack like a meteor descending from the sky. As Lein rushed toward theva golem, the giant raised its massive hand, preparing to hurl a zing fireball. But Lein was even more prepared. With agile movements and sharp reflexes, he spun to the side, evading the fireball that shot past him with searing heat. "sh!" he shouted, the sound of his sword slicing through the air, emitting a sharp gleam as it swung toward the golem''s seemingly fragile joint. Lein''s first sh generated a wave of golden energy that struck the golem''s arm joint, followed by four shadow sword waves trailing closely behind, as if determined to ensure the attacknded. [Sessfully attacked Lava Golem, dealing +450 damage] [Sessfully attacked Lava Golem, dealing +284 damage] [Sessfully attacked Lava Golem, dealing +244 damage] The damage notification from the first sh rang out, surprising Lein with the amount of damage he inflicted. The previous battle with the Hard-Shelled Turtle only resulted in 15 damage points, but now his main sh delivered 450 points, and the shadow sword waves added over 200 points each. The notification sounds echoed in Lein''s ears. He was stunned by the numbers disyed. In his earlier fight against the Hard-Shelled Turtle, his single sword strike (Sky Sword Rain) only inflicted around 15 points of damage. But now, his primary sh scored 450 points, and the shadow sword waves contributed over 200 points each. "Arrrgh..." Theva golem roared fiercely, its voice shaking theva pool surrounding it. The pain from Lein''s attack triggered the golem''s fury, and without hesitation, it unleashed more fireballs, attempting to rain attacks down on him. "Heh,e on... hit me again!" Leinughed with satisfaction, enjoying the thrill of dodging the exploding fireballs. The golem''srge, somewhat rounded body reminded him of a giant teddy bear he once saw in a toy store on Earth. Despite the danger, there was an undeniable cuteness to it. Using the vortex te''s teleportation, Lein appeared and disappeared from one side to another, effortlessly evading the fireballs hurled by theva golem. The tool''s flexibility allowed him to move across kilometers in the blink of an eye, making the battle feel like a game of whack-a-mole. [Sessfully attacked Lava Golem, dealing +461 damage] [Sessfully attacked Lava Golem, dealing +277 damage] [Sessfully attacked Lava Golem, dealing +281 damage] With each teleportation, Lein took the opportunity tounch another attack, gradually depleting theva golem''s soul energy. In less than 10 seconds, he managed to reduce the monster''s energy by almost 10,000 points. Theva golem didn''t remain idle. The surroundingva pool now bristled with giant skeletal ws, towering ten meters high, ready to snatch Lein at any moment. These ws opened wide like carnivorous flowers, waiting to ensnare their prey. "Argh..." The golem''s growls grew harsher, and the heat around it intensified rapidly. Thin orange bubbles formed around its body, expanding and bing more imprable. Lein observed from a distance, narrowing his eyes as he noticed the golem''s energy surging. "Ah, so you''re activating the (Inferno Rampage) skill?" he muttered softly, standing atop the vortex te while keeping a close watch on the monster''s transformation. Theva golem''s soul energy was now down to just 12,000, but the reddish-orange shield enveloping it had grown to a diameter of twenty meters, ready to explode at any moment. "Damn, this bubble is huge," Lein said as he eyed the golem''s shield, which had reached a 20-meter diameter, glowing red as if about to burst. "Boom..." A massiveva eruption burst forth from the golem''s body, spraying with incredible force and covering a thirty-meter radius. The st was so powerful that the red-hotva spread like a wave of death, threatening to burn everything in its path. [Your body received 150 points of damage...] [Your body received 12 points of damage...] [Your body received 12 points of damage...] Despite the wave of heat hitting his body, Lein suffered minimal damage. Even after taking the brunt of the golem''s massive explosion, he only lost 150 health points¡ªan insignificant amount to him. While within the thirty-meter radius, theva''s burn effect continued to deal 12 damage points per second for five seconds. "Why does this feel like nothing? Am I really this strong?" Lein chuckled, a hint of arrogance in his voice. Theva golem had used its ultimate skill, yet the result was disappointing. "Maybe it''s because this is just a level B monster," he thought. Without dwelling too much on it, he pulled out a ck sword from behind his back. "Alright... let''s use both," he said with a faint smile, eyeing the golden sword in his right hand and the ck sword in his left. With both weapons in his grasp, he looked like a swordsman ready for a deadly duel. "If I had royal silver armor, I''d look like aplete knight," Lein joked, imagining himself in full armor. But he quickly dismissed the thought, refocusing on the ongoing battle. [Sessfully attacked Lava Golem, dealing +451 damage] [Sessfully attacked Lava Golem, dealing +262 damage] [The effect of (Abyssal Curse) is active, Lava Golem is paralyzed for 5 seconds] "What?" Lein froze for a moment, surprised by the effect of the ck sword he had just wielded. "Oh right... I almost forgot about ''Master ck''s'' ability," he said with an amused smile. He had be so ustomed to using the golden sword that he almost forgot the special power of the ck sword now hanging in his left hand. Before his eyes, theva golem froze. Itsrge head drooped like a sleeping child. "How does this monster look cuter than most kids?" Lein thought, finding the golem''s submissive posture amusing. "Alright... it seems I''ve wasted enough time." "Alright, it seems I''ve wasted enough time," he said, his gaze turning serious once again. Without hesitation, he moved the vortex te toward theva golem, preparing for a merciless finishing blow. [Sessfully defeated Lava Golem, dropping (Magma Fury Core - Soul B)] Chapter 215: Build soul & fuse It didn''t take long before theva golem finally copsed, its massive body falling into theva pool, sshing hot liquid in all directions. From the remains of its body, a round orb made ofva stone floated up. (Magma Fury Core - Soul B) When used, this item boosts the user''s attack power, channeling theva golem''s rage to unleash devastating fire-based attacks. - Hellwave: Increases the user''s attack power by 200% for 10 seconds. During this time, each attack has a chance to burn the enemy, inflicting fire damage over time. - Cooldown: 3 minutes "Ah... so the dropped item matches the soul guardian of the Soul Gate," Lein murmured thoughtfully. Lein recalled obtaining the "Hard Shell" after defeating the turtle, which had extraordinary defensive abilities. Now, after defeating the Lava Golem, which mastered fire attacks, he received the "Magma Fury Core." A pattern seemed to emerge in his mind, as if each guardian passed on its unique ability through the soul item it left behind. After examining the item for a moment, Lein stored it in his spatial ring. He looked up, gazing at the sky, which glowed with a fiery red hue, as if waiting for something. Still waiting in silence, Lein finally shouted loudly, "Hey, lousy system... where are you?" Lein''s loud voice broke the silence, and a few secondster, the familiar system notification echoed. [Sessfully defeated Lava Golem''s soul, you will be transferred in 1 minute] "Hm... if only you were human..." Lein gritted his teeth, annoyed with the system''s cold behavior. He took a deep breath, trying to stay patient, and waited for the minute to pass. When the time expired, Lein felt his body pulled by an invisible force, and in an instant, he reappeared on a vast grasnd. In front of him stood the magnificent Soul Gate portal, emitting a soft, glowing light. Lein nced toward the area where theva golem''s Soul Gate had been, only to find itpletely gone, as if it had never existed. "Vanished, huh..." Lein muttered, slightly disappointed. Then, his attention shifted to arge orb in the distance, radiating a mysterious aura. "Alright... I''m curious how soul construction works," Lein said, stepping toward the soul construct orb not far away. From a distance, the object appeared like arge ss sphere containing swirling white smoke, creating a mystical and mysterious sensation. The closer Lein stepped, the more he felt as if he were approaching something arcane. Finally, he stood right in front of it, his eyes narrowing as he observed the panel that emerged from the sphere. (Soul Construction Orb) Please insert soul fragments to receive an evaluation from the Soul Construction Orb. The higher the grade of the soul fragments, the higher the soul evaluation that will be generated. Current Evaluation: - Soul: - - Strength: 0 - Defense: 0 - Intelligence: 0 - Agility: 0 [Construct] [Fuse] "Two new features?" Lein frowned, noticing the added options on the orb''s panel. These features hadn''t existed before, making him wonder whether the orb could detect the soul fragments he had collected. "Can this orb read the fragments I possess?" he muttered, stroking his chin. Lein already had two soul fragments¡ª"Hard Shell" of C grade and "Magma Rage Core" of B grade. Driven by curiosity, Lein decided to try out the new features, starting with the [Construct] option. The system panel changed immediately. In front of him appeared a pattern with arge circle in the center, surrounded by ten smaller circles, all connected by thin white lines. Lein touched one of the smaller outer circles, and a notification popped up. [Please insert a soul fragment] "Ah, it seems these ten circles are the slots for inserting soul fragments," Lein nodded, realizing how the system worked. The interface reminded him of a game UI, like when a yer was about tobine or craft items. Without hesitation, Lein inserted the two soul fragments he had: "Hard Shell - C" and "Magma Rage Core - Soul B." As the fragments were slotted, the white lines connecting the central circle to the two adjacent smaller circles lit up, disying waves of energy flowing briskly around them. Another notification appeared, breaking Lein''s train of thought. [Two soul fragments detected. Would you like to build a soul?] "No," Lein said, shaking his head. He decided to stop the merging process. Exiting the [Construct] feature, he returned to the main panel and selected the next option, [Fuse]. The same system disy appeared, but with a slight difference. The central circle was still surrounded by smaller ones, but this time there were only three. Below the pattern was a brief exnation. [Fuse] Combine 3 souls of the same grade to obtain a new soul. S-grade Soul: requires 3 S-grade souls A-grade Soul: requires 3 A-grade souls ¡­ E-grade Soul: requires 3 E-grade souls "Three souls, huh?" Lein grinned slightly, feeling excited by the challenge. He knew exactly how to use his ''Duplicate'' talent to gather the necessary soul fragments quickly. "Alright... it seems I need to build a soul first, then proceed with [Fuse]," he said as he closed the feature panel and returned to the [Construct] menu. Before inserting the fragments into the circles, he duplicated the (Magma Rage Core - Soul B). [Duplicating (Magma Rage Core - Soul B) 10,000 times. Are you sure?] "Yes." Without any extravagant disy, 10,000 "Magma Rage Cores" appeared in Lein''s spatial ring. Lein nodded in satisfaction. With nimble fingers, he returned to the [Construct] panel, eyeing the circr pattern he had already understood. One by one, he began cing "Magma Rage Core" fragments into the ten small circles surrounding the central one. [Ten soul fragments detected. Would you like to build a soul?] "Yes," Lein answered eagerly. As soon as he gave themand, the entire circle on the panel began to vibrate. The ten outer circles exploded into brilliant white light, each releasing a burst of energy that converged into one. The connecting lines between the outer circles and the central one glowed even brighter, revealing a pattern resembling woven threads of light that tightly bound every core, as if drawing out all the power from the fragments. Chapter 216: Gacha Time The fusion animationsted for several seconds, disying intricate patterns that glowed and swirled as if merging soul energy. When the light dimmed, the fusion result appeared on the front page of the soul construction orb. Lein could see a small creature in the shape of a worm, withva-like skin covered in sharp glowing red spikes. "A baby worm?" Lein muttered, frowning at the sight. The small creature on the panel resembled a young version, withrge gleaming eyes that gave an innocent impression despite its body being covered in sharp spikes. Lein then examined the attributes of the Lava Worm he had just created. - Soul: Spiked Lava Worm - C - Soul Energy: 700 - Strength: B - Defense: C - Intelligence: D - Dexterity: C - (Molten Ambush): The Lava Worm burrows into the ground and hides, waiting for a passing enemy. When the enemy gets close, the Lava Worm leaps from the ground and attacks with destructive fire, dealing 250% of its regr attack damage and inflicting a burning effect, causing an additional 50% damage per second for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 45 seconds. "Huh? That bad..." Lein muttered, his eyes scanning the ability description on the panel. The result was far below his expectations. "And it''s a B-tier soul," he added in a frustrated tone, shaking his head. "Not only is the ability poor, but the attributes are also very low," he continued, his voice nowced with sarcasm. He couldn''t hide his disappointment upon seeing the Lava Worm, which had subpar attributes for a B-tier soul. Lein ignored the creature and quickly returned to the [Construct] feature, intending to run another experiment. He inserted another ten "Magma Rage Core" pieces into the small circles. Soon, the system disyed a confirmation. [10 soul pieces detected. Would you like to build a soul?] "Yes," he replied quickly, hoping for a better oue this time. The fusion process began once again. The ten outer circles emitted bright white light, connected by glowing lines leading to therge center circle. However, this time, when the light dimmed, an unexpected notification appeared. [Failed to build soul] "What??" Lein shouted loudly. His strong hand grabbed the soul construction orb, shaking it in frustration. "Argh... damn it," he hissed angrily, almost smashing the orb. "Calm down... calm down... let''s try again," he told himself, trying to keep his emotions in check. With 9981 "Magma Rage Core" pieces still in his ring, losing ten pieces wasn''t a big deal. As before, he inserted ten pieces into the circles, confirmed the fusion, and waited for the result. The same process repeated, but this time, the oue was just as bad. [Failed to build soul] !!! "Fuhh..." Lein took a deep breath, trying to calm himself as the cool aura around him began to fade. With a forced smile, he repeated the process three more times. Each step was the same: Insert 10 pieces Confirm fusion Wait for the result "If it fails this time... I''ll destroy you," he thought, more serious than before. [Failed to build soul] !!! Crack... Without thinking, Lein kicked the pir supporting the soul construction orb. The hard impact shattered it, and the sound of cracking filled the room. "Damn it!!! What''s going on?!" he shouted, his anger exploding uncontrobly. "Heh, stupid system... show yourself!" he shouted to the sky, hoping for an answer. But nothing happened. Only a gentle breeze blew softly, brushing through his short ck hair. Lein stood silently, unsure who else to direct his anger toward. He turned and looked at the previously broken soul construction orb. Strangely, it was now fully restored, without any sign of damage. "Yeah... you are tough," Lein murmured in resignation, realizing how foolish it was to fight against an indestructible system. However, an idea suddenly struck him. "No... I have a system too," he whispered, a glimmer of hope emerging in his mind. "Wait... still on cooldown," he muttered again, disappointment creeping back into his voice. He wanted to duplicate the soul construction orb to perform thousands of attempts at once, but the idea was thwarted by the cooldown restriction. Out of ideas, Lein decided to stop attempting to build a soul for now. It was pointless if the sess rate was so low¡ªit would just waste time. While waiting for the cooldown to end, he decided to search for other soul pieces. Lein turned to the endless portals surrounding him. For a moment, he wondered who was behind the appearance of these portals, but he chose to ignore that curiosity for now. "Alright...e out," he whispered lightly. Immediately, golden and ck swords began emerging from Lein''s ring space, floating gracefully in the air. The number of swords continued to grow¡ªfrom hundreds, to thousands, until they surpassed a hundred thousand, filling the sky around him. "Ahaha... you are indeed strong," he said softly, though in his heart, he still mocked the cursed system. "Echo Phantom," he whispered slowly. His hundreds of thousands of swords suddenly transformed, forming figures identical to him. Yes, they were all clones of Lein, each inheriting half of his original strength. - Binding Skills: (Echo Phantom: Clone with 50% attributes), (dewarp: Teleport to sword location), (Phantom Exchange: Swap position with sword), (Phantom Assault: Sword passively auto-attacks nearby enemies). "All of you... enter the portals and defeat the guardians within," Leinmanded the clones. Although it felt strange to talk to himself, he did it anyway. "Yes, boss." "Got it, boss." ... A big question mark formed in Lein''s mind. He didn''t expect his clones to respond, let alone simultaneously. Each of them answered, albeit with slight dys. Lein watched as the clones entered the soul portals, looking eager and fearless. From a distance, they resembled a swarm of ants sneaking into small caves¡ªthe Soul Portals. As the owner of the clones, Lein could sense the view from each of their perspectives. "Ugh, I feel a bit dizzy," he muttered, massaging his temples. Observing one or two clones was easy, but hundreds of thousands? That was overwhelming, so he stopped after a brief nce. Through one clone''s perspective, Lein saw himself above the clouds, surrounded by white mist and a few floating soap bubbles. Inside the bubbles were human figurespletely unclothed. Yes, entirely unclothed. "It''s... massive," the real Lein murmured, startled by the sight. However, he quickly brushed aside any strange thoughts that crossed his mind. Chapter 217: Cloud Man (Cloud Man) A mystical being formed from ever-changing clouds. It can create illusions from mist and smoke, confusing and disorienting its enemies. This entity floats gracefully, manipting the weather to summon thunderstorms and call forth gusts of wind. - Tier: Soul A - Soul Energy: 400,000 - Defense: 8,000 - Attack: 11,500 - (Mist Illusion): Creates illusions from clouds, making it seem as if multiple copies of itself are attacking. This causes enemies to strike at shadows, reducing their uracy by 50% and lowering their attack by 50% for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 1 minute. "Tier A, huh?" murmured the real Lein, observing the clone''s perspective above the clouds. Lein¡ªor rather, the clone¡ªstared at the Cloud Man before him withoutment. Without hesitation, he activated Lein''s ultimate skill. [Sword Heaven Prison] Skill 4: (Sword Heaven Prison) Summons a sword prison to trap enemies for 5 seconds. Reduces enemy attributes by 50%. Cooldown: 30 minutes. Immediately, a massive sword descended from the sky, heading straight for the Cloud Man inside the bubble far away. Not just one, but three other golden swords surrounded him. Once all four swords fell, a transparent barrier formed into a cube, trapping the Cloud Man inside the bubble. "You''re too rxed," the real Lein murmured lightly, satisfied with the sess of his sword prison. He was about to shift his focus away from the clone''s view when a middle-aged man''s voice suddenly echoed around him. "Hello, young friend." The clone Lein turned, finding the Cloud Man standing casually on a floating cloud. His broad smile sent a chill through Lein''s heart. When the clone looked back toward where the Cloud Man had been imprisoned, he saw nothing but an empty golden sword prison. "Am I caught in an illusion?" Lein wondered to himself. Seeing Lein not respond, the Cloud Man''s wide grin turned somewhat sinister. With a gentle wave of his hand, a colossal cloud appeared above the clone Lein''s head. The cloud was massive¡ªabout the size of a football field¡ªand it descended, intending to crush the clone Lein, who appeared no more than an ant inparison. The clone Lein did not remain idle. The golden sword in his hand glowed brilliantly, extending to 100 meters in length. With a full swing from behind, the de''s light cleaved through the enormous cloud above him. The massive cloud trembled, then gradually dissipated. "Hmm, not bad," the Cloud Man remarked, impressed by the clone Lein''s skill. Soon after, he noticed countless golden swords materializing around the clone Lein. "The aura of this swordsman is deep¡ªit''s been a long time since I''ve seen anything like it," the Cloud Man muttered emotionally. Forming a hand seal, a white barrier emerged, surrounding him. Tang... The first sword nged against the barrier and fell. Tang... Tang... "Your swords are strong, but¡ª" Before he could finish his sentence, a powerful sh from behind sliced the Cloud Man''s body in two. "You talk too much," the real Lein observed, still monitoring the battle between his clone and the Cloud Man. He watched the Cloud Man''s body reassemble, though his soul energy was halved by the direct sh. "Damn... How did this young man move so fast? Is he a mage?" the Cloud Man wondered, bewildered. He had not even sensed when Lein had shifted positions. He eyed the clone Lein with newfound caution. "Come on... again, bro," the real Lein instructed his clone. Without hesitation, the clone Lein directed the golden des toward the Cloud Man, bombarding him with sword strikes. One by one, the swords shed against the Cloud Man''s barrier. Crack... The barrier shattered. Seizing the opportunity, the clone Lein teleported again and delivered a direct sh toward the Cloud Man''s neck. In the span of a single breath, the clone Lein was already behind the Cloud Man, ready to execute the neck sh. However, his movement faltered as multiple Cloud Men appeared in front of him, identical to each other. "How do you like my illusion skill?" From a distance, the Cloud Man spoke smugly. His other illusions echoed the same words, temporarily confusing the clone Lein. The clone Lein didn''t waste time. A fan with a brown wooden handle appeared out of thin air. He waved it a few times, and waves of pure energy spread out from him as the center. (Goddess of Enlightenment Fan) A fan made from the feathers of a sky swan, forged for 1,000 years with the lightning of the god of destruction. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Pure Artifact - Essence: 615 - Ability: (Soul Purification) Activates the pure soul energy contained in the fan. Eliminates all illusions around the user and within the user''s soul, refreshing the mind, making it healthier and calmer. Regr use increases charisma and the positive aura of the owner. Cooldown: 10 minutes. Each time the waves of pure energy passed through one of the Cloud Man''s illusions, the illusion disintegrated effortlessly. "Damn, a pure artifact?" the Cloud Man muttered, shocked. Not wasting any time, he immediately fled for his safety. The clone Lein activated the Vortex te''s teleportation ability, appearing beside the fleeing Cloud Man. "No!" the Cloud Man shouted, eyes wide in fear, shocked to find the clone Lein right behind him. sh... A decisive and merciless sh cleaved through the Cloud Man''s body. [Sessfully killed Cloud Man, dropped (Illusion Cloud ¨C Soul A)] A notification sounded, and a transparent bubble containing an item shaped like a cloud appeared. "Easy," Lein said casually, watching the Cloud Man perish. He then severed his connection with the clone. Surveying his surroundings, he saw thousands of his clones moving in and out of portals. "It''s truly beautiful having so many staff¡ªno, clones," Lein boasted, reveling in his duplication talent. He felt a bit overwhelmed, still trying to manage his mind to avoid getting too focused on his clones'' perspectives. With a wave of his hand, he summoned a chair from his spatial ring, followed by a table and some food. He didn''t forget to take out the fan he used earlier, (Goddess of Enlightenment Fan). "I''ll need ten more fans like this to deal with that stingy ck system," Lein murmured to himself. Chapter 218: Long Whisker Dragon Lein then sat on the chair and lifted a piece of roasted meat to his mouth. The smoky and savory aroma immediately filled his nose. As his teeth bit into the meat, the soft juices burst on his tongue, leaving a salty and slightly sweet taste that made him pause, savoring every chew. "Um... delicious." Chewing slowly, he leaned back in the chair, making himself asfortable as possible. After finishing his bite of venison, he grabbed a bottle of fruit juice from the table and took a few sips. The cold, refreshing liquid flowed down his throat, leaving a subtle sweetness in his mouth. Slowly, he lowered the bottle and took a deep breath. "Delightful..." Lein sighed in satisfaction. His previously joyful expression now twisted slightly as if something intriguing had crossed his mind. Through the vision of one of his clones, Lein noticed something captivating. He saw his clone standing tall before a massive dragon with a green-scaled body and two massive, muscr arms. The dragon had long whiskers flowing gently in the air, adding a mystical aura to the 20-meter-tall beast. Its muscr body radiated immense physical strength. Each step made the ground tremble, and the fearsome aura it exuded made the air vibrate. Its eyes gleamed sharply, revealing both rage and vignce. (Long Whisker Dragon) From the depths of darkness and the earth''s molten core, Long Shen is a creature born of dreams and catastrophe. It emerged during the eruption of the ancient earth, a fusion of green forest energy and ancient spirit. - Rank: Soul A - Soul Energy: 370,000 - Defense: 10,000 - Attack: 10,000 - Ability (Dragon Fury): Doubles physical strength and speed. When activated, the dragon''s scales glow bright red, and its eyes radiate fire. Cooldown: 5 minutes. "A whiskered dragon? Pretty ordinary," Lein muttered, still loungingzily on his chair while observing his clone facing the massive green dragon in the distance. Indeed, the dragon''s whiskers were long, almost reaching half of its elongated body. Its appearance resembled the long dragons from ancient Chinese folklore but with disproportionately short, powerful arms, giving it a strange lookpared to itsrge, serpentine form. "What''s the point of having a long body with short arms?" Lein sneered while continuing to watch. Not wanting to waste time, the clone began to move. Golden swords materialized around him, their gleaming des causing the distant whiskered dragon to tense, locking its gaze on the clone. "Attack," the clone muttered. In an instant, tens of thousands of golden swords flew toward the whiskered dragon, raining down mercilessly on its body. Argh... The dragon did not retreat. Seeing the iing swords like a storm of arrows, it swung its long tail in an S shape. With a single powerful swipe, it shattered the approaching des. Tang... Lein''s swords scattered, producing metallic ngs as they shed with the dragon''s iron-hard tail. Tag... The whiskered dragon kept whipping its tail, fending off the (Sky Sword Rain) assault. Clone Lein remained in ce, with no intention of moving. His calm eyes tracked the dragon''s every movement, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Blink... Suddenly, Clone Lein vanished and reappeared behind the dragon''s long neck, his sword raised, ready to sh the dragon''s neck in a swift, decisive strike. sh... The strike was executed, but it hit nothing but empty air. Clone Lein was momentarily startled, ncing around in confusion to locate the dragon''s new position. His head turned in every direction until it stopped on a distant figure: an old man with long white whiskers standing tall, smiling. "Hoho... teleportation?" Lein murmured, popping a grape into his mouth with a rxed grin. "Why are old men always so powerful?" Lein mused to himself, recalling how nearly all the strongest individuals he had encountered were elderly men. Kark... Lein squinted, observing the old man stretching as if he had just awoken from a long slumber. The sound of muscles flexing echoed from afar, piquing Lein''s curiosity about the old man''s true strength. Lein blinked as he checked the status panel of the old man. The information confirmed that the elder was, in fact, the whiskered dragon in human form. Now, his aura felt even stronger, nearly twice what it had been before. "Just as I thought, this old man''s attributes are twice as strong now," Lein muttered, his eyes still fixed on the status panel while enjoying his meal. The panel disyed average defense and attack stats of 20,000 points, surpassing Lein''s own base stats without any enhancement buffs. "Young one... you are strong," the old man''s voice was raspy but calm, like someone emerging from a long hibernation. His tone waszy, yet there was genuine gratitude as he continued, "Thank you for waking me." Lein gave no response, but his clone wasted no time. In an instant, the clone teleported and appeared beside the old man once more. sh... Argh... The clone''s sword sliced through the air with a sharp whoosh, but this time, the old man effortlessly caught the de with his small fingers. "Hey... why the rush?" he remarked casually, as if making small talk. Without a word, the clone activated another skill. "Area of Light" - Skill 3: (Area of Light) Creates an area of light in a 100-metre radius. Increases all attributes by 100%, negates enemy healing, +100% damage to dark creatures. Lasts 10 minutes, has a 1-hour cooldown. A burst of light suddenly exploded from the center of Lein''s clone, spreading within a 100-meter radius. The sacred glow emitted a majestic aura that made the old man pause momentarily, his heart trembling. He was about to speak, but this time, Lein''s ck sword moved, shing mercilessly at the old man''s neck. "I told you¡­" His words were cut off as blood dripped from his fingertips. The old man''s small hand, which had tried to catch the sword, was now severed, his fingers falling to the ground. His eyes widened in shock, and he quickly teleported 50 meters away, attempting to heal his injured hand. "Damn... I knew it¡­" But before he could finish his sentence, Lein''s clone reappeared behind him,unching a series of relentless shes. [Sessfully attacked Long Whisker Dragon, dealing +1,300 damage] [Sessfully attacked Long Whisker Dragon, dealing +1,280 damage] Damage notifications chimed in Lein''s ear. Each sh struck with deadly precision, forcing the old man to retreat slowly, his wounds worsening with every blow. Argh... Suddenly, the old man let out a deafening roar, the sound of a dragon echoing like thunder, creating shockwaves that trembled the ground around them. However, Lein''s clone did not falter. He moved swiftly, his sword glimmering like lightning as he rained down attacks without mercy. Tang... Tang... A loud ng rang out as the old man attempted to parry, but his movements were cautious, as if knowing that one wrong step could spell his end. Fear flickered in his eyes as he continued to retreat from one position to another, unwilling to face Lein''s attacks head-on. "Stop! Stop!" he shouted desperately, his voice echoing in panic. His body was in shambles, blood seeping from unhealed wounds, far from the grandeur he had shown earlier. "Sword Heaven Prison" Lein ignored his pleas. His clone activated the sacred human skill, and four giant swords descended from the sky, embedding themselves at the four corners, trapping the old man within a glowing golden dome. The old man''s eyes widened. He nced around, surrounded by gleaming golden mirror walls that reflected his trapped image. Ignoring the pain from his injuries, he slowly approached one of the walls, reaching out as if trying to touch it, as if reminiscing about a distant past. His fingers halted just at the surface of the mirror, and for a moment, he seemed dazed, staring at his own reflection. However, Lein gave him no more time. His clone was ready with the next strike, and the old man knew there was no escape this time. Inside the bright golden prison, the old man knelt, his shoulders trembling, and tears streamed down his wrinkled face. "Please... stop... you win," his voice quivered, drenched in fear and despair. His sobs were faint, filled with hope, as if searching for a way out of his doomed fate. But his tear-filled eyes failed to notice the dark shadow looming above¡ªa giant sword poised to strike from above. Outside the prison, Lein raised his golden sword high, sacred light wrapping the de with a deadly sheen. Without hesitation, he swung the sword with a calm, deliberate motion, yet brimming with power. The sh sliced through the air, and in an instant, the aura of the sacred sword pierced the golden prison walls, striking the old man within. The long-whiskered dragon''s body froze momentarily before splitting cleanly in two, as if a thin cloth had been torn. The gleaming golden aura vanished along with his life, leaving behind only two lifeless halves, devoid of sound. [Sessfully killed Long-Whiskered Dragon, dropping (Dragon Whisker - Soul A)] Lein absorbed the notification calmly, ending his observation as his clone began to fade. Chapter 219: Waiting for the S-level soul piece "Ah, how pleasant..." Lein let out a long sigh, allowing himself to sink into the rarefort he seldom experienced. This time, there was no need for active movement. He could just sit back in his chair, letting the fresh breeze caress his face, and feel the soothing chill washing over him. Beside him, a selection of fresh fruits sat on the table, their vibrant colors tempting him. He grabbed one and bit into it slowly, savoring the sweetness spreading across his tongue. Lein leaned back, straightening his spine, and enjoyed the view from the open terrace. Meanwhile, a faint glimmer sparkled in his eyes¡ªa sign that his consciousness was connected to the clones scattered across the world. He didn''t just see what they saw; he could feel every surge of adrenaline, every swing of the sword, and the heat or cold they encountered. "Strike the abdomen... that''s the weak spot," Lein muttered to himself, his eyes tracking the movements of one clone locked in battle with arge monster, searching for an opening between its hard scales. "Don''t get careless¡ªwatch your back!" he said louder, like a coach giving instructions. The clone swiftly turned and shed an attacking from behind with perfect reflex. Lein gave a slight smile of satisfaction. His remarks were inevitable¡ªlike a pro yer observing a beginner. He wanted the "newbie" to follow his instructions exactly to ensure the best results. Far away, one of his clones was locked inbat under the scorching heat of the desert sun. A massive sand serpent, its body gleaming with scales as sharp as rotating saw des, slithered effortlessly over the sands. The serpent measured over twenty meters long, its gaping mouth ready to crush anything foolish enough to approach. The clone dodged with agile movements, keeping his eyes focused on the serpent''s unpredictable slithers, while his golden sword shimmered under the sunlight, poised to strike. Elsewhere, in the depths of a dark ocean, another clone confronted a colossal B-rank m. The shell of the m was as hard as steel, and each time it slightly opened its maw, a low-pitched vibration pulsed through the water. This vibration was not just a sound¡ªit prated the mind, causing dizziness and disruptive hallucinations. Yet, with remarkableposure, the clone kept his distance, waiting for the perfect moment to attack. Lein felt no concern that his clones wouldn''t seed in ying the soul beasts guarding the portals. For him, failure was simply out of the question. After all, each of his clones was equipped with top-tierbat gear, including the divine-grade Vortex te artifact, which allowed them to teleport instantly and hover in mid-air. Additionally, every clone carried the Time Ring, which reduced skill cooldowns by 80%, making it easy for them to unleash abilities rapidly. Not to mention the two-part sword set¡ªone golden, the other ck¡ªthat each clone wielded. In case they faced a particrly tough enemy, extra golden swords were always at their disposal, ensuring that other clones could step in if necessary. Lein''s smile widened as he watched each of his clones fight. Yet, despite the fragmented perspectives flowing through his mind, a nagging thought persisted. "I still haven''t found an S-rank soul..." he murmured to himself, his voice tinged with reflection. "Is it really that difficult?" His gaze shifted deeper, scanning from one clone to another. Desert sands, dark forests, snowy mountains, and the deepest ocean floors¡ªhis clones had spread across every corner of the world, collecting souls from countless monsters. But most of what they found were C-rank creatures, a handful of B-rank ones, and only a rare few A-rank. Out of the hundreds of thousands of clones deployed, only around ten had managed to capture A-rank souls. For the rest, defeating C- and B-rank soul beasts was as effortless as mowing grass. "Hmm... could I becking in ''luck points''?" Lein chuckled, recalling stories where protagonists were blessed with absurd luck, stumbling upon unimaginable powers from the most trivial events. "Well, I suppose I''ve been lucky enough with my (Infinity Duplicate) talent," he mused, letting out a softugh. That chuckle was followed by a brief glimmer in his eyes¡ªmemories shing back to when he first set foot in the Celestial Realm. He remembered arriving on a tiny ind, surrounded by an endless sea of clouds, with no idea what to do next. Back then, he had been so weak, possessing nothing but the sheer will to survive. Yet, as if by miracle, he had acquired a talent that defied thews of nature¡ªsomething far beyond his imagination. With his duplication ability, he carved his path, step by step, until he now stood as the supreme ruler of humankind. "Level 50..." Lein muttered, his tone carrying a hint of boredom. He nced at his status screen, carefully reviewing the numbers that reflected his current power. [STATUS] - Name: Lein - Tier 3 (Leader of the Sovereign 3) - Level: 50 (23%) - Attributes: STR 22877, AGI 22921, INT 20423, RES 21726 - ss: Swordsman - Skills: (Divine sh Shadow), (Sky Shattering sh), (Area of Light), (Sword Heaven Prison), (Sacred Heart Sword), (Sky Sword Rain) - Sub Skills: (Double sh), (Sword Aura), (Quick Movement), (Light Barrier), ... - Equipment: (Divine Sword +15), (Voidstride Boots +15), (Celestial Shadow Cloak +15), (Wrathforged ws +15), (Crown of Temporal Mastery +15) - Artifact: (Time Ring - pure), (Vortex te - heaven), (Mad Summoner''s Ne), (Goddess of Enlightenment Fan), (False Soul Ring)... [System Chat Message: (Human Race of Earth), (Alliance), (Staff),...] [Market: Devine Sky Realm] [Friend: Cute Cat, Laras, ...] [Orb Ind] Lein felt excitement every time he reviewed his system panel. His attributes, surpassing 20,000 points, were the result of various buffs¡ªfrom core essences, titles, soul altars, and other sources that indirectly boosted his stats. This was in addition to the free attributes he gained from leveling up. Even Nita, who was at the same level as him, could only manage around 15,000 points on average. "I wonder how high the attributes of those top alliances are," Lein thought, recalling the five leading human alliances. "Probably not more than 10,000," he muttered, making a rough estimation. Most of them were still early-tier 3, with limited items, making it nearly impossible for them to catch up to him. His attention shifted to the market feature in the system panel, which still disyed the same interface as before,plete with a section for sales posts. In the market panel, Lein could apply detailed filters¡ªsorting by price, posting time, seller name, and more. Browsing through the highest-selling items, he found tools for enhancing power, such as equipment, stones with white or green hues, and even construction materials for ind structures. Aside from these poprmodities, he noticed a few premium items like (Insight Stone), (Skill Book ¨C rare), and others. Seeing these listings, Lein couldn''t help butment, "Aren''t they afraid of being hunted?" His thoughts were justified¡ªseveral people had reportedly died after listing high-quality items on the market board. Therefore, anyone still daring to post such premium items likely had strong backing. They were likely leveraging the market to expand theirwork or find buyers offering immense profits. Driven by curiosity, Lein opened the System Chat feature. [System Chat Messages: Human Race of Earth] - (Heavy Rain): "Thank you, Princess Hana. You saved my life and my family''s. Also, thank you to Alliance Leader Lein." - (Mira): "Why is the help taking so long? I''ve paid my taxes, but the government can''t even protect us... Damn it... Bring my family back!" - (White Cloud):"I can''t take it anymore... I''m going to end it all..." - (Roger): "If anyone needs escort services, send me a message. Friendly rates." Lein scanned the chaotic chat system, filled withints, pleas for help, and service offers. The messages flowed endlessly, filling the screen with a mixture of hope and despair. One message from a man threatening suicide caught his attention, while a desperate cry from a mother searching for her family made him sigh. "How am I supposed to save everyone?" he pondered as he gazed at the horizon. "If they rely on me forever, what will happen when I''m gone?" A glimmer of determination shed in his eyes. He knew he couldn''t be their sole protector without giving others the chance to grow. "Huahh..." Lein yawned, sleepiness creeping in as he waited for his clones to deliver results. It had been over 20 minutes with no signs of an S-grade soul fragment. "Damn it, still nothing..." he muttered in frustration. However, the hard work of his clones had yielded 10 A-grade souls so far. Closing the status panel, Lein reached for the spatial ring on his middle finger. A sh of light appeared, and arge epic chest materialized before him. A slow smile spread across his face as he imagined its contents. "While I wait, I might as well go treasure hunting, huh?" he chuckled softly. He sat on the ground, pulling the chest closer. As he began unlocking it, he felt the intricate carvings and cold surface beneath his fingertips. Like a child impatient to open a present, Lein hoped his luck would continue. Chapter 220: Heaven-level artefact - Time Freeze Lein stared at the confirmation panel in front of him, sping his hands together in anticipation. He closed his eyes and muttered a luck incantation, like an experienced shaman performing a ritual. "Die once, live once, get lucky once," he murmured seriously, as if the chant had been proven effective. "Goddess... please," he whispered softly,pleting his ritual before finally pressing the confirmation button. [Open (Epic Chest), are you sure?] "Yes." The epic chest before him began to tremble, shifting slightly on the metallic floor. A low hum echoed, as if energy was gathering, ready to explode at any moment. The purple lid creaked open slowly, releasing a blinding white light that intensified until it turned into a swirl of golden radiance filling the room. For a moment, it felt like time had stopped around Lein, the world waiting in suspense to reveal what treasuresy within. With a soft click, the lid opened fully, revealing the contents inside, shining with brilliance. As the light dimmed, the hidden treasures were unveiled. [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - High-grade Energy Crystals x21 - Agility Boots - Level 40 x1 - Blood Pendant - Pure Artifact x1 - ck Sand x12 - Pure Blood x4 ... "Nice... a pure artifact on the first try," Lein said enthusiastically. His gaze locked onto the shimmering red pendant within the chest. He reached out, lifting it for closer inspection. (Blood Pendant - Pure Artifact) The Blood Pendant is an ancient vampiric artifact, usable only by those with strong resolve. It glimmers with a dark crimson aura, striking fear into enemies while granting extraordinary regenerative abilities. Ideal for frontline fighters, the pendant absorbs the power of enemies to strengthen its wearer. - Type: Active/Passive Artifact - Grade: Pure Grade - Essence: 8,000 - Abilities: Blood Pact (Active), Crimson Veil (Passive), Vampiric Strike (Active) 1. Blood Pact (Active): Absorbs 15% of the enemy''s HP with each attack for 30 seconds, healing the wearer. 5-minute cooldown. 2. Crimson Veil (Passive): Increases physical and magical resistance by 50% and provides immunity to poisons and curses. If HP drops below 20%, it automatically activates a blood shield that absorbs 30% of iing damage for 10 seconds. 3. Vampiric Strike (Active): A counterattack that crystallizes the enemy''s blood, increasing damage based on the HP absorbed. Applies the "Blood Decay" debuff, reducing the enemy''s HP regeneration for 15 seconds. Lein scanned the item description casually. To most people, the Blood Pendant would be extraordinary, but for him, it was average among other pure artifacts. Even so, its effects were dangerous enough to make anyone willing to fight to the death for it. With this pendant, long battles would no longer be a problem. "Hmm... the descriptions are very detailed," he muttered. After the inter-race war had ended, Lein noticed the system was now providing more precise information. He wondered if this signaled a change in the system. "Ah, whatever," he shrugged, dismissing the thought. Lein pulled another chest from his space ring. This time, a purple chest adorned with gold trim sat elegantly before him, waiting to be opened. He took a deep breath, readying himself before pressing the confirmation button again. [Open (Epic Chest), are you sure?] "Yes." Once again, a burst of colorful light erupted from the chest, making the room shimmer like a festival of radiance. Lein remained focused, hoping for even more valuable items. [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - Night Bow - Level 30 x1 - High-grade Energy Crystals x10 - Sanyu Seeds x10 ... Lein nced at the materials, nt seeds, and the ck bow with leafy tassels that had emerged. Uninterested, he skipped over the item descriptions. "Lame... moving on," he sighed in disappointment. This time, Lein pulled out over a hundred epic chests from his space ring at once. He summoned a few clones to assist him. "Hey...e over here and help me," he called out. The clones, who were near the soul portal, quickly responded to his summons. "At your service, Master. How can I assist you?" one of the clones asked curiously. "Sit down and help me open these chests," Lein ordered, gesturing toward the rows of chests. The other clones gathered, following Lein''s instructions with enthusiasm, enjoying the cool breeze circting through the trial room. "If anyone finds a Heaven-grade artifact, I''ll treat you to roasted venison!" Lein announced, dangling a tempting reward. The clones'' eyes gleamed hungrily as they focused on their tasks, their fingers swiftly pressing the confirmation buttons. Lein also began opening the chests before him. [Open (Epic Chest), are you sure?] "Yes." The over one hundred clones worked in unison, opening the chests with a synchronized hum. shes of white light flickered across the room. Whenever golden light emerged, Lein knew it meant a high-grade artifact had appeared. One by one, the chests revealed their contents¡ªpotion ingredients, weapons, skill books, talismans, and more. [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - Fire Spear - Level 35 x1 - Crystal Dew x5 - Wind Barrier Skill x1 ... [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - Skill Book (Thunder Domain - Rare) x1 - Energy Crystals x8 - Keloir Leaves x6 ... "Lame... next," grumbled one of the clones, frustrated at theck of valuable items. "Hey, did you get anything good?" another clone asked. "No," replied the clone beside him, sounding disappointed. Lein observed his clones interacting with each other. "Do they even know each other?" he thought, puzzled by how lively they seemed despite being mere shadows of himself. "Master, I''ve found an artifact!" one of the clones suddenly shouted, running toward him with a chest in hand. Lein focused intently. From within the chest emerged a small blue crystal etched with intricate patterns. - Chrono Crystal - Heaven Artifact x1 Lein''s eyes locked onto the crystal, sensing the gentle pulse of energy flowing from it, as if it were calling forth power from the universe. His hand trembled as he picked it up, realizing the immense strength it contained. (Chrono Crystal) A deep-blue crystal adorned with intricate glowing patterns. When touched, it emits a soothing, cold aura, as if stopping time around it for a brief moment. Inside, a swirl of blue light moves slowly, indicating its connection to the flow of time. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Heaven Grade - Essence: 178,000 - Time Freeze (Active): Halts time for 10 seconds, freezing everything around the user while allowing them to move and n their next steps without interruption. This effect can be activated once every 24 hours, providing a strategic opportunity to change the tide of battle or evade danger. Use wisely! Lein stared at the crystal in awe. "Ten seconds¡­" he whispered to himself. "Ten seconds to decide between life and death," he said lightly. He loved this item for its ability to stop time. "But how far does its range extend?" Lein wondered curiously. "And the one-use-per-day limit?" "Heh..." Lein chuckled softly. He didn''t care too much about the 24-hour restriction. His n? Duplicate the Chrono Crystal 10,000 times, allowing him to activate it 10,000 times a day. After admiring the heaven-grade artifact in front of him, Lein nced at the clone who had discovered the item earlier. "Here, eat this. You can rest for ten minutes," Lein said casually, handing the clone a piece of leftover venison. "Thank you, Master." The clone gratefully epted the meat and expressed his thanks sincerely. He then turned around, eating freely, like a child enjoying his favorite ice cream before running off to y. "Haha¡­ ah, life," Lein muttered, smiling in satisfaction. Heughed at the strange yet lifelike behavior of his clone¡ªit was just one of those odd, beautiful moments that made existence meaningful. Lein stopped observing his clone and turned around. But as he did, he noticed all the other clones staring at him, hoping for some meat too. "Shoo¡­ back to work," Lein said, waving his hand dismissively. Without hesitation, the clones resumed opening chests tirelessly. Lein went back to opening his own, lightly pressing the confirmation panels on the epic chests. Loot after loot appeared endlessly. From a bird''s-eye view, Lein and his clones resembledborers performing a monotonous task, opening chests non-stop. Their movements were repetitive and dull, like a factory assembly line. shes of light illuminated the entire area, like fireworks bursting in broad daylight. Minutes passed. Thousands of epic chests had been opened, yet no new pure-grade artifacts appeared, let alone another heaven-grade one. "Master¡­ I found an artifact!" The voice Lein had been waiting for finally rang out. One of the clones sprinted toward him with great enthusiasm, sitting down quickly to present his discovery. Lein looked inside the chest to find a small hourss with silver sand swirling softly. Each grain of sand seemed to dance in defiance of gravity, never quite falling but spinning elegantly through the air. Lein stood still, entranced by the artifact. Time itself seemed to stop as he examined the delicate hourss. His hand reached out slowly, almost reverently, to touch it. The moment he did, a calm yet mysterious aura washed over him. (Temporal Hourss) A small hourss made of clear ss, framed by polished silver. The silver sand inside defies gravity, floating like tiny stars in an endless dance. When activated, the sand spins backward, granting the owner the power to reverse time and correct fatal mistakes. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Heaven Grade - Essence: 182,000 - Temporal Rewind (Active): Rewinds time by 30 seconds, resetting all events within that timeframe. This ability grants the user a second chance to correct mistakes, evade deadly attacks, or make different decisions. Can be activated once every 24 hours, but beware¡ªcareless use may result in temporary disorientation for the user. Use with caution to turn the tide in critical moments! "Woah... another item with time-manipting abilities," Lein muttered in awe as he read the artifact''s skill description. Just like the (Freeze Time) ability, the (Temporal Rewind) skill on the hourss could only be used once every 24 hours. But that didn''t matter to Lein¡ªhe could duplicate it effortlessly and multiply its usage. Chapter 221: 3 Heaven-level artefacts "Good, very good. You''ve done your job well," Lein praised. His eyes radiated satisfaction as he gazed at his clone, who had sessfully found a new artifact. A faint smile graced his lips, showing his appreciation for the clone. The clone stood upright, eyes expectant, as if anticipating further rewards. As soon as Lein pulled out a deer thigh from his spatial ring, the clone''s eyes lit up. The fresh aroma of meat filled the air, tempting every sensitive sense in the room. "Thank you, Master!" the clone eximed enthusiastically, barely able to contain himself as he epted the meat. "I''ll resume the search right away!" With excitement, the clone brought the meat to his nose, inhaling its delicious scent with satisfaction. "Yummm," he sighed with such enthusiasm that it made the other clones nce enviously. Though clearly tempted, they could do little but steal nces before focusing back on the epic chestsid before them. Lein simply smiled, waving his hand lightly as if signaling that he was still keeping an eye on them. "Very efficient," he muttered quietly, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction swell within him. "I should''ve used this trick from the start..." Lein thought. Previously, opening epic chests had taken hours. But now, with the help of his clones, he had already gathered two heaven-grade artifacts in a short amount of time. "How lucky I am!" he murmured happily. However, Lein suddenly paused, his brow furrowing. "Wait... is my clone luckier than me?" His mind started to spin. The clones shared 50% of his attributes, but did that also mean they shared the same destiny? With a slight doubt, he shook his head. "Ah, probably not important. As long as it''s beneficial." He dismissed the thought with a resigned expression, shifting his focus back to the row of chests in front of him. "Alright, let''s keep going," he called out lightly, settling back down and preparing to open the next chest. --- Three hours passed without him noticing. Lein had been inside the mission formation trial room for more than three hours. During that time, Lein and his thousand-plus clones tirelessly opened epic chests. The white light that shone from each opened chest was like beautiful fireworks, though often the beauty ended with a t expression from a clone who failed to get a good item. In over three hours, Lein and his clones managed to collect more than 100 artifacts, 12 of which were heaven-grade, while the rest were pure-grade artifacts. At first, Lein was quite surprised by the appearance of pure-grade and heaven-grade artifacts, but over time, he grew ustomed to it and let his clones keep whatever they found. Finally, after three hours had passed, all the artifacts were gathered before Lein as instructed. He felt he had spent enough time inside the trial room. However, before leaving, he decided to inspect the 12 heaven-grade artifacts he had obtained. He examined the spatial ring containing all the artifacts. Lein could see a variety of weapons, armor, and unique tools such as jars, hoes, chains, and more. Every time Lein read a description, he felt amazed and excited, imagining how powerful he had be. He continued inspecting the items one by one until his attention was drawn to a ck mask. The mask was made of hard ck material, with small slits on the front, making it resemble a mesh. The back of the mask was lined with dark fabric, ending in golden fringes that added an elegant yet powerful touch. (Mask of the Eternal Phantom) The original mask of the Dark King, capable of conjuring terrifying illusions that trap enemies in endless nightmares. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Heaven - Essence: 105,000 - Ability: (Phantom Realm) - Emits a dark aura that traps nearby enemies in illusions of their worst fears. The enemies will attack each other or even themselves. Duration: 10 minutes. Cooldown: 1 hour. "A beautiful mask," Lein remarked with a satisfied smile, admiring its appearance. The mask glimmered with a mystical light, as if harboring secrets from another realm. When Lein examined it closely, he could feel the power flowing within, almost inviting him to embrace the darkness hidden inside. After cing the mask back, Lein continued to inspect the other artifacts his clones had collected. His mind moved quickly, analyzing each item until he stopped at a uniquely shaped spear, about two meters long. The spear was a deep blue color, with a T-shaped tip, and small sparks of lightning danced along its shaft. (Lance of the Stormbringer) A spear inherited from the star Vomoz, carrying the power of the stars in every strike. Feared in battles across realms. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Heaven - Essence: 110,900 - Ability: (Storm Fury) - Summons a thunderstorm that apanies the user for 5 minutes, striking nearby enemies with continuous lightning. Each hit slows enemies by 80% and reduces their defense by 50%. Cooldown: 20 minutes. "Whoa¡­ a Zeus Spear?" Lein muttered lightly. He was reminded of Zeus, the character known for wielding a zigzag-shaped lightning spear. Although the design waspletely different, Lein could feel the power of lightning radiating from the spear. Curious about what it felt like to be a spear wielder, Lein grasped the spear with his right hand, assuming a graceful stance. Grughhhh... Zazz... The moment his hand touched the spear, thunder roared in response. White clouds gathered, and shes of lightning crackled, drawn to the storm spear in his grasp. "Wow¡­ don''t tell me this is really Zeus''s Spear," Lein said with a pleased grin. Just holding it elicited such a response¡ªhow terrifying would it be when the skill was activated? Only his enemies would know the true pain and fear of such an assault. "You''ll sleep for now¡­" Lein whispered softly, caressing the spear before cing it back into his spatial ring. Continuing his search, Lein kept reviewing every artifact, reading through each description and evaluating their abilities. "What is this?" Lein muttered with furrowed brows. In one corner of the room, he saw an orange crown that resembled mes. The crown had seven sharp points, and on top of it, an orange circle spun endlessly, glowing with a fiery brilliance. (Crown of the Sun Emperor) A crown born from the scorching energy of the sun, absorbing the power of stars until it destroys them. Nestled between space and time. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Heaven - Essence: 141,000 - Ability: Sr Dominion - Activates sr domination mode, enhancing all magical abilities tenfold. Attacks inflict severe burning effects. Duration: 5 minutes. Cooldown: 1 hour. "Amazing..." Lein admired the luxurious appearance of the crown in his hands. Not only did it shine brilliantly, but the crystals embedded in its body added a sense of value. Each crystal had a unique and beautiful color. "Not bad... though stillckingpared to that middle-aged man..." Lein mused, recalling his promotion to tier-1. The crown atop that man''s head made him feel like dust, ready to be blown away at any moment. The crown on that man''s head was thousands of times more majestic and regal than the dull crown in his hands. "I wonder, what level is that person?" Lein asked himself but quickly abandoned the thought, knowing it was pointless to dwell on it now. "Tenfold, huh... alright," Lein remarked with a satisfied grin as he observed the crown''s abilities. Though curious about the effect of the tenfold power boost, now was not the time to test it. Casually, he tossed the crown onto his head, trying to feel what it was like to be a king. Silence... The moment he donned the crown, Lein sensed his surroundings with heightened rity. It was as if he was holding a powerful shlight on a dark night. The clones around him now gazed at Lein with adoring eyes. "What is this light?" Lein could see himself radiating a soft, sacred glow, like divine light descending from the heavens, blessing those around him with celestial grace. "Well... as long as it makes me look more handsome, I don''t mind," Lein muttered nonchntly. Who would dare reprimand him now? No one. At least not in the realm of divine skies. Without removing the crown, Lein resumed inspecting the artifacts for a few more minutes beforepleting the process. Most of them were low-grade artifacts that did not pique his interest. After more than three hours of waiting, Lein surveyed his surroundings. Nearly every soul gate within a 10-kilometer radius was now clear, with no soul portals in sight. Throughout the past three hours, he had received an endless stream of information about the soul shards collected by his clones. E, D, C, and B-tier soul shards flooded his mind relentlessly. He had grown somewhat bored of hearing about them. Initially, the A-tier soul shards intrigued him, but even that excitement faded over time. He had collected over a thousand A-tier shards. Despite the abundance of heavenly-grade artifacts and A-tier soul shards obtained within three hours, Lein still felt frustrated by the absence of any S-tier soul shards. "Is it really this difficult, even after three hours? Could they be that rare?" Lein muttered in disbelief. He began to question the luck of his clones. For some reason, his clones were not fortunate enough to find any S-tier soul shards, or perhaps those shards were simply that scarce. Chapter 222: S-level guardian soul Ugh... Lein furrowed his brows, his mind filled with worries about how difficult it was to obtain an S-rank soul fragment. He felt as if something bad was about to happen, as though danger was creeping toward him incessantly. His gaze swept across his clones, trying to find the source of the unease that had suddenly taken over his thoughts. Every clone gave off a simr vibe¡ªa sense of helplessness surfacing. Lein''s brows knitted tighter, and his lips thinned as his gazended on one specific clone. In front of that clone, a vast void stretched out, filled withrge floating rocks drifting aimlessly. Beams of starlight asionally shot across the scene, adding a touch of mystery to the silence that enveloped the space. Soundlessly, the void emitted a coldness that was hard to describe. Lein focused his attention on the clone, trying to recall what had happened earlier. He remembered that this clone had entered an S-rank portal for the very first time. A while ago, the clone had sessfully cleared a portal guarded by a B-rank soul. Afterpleting his mission, the clone searched for another portal and stumbled upon one that looked unusual. Unlike the previous portals, which were semicircr and slightly oval-shaped, this one was different. It was a perfect circle, hovering above the ground. The edge of the portal was pitch ck, as was the center¡ªlike thick, dark liquid, ready to swallow anything daring enough to enter its darkness. Without fear, Lein''s clone stepped inside without much thought and eventually found himself in the void. [You have entered the Soul Gate] Apart from the initial warning upon entry, no further information was provided by the system. "Hmm... Where''s the guardian soul?" Lein murmured, narrowing his eyes in caution. The feeling of danger that had haunted him since earlier hadn''t subsided, and this was the first time he had felt such anxiety since his clone entered the portal. "Alright, let''s search for it," he said determinedly. Lein pulled out a vortex te, mounted it, and began to explore the area. "That way!" He pointed in a random direction and sped off, hoping to discover something as he moved further. Flying at a speed of 1 kilometer per second, Lein traversed the void, going up and down in search of any boundaries. Yet, all his efforts were in vain¡ªnothing could be found. "Damn... No guardian soul. But why do I still feel uneasy?" Lein stopped at one point, trying to reassess the situation. Suddenly, a deep and heart-wrenching voice echoed, reverberating through the silent space. "Child... leave before your soul is destroyed." The voice sent ripples through the void as if the universe itself responded. Lein, standing atop the vortex te, suddenly dropped to his knees. His heart trembled, and his pulse raced. "Ugh..." Lein felt a tightness in his chest, trying to take a deep breath even though it felt constricted. The impact of the voice affected not only the clone but also Lein''s real body, which was observing from the soul trial chamber. Although the effects were weaker due to the indirect experience, a sense of anxiety still lingered. "Haha..." Lein let out a bitterugh. Moments ago, he had cursed the system for making it so hard to find an S-rank soul, but now it was he who felt worried. There was no doubt¡ªthe guardian within this space was an S-rank soul. It wasn''t just the guardian''s strength that was intimidating; the very sound of its voice made Lein feel afraid. "My soul... destroyed?" he muttered in concern. Honestly, Lein was scared. He knew little about souls. While he could rely on his items and clones to fight powerful beings, dealing with souls stirred a lurking fear that gnawed at him. "Hey, system... Is this trial capable of threatening my life for real?" Lein spoke into the empty air, hoping the system would show some mercy and provide him with answers. [The trial space is specially designed not to directly threaten the user''s life. However, the user may experience real consequences, such as attribute reduction, lifespan depletion, and even soul death.] "What?" Lein was stunned, shocked for two reasons¡ªfirst, because the system actually answered him; second, because the information it provided was horrifying. "Soul death? What is that?" he asked again, his voice lowered, afraid that the system might think he was being too demanding with his questions. Contrary to his expectations, the system responded once more, this time with a detailed exnation. [Yes, soul death is a condition in which the host will no longer possess a soul, leaving only the physical body. This effect will drastically reduce the host''sbat power by more than 90%.] "What? 90%?" Lein shouted in disbelief. "Isn''t that the same as being dead?" he thought. It was clear that if his soul were destroyed in this trial, his life would effectively end. Lein considered the possibility of facing the S-rank guardian soul, but his focus shifted back to his clone. At the same time, something began to stir within the void. Lein saw a jet-ck tentacle suddenly emerge from the emptiness, writhing wildly toward him. The tentacle appeared to be made of thin, dark fibers, radiating a menacing aura of darkness, moving with a threatening force, ready to pierce Lein''s body. With quick reflexes, Lein dodged to the side, his body moving swiftly like a shadow. He spun around instantly, unwilling to take his eyes off the ck tentacle, his sharp gaze tracking every deadly movement the mysterious entity made. "Damn..." he muttered. Lein''s eyes remained fixed on the first tentacle, which continued tosh out as if expending the momentum of its ferocious attack. However, a sudden sense of danger surged from behind, catching him off guard. He turned and found another tentacle already speeding toward him, aiming to pierce his body without mercy. Reacting swiftly, Lein shifted positions again, moving like lightning to create more distance. This time, he flew further away, ensuring that he could monitor both tentacles, which now floated wildly like predators hunting their prey. Chapter 223: Voidwalker Sshhh... Not even a second had passed since Lein moved when more tentacles began to emerge from the dark void. Not just one or two, but five, ten, a hundred¡ªand the number kept growing, pouring out from the emptiness like creatures awakened from slumber. The tentacles attacked relentlessly, coiling and stretching, trying to entrap and ensnare him. Although no loud impact could be heard in the vacuum, Lein could feel the tremendous energy within each tentacle''s movement. Every swing of a tentacle carried a destructive aura, as if capable of annihting anything it touched. "Is this S-rank guardian an octopus?" Lein frowned, wondering about the true form of the S-rank entity he was facing. Sash... Sesh... One by one, Lein continued to evade the tentacles'' relentless assaults. However, the increasing number of tentacles was overwhelming. The attacks now numbered in the thousands, each strand of tentacle seeming to have a clear intent to destroy him. Lein raised his hand, and in an instant, two swords appeared¡ªone gold, one ck, both radiating an undeniable aura of power. But that was only the beginning. With a wave, the swords multiplied¡ªone hundred, one thousand, tens of thousands. Lein summoned every golden and ck sword in his possession, flooding the empty space with dazzling light and sharp shadows. The swords immediately took flight, scattering into formation, creating spacing for the next wave of attacks. "Echo Phantom." As soon as Lein activated his skill, the tens of thousands of swords transformed into tens of thousands of clones, each wielding a sword of their own, their eyes gleaming with identical resolve. The clones spread out at once, coordinating their movements to deceive the oing tentacles. What had once been a silent and cold space now erupted into a fierce battle. Tens of thousands of Lein''s clones shed with the dark tentacles in a deadly dance. There was no sound, yet the impact felt utterly real. "You think you''re the only one with a lot of tentacles?" Lein smirked, a subtle arrogance curling at the edge of his lips. He kept moving, leaping from one position to another, evading the unending flurry of tentacles. Suddenly, a system notification echoed in his ears, delivering grim news. [Your body received 15,000 points of damage...] [Your body received 11,600 points of damage...] [Your clone has perished!] "Damn it," Lein hissed through clenched teeth. His clones had done their best to dodge, but some still got hit. Limbs were severed, bodies impaled, and several clones died on the spot. But the clones felt no pain. They fought on with unwavering spirit, like fearless soldiers. sh... Lein and his clones didn''t just evade¡ªthey retaliated. Their swords radiated with sharp, deadly auras. One of the clones activated (Sky Shattering sh), and the sword''s aura extended a hundred meters, slicing through the tentacles effortlessly, as if cutting through air. [Sessfully attacked Voidwalker, dealing +80,000 damage] A single sh inflicted eighty thousand damage, cleaving the ck tentacles in an instant. Lein''s eyes gleamed as the creature''s name appeared in the notification. "Voidwalker," he whispered, exhaling deeply. Atst, he knew his opponent. "This thing must have spatial powers," Lein deduced, pondering the guardian''s name. But that knowledge didn''t dampen his spirits. If anything, it fueled him and his clones to fight even harder, determined to crush the writhing tentacles. Another clone activated (Area of Light), creating a burst of brilliant holy light in a hundred-meter radius. The once-dark space was now filled with blinding radiance. The tentacles recoiled as though seared by intense heat, retreating from every illuminated patch. "Ahaha... like vampires," Lein chuckled softly, realizing that (Area of Light) granted a significant buff to all his attributes and dealt extra damage to dark creatures like the Voidwalker. Skill 3: (Area of Light)Creates an area of light within a 100-meter radius. Increases all attributes by 100%, negates enemy healing, and deals +100% damage to dark creatures. Lasts for 10 minutes, with a 1-hour cooldown. The holy light made the tentacles writhe like worms exposed to the sun, scrambling to escape its brilliance. Lein and his clones were now surrounded by a glowing barrier of sacred energy, driving the tentacles away as they iled helplessly. [Sessfully attacked Voidwalker, dealing +150,000 damage] [Sessfully attacked Voidwalker, dealing +173,500 damage] ... With the (Area of Light) buff active, every sword strike dealt exponential damage, scoring hundreds of thousands of points with each blow. It was like a harvester wielding the sharpest scythe, cutting through the tentacles with ease. Lein''s clones moved swiftly, eradicating the dark limbs as if harvesting a field. "Looks like I was worrying too much," Lein thought, recalling the fear he had felt earlier about the Voidwalker. Within minutes, the space that had once been teeming with writhing tentacles grew still. The Voidwalker''s limbs dwindled drastically under the relentless assault, retreating like cornered prey facing an unbearable light. The creature hidden behind the tentacles seemed to realize how deadly Lein''s radiance was, halting its attacks to avoid further losses. The clones only needed three minutes to clear the remaining tentacles. The chaotic battlefield nowy in eerie silence, with Lein''s glowing clones standing alert, their (Area of Light) skill softly illuminating the surroundings, ready for any further threats. "Why hasn''t it shown itself yet?" Lein wondered, sensing the overwhelming soul energy of the Voidwalker from the earlier attacks. He began to consider other possibilities. "Or... am I trapped in an illusion?" he muttered, trying to anticipate the enemy''s trickery. Without wasting any time, Lein drew out an artifact¡ª(The Fan of Enlightenment). With a graceful motion, he waved the fan, spreading ripples of illumination that surged outward, washing through the empty void. "No... this isn''t an illusion," Lein muttered. The ce was real. The Voidwalker hadn''t trapped him in a deception. But just then, his vision flickered. One of his clones was sliced in two¡ªperfectly bisected¡ªfalling lifelessly onto the slowly rotating (Vortex te) below. [Your clone has perished!] Lein''s focus snapped to attention as he scanned the area. From the corner of his eye, he caught it¡ªa ck tentacle suddenly materializing out of thin air, ambushing another clone. The movement was swift, like a sh of lightning, executing without mercy. Chapter 224: The voidwalker figure "Damn... what a troublesome skill," Lein muttered, his jaw tightening. He hated enemies who fought like this¡ªsilent, sudden, and deadly¡ªespecially when their strength surpassed his own. Ugh... The scene kept repeating. One by one, his clones were cut down, sliced in two by invisible strikes. [Your Clone has died!] [Your Clone has died!] ... Lein clenched his teeth, holding back the burning anger in his heart. "Damn it! Stop!" he screamed internally, but the relentless attacks continued. He had to think of something, fast. His determined eyes scanned the void, searching for a clue. "Hope this works," he whispered, gripping the fan tightly in his hand. Leinmanded his clones to transform into swords and vanish back into his Spatial Ring. However, not all of them disappeared. A hundred clones remained, teleporting toward Lein using the Vortex te, surrounding him. "Ready?" Lein asked the clones now standing close to him, each face reflecting a high level of vignce. Without waiting for a response, he activated his skill (Sword Heaven Prison). (Skill 4: Sword Heaven Prison) ¨C Summons a sword prison to trap enemies for 5 seconds. Reduces the enemy''s attributes by 50%. Cooldown: 30 minutes. Four massive swords materialized out of the void, shooting down swiftly and embedding themselves around Lein. Uponnding, they formed a sturdy golden barrier, creating a prison that locked Lein and his hundred clones inside. Inside the sword prison, the clones exchanged nces, watching every inch of space. Would the ck tentacles return? Could they breach this prison? Seconds passed. Four seconds ticked by with no sign of the tentacles. But just before the skill''s duration ended, another clone swiftly activated the next (Sword Heaven Prison), recing the previous one, locking them in once more. "Heh, can''t touch me now, huh?" Lein smirked, satisfied. The ck tentacles remained absent, even after several moments of intense observation. And indeed, a full minute passed, with the sword prisons rotating seamlessly, shielding Lein and his clones from further sudden attacks. Lein stood atop the Vortex te, his sharp eyes observing from within the sword prison. Before himy the void, silent and still, as though something was lurking in the darkness. He could sense the presence of the Voidwalker, though it had yet to reveal itself. "Hey¡­ stop being mysterious and show yourself!" Lein shouted, his voice trembling slightly despite his effort to sound brave. Fear lingered in his heart, but it was better to confront the enemy head-on than be ambushed from the shadows. Hmph... A faint snort rippled through the air, mocking his courage. Then, out of the darkness, a figure emerged¡ªa three-meter-tall entity. Its body was pitch-ck, with long, wed arms, ready to tear anything apart. Dark energy swirled around it, forming tentacles that danced wildly, moving as if they had a will of their own. Ugh... Lein felt an overwhelming pressure crush down on him, forcing his knees to buckle atop the Vortex te. He wasn''t alone; all his clones knelt as well, subdued by the invisible force. "Young one..." the entity''s voice was calm, yet carried a weight that hinted at millennia of existence. "What is your name?" Lein, still kneeling, could only stare at the creature''s feet. The pressure was so intense that lifting his head felt impossible, as if an unseen force forbade any defiance. Dum... dum... His heart pounded like a machine working overtime. Meanwhile, the real Lein, back in the trial chamber, felt anxiety creeping into his thoughts. Without hesitation, the clone retrieved an artifact¡ªthe Chrono Crystal¡ªhe had acquired earlier. The ck crystal floated in mid-air, ancient runes glowing in neon blue along its surface, rotating slowly. Ignoring the dark figure before him, the crystal continued its orbit, seemingly defying time itself. "Time Freeze." The ancient runes detached from the crystal, circling around it at increasing speed, generating a chime that resonated through the air. Ting! A transparent white light radiated from the crystal, expanding outward, freezing time in its wake. Lein felt the crushing pressure ease, granting him a moment of freedom. He tried to stand, but¡ª Crack... Like shattered ss, the illusion broke. Time resumed its flow, and the oppressive weight crashed down on him once more. "This little thing?" the dark figure remarked casually, its voice carrying a cold indifference rather than anger. Lein bit his lip, panic spreading through him. "How could it fail? This is a heavenly-tier artifact..." he thought frantically, searching for answers. If even a powerful item like that couldn''t affect this being, what could? He was only a level 50 master with the Infinity Duplicate - SSS talent. Though his ability was extraordinary, it meant nothing in the face of a being far beyond hisprehension. "Damn it, if only my talent had destructive power," Lein cursed inwardly, feeling helplessness seep into every part of him. "Hey... why are you silent?" The calm voice returned, demanding the answer Lein had momentarily forgotten. "Huh?" Lein snapped back to attention, recalling the earlier question. Oh, the figure had asked his name. "Apologies, Sir. I misspoke earlier," he replied with great effort, forcing rity into his voice despite the lump in his throat. "My name is Lein." "Hmmm..." the figure murmured, as if weighing his words. "Did you not hear my warning earlier?" Lein fell silent. Admitting he had intended to kill this portal guardian was obviously not an option. He racked his brain, seeking a response that wouldn''t invite disaster. "I am undergoing a trial, Sir. I identally entered this room," Lein answered truthfully. He knew deceit would be useless against such a powerful entity. "Ah... a Master-level yer? Are you a yer?" The figure''s tone shifted, sounding more intrigued. As soon as the question left its lips, the crushing pressure vanished entirely. Lein felt light, as if standing on a beach at night, with a gentle breeze caressing his skin. "Thank you, Sir," he said sincerely, rising slowly. He looked at the dark figure more closely. The dark aura wrapped around the entity formed a cloak, its tentacles continuing to sway as if dancing in the air. Chapter 225: Mharzan Lein gradually raised his gaze, from its feet upward, until he saw a human-like silhouette within the cloak. And when he finally stood upright, the face beneath the hood was revealed. "Huh...?" Lein''s mouth opened slightly in disbelief, astonishment shing in his eyes. "Hello¡­ my name is Mharzan," said the figure with a faint smile. His long ck hair flowed wildly like a wolf''s mane, and his eyes radiated wisdom that was both calming and serene. His face appeared firm yet gentle, with a solid jawline and straight nose, exuding strengthbined with humility. The young man named Mharzan sat casually on the shoulders of a terrifying ck figure. Lein observed the entity with unease; it resembled a grim reaper with coiled tentacles wrapped around its body, and two glowing red crystals embedded in its head and chest, surrounded by thick darkness. The oppressive aura seemed to devour the surrounding light, making the ck figure appear as if it embodied eternal darkness. Lein swallowed hard, unsure of how to react. His expression was nk as he stared at the young man, struggling to believe what he was seeing. He examined Mharzan more closely. The young man''s clothing was unlike anything worn casually¡ªan ancient noble robe embroidered with gold, elegant and regal. A crystal weapon hung at his waist, glowing faintly, suggesting immense power hidden within it. But the most striking feature was the ruby ne hanging around Mharzan''s neck. The gemstone emitted a sinister aura, yet strangely, it did not diminish the subtle kindness in his demeanor. He was undoubtedly powerful, but there was a sense of calm and empathy behind his gaze. "Hehe¡­ sorry, I got a little bored waiting," Mharzan said with a warm smile, showing no hint of hostility. His tone was light, as if they were having a casual conversation, not encountering each other in this strange situation. Lein gave a faint smile, trying not to seem awkward in front of the polite young man. However, inwardly, he felt like a fool meeting someone for the first time. His expression momentarily shifted, his mouth slightly agape in surprise. "No status panel?" he thought. Usually, every entity he encountered would disy a status panel before his eyes, but not this time. The panel only appeared for the ck figure: [VoidWalker ¨C Eternal Void Explorer] - Soul: ??? - Strength: ??? - Defense: ??? - Intelligence: ??? - Agility: ??? - Ability: ??? "All question marks?" Lein felt his breath catch for a moment. He had seen question marks on status panels before during the ongoing inter-race war, indicating power levels too high to read. But encountering them now, in front of Mharzan and the ck figure, felt far more intimidating. Mharzan''s smile widened as he finished a soft chuckle before saying, "I''ll get straight to the point. I want you to join my race." Lein frowned in confusion. "What do you mean, Sir?" he asked cautiously, seeking rification. As if expecting the reaction, Mharzan gave a slight nod, his gaze soft yet firm. "If I''m not mistaken, you currently belong to the Holy Man race with a mix of others," he said clearly, as if waiting for further questions from Lein. "Damn, how does he know what race I chose during the first-tier promotion?" Lein thought. Yes, he was indeed part of the Holy Man race, having used a Holy Man crystal core upon reaching tier-1. At that time, Lein had picked the Holy Man race at random because the name sounded powerful and intimidating. Ignoring how the man in front of him knew his race, Lein figured it must have been easy for him. Lein then asked, with a hint of confusion, "What exactly do you mean, Sir? I don''t quite understand." Mharzan smiled faintly, as if prepared for the question. "Be part of my race. You will gain tremendous benefits. I will protect you and help you grow," he said calmly, as if the offer was the simplest thing in the world. Lein gave a wry smile, sensing something off about the offer. He knew that in situations like this, he probably didn''t have the luxury of saying no. But still, he asked, hoping for a clearer answer. "Can I refuse, Sir?" "Yes, you can," Mharzan replied without changing his expression, still calm and friendly. "In that case, I will..." Lein began to decline but suddenly stopped. His mind raced, formting a strategy. If Mharzan was as powerful as he seemed, perhaps Lein could take advantage of the situation. "What''s in it for me if I join you, Sir?" he asked, trying to probe deeper, hoping to understand the offer better. "You will have my protection," Mharzan replied, crossing his arms over his chest, his tone a bit more assertive. "And I will also provide you with limitless resources." Behind his calm demeanor, Lein felt a small spark of curiosity and greed. "A wealthy man," he muttered inwardly. Mharzan''s offer sounded tempting, but Lein wasn''t foolish. He knew there were significant risks in epting the offer outright, especially if Mharzan had the potential to control or exploit his power. A being as powerful as Mharzan could easily manipte a weaker one like Lein to obey his every whim. Lein smiled again, this time more softly, as if genuinely interested in the alluring deal. But his thoughts were far from what his expression suggested. He wanted to refuse, but before doing so, he nned to see exactly what was being offered. "Pardon me, Sir Mharzan, may I see the resources you mentioned?" Lein asked directly, wearing an expression of keen interest, as if ready to ept the offer. Mharzan gazed at him for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Hmm..." he muttered thoughtfully before pulling several items from his pouch. "Since you''re a yer, I''ll give you these as a wee gift if you decide to join me." Three small items appeared in Mharzan''s hand, glowing dimly, and he tossed them toward Lein casually. Instinctively, Lein caught them swiftly, his eyes immediately scanning the objects. He began inspecting each item carefully, making sure whatevery before him could be the key to his decision. Chapter 226: Divine Promotion Elixir The first item was a ck ss bottle filled with shimmering blue liquid. Inside, small white crystals danced, following every gentle shake of the bottle. Curiosity drove Lein to open the description panel. [Divine Promotion Elixir] An elixir made from the blood of gods. Anyone who drinks it will receive extraordinary benefits. - Ability: Consuming this elixir will help anyone below the Emperor level advance by a full rank. Lein read the description, and he froze. His eyes widened, and his heart rate increased slightly. "Am I dreaming, or is this real?" he murmured, his voice almost inaudible. Doubt crept into his mind¡ªepting this reality was too difficult. An elixir that could enhance someone''s power unconditionally, without talent limitations, was like a fairytaleing true right before his eyes. "No, you''re not dreaming." Mharzan''s calm voice broke Lein''s trance. The young man''s t gaze showed no surprise, as if he had anticipated Lein''s reaction, like a gift-giver who knew precisely how his gift would affect the recipient. If that weren''t the case, perhaps Mharzan himself would''ve been shocked by Lein''s astonished expression. Lein stared at the bottle again, now with a deeper gaze. The tiny blue crystals inside sparkled like stars in the night, dancing in the darkness, dazzling in their simplicity yet captivating. "Damn, this really is a divine-tier item!" he whispered internally, caught between awe and disbelief. For a moment, a desire arose within him to ept Mharzan''s offer¡ªthe offer to join him. But that thought was quickly dismissed. "No!" his resolve strengthened, his voice echoing in his mind. Joining Mharzan would mean giving up his freedom, living under the shadow of a power beyond his control. Nothing in this world is free. Lein knew well that free food always came with a steep price. He could imagine being cared for, fed, and having his power enhanced without external threats¡ªtemporarily. But he knew, without a doubt, that when the time came, the bill would arrive, and it wouldn''t be cheap. "I''ll surely rise to the level just below the Emperor soon," he thought, as if glimpsing a future where he broke through his current limits thanks to the elixir in his hand. But that didn''t mean he could let his guard down. "Excuse me, sir, does this elixir have any conditions?" he asked, trying to keep his tone steady despite his pounding heart. His gaze remained fixed on Mharzan, who was still watching him calmly, like a father observing a child opening a long-awaited present. "Yes, you can use it now and immediately advance by a full rank," Mharzan replied inly, without the slightest hesitation. "And yes, you must ept my prior request¡ªjoin my race." Mharzan''s gaze shifted slightly, hinting that this was not an offer to be taken lightly. "Yes¡­ of course, sir." Lein nodded slowly, understanding the implications hidden behind those simple words. But before his thoughts could delve too deep, his eyes shifted to the next item. Lein held a transparent crystal in his hand, shaped like a star with five sides of different colors. In the center, a restless red eye moved, seemingly alive, gazing back at him. A cold sensation crept down his neck, and Lein held his breath, feeling pierced by that gaze. "Damn..." he muttered inwardly, trying to steady his heartbeat. The item''s bizarre appearance almost made him step back. Ignoring its strange form, Lein then checked the crystal''s status panel. (Immortal Star Crystal) An ancient crystal on the brink of death, yet it harbors a strong desire to live. Stop acting arrogant if you don''t want your own power to kill you. - Ability: When used, the Immortal Star Crystal can copy 100% of an enemy''s skills, with a maximum of five skills at a time. It is limited to creatures at the Master level and below. "Wow... 100% skill duplication?" Lein''s eyes sparkled. His mind quickly jumped to his own talent, (Infinity Duplicate - SSS). Although this ability was only limited to items, it could process up to 10,000 at once and could be repeated every 30 minutes without interruption. "Even if it''s only effective for Master-level beings, this crystal could be a deadly weapon." The terrifying possibilities made a small grin form on his face. A thousand enemies? It would mean nothing if he could replicate all their skills. He carefully ced the crystal down, his gaze shifting to the next item: a scroll wrapped in shimmering gold, engraved with ancient symbols that glowed softly. Lein touched the exposed white paper, its texture smooth and soothing. (Heart of the Elements) A scroll containing the fundamental elements of the universe, granting mastery and unity with the core elements of life. - Ability: Transforms all user skills into the chosen element (water, earth, fire, or air). Provides a 100% bonus damage if the element is advantageous. "An incredibly powerful item," he murmured in awe. With this scroll, he couldpletely change his strategy, conquering terrains that were once impossible to traverse. No more worrying about hostile environments¡ªonly total victory. Lein once again examined the three items before him, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he studied each one. "Damn, I want them all..." he thought, weighing the possibilities. But there was only one chance to duplicate an item this time. Lein had to choose wisely. He wanted to dy his decision a bit longer, but the young man before him wouldn''t be easily deceived into giving more time. "Of all the items, the most crucial for me right now is the (Divine Promotion Elixir)," Lein said lightly, weighing his thoughts on which item to duplicate. With the ongoing war and the loss of the divine sky realm''s guardian, Lein urgently needed to increase his power and advance. And the item that fit that need was the (Divine Promotion Elixir). After duplicating 10,000 of the elixirs, he would immediately ascend to a being just one rank below the Emperor. From the item''s name alone, he was certain that beings of that level could move freely across the universe. Lein frowned slightly, contemting the other items. "However, from a long-term perspective, the (Heart of the Elements) offers more utility," he thought. Chapter 227: Your Clone Has Died Based on the item''s description, Lein understood that even a small difference could change the oue of a battle¡ªespecially if the advantage was significant, such as having a more favorable element than the opponent. The Divine Promotion Elixir would only be useful below the Emperor level. Beyond that, it would serve no purpose for Lein. On the other hand, the elemental scroll would provide long-term abilities and exponential benefits aligned with his growing power. "The (Immortal Star Crystal) isn''t worth considering," Lein muttered, looking at the star crystal. Among the three, it was the weakest¡ªonly effective at the Master level and useless beyond that. Even if he could copy 100 million skills from Master-level enemies, it would be worthless at the Emperor level. Since the crystal was limited to the Master level, Lein decided not to prioritize it for duplication. "So? Have you decided?" Mharzan''s voice broke Lein''s thoughts, pulling him back to reality. Lein flinched, turning to him. The young man''s expression remained calm, as if enjoying the confusion reflected on Lein''s face. Lein''s mind churned with conflicting thoughts. His main problem was that he didn''t trust anything Mharzan said. He strengthened his resolve, convinced that all other beings harbored ill intent toward him¡ªespecially powerful ones whose status panels didn''t even appear. Even though his real body wasn''t currently in front of Mharzan, Lein still felt uneasy about the power Mharzan disyed. "Fool, I need to duplicate the elixir first," he thought. He opened the Divine Promotion Elixir''s description panel and quickly pressed the duplication button without hesitation. [Duplicating (Divine Promotion Elixir) 10,000 times. Are you sure?] "Yes." Everything proceeded smoothly¡ªno dramatic sounds, no shing lights. The Divine Promotion Elixirs appeared quietly in Lein''s spatial ring. [Your Clone Has Died!] However, the moment the decision was made, the Lein clone standing before Mharzan suddenly vanished, as if swept away by the wind. In the distance, the tentacles of the Voidwalker writhed restlessly, as though an invisible storm was raging. "This kid dares to y tricks on me," Mharzan hissed, his teeth clenching in anger. His face, usually adorned with a smile, now darkened with menace. "Was my act too obvious, or does this boy truly have an iron will?" he pondered, recalling how he had carefully crafted a harmonious approach that usually tempted lower beings like Lein. But this time, the approach had failed entirely. Not only did it fail, but Lein even managed to pull a trick right in front of him. "You won''t escape. You will die." Mharzan waved his hand through the empty air. A faint crack began to form, widening into a dark fissure about two meters wide, resembling a portal that slowly opened. He stepped inside leisurely, followed by the Voidwalker, whose body seemed to shrink and wriggle as it entered along with its master. The real Lein, standing on the vast grasnd where the promotion trial took ce, watched as the dark rift appeared before him. He hadn''t even had time to react when Mharzan emerged from the darkness, apanied by the Voidwalker. Just as Lein saw Mharzan step out of the spatial portal with the Voidwalker trailing behind, his mind went nk. The entire world around him froze. The wind that had once howled fiercely now halted in midair, as if caught within the grip of frozen time. The sunlight, which had shimmered moments ago, was now suspended, casting no further illumination. The Lein clone, busy opening an epic chest and exploring a soul gate, stood frozen in ce, like a lifeless statue. Inside his body, the rhythmic heartbeat ceased. Blood no longer flowed through his veins; no signs of life remained. Every cell, every pulse¡ªeverything had stopped. From Mharzan''s perspective, Lein''s body appeared like a statue, standing motionless with wide eyes, frozen in a gaze of fear he couldn''t hide. "What kind of courage does this boy possess? Is he really that foolish?" Mharzan murmured, his brow furrowed in confusion. He couldn''t understand why Lein dared to reject his offer, even after he had dangled such an enticing reward. "Never mind... It doesn''t matter. I only need his talent," Mharzan continued coldly, unaffected by his failure. Beneath him, the Voidwalker squirmed with excitement, as if supporting its master''s statement. "Let''s see just how talented this kid really is," Mharzan said, raising his hand and performing a series of intricate finger movements. "At least, it should cover the costs of finding him," he whispered, his fiery gaze tracing over Lein''s body, as though eyeing prey ready to be devoured. "Begin," Mharzanmanded softly, yet with undeniable authority. In an instant, millions of thin white threads emerged from his fingertips, gleaming under the suspended sunlight. The threads danced gracefully, following the rhythm of Mharzan''s fingers as they approached Lein''s body. "Open," he whispered again. Lein''s rigid body suddenly moved, but his motions resembled that of a lifeless puppet. His skin stretched, and his pores widened, like doors slowly opening to reveal the flesh beneath. The flesh parted, exposing stretched veins, red and pulsing in eerie silence. Anyone witnessing the scene might have been gripped by terror, watching as Lein''s body appeared like an experimental subjectid bare on a dissection table. "Huh? A cosmic-level altar?" Mharzan whispered, his eyes lighting up as he noticed the swirling ck energy within Lein''s heart. The energy spun ceaselessly, radiating immense power, as if holding boundless strength within. The white threads continued to creep deeper, peelingyer byyer from Lein''s heart, meticulously searching for something hidden within. "Nothing?" Mharzan''s lips quivered, his voice hoarse with disbelief. He furrowed his brow, doubt clouding his expression. "Impossible..." His gaze sharpened as he directed the threads toward Lein''s brain, hoping to uncover something there. But once again, he found nothing. Left with no other choice, Mharzan delved deeper into his thoughts. His eyes narrowed, haunted by a possibility he didn''t want to consider. "This boy... even in death, he dares to mock me!" he growled, his voiceced with frustration. With a swift movement, the threads descended toward Lein''s lower abdomen, where vital organsy hidden, scouring carefully as though searching for a hidden treasure. Chapter 228: Void Monkeys Tail - S Like a surgeon operating on a patient''s body, Mharzan''s attention was fully focused on every part of Lein''s cellr tissue and internal energy, searching for something crucial. Every nerve ending, every cell, was within the reach of his skilled magical threads. Cutting, sorting, and tracing each nervework, he made sure not to overlook the slightest suspicion. After a long search, he finally found it. A ck cluster of energy, faint and almost invisible, hiding at the tip of Lein''s tailbone. Instantly, Mharzan felt his breath catch in his throat. With quick yet gentle movements, he swung his hand, summoning magic energy that coiled toward the cluster, pulling it out like extracting a thorn from flesh. But then, he felt something was wrong. Terribly wrong. "No!" His scream echoed only in his mind, rippling with waves of panic. In a fraction of a second, the world around him shifted. There was no explosion, no sh of light¡ªonly a sudden, gripping silence. Mharzan and his mount, the Voidwalker, vanished from the testing ground, as if struck down like a mosquito by lightning, leaving Lein''s lifeless body to fall freely to the ground. *** Far away, beyond the realm of the Divine Skies, deep within the void of the universe, the silence was torn apart by the opening of a portal. From within, a young man emerged, followed by a creature resembling a mass of seaweed, with dark eyes and a ck core pulsing within its chest. They were Mharzan and the Voidwalker. Upon exiting, the Voidwalker immediately vanished, sensing the looming danger after forcefully injecting ck energy into Lein''s body. Mharzan''s breathing was short and ragged, each gasp heavy and producing harsh, rasping sounds as if his lungs were about to burst. Large veins bulged across his face, stretching his skin, while cold sweat poured down endlessly. His bloodshot eyes darted wildly as he waved his hands, opening another space portal. Mharzan kept moving, slipping through the folds of space, traversable only by beings of the highest tier. "Damn it¡­ who is that boy''s protector?" he thought, though fear gnawed deeper at his mind. A cold sensation crept along the back of his neck, gripping tightly, choking his throat. An invisible line, like a thin, shimmering thread, followed every step he took, relentlessly pursuing him. It was the thread of fate¡ªthe red string of life entangling him. With just one nce at that thread, a fear he had never known exploded within him. There was no ce to hide. No way to fight back. He could feel it¡ªthe thread was thinning, as if it would snap at any moment. "My thread of fate... it''s almost severed¡­ damn it!" The words escaped his lips with fury, yet they carried a tremor of fear he could not suppress. Terror spread throughout his heart, the kind thates with realizing his life could end in an instant, without resistance. Back at the testing ground, Lein''s body stilly lifeless. However, something had changed. Small white lights began to emerge from his body, flowing gently as if healing him, slowly mending the damage done to him. Minutes passed, and Lein gradually regained consciousness. Yet, his awareness was not fully restored, and his body still felt heavy, as though it were beyond his control. [Your clone has died!] [Your clone has died!] x9999 [You have received a soul attack, your soul is destroyed] [You have received a mental attack: Eternal Sleep] [You have entered Mharzan''s space-time domain, body ceased living] [-Body will disintegrate, activating emergency protection-] [-Repairing body damage, restoring host soul-] [- Energy recovery in 60 seconds -] [- Energy recovery in 43 seconds -] *the bold notif is ck color Lein saw millions of notifications appear on his panel, flooding his mind. All the notifications warned him that his clones had perished. Thest set of messages was processed by his brain only momentster. The countdown finally ended, and Lein regained control of his body. He opened his eyes and saw the same blue sky as before. The clouds drifted slowly, and the breeze carried a fresh scent to his nose. Everything felt so familiar, as if he had just woken from an afternoon nap. Lein raised himself off the ground and scanned his surroundings. Not far away, he noticed thousands of epic chests piled up, and in the distance, the soul gate portal was still visible. "I''m still here?" Lein muttered in confusion. "How did I survive?" he asked himself, trying toprehend the situation. He remembered that the moment he duplicated Mharzan''s (Divine Promotion Potion), he immediately received notifications that his clones had died. Shortly after, Mharzan emerged from a spatial portal, standing directly in front of him. That was Lein''sst memory before everything went nk¡ªuntil the system began sending notifications while he was still semi-conscious. "Thank you, system," Lein whispered with gratitude. Although the system often acted foolishly, it truly cared for him. Recalling how close he hade to dying, a cold chill pierced his heart; he couldn''t bear the thought of what Nita would feel if he were truly gone. "But¡­ what''s with those ck notifications?" Lein recalled those moments when he was barely conscious. The notifications informing him of his clones'' deaths and his soul''s destruction were usually blue. However, the alerts about emergency protection and energy recovery were ck. "Did I get a ck system?" Lein mused with a wide grin. Even though he entertained the thought, he wasn''t entirely sure, as he hadn''t yet received any special treatment from it. Regardless, he was just grateful to be alive. "I was really unlucky this time," Lein grumbled with frustration and a hint of dread. His original intent was to find a piece of an S-rank soul, but not only did he fail to obtain it, he also nearly died without a chance to resist. Fortunately, the ck system helped him attack Mharzan and restore both his body and soul to their original state. "How could someone that powerful show up in a master-level trial?" Lein asked in a serious tone. He trusted the system, but he never expected such an incident to ur. The system had mentioned before that souls could be destroyed, but the ruler''s body would remain intact. Yet here he was¡ªwithout the ck system''s help, both his body and soul would have been obliterated. "Stupid system, you almost killed me!" Lein shouted in anger. If the system could manifest as a person right in front of him, he would make sure tond at least one solid punch. [Apologies, Master. External interference is beyond the system''s responsibility.] "Damn it¡­ get out here!" Lein raised his sword high, intending to sever the system''s neck. How could it respond so nonchntly? It was in charge of the trial space, yet now it imed it wasn''t responsible for external disruptions. "I don''t care... give mepensation!" Lein demanded his rights. If he had known his life could truly end, Lein would have willingly submitted to Mharzan, carefully plotting his escape at the right moment. However, since the system had assured him otherwise, Lein felt safe when his clones perished or even if his soul was destroyed, believing he could still escape and find a way to restore his soul. [Aspensation, you have received a soul fragment (Void Monkey''s Tail - S)] "Huh?" Lein''s mouth dropped open as he saw the notification from the system. He read it again to make sure there was no mistake. "An S-rank soul fragment? Wow!" Lein shouted loudly. All his efforts from a few hours ago had paid off with this item. An S-rank soul fragment¡ªwho would have thought he could get it just by ''begging'' the system a little? Lein didn''t inspect the item immediately. Instead, he straightened his posture and stood tall. Facing the sun, he bowed at a 90-degree angle and said, "Forgive my harsh words earlier. Thank you for this gift, oh greatest system." He performed the gesture with utmost sincerity, from the bottom of his heart. His words were so heartfelt that they could even turn a demon''s heart toward kindness if it heard them. "Hahaha... yay!" Right after offering his reverent bow, Lein let out a joyful cheer. He raised both hands in the air in excitement and immediately opened the item''s description. (Void Monkey''s Tail - S) The monkey, ruler of the void, lives eternally to maintain bnce in nature. It is the first guardian to stand watch over the gateway of the universe''s destruction. - (Thousand-Hand Tail): The Monkey King''s tail transforms into a lethal weapon, extending and branching into a thousand nimble "hands." Each branch can wield weapons, block attacks, or subdue magical objects, granting the Monkey King a tactical advantage. With the Thousand-Hand Tail, he can strike from multiple angles and unleash brutal attackbinations that are hard to evade. - Duration: 1 minute - Cooldown: 10 minutes "Amazing... so powerful," Lein murmured with excitement. "Hmmm, Infinity Duplicate is still on cooldown," he added casually. He wanted to start building his soul immediately, but at the moment, he only had one fragment. Since he had already used Infinity Duplicate - SSS to duplicate the Divine Promotion Potion, he had to wait another 30 minutes before he could perform the next duplication. "In that case, I''ll open the epic chests first," Lein said as he drew his ck and gold sword. He then activated the Echo Phantom skill to create a clone of his weapon. In an instant, the familiar sight of thousands of opened chests returned. Lein and his army of clones sat on the green grass, opening the rows of chestsid out before them. Chapter 229: Building a Tier-S Soul [Open (Epic Chest), are you sure?] "Yes." Lein agreed without much thought. The chest-opening animation began, with a white light enveloping the chest and a slight tremor. Finally, the chest opened, revealing its contents. Not only the real Lein but his clones did the same. They moved like robots tasked with opening chests. By using clones for this task, Lein avoided the risk of assigning humans. All the clones shared the same space and couldmunicate through a special connection between them. Meanwhile, other clones continued to explore the Soul Gate portals, hoping to find the remaining S-tier soul fragments. In the area near Lein, no more Soul Gate portals could be seen¡ªeverything had already been cleared by his clones. [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - High-grade Energy Crystals x13 - Assassin Boots - Level 30 x1 - Power Stones x5 - Jasmine Seeds x2 ... [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - High-grade Energy Crystals x22 - Yanying Leaves - x5 - (Blueprint - Killer Tower) x1 - (Skill Book - Cursed Arrow) x1 ... [Sessfully opened (Epic Chest), obtained:] - High-grade Energy Crystals x22 - Kolu Leaf x2 - (Blueprint - Strong Wall) x1 ... Time passed, and after 30 minutes, the cooldown for (Infinity Duplicate - SSS) had finished, allowing the ability to be used again to duplicate (Voidtail Monkey - S). "Alright... Let''s duplicate!" Lein said, standing up. [Duplicate (Voidtail Monkey - S) 10,000 times, are you sure?] "Yes," he answered without hesitation. As soon as he confirmed, Lein saw his count of (Voidtail Monkey - S) increase to 10,001, ready to be used to form an S-tier soul. "Haha... finally, an S-tier soul!" Leinughed with satisfaction, eager to form his S-tier soul. With burning enthusiasm, he walked toward the (Soul Construction Orb) nearby. After a few steps, Lein arrived in front of the (Soul Construction Orb). The transparent orb at the top emitted a dense magical energy that was almost overwhelming, just gazing at it left Lein slightly amazed. Without dy, Lein opened the panel of the (Soul Construction Orb) and checked thest result he had obtained when first attempting to build a soul. (Soul Construction Orb) Please insert soul fragments to receive an evaluation from the orb. The higher the tier of the fragments, the higher the resulting soul''s evaluation. Current Evaluation: - Soul: Thorned Lava Worm - C - Soul Energy: 700 - Strength: B - Defense: C - Intelligence: D - Agility: C - (Molten Ambush): The Lava Worm burrows underground and waits to ambush passing enemies. When an enemyes near, the worm leaps out, striking with destructive firepower, dealing 250% of normal attack damage and burning the enemy, inflicting an additional 50% damage per second for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 45 seconds. [Construct] [Fuse] On his first attempt, he received the (Thorned Lava Worm - C). Afterward, he tried building another soul, but failure messages appeared repeatedly, much to his frustration. Because of that, Lein decided to stop and search for S-tier soul fragments. "This time, you can fail as many times as you want," Lein said with a wide grin. He was no longer afraid of failure. With 10,001 S-tier soul fragments in hand, it was impossible not to seed at least once in 1,000 tries¡ªespecially if he chose to build the soul with 10 energy fragments. Naturally, Lein opted for 10 fragments without hesitation. Not only would it increase the sess rate, but it would also significantly affect the final result. Not wanting to waste more time, Lein selected the [Construct] option, triggering the appearance of 10 small connected circles surrounding arger central one. Already familiar with the process, Lein ced the (Voidtail Monkey - S) fragments one by one into the 10 smaller circles. Each filled circle glowed white, ready to channel energy for soul construction. Once all 10 small circles were filled, the system''s confirmation panel appeared. [Detected 10 soul fragments. Do you want to build the soul?] "Yes," Lein answered firmly. Immediately, the 10 circles emitted bright white light, releasing immense energy into therger central circle. The connecting lines between the outer circles and the center lit up brightly, merging all the energy from the smaller circles into therge one. The energy radiating from the central circle grew more intense. Lein could feel a powerful rumble echoing. The once-white light now turned a mixture of blood-red and metallic ck. "Whoa... so powerful," Lein murmured, witnessing the changes in the soul-construction orb. The crystal ball atop the (Soul Construction Orb) filled with swirling blood-red smoke, spinning as if a massive storm was about to erupt. Lein observed with eager anticipation, his eyes gleaming with hope and excitement. After a few moments, the chaos subsided, revealing a figure inside the crystal ball. Inside the crystal, Lein saw a living creature¡ªa muscr monkey with a long tail. Its head was wrapped in white and gold cloth that fluttered endlessly as if blown by the wind. Curious, Lein immediately checked its status on the (Soul Construction Orb) panel. Current Evaluation: - Soul: Voidtail Primate - S - Soul Energy: 123,000 - Strength: S - Defense: S - Intelligence: S - Agility: S - (Spectral Chain): Using its powerful tail, the Voidtail Primate creates 10 spectral chains that can bind and immobilize enemies. Trapped enemies cannot move or use abilities for 5 seconds. The attack also inflicts Energy Drain, siphoning 10% of the enemy''s soul energy every second. (Cooldown: 75 seconds) "Wow... it drains soul energy?" Lein eximed, his mouth agape. If he wasn''t mistaken, soul energy was essential for summoning soul troops. This meant that if a summoner didn''t have enough soul energy, they wouldn''t be able to summon their souls. "A 5-second stun?" It was just like his Heaven Sword Prison ability¡ªhis first S-tier soul also had a simr power. Lein shifted his gaze from the evaluation panel to the crystal orb atop the pir (the soul construction orb). His eyes focused intently on the monkey inside the orb, and the monkey returned his gaze without fear, staring at Lein with seriousness, its face resembling that of a proud warrior. Seeing the monkey''s expression made Lein think that it was almost human, possessing emotions and thoughts of its own. Chapter 230: Cosmic Howler – S "That fierce monkey," Lein thought to himself. Next, he noticed that the monkey''s tail was quite long, even forming a full loop at its end. In addition, its firm muscles reminded Lein of Sun Goku from the films and games he had yed. "Nice... let''s try creating another soul." Lein then returned to the [construct] feature. He reviewed the list of souls he had obtained so far. Currently, there were two on the list: 1. Spiked Lava Worm ¨C C 2. Voidtail Primate ¨C S "Good," Lein said with satisfaction, pleased with how easy it would be to choose the soul he neededter. He quickly inserted the soul fragments into the 10 empty slots and approved the system''s confirmation. [10 soul fragments detected. Do you want to build a soul?] "Yes," Lein answered without hesitation. A white light illuminated the crystal ball, linking all the small circles and slowly forming a soul within. The process didn''t take long; soon after, the white light turned blood-red, bringing a wide grin to Lein''s face. "Haha, sess on the second try!" Lein eximed excitedly. Although he had 10,001 S-tier soul fragments, he was still satisfied that he avoided excessive failures. "I''m curious, what abilities will this creature have?" Lein said, eagerly watching the developments inside the soul construction orb. Shortly after, the formation wasplete, revealing a monkey standing upright inside the crystal. The monkey held a small, irregrly shaped staff and spun it skillfully, demonstrating its prowess. Current Evaluation - Soul: Cosmic Howler ¨C S - Soul Energy: 123,000 - Strength: S - Defense: S - Intelligence: S - Agility: S - (Eternal Vortex): Forms 10 cosmic energy vortices that pull all nearby enemies to their center, paralyzing them and dealing 500% damage per second for 10 seconds. Each enemy absorbed increases the damage by 1000%. (Cooldown: 90 seconds) "Whoa! Cosmic vortex with 500% damage!" Lein said in awe, unable to believe how powerful this creature was. But whatever the case, he was thrilled to have gotten two of them. Lein observed the monkey wielding its staff and the status panel for a few moments before returning to the [construct] feature. He inserted a soul fragmentbeled "Void Monkey Tail ¨C S" into each of the 10 synergy slots. Without hesitation, Lein confirmed the system''s prompt. A bright white light shone again, connecting all the circles. However, the light quickly dimmed within minutes. [Failed to build soul] "The first failure," Lein said calmly, unaffected. He had expected failure, so it didn''t bother him. In fact, he would''ve found it strange if the third attempt had seeded; a system as ruthless as this couldn''t possibly grant him too much luck. "Let''s try again." Lein remained enthusiastic. He repeated the same steps: inserting the fragments, confirming the prompt, and waiting for the soul-building animation toplete. Watching silently, Lein tried to think about something else to avoid being too anxious about the results. But he couldn''t. His mind stayed fixed on the crystal orb, eagerly anticipating the oue. [Failed to build soul] "Again." Without a second thought, Lein repeated the process, inserting the fragments, confirming, and waiting. [Failed to build soul] "Again." [Failed to build soul] "Keep going." Lein ignored the failures without giving them a second thought. He felt slightly annoyed but knew there was nothing he could do about it. Staying focused, he kept building souls tirelessly until, atst, on the 27th attempt, the white light shifted into blood-red. Lein''s sleepy eyes widened in excitement as he stared at the glowing crystal orb with intense interest. Inside the orb, a monkey stood tall with an athletic and well-proportioned build. Its muscr body was strong yet not excessive, reflecting a perfect bnce of strength and agility. A coat of sleek ck fur covered its body, exuding elegance and power. Around its neck hung a silver ne with a small blue pendant, softly radiating light. Its sharp eyes gazed forward with confidence, daring anyone to challenge it. The monkey stood in abat-ready stance, its hands clenched at its sides, ready to attack or defend. From Lein''s perspective, it was clear this creature was a formidable melee fighter. Lein quickly checked the creature''s stats through the evaluation panel: Current Evaluation - Soul: Celestial Primate ¨C S - Soul Energy: 150,000 - Strength: S - Defense: S - Intelligence: S - Agility: S - (Primal Fist): A melee attack that relies on raw power. The Celestial Primate can unleash punches imbued with cosmic energy, shattering enemy defenses and stunning them for 2 seconds with a 90% chance. The attack can also bounce to other enemies within a 5-meter radius, dealing 200% additional damage to the next target. (Cooldown: 100 seconds) "Hahaha, insane!" Lein shouted in his heart. He grinned widely as he read the abilities of the creature. "A fighting monkey with stun and chain attacks? This is perfect!" he thought enthusiastically. Not only did it possess incredible strength and agility, but it also had deadlybat effects for close-range battles. "I can''t wait to try out this new power," Lein said eagerly, longing to put it to the test. He nced again at the (Celestial Primate ¨C S) inside the crystal ball, admiring its sturdy posture and the aura of majesty it emitted. Soon after, Lein continued building souls. Upon re-entering the [construct] feature, he noticed the updated list, now including the newly formed soul: 1. Spiked Lava Worm ¨C C 2. Voidtail Primate ¨C S 3. Cosmic Howler ¨C S 4. Celestial Primate ¨C S "I think I''ll build an army of monkeys, hahaha," Lein chuckled softly. Without wasting any time, he filled the small circles with soul fragments and resumed the soul-building process. "Seems like a good idea, hahaha," Lein thought to himself, especially with the help of his duplication skill. Creating a monkey would be incredibly easy. Lein then set aside other matters for the moment, focusing on building souls as quickly as possible since he had limited time. Not because of an enemy attack on the ind, but to prepare for potential enemies from beyond the realm of the divine heavens. He calmly continued constructing souls with steady movements. The white light shone continuously from the soul construction orb, repeating the process hundreds of times without stopping. Chapter 231: 60,032 S-tier souls Three hours in the test chamber had finally passed. Lein stood in front of the Soul Construction Orb, his breath heavy, and a bored expression on his face. In front of him, the construction panel disyed dozens of soul images that had been formed non-stop for 1,000 cycles. Lein raised his hand, touched the surface of the panel, and scrolled down. The list of soul images, all shimmering with gold, filled the screen, making him smile faintly. On thest page, he saw the number indicating the total souls he had acquired: 33. "32 S-tier souls," Lein said with excitement. Aside from the C-tier soul (Spiny Lava Worm), Lein had sessfully obtained 32 S-tier monkey souls. Examining the soul images again, Lein noticed their varied appearances. Some wielded long staffs, while others used shields as their weapons. All the monkey souls he acquired were S-tier, differing only in their unique abilities. The strength of these monkeys revolved around chaos-based powers, such as unleashing devastating void attacks, forming ck holes, or creating dead zones that inflicted severe negative effects on anyone caught inside. Their diversity made Lein hesitant to fuse them until he could duplicate them first. Within the past three hours, Lein had sessfully duplicated his S-tier monkey souls 6 times However, the duplicated souls did not appear on the construction panel; instead, they were stored inside his spatial ring. "Hehehe... 60,032 S-tier souls," Lein chuckled quietly. No one out there would dare imagine such a massive collection of S-tier souls, let alone achieve it. "What''s next?" Lein muttered to himself. After spending so long inside the test chamber, he momentarily forgot his original goal. After a brief moment of thought, he remembered. "Right, I need to promote to Master level." Lein already met all the requirements for the promotion. The only step left was soul fusion. As he contemted the process, a previous idea popped back into his mind. "Fusion." Without dy, Lein essed the Fusion Panel and began reviewing the rules. "Please¡­ no failures," he hoped anxiously. The sess rate for soul fusion was notoriously low, far from what he had hoped. [Fusion] - Combine 3 souls of the same tier to create a new soul. - S-tier soul: requires 3 S-tier souls. - A-tier soul: requires 3 A-tier souls. - ¡­ - E-tier soul: requires 3 E-tier souls. Lein skimmed through the brief rules disyed by the soul orb. His eyes locked onto theyout resembling the construction panel, with arge central circle surrounded by smaller circles where souls would be ced for fusion. Additionally, Lein could view theplete list of souls in his possession on the fusion panel, including all duplicated souls stored in his spatial ring. "Alright¡­ let''s do this," Lein said eagerly. He immediately inserted souls into each of the three outer circles. The first soul he ced was a monkey soul. (Voidtail Primate - S) - Soul Energy: 123,000 - Strength: S - Defense: S - Intelligence: S - Agility: S - Ability: (Spectral Chain) Lein chose to use identical souls to conduct some analysis. He suspected that fusing highly simr souls might yield better results. However, this was still just a theory, so trial and error was necessary. [3 souls detected. Do you wish to fuse them?] "Yes," Lein answered quickly. The fusion process began. The three souls Lein inserted emitted powerful energy, all converging into the central circle like water bursting through a dam. "Please¡­ seed," Lein whispered, clenching his fists, hoping for the best oue on his first attempt. The fusion animation ran for several seconds. A figure began to form within the central circle, resembling a bat with wide wings, sharp ws, a small head with protruding teeth, and red streaks along its body, giving it a menacing appearance. "A bat?" Lein muttered in confusion. He had fused monkey souls, yet the result was a bat-like monster. But there was no turning back now¡ªhe had to wait for the fusion toplete. After a few tense moments, the soul formation finished, revealing the creature in the center of the circle. Sure enough, the resulting being was a wolf-like creature with pitch-ck wings, a long tail, and sharp fangs. (Blood Voidtail Primate - S) - Soul Energy: 123,000 - Strength: S - Defense: S - Intelligence: S - Agility: S - Ability: (Blood Spectral Chain) - (Blood Spectral Chain): Creates 100 blood chains that shoot out rapidly, attacking and binding enemies. It locks enemies for 10 seconds and drains 20% of their soul energy per second. Each enemy killed by this ability adds 100 additional chains. Lein studied the new status panel that appeared before him, raising an eyebrow. "A bat with a monkey''s tail? This system is strange," he muttered as he examined the status panel carefully. The creature disyed on the panel was unsettling¡ªa giant bat with a long monkey tail and coarse fur sprouting across its body. Although it looked bizarre and unpleasant, what made Lein smile was the soul''s ability. The (Blood Spectral Chain) skill had be significantly more powerful. Its binding duration had increased from five to ten seconds, and its energy drain had doubled from 10% to 20%. A seemingly simple yet terrifying ability. "This could turn the tide of battle instantly," Lein thought, his lips curling into a confident smile. "Let''s keep going..." Lein whispered as he picked up the pace. He had spent more than half a day in the test chamber. If he didn''t leave soon, others might assume he had died inside. Without hesitation, Lein selected the next soul¡ª(Cosmic Howler), a soul with the power to manipte cosmic energy to create ck holes that devoured everything around them. (Cosmic Howler - S) - Soul Energy: 123,000 - Strength: S - Defense: S - Intelligence: S - Agility: S - Ability: (Eternal Vortex) Lein pressed the confirmation button. "Alright, let''s see what happens." [3 souls detected. Do you wish to fuse them?] "Yes," he replied without hesitation. The soul fusion animation started immediately. Lein watched in awe as bright white light swirled, forming a beautiful vortex of energy. The energy from the three souls slowly merged, creating a new monster encased within the crystal orb. Lein observed carefully, noting every transformation. It didn''t take long for the system to disy the result. (Cosmic Howler - S) - Soul Energy: 138,000 - Strength: S - Defense: S - Intelligence: S - Agility: S - Ability: (Eternal Vortex) - (Eternal Vortex): Forms 50 cosmic energy vortices that pull all nearby enemies to their center, paralyzing them and dealing 500% damage per second for 10 seconds. Each enemy drawn in boosts the damage by up to 1,000%. (Cooldown: 90 seconds) "Wow... 50 vortices now," Lein said with excitement in his voice. The effect was simr to using multiple clones, but the increase from 10 to 50 vortices was a significant boost. "This could change the course of any battle," he thought as he stared at the panel in satisfaction. Although the ability had improved, the monster''s name and base attributes remained unchanged. "Only the ability changes," he mused. "Does that mean using the same base souls always yields the same result?" But that assumption was quickly dispelled when he recalled the first fusion¡ªa bat with a monkey''s tail¡ªdespite using identical base souls. Not wanting to dwell too long on the mystery, Lein pushed the thought aside. He refocused on the task of fusing more souls. *** Lein was still immersed in his experiments inside the test chamber when night had already fallen in the divine sky realm. The atmosphere was vastly different from earlier, when battles were still raging. Now, the entire ind was protected by a glowing, transparent shield, appearing sturdy and ready to withstand any attack. On a nearby ind, devastated by earlier assaults, the ruins of copsed buildings bore silent witness to the destruction. The city was almost pitch ck, with only a few remaining light sources illuminating the scattered debris. In the heart of the city, a green military vehicle with mounted weapons moved slowly, patrolling the area. Soldiers on board kept a vignt watch, their sharp eyes scanning every corner for signs of an ambush. "How''s your wife? Has she regained consciousness?" the captain seated beside the driver asked in a low but concerned voice. A soldier in the back, sitting upright with a weary expression, adjusted his posture and answered, "Yes, sir! My wife has regained consciousness, but she''s still very weak." The captain nodded before turning to another young soldier sitting beside him. "And your child?" he asked, his tone softer this time. The young soldier swallowed hard before responding. "He''s happy in heaven now, sir," he said firmly, though his voice trembled. His eyes fought back tears, determined to stay focused on his duty despite the overwhelming grief. "Stay strong," the captain said, patting the soldier''s shoulder for encouragement. "We must survive, for the future of our people." "Yes, sir!" the soldiers responded loudly, affirming their resolve to keep fighting, even under the crushing weight of loss. The vehicle kept moving, passing through roads filled with debris from destroyed buildings, traversing a city that resembled a ghost town, while the quiet of the night was broken only by the roar of the engine and the footsteps of the patrolling soldiers. Chapter 232: small island situation On the other side of the ind, far atop a towering spire, a massive energy phenomenon shimmered. Streams of ck lightning roared, breaking the silence of the night, illuminating the sky with blinding shes. The gathered energy suddenly exploded and vanished in an instant, leaving behind a thunderous boom that echoed across the entire ind. BOOOM! The ck lightning struck a specific point, right at the area where an active portal remained, not far from the soldiers'' patrol. They witnessed it from a distance, though their view was obstructed by the ruins of fallen buildings. But they knew exactly what had just happened¡ªthe tower''s lightning attack had obliterated the foreign creatures emerging from the portal. "Take that¡­ die, bastards," one soldier sneered, his eyes reflecting the sharp glint of triumph as he gazed at the flickering lightning. "That tower is incredibly powerful and fierce," another soldier remarked in amazement, imagining the fate of the targets caught in the lightning''s wrath. The patrolling soldiers couldn''t hide their joy. Watching the lightning strikes felt as if they themselves had defeated the alien creatures. They had fought for over 12 hours with uncertain results, facing enemies with overwhelming strength unlike anything they had encountered before. Of course, experiencing such a colossal battle for the first time had brought them closer together, kindling their desire to grow stronger so they wouldn''t suffer more losses¡ªor leave their loved ones behind. "Thank you, Lord Lein and Princess Nita," said a soldier sitting by the truck bed, his tone casual as he recalled the moment when reinforcement troops from the World Market Alliance arrived to assist. "Yeah, without them, our ind might have been destroyed." "The World Market Alliance''s power is beyond belief¡ªI saw Lord Takni''s strength with my own eyes," another soldier said, recalling the intense battle from hours earlier when Takni arrived to lead the rescue team from the alliance. "His swordsmanship is incredible. I heard he used a rare-level skill," the soldier added, reminiscing about Takni''s skillful movements inbat. The lightning tower that had just activated was a gift from the World Market Trade Alliance to all human inds. With these towers in ce, eliminating the alien creatures had be much faster and more efficient. The World Market Trade Alliance even provided energy crystals for smaller inds that struggled to sustain themselves¡ªall under Nita''smand as the alliance''s leader, while Lein remained in a soul-forging trial chamber. "Imagine how powerful an ind with thousands of these towers would be," one soldier wondered aloud, amazed by the continuous shes of lightning destroying everything in their path. "Without a doubt, it''d be unstoppable. Hahaha!" hisrade replied with a smallugh, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere despite the anxiety lingering in their hearts. The lightning''s relentless strikes became their beacon of hope, with no sign of stopping. *** A medium-sized ind floated amidst the void of the dark night sky, like a silent fortress adrift among lifeless stars. The night wind carried the sound of explosions and heart-wrenching screams, shattering the oppressive silence. From several glowing portals, figures with extraordinary powers emerged, their eyes gleaming with a sharp light, and every step they took brought destruction. Their goal was clear¡ªto demolish buildings and hunt down the rulers hidden within the ind. "Hmm¡­ how could Team #12 fail to conquer this new realm?" muttered a dark-skinned man, gripping a long sword tightly. Scars etched across his face gave him a fearsome appearance, further intensified by the powerful aura radiating from his body, like a predator ready to strike. "Sir, please be cautious. The Guardian has ordered us not to act recklessly to ensure the mission''s sess," one of his subordinates advised in a low voice, trying to suppress his fear. His gaze served as a reminder, though his hands trembled slightly as he held his weapon. The dark-skinned man sneered, a thin smile forming on his lips. "You''re right. Teams from other realms are already moving too." Despite his fierce demeanor, he was not a man prone to carelessness. His sharp eyes revealed that he knew exactly when to restrain his ego and when to unleash his fury. "Everyone, prepare... destroy everything swiftly." Hismand was clear, striking like lightning hitting the ground. Without hesitation, he led his twenty-member team, moving like shadows. Leaping over twenty-meter-high buildings posed no challenge for them. Their movements were like a storm, crushing everything in their path. This dark-skinned man''s team was just one of many invading the ind, all with the same objective: to annihte it entirely. ¡­ Elsewhere, far from the portals where alien creatures emerged, a massive circr wall stood firm, though it was surrounded by hundreds of enemy troops. Behind the wall, thousands of people huddled together, seeking shelter and hoping for salvation. These were the ind''s residents, gazing at the sky with fearful faces, waiting for aid that seemed never toe. "Oh God, please... I can''t take this anymore," whispered an old woman, her voice trembling as she curled up in a corner. Her dim eyes welled with tears, and her wrinkled hands clutched a tattered cloth on herp. Around her, many others sat in silence, pressing their bodies against the wall, hoping to hide from the horrors outside. But the sounds of explosions and screams only made their hopes feel more distant. "Where is the president? Why hasn''t he shown up yet?" shouted an old man with an unkempt beard, his voice breaking the silence. It was filled with sorrow, expressing a long-held mixture of anger and fear. Several people nced his way, torn between agreeing with him and trying to keep calm. But before anyone could respond, an explosion rang out. BOOM! A burst of blue light sliced through the air, instantly shattering the wall behind the old man, creating a massive crack. At the site of the explosion stood a woman with long ck hair flowing in the wind, her body d in greenbat gear. She gripped a magic staff tightly, her cold gaze fixed on where the old man had stood moments ago. Her expression was filled with hatred, and just as she prepared to swing her staff again, a hand reached out, halting her movement. "Abigail, stop," The voice of another woman cut through the tension. Though her face also bore signs of anger, she managed to keep her emotions in check. Abigail rolled her eyes but did not resist. She cast onest sharp nce at the crowd of civilians before turning away, her steps rigid. Chapter 233: Holas The woman who stopped Abigail looked sternly at the civilians. She scanned the crowd, ensuring every pair of eyes locked onto her before she spoke. "Anyone who wants to die, follow the old man''s lead!" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the cold night air. Then, she turned and followed Abigail, leaving the civilians frozen in ce. Though they suffered, at least they were still alive. The old man who insulted the president nowy lifeless, his head destroyed by the magical attack. "Thetest report from a few hours ago said the president is dead," a young man among the crowd muttered grimly. Though it was hard to say, he felt the truth needed to be known to prevent anyone else from acting as recklessly as the old man. "What? The president is dead?" An older man''s voice cracked in despair. His eyes widened as he clutched his hair in frustration, pulling at it as if trying to tear his head apart. "This is it¡­ we''re all going to die!" "No! I don''t want to die!" cried a woman, her voice soon echoed by others. Panic spread like wildfire, consuming the crowd. People began shouting, running, and shoving, creatingplete chaos. The young man who had shared the news froze, trembling as the shadow of death crept into his mind. He realized that revealing the truth in times of war could be a double-edged sword. The chaos escted, spreading to about 10% of the area surrounding the protective wall. The guards, including Abigail and herpanion, fought desperately to calm the panicked civilians. "Everyone, stay calm! There''s no need to panic! We will survive!" Abigail shouted, her voice struggling to cut through the noise. "Trust in Lord Hs! He will lead us out of this!" another guard urged, trying to instill hope in those who would listen. But the panic only grew worse. Fear-stricken civilians moved erratically, like people who had lost all hope. Their hysteria spread, driving them to act like uncontroble zombies. On top of the wall, arge man with bulging muscles surveyed the battlefield beyond the protective barrier. His sharp gaze scanned every approaching enemy with unwavering focus. "Sir, why haven''t you fled?" asked a young woman, his assistant, her voice trembling with fear. "What do you mean?" the man replied, his tone t and emotionless. "With your Tier-3 strength, you could join the World Market Alliance easily. At least you would survive and not perish on this tiny ind," the assistant exined, hoping to make him understand. Therge man chuckled briefly, a trace of mockery in hisugh. "You underestimate me, huh?" The assistant fell silent, her expression turning fearful, but she quickly corrected herself. "No, sir. I just meant¡­ your life is more valuable than anyone else''s on this ind." "Enough. Stop trying to drag me out of here," the man snapped, his tone firm and resolute. "I''m not as weak as Aryon." He shifted his gaze back toward the battlefield. From within the fog of war, more enemies advanced toward the wall. Among the attackers stood an old man in white robes, a radiant halo glowing behind his head. His powerful aura radiated intimidation, paralyzing those who looked upon him. "At least¡­ I''ll die at the hands of a Faithwarden as strong as that old man," therge man murmured, finding a strange sense of peace in the thought. "NO, SIR!" the assistant cried, trying to stop him. But it was toote. The man had already leaped from the top of the wall, plunging straight toward the old man in white robes, his resolve unshakable. As his body sailed through the air, the world seemed to freeze. There was only him, his target, and the destiny awaiting him below. "Good luck, Lord Hs," the female assistant whispered as she watched therge figure vanish into the darkness of the night. She then quickly activated themunication device in her hand and began announcing something with a firm tone. Within seconds, all the soldiers still on duty, trying to calm the civilians, received the emergency message on theirmunication devices. The restless atmosphere instantly shifted. The soldiers stopped what they were doing and read the newly received message. "It''s time... our turn," one of the soldiers shouted with excitement. "Let''s go... I''m not afraid!" another one responded, gripping his weapon tighter. Determined expressions appeared in their eyes, and doubt vanished. A chorus of battle cries echoed from the ranks of soldiers, who had previously been tense. They knew this was a crucial moment¡ªthe time when their courage would be put to the test. The emergency announcement spread swiftly, reaching every soldier, including Abigail and herpanion. They immediately prepared and lined up neatly in front of the great wall, uniting their resolve to face the approaching enemy. Meanwhile, far beyond the protective wall, Hs had already entered the battlefield. His tall, imposing figure now looked even more formidable, d in bluebat gear that wrapped around his body. Standing over 2.5 meters tall, he resembled a giant ready to take on anything. In both hands, he wielded long steel ws that shimmered sharply, their reflections visible even in the night''s darkness. "I wonder how strong these creatures from beyond realms are," Hs muttered with a fierce gaze, his sharp eyes locking onto a small creature at the front of the enemy ranks. Without hesitation, heunched himself forward at incredible speed. Hs''s powerful arm moved swiftly, ripping through the head of the foreign soldier in front of him with a single brutal motion. Blood sprayed in all directions, and without giving his enemy a chance to react, he delivered a crushing kick. The blow shattered the soldier''s body instantly, tearing it apart. In his ears, the chime of a kill notification echoed, signaling the life he had just imed. But Hs had no intention of stopping. With an even sharper gaze, he shifted his focus to a weaker soldier nearby. His body shot forward like a shadow, the steel ws in his hands poised to shred anything in his path. "Run! Get away! That''s a Tier-3 being!" panicked shouts erupted among the foreign troops, scattering as Hs approached. "Call Lord Jen!" another foreign soldier screamed, his eyes wide with fear. They weren''t foolish¡ªthey knew the danger Hs posed. Without hesitation, they began retreating, desperately trying to escape the reach of his deadly ws. Chapter 234: Annoying old man [Killed (enemy - Faithwarden) exp +123,400] [Killed (enemy - Faithwarden) exp +134,000] ... Hs, with his ws glowing in ck light, ughtered the nearest Faithwardens. He easily wiped them out since the attackers were only Tier-2, and with a single shbined with his strengthening skill, their lives vanished before him. "Damn it... take this!" A pale-faced man shouted loudly. His hands formed an O shape, creating a powerful sphere of light energy. After gathering enough power, the sphere shot toward Hs, who was in the midst of killing hispanions. Pofff... Like a water balloon hitting a wall, the sphere of light had no effect on Hs. Sigh... Hs was undisturbed, but he could sense the source of the attack. He quickly turned his head, locking his gaze on the man who had just hurled the sphere at him. Feeling Hs''s gaze, the man trembled in fear. With all his might, he turned around and ran as fast as he could. His body glowed white, activating a skill that enhanced his speed. "Cursed w," Hs murmured as he activated his ranged skill. The moment the (Cursed w) took effect, the fleeing man felt excruciating pain in his chest, as if a merciless hand was squeezing his heart. "Damn it, what''s happening to me?" he muttered bitterly, the agony evident in his voice. Dugh... He fell to his knees. "My chest... it hurts... agh..." The man groaned for thest time before his body copsed lifelessly to the ground. Seeing hisrade fall, many other foreign attackers tried to flee, distancing themselves from the terrifying Hs. "Lord Hs, I''m here!" A man with a long spear descended from the sky into the middle of the foreign attackers. Activating his spear dance, he filled a 10-meter radius with fierce spear strikes and a powerful aura. "Don''t let them breach the defenses and enter the walls!" shouted a man with a massive shield. Raising it high, he mmed it down forcefully, creating a 5-meter-high, 30-meter-long barrier to block the foreign attackers from entering. "Everyone, prepare!" A captain on the walls gave the order to the soldiers manning the wall cannons and defense weapons. About 50 weapons were operated by the soldiers. "Fire!" At the givenmand, the soldiers pulled the triggers, and the cannons unleashed their volleys upon the foreign attackers from the wall. Duar... Boom... Thunderous explosions erupted, each cannon strike devastating the attacking forces with ease. The attackers did not sit idle against the barrage. A middle-aged man raised arge barrier, blocking the cannonballs from reaching his subordinates. Elsewhere, a group leader aimed his firearm at the iing cannonballs with remarkable precision. Dor... Dor... Each shot detonated the cannonballs mid-air. After the explosions, only remnants of the cannonballs fell, dealing no damage to the attackers in the area. Hs, noticing the arrival of reinforcements and the support from the wall''s towers, felt his heart burn with renewed spirit. His previously unshakable resolve was now fueled by the sight of hisrades raising their weapons high and charging fearlessly into the enemy. "Thank you," Hs muttered sincerely. He had already prepared to die and never expected his subordinates to risk their lives alongside him. But here they were, fighting by his side until the bitter end. Just as Hs was lost in thought, a sword suddenly came at him. Tang... The sword was swift and long, shing diagonally from the side. With lightning reflexes, Hs dodged to the left and stepped back slightly. He then looked at the old man standing before him. The most striking feature of the old man was the white halo floating behind him, exuding a powerful magical aura that captivated anyone who looked at it. In his right hand, the old man wielded a transparent sword, its white energy burning within. Judging by the old man''s immacte white robe, Hs sensed that this was one of the group leaders and a Tier-3 being. Hs quickly checked the old man''s status panel. [Status] - Name: Jen - Race: Nimbarin - Power Core: Faithwarden - Rank: Holy Disciple (Tier-3) "So, this old man is Tier-3," Hs muttered seriously. The color of his ws shifted to a fiery red, and his energy surged noticeably. "You''re rather arrogant for someone with such weak power." The old man spoke with a mocking tone, his rxed stance showing no signs of aggression. Hs smirked and calmly replied, "What''s the matter? Try if you can." He was stalling for time, hoping reinforcements from other allies would arrive. "Why don''t you join me? With your strength, you could be someone important," the old man offered, trying to persuade Hs to switch sides. With Hs''s power, it wasn''t impossible for him to be a team leader. "Like you? You''re nothing but apdog." Hs didn''t hold back, voicing his thoughts without restraint. He didn''t care if the old man got angry¡ªhis disdain for these people was evident in his piercing gaze. "Hahaha... A stupid race like yours deserves that name." "You can''t even recognize the benefits right in front of you." The old man''s tauntingughter made Hs itch to attack, but he restrained himself. He needed to conserve as much energy as possible. His attention remained on another Tier-3 being some distance away. "Come at me if you dare," Hs challenged, unwilling to make the first move. The old man squinted, as if understanding Hs''s intentions. But he remained still, showing no signs ofunching an attack. "Go... deal with that man first, thene back to me," the old man said clearly, gesturing toward the distant Tier-3 figure before turning back to Hs. Hs wasn''t surprised by the old man''s behavior. Although both were foreign attackers, it seemed they had different factions or interests, naturally leading topetition. As Hs pondered whether to attack the other Tier-3 being or keep watch over the old man, he noticed many of his soldiers being killed by the enemy groups. Not far away, he saw a man with a bow in hand running with all his might, only to stop abruptly as he was ambushed by a nearby attacker. Chapter 235: Arrival of the world market trade alliance "Damn it... these cursed creatures," the man snarled, hatred clearly visible on his face. The wolf-like creature that stopped him ignored his curses. It immediately attacked with its powerful ws. But it didn''t end there¡ªother strange creatures appeared, surrounding and overwhelming him alone. "No!! Stop!" Hs, observing from a distance, couldn''t bear to watch any longer. He leaped and rushed toward the man being attacked. However, as he was still in mid-air, a sh came out of nowhere, striking fiercely toward his legs. An old man''s voice rang out. With a swift and fluid movement, the old man swung his weapon in a cross pattern at Hs. Hs dodged and returned to his previous position. "Damn it... I''ll kill you," Hs growled, furious at being stopped just as he was about to act. He raised both hands and crossed them in an X shape over his chest, readying himself for an attack. But then, he suddenly froze, sensing a powerful energy emerging from within the walls of the city. Inside the city walls, chaos reigned. In therge area where the teleportation portal stood, one of the massive portals began to shine brightly. From within the light, a man stepped forward, wearing a gleaming tinum badge on his uniform. He stood calmly by the portal, as if he was ustomed to facing whatevery ahead. Soon, more soldiers in the same uniform began pouring out of the portal. One by one, they marched forward, their faces showing unwavering determination, their eyes gleaming with the spirit of battle. In the corners of the city''s buildings, a few residents peered cautiously at the arrival of the soldiers. A glimmer of hope shed in their eyes upon seeing the first figure emerge. But that hope quickly faded, reced by hollow expressions of indifference. They knew that, despite the number of soldiers arriving, their strength wouldn''t be enough to fend off the far stronger invading forces. Their suffering was far from over. "Who are they?" one of the guards stationed at the portal muttered, his gaze fixed on the neers streaming out. He nced at hispanion beside him, hoping for an answer. "Is this reinforcement?" he asked in a half-whisper. Hispanion nodded uncertainly but remained alert. "It seems so, but we must stay vignt. Let''s inform Captain Abigail." They quickly sent a message through themunication system, detailing the soldiers'' appearance and the specifics of their power. Every being that had emerged so far was at Tier-2 level¡ªformidable, but still not enough against the enemy they were facing. Once they ensured all the information was recorded, the message was sent. In less than a second, a response came from Abigail. "Is that so? I''m on my way." Short, direct, and immediate. "Yes, it seems real. Let''s wait for Captain Abigail," one guard said to his partner as they continued to monitor the flow of soldiers from the portal, now nearing seventeen in number. Finally, another figure emerged from the portal¡ªa man with zing green hair. An icy aura radiated from his deep gaze, sending chills through the hearts of the guards on duty. There was something different about this man, something that made them hold their breath. The tinum captain who had been standing by the portal watched as the green-haired man arrived. Taking a deep breath, the captain shouted loudly, his voice echoing across the city. "The World Market Trade Alliance has arrived! Lord Budi is inmand!" The shout was so loud it shook the surrounding area, drawing the attention of everyone within the city walls¡ªfrightened civilians, watchful guards, and even Captain Abigail, who was on her way, heard it. "So it''s really them," Abigail murmured to herpanion as they leaped across rooftops and raced through the city streets. When they finally reached the teleportation area, the scene felt more real. Abigail and herpanion approached the two guards who had previously sent the message. "Thank you," Abigail said with a nod, then walked past them, heading directly toward the reinforcements from the World Market Trade Alliance. Budi, who had just stepped out of the portal, surveyed the surroundings calmly. His eyes scanned the city¡ªcivilians huddling in corners, guards standing warily, and two women approaching him. He gave them only a brief nce before resuming his inspection of the shattered cityscape. Many buildings had copsed, leaving behind dusty ruins. The roads, still passable in ces, bore signs of destruction, with long cracks and scattered debris. His gaze finally settled on the distant wall, as if he could see through it to where Hs and the old man fought against the looming threat beyond. "Wee, Lord Budi. We''ve been expecting you," Abigail said softly, standing before him. Her voice was gentle but filled with hope, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Wee, Lord Budi. Please, we need your help," added herpanion sincerely, her voice filled with genuine pleading. Budi gave a slight but firm nod. "Of course. That''s what we''re here for." He immediately began issuing orders, his voice steady and unwavering. "You," he said, pointing to the soldier on his right, "lead a team of five and deploy the Gctic Fortress at the right location." Then, turning to the soldier on his left, he continued, "You, take a team of five and ensure the civilians'' safety. Evacuate them if necessary." After ensuring both teams moved out, Budi looked toward the tinum captain and the remaining soldiers, signaling them to gather. "Follow me. We''re going to eliminate those foolish creatures," he said with a calm yetmanding tone. In an instant, Budi''s forces split into three groups. The first team headed to a strategic location to deploy the Gctic Fortress, while the other team spread out,bing the streets to ensure the civilians'' safety. Budi and his core troops marched toward the city gate. With a simple motion, Budi pulled out a Vortex te from his spatial ring. He jumped onto it, and without needing verbalmands, the Vortex te glided smoothly under his mental control, swiftly carrying him toward the wall''s exterior. Chapter 236: Budis Power The old man Jen stood tall, his sturdy body blocking Hs, who tried to step away. The cold wind hit his face, but he remained focused, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the high wall above. The sound of hurried footsteps and quick-moving shadows appeared in his line of sight. Several people ran and jumped from the wall, diving straight into the battle below. They were led by a figure floating atop a white disc enveloped in blue mes, his body d in blue gear with a purple cloak billowing behind him. "A level 3 yer," Jen muttered, his voice low, almost like a whisper to himself. His body tensed slightly, and the calm expression on his face shifted to one of alertness. His gaze locked onto Budi, who was approaching through the air. Unlike Jen, Hs looked at Budi''s arrival with eyes gleaming with relief. The tension that had previously gripped his face faded, reced by gratitude, his lips trembling as if wanting to express thanks for the fate that had granted him another chance at life. "Thank you, God..." he whispered, as if uttering gratitude to destiny itself. Hs turned his gaze back to Jen, his lips now curving into a wide, fervent smile. "You want a fight, don''t you?" he asked, his feral grin intensifying, entuating the savage aura he could no longer suppress. There was no more fear in his expression, as if the burden of thousands of lives he carried had lifted. Jen gave a small nod, briefly ncing at Hs before refocusing on Budi, who continued to approach through the air. His attention remained entirely locked on the new threat. Hs''s grin slowly faded when he noticed Jen''s indifference. With swift movements, Hs activated his equipment, and his body was instantly enveloped in a menacing aura. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, raising both ws high, ready to sh at Jen. Hs''s heavy steps echoed, yet his attacks were swift. Jen shifted his footing, subtly rotating his body, and raised his long sword in preparation for a precise strike. As Hs sped toward him, Jen swung his sword smoothly yet with lethal precision. The sh of metal shattered the silence, sparks flying, illuminating their tense faces filled with unyielding determination. Hs did not relent. Twisting mid-air, he attempted to strike from behind. But Jen, with extraordinary calm, read the movement as if it were an open book. He shifted slightly to the left, his leg muscles coiling as he leapt toward Hs, who was still airborne. "sh!" Jen''s sword sliced through the air, aimed precisely at Hs''s exposed body. Hs reacted with quick reflexes, intercepting the attack with his ws. His body flowed like a serpent, weaving through Jen''s strikes, evading the deadly blow. As they drew closer, Hs managed to lock Jen''s arm with one hand while the other w shot toward Jen''s neck. Jen''s eyes remained sharp, unwavering, staring at the oing w. Hs grinned, a confident smile believing in his imminent victory. However, from behind Jen, a sudden sh of light appeared. "Ugh!" Two glowing arms emerged from behind Jen, piercing through the air and driving straight into Hs''s chest. The unexpected strike made Hs stagger back, blood flowing freely from the wound. His eyes widened, shocked and disbelieving at what had just transpired. The glowing arms, formed from pure energy, floated gracefully behind Jen, moving in sync with his will. Without a word, the old man gave a faint smile, his sword still poised firmly. "Do you wish to die first?" he whispered, his soft voiceced with a deep threat. Without waiting for an answer, Jen moved his hand, tracing patterns in the air with his fingers. A circle of light formed, enveloping the area within a 20-meter radius. Its aura grew stronger, merging with the surroundings. In a swift motion, Jen darted toward Hs, who now struggled to stand. "Damn it... this guy has too many tricks," Hs muttered, his hand trembling as he reached for a healing potion. The pain from his wound hadn''t yet subsided, but the looming threat gave him no time to recover. Seeing Jen rushing toward him, Hs reluctantly assumed a defensive stance. "Die!" Jen''s voice was low yet resolute, as if sealing Hs''s fate with that single word. His body shot forward like an arrow, a perfect blend of speed and power in a deadly move. However, instinct flickered, warning Jen that something was amiss. Just then, the figure atop the white disc appeared suddenly beside him, seemingly out of thin air. Without saying a word, Budi reached out and grabbed Jen''s body. With a smooth motion, Budi activated his skill. "Nature''s Bind." Massive roots burst from the ground, rapidly coiling around Jen''s body, binding him with seemingly unbreakable force. Dozens of smaller roots followed, wrapping around his arms, legs, and neck, constricting him without mercy. sh... sh... The glowing hands hovering around Jen''s body shed wildly, trying to sever the ever-tightening bonds. Sparks of energy flew, but for every root cut, two more emerged to rece it. From a distance, Budi watched with a nk stare. "It''s futile," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. Suddenly, the earth trembled softly, a rumble like the heartbeat of a giant. The ground beneath Jen cracked, slowly splitting open to reveal a massive root shaped like a human face, its eyes shut as if awaiting amand. "Seal," Budimanded, stepping back quickly. His voice echoed, loud and authoritative, ensuring that the entire force heard his order. "Everyone, fall back!" he shouted again, making sure themand was clear. Hs, still gasping for breath, immediately leaped back, followed by the other soldiers. Their hurried footsteps echoed amid the rumbling from the earth. Jen writhed within the roots'' grasp, his eyes wild, searching for an escape. The glowing hands continued shing, but the growing number of roots made movement increasingly difficult. Jen poured all his strength into the struggle, cursing under his breath. The roots were as hard as steel, stic but unyielding. "What the hell is this?!" Jen roared, spitting out each word with rising fury. He looked around, but all he saw were roots¡ªendless roots. Towering trees sprang up, forming a dense forest within moments. Their trunks were thick and towering, with smaller roots creeping in every direction, tightening their grip on him. Chapter 237: Jens death, Golden Warrior In the distance, Budi observed the scene calmly. "So weak," he muttered, almost without emotion. Therge disc behind Jen spun rapidly, humming as it sliced through the obstructing trees. Several trees toppled, but as soon as one fell, another grew in its ce. The tremors intensified. Bright green light shone from the cracks in the ground beneath Jen. The light was like a small sun rising from the depths, illuminating the human-like face hidden below. Without warning, the light surged into Jen''s body, burning through him with searing heat, causing his skin to smolder and melt. "ARGH!" Jen''s scream echoed, a cry of utter despair. His skin shriveled and began to liquefy, dripping slowly onto the ground, where it was absorbed by the encroaching roots. With each drop absorbed, the wooden face grew more lifelike, its mouth curving into a faint, satisfied smile. At the forest''s edge, Jen''s remaining subordinates looked on in horror¡ªsome frozen, others attempting to advance and help. But as soon as they stepped within the circle of trees, they copsed, lifeless, their bodies immediately consumed by the ground just like Jen. "Sir, we can''t leave him there!" one of the subordinates whispered urgently to their captain, his voiceced with anxiety. The captain only gave him a sharp, cold stare, as if warning him to keep quiet. "Everyone, fall back," he ordered without hesitation. "This man is too powerful." The subordinate wanted to protest, but his words were cut off by the threatening look in his captain''s eyes. One by one, they began to retreat, their steps quick but silent, leaving behind the towering walls and artificial forest. In the distance, the sounds of battle echoed faintly, like whispers amidst chaos. Hs'' forces watched as the foreign attackers withdrew. "Sir, should we pursue them?" asked a soldier, his voice filled with hope. "No," his captain replied curtly, his eyes still fixed on the forest fading into the distance. "Hold your positions. We finish things here first." He was about to turn away when he noticed several World Market Trade Alliance soldiers beginning to chase the retreating enemies, led by a man hovering in the air. From afar, the manunched blue fire arrows, raining them down on the fleeing group with deadly precision. Some team members followed suit, unleashing their attacks. Massive boulders were hurled through earth magic, smashing into the remnants of the opposition. Others transformed, turning into fierce beasts, pouncing with swift and feral movements, giving no respite to their enemies. Budi stood tall in the midst of the battle''s chaos, his eyes monitoring his subordinates as they attacked relentlessly. The corner of his mouth curled upward when a notification appeared at the edge of his vision. [Killed (Jen - Faithwarden) exp +411,500] A slow, victorious smile spread across his face. The small forest he had created now shimmered with a yellow hue, writhing as if reflecting the power it had just absorbed. The glowing tattoo on his forehead flickered brightly for a moment before gradually fading away. In the distance, the enemy''s ranks still appeared like an unending ck wave, and Budi could sense the presence of several other Tier-3s. He raised an eyebrow, preparing his next move, when another figure approached¡ªHs, his breath still a little ragged but his face refreshed, the wounds on his body healed. "Honored Sir Budi," Hs greeted, bowing respectfully. His gaze remained fixed on Budi, admiration evident beneath his sweat. "Don''t waste time; finish them first," Budi replied, his tone light but firm. With a swift motion of his hand, he reached into the space ring on his finger, pulling out a series of dolls d in golden armor, each holding a gleaming weapon. Hs fell silent, observing the dolls with a curious expression. His eyes narrowed as he read the status panel that appeared before him. [Golden Warrior] - Attributes: 1476 STR, 920 INT, 1355 AGI, 1316 RES - Skills: (Double sh), (Deadly Stab) "My god... their attributes are above 1000?" Hs muttered, his eyes wide with disbelief. The numbers shed through his mind¡ªthese dolls were almost half as powerful as he was. "What are you waiting for? Take care of them. I have other matters to attend to," Budi''s voice cut through the nging swords and battle cries. His gaze sharpened, impatience creeping into his expression. "Yes, Sir," Hs nodded quickly, his body darting toward the battlefield, heading straight for a serpent-like creature slithering in the distance. Meanwhile, Budi moved his fingers, and almost a thousand battle dolls sprang to life. Their eyes, once gray, slowly turned red, and their metallic bodies creaked, moving with unnatural agility. In an instant, the dolls surged forward, following Hs into the fray. Some charged with swords, shing relentlessly, while others stayed at the backline, preparing bows and staffs tounch attacks from afar. Above them, Budi hovered on a Vortex te, observing the scene with calm detachment. His hand moved subtly, and a new forest began to sprout in another area where the battle raged on. Massive roots snaked across the ground, trapping enemies who failed to notice the lurking danger. At first, the foreign attackers paid little attention to the dolls. But when the sharp des of the dolls began cutting through their ranks with ease, their expressions changed. Panic and shouts erupted. "Living dolls? This is insane, they''re as strong as Tier-3s!" cried a soldier, stumbling as he tried to dodge. "Don''t let them surround us! Quickly, use the soul-release talisman!" A captain at the frontlines reached into his robe, pulling out a small talisman. Golden light radiated from it, spreading like a gentle wave and enveloping the nearest dolls. The red glow in the dolls'' eyes dimmed, returning to gray, their bodies freezing in ce as if time had stopped. "It worked! Destroy them now!" Victory cheers erupted, and the foreign attackers surged forward, smashing the immobilized dolls with devastating blows and fatal strikes. But even though they managed to deactivate some, many dolls remained active, moving swiftly and with unrelenting fury. Chapter 238: Nitas supervision Inside the city walls, Lord Budi''s subordinates carried out their duties with full dedication. They ensured that the evacuated citizens gathered in one ce for thorough checks, making sure no one was in a critical condition. Every step they took was filled with caution as they examined every anxious face, ensuring no one was left unattended. In one corner of the city, a soldier from Budi''s forces was tending to an elderly man who sat withbored breaths. The soldier''s hands swiftly opened a healing potion, pouring it gently into the old man''s mouth. The moment the healing liquid flowed in, the pale color on the man''s face gradually faded, and his breathing steadied. He lifted his head, offering a weak but grateful smile to the soldier who had helped him. "Thank you, young man," the old man said with a voice that sounded stronger than before. The soldier only nodded, then stood and faced the crowd in front of him. "Next!" he shouted, his voice echoing amid themotion. A middle-aged woman raised her hand and stepped forward. Her steps were hesitant, but her gaze was filled with hope. As she stood before the soldier, she froze while the soldier gently checked her pulse, touching her wrist with both care and precision. After ensuring her condition was stable, he pulled two potions of different colors from the small pouch at his waist. "Here, drink these. They''ll help restore your energy," he said as he handed over the potions. The woman epted the bottles with both hands, drinking them one by one. "Thank you, Sir," she whispered with a hoarse but sincere voice, a faint smile forming on her lips. She then walked away slowly, giving space for others who had begun moving forward. And so, the medical team stationed there worked tirelessly, examining each citizen, ensuring that no one was overlooked. Yet, behind their routine tasks, their eyes remained vignt, scanning for signs of enemy spies who might be hiding among the refugees. Not far from the city center, in a spacious open area, several people stood gazing at a towering structure 100 meters tall. The tower looked solid, with a futuristic design andrge ck holes spread along its shaft. Soft white lights flickered around it, resembling tiny stars spinning around the tower like fireflies in the night. This was the Gctic Fortress, the most expensive and powerful defensive tower owned by Lein. It was not just an ordinary tower¡ªit was a symbol of power, capable of projecting fear even toward beings above the Master level. Creating something like this required immense strength, which even Lein could not achieve. However, thanks to his duplication ability, he had easily acquired the Gctic Fortress, and now he had hundreds of thousands of simr devices at his disposal. (Gctic Fortress) A tower where countless stars gather, spreading star energy to all corners of the realm. - Type: Territory Artifact - Grade: Heaven - Essence: 176,900 - Abilities: (Star Protection), (Star Shot), (Star Breath), (Star Army). Near the tower, a soldier reported to his team leader, "Everything is ready, Sir." His voice was filled with certainty, indicating that everything had been arranged properly. The team leader took out amunication device, a small gadget disying a list of power essence usage requests. Thousands of requests were piling up in the queue, each needing approval from the centralmand. Yet, the list moved quickly, with approvals granted before being reced by new ones. Power essence was a rare currency that could not be essed carelessly. Its use was restricted to team captains and auxiliary forces, requiring permission from the central government. The centralmand referred to the government of the City of Life, and the one in charge of this war effort was Nita, the head of the government. "Alright, it''s approved. Activate *Star Protection*," the captain ordered the soldier standing near the tower. The soldier nodded obediently and operated the Gctic Fortress''s status panel. With steady fingers, he selected the *Star Protection* ability from the list of options disyed. [Activating Star Protection consumes 100 power essence per day. Are you sure?] "Yes." A wave of white light immediately radiated from the tower, moving swiftly and spreading in all directions. It glided gracefully, cutting through the air and enveloping the city with warmth and tranquility. Within seconds, the wave had reached the city walls, spreading across the ind where Budi and his troops were stationed. The ind was now wrapped in a transparent glow, radiating both gentleness and strength. The captain observed for a moment to ensure the protection was fully active. "Alright¡­ you two stay here. The rest of you, follow me to assist Lord Budi," he instructed the two soldiers standing by the tower. He quickly turned around, followed by the other soldiers, heading to the front lines outside the city, where the battle was still ongoing. *** City Hall, City of Life - Indonesia Ind Nita, who was currently sitting behind the leader''s desk, observed the holographic panel projected from hermunication tablet. On the holographic board, a map with many floating inds appeared, along with several icons providing specific details. At the top of the report was the title "Battle Report." The page Nita was currently reading disyed the map of the divine sky realm along with the inds within it. Of course, the positions of the inds on the map were estimated by scientists skilled in geography. The map''s current view was zoomed out, showing all the floating inds within the divine sky realm. Many inds on the map were marked with different colors. The most dominant color was green, indicating the ind was secure. Green upied 90% of the map area on the holographic board. A secure ind meant it was already protected by the *Star Protection* skill from the Gctic Fortress. Additionally, lightning towers were required to eliminate any foreign invaders within seconds of emerging from the portal. The next color was yellow, indicating inds currently engaged in battles and receiving assistance from the World Market Trade Alliance¡ªsuch as the ind where Budi and his soldiers were stationed. The yellow-colored inds were the most talked about on social media due to the ongoing battles, which were broadcast to the public. Yellow upied about 8% of the entire map. Lastly, there was the red color. Inds marked in red were unexplored territories currently under attack by foreign invaders. "Good, almost done..." Nita whispered with a sigh of relief. She was the one who decided to use the Gctic Fortress to protect each ind. She had also established cooperation with top alliance leaders to secure protection from the World Market Trade Alliance. "Brother? Why is it taking so long?" Nita murmured to herself. Though Nita made many decisions, she always sought Lein''s opinion before taking major actions. Lein was undoubtedly aware of everything she did. Even so, Nita still missed her brother, as they hadn''t met in person since the foreign invasion began. Nita closed the battle report hologram in front of her and swiveled her chair to face therge window behind her. Outside, the night view was illuminated by white lights lining the streets, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere. "So beautiful," Nita whispered with a small smile. She recalled the days when she and Lein first arrived in the divine sky realm. Back then, it was just the two of them on thisrge ind. Every night, they would camp outside, roast venison, and enjoy the cool night breeze together. Ring... ring... Her phone rang, disying a photo of a beautiful woman in a white dress. The name "Laras" appeared on the screen. Nita grabbed hermunication tablet and quickly answered the call. Laras''s soft, cheerful voice came through the speaker. "Hello, Nita! How are you?" Laras asked, her tone slightly concerned. A small smile appeared on Nita''s face at the sound of her friend''s voice. "Hi, Sis Laras. I''m fine, just checking some reports," she replied casually. Laras chuckled softly. "Haha, you seem very busy. How about we go out for dinner tonight?" Nita''s expression instantly brightened at the invitation. She eagerly nodded and said, "Let''s do it! I''ll be there soon, Sis." "Great! I also invited Elen and Hana to join us," Laras added cheerfully. "Perfect! I''ll take a shower first," Nita said, smiling. "See you soon," Laras responded. "See you," Nita replied. She ended the call and sat still for a moment. "Yay!" she cheered, raising both arms in the air. She then stood up and jumped a few times, her face glowing with happiness. "Calm down... I hope Brother can finish his business tonight," Nita whispered, trying topose herself after the brief excitement. She then walked out of her office, heading toward the exit. Nita nned to shower and get ready for her dinner with Laras and her friends. Meanwhile, in a very spacious room, Laras was lying down, ying with her cellphone. She wore a wide, excited smile. "Yosh... Nita cane," she said happily. "Hm... where would be a good ce to eat?" Laras murmured, pressing her index finger to her lips, thinking hard. She wanted to find a special ce for them so that tonight would feel even more memorable. Chapter 239: Exiting the Soul Formation Trial Laras gazed out of her open bedroom window. The cool night breeze flowed gently, adding a sense of peace. Her mind wandered back to the choice of restaurant for their dinner tonight. After a few seconds of thinking, she smiled and whispered, "Bintang Restaurant¡­ the perfect ce." Her thoughts drifted, imagining the menu at the restaurant. Bintang Restaurant was known for its diverse dishes, blending ssic vors with modern touches, using natural ingredients from the Divine Sky and culinary inspirations from Earth. One of their signature dishes was a new version of the ssic pizza, enhanced with spices from a new nt variety that only grew in the Divine Sky. The taste was extraordinary, and the aroma was enticing, even to those already full. Additionally, they served a soup made from rare ingredients that only grew in a forest infused with a particr energy. Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone rang, disying Hana''s name on the screen. She quickly answered the call. "Hello, Laras! I''m already out front. Ready?" Hana''s voice sounded cheerful and full of excitement. "Okay, Hana. I''ming down!" Laras replied with a smallugh. She quickly fixed her hair in the mirror before heading for the door. When Laras arrived at the front yard, Hana was already waiting. Hana stood under the bright light, which reflected off the long white dress she wore. Her long hair flowed beautifully, and her sunsses added an elegant touch, despite the fact that night had fallen. "You look graceful, Hana," Larasplimented as she approached her friend. Hana smiled, slightly lifting the hem of her dress. "Thank you, Laras. You look beautiful too." The two of them walked to the gazebo not far from the main entrance. That night, Laras''s yard glowed with small lights hanging from every corner, adding a warm and cozy atmosphere. They sat in the gazebo, enjoying the snacks alreadyid out. "How was today''s battle, Laras?" Hana asked casually. "Pretty easy, especially since things became smoother when Nita ordered the use of the Gctic Fortress," Laras responded, recalling the battle she had just gone through. Even with her current Tier-3 strength, she had struggled to deal with some of the foreign enemies. "Yeah, you''re right. Lein''s clone also helped out," Hana added lightly. She had interacted the most with Lein after Nita, as she was responsible for leading the troops to establish connections for the World Market Trade Alliance across the inds and into the outer realms during inter-race wars. The two girls continued chatting, waiting for Nita and Elen to arrive. Not long after, the sound of an engine approached. A sleek ck car pulled up right in front of the house, and the driver got out to open the back door. Elen stepped out hesitantly, wearing a ck skirt and a gray jacket, giving off her usual calm demeanor. Her face flushed slightly as she noticed Laras and Hana watching her. Mustering her courage, she walked toward them with stiff movements, trying to appear calm, though her pretty face couldn''t hide her embarrassment. "Elen! You look beautiful tonight," Hana greeted warmly. Elen nodded with a shy smile. "Thank you, Kak Hana." "Yes, you look very pretty, Elen," Laras added, encouraging her. She knew Elen''s shy personality, so she tried to boost her confidence. "Thank you, Kak Laras." The three of them sat in the gazebo,ughing and chatting about theirtest battles. With her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, Laras began recounting her story first. "You guys won''t believe it, but yesterday I had to fight a perverted goblin! Imagine, he even tried to flirt with me in the middle of the fight! Come to think of it, he was totally ridiculous." Hana burst intoughter upon hearing the story. "I can''t imagine! That goblin must not have known who he was messing with." Laras nodded in agreement, still chuckling. "Exactly, I finished him off with a single attack the moment he started acting up. That was the end of that annoying goblin!" Elen, who had been silent, finally smiled at their conversation. "I also had¡­ a different kind of experience," she spoke softly, still a bit embarrassed. "When I fainted, Lein''s clone suddenly appeared and helped me. He caught me just as I was about to fall, so I ended up being held in his arms¡­" Elen couldn''t continue her sentence, her face turning beet red as she recalled the moment Lein held her in midair. "WHAT? You were held?" Hana eximed loudly, looking surprised. Her eyes widened slightly in disbelief. Laras wore a simr expression, feeling a little envious of Elen. "Tell us more, Elen. How did you end up in that situation?" Elen felt slightly cornered by the two women. Although they asked in a light-hearted tone, she sensed a subtle atmosphere ofpetition between them. "What''s going on with you two?" Elen asked worriedly, fearing she had said something wrong. "Nothing, Elen. Just continue, please," Hana said with a forced smile, staring at Elen as if demanding her to finish the story. Feeling a bit intimidated by Hana''s gaze, Elen tried looking at Laras. However, Laras''s wide smile was even more unsettling, leaving Elen no choice but to lower her head and recount the incident as best she could. The three girls continued their conversation until the sound of another engine filled the air. This time, it was Nita''s floating car. The vehicle gentlynded in front of the house, and Nita stepped out with a light step, her face radiating a bright smile. Upon seeing her friends, she immediately waved and jogged toward them. "Girls!" she greeted enthusiastically. She hugged each of them, radiating an infectious energy. Laras patted Nita''s shoulder,ughing softly. "Why are youte today, Nita?" Nita grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of her head. "I spent some extra time getting ready... hehe." Hana and Elen smiled, feeling the positive energy Nita brought. For a moment, they could forget the worries brought on by the battles with the foreign invaders. Seeing everyone ready and excited, Laras spoke up. "Alright, no more waiting around. Let''s go!" They headed toward Laras''srge car waiting out front. Once they were all inside, the driver started the engine and smoothly drove them toward Bintang Restaurant in the City of Life. *** Meanwhile, inside the soul formation test room, Lein was still busy fusing the souls in his possession. [3 souls detected. Would you like tobine the souls?] "Yes," he answered without hesitation. Lein noticed a red notification, but he wasn''t bothered for long. He quickly inserted other souls into the three soul-filling circles within the fusion pattern. Without a second thought, he performed another fusion. [3 souls detected. Would you like tobine the souls?] "Yes." (Cosmic Howler - S) - Soul Energy: 68,000 - Strength: A - Defense: S - Intelligence: A - Agility: B - Ability: (Eternal Vortex) - (Eternal Vortex): Creates five cosmic energy vortices that pull all nearby enemies toward the center, immobilizing them and dealing 50% damage per second for 5 seconds. Each enemy pulled increases the damage up to 100%. (Cooldown 600 seconds) "Damn... failed again?" Lein muttered in frustration. It seemed he had gotten the same results repeatedly, leaving him slightly exhausted from seeing the soul fusion attributes. On the fusion page, Lein could see his S-rank souls, which only numbered around 60. They all had the appearance of monkeys, though traces of other monster parts were still visible. These souls glowed gold, but a few were in white, indicating failed fusions that could not reach the S-rank. "Alright... I''ve been here too long," Lein said, closing the fusion feature on the soul construction orb. "So, how do Iplete this trial?" Lein asked casually, as if directing his question to someone. Responding to his query, the system appeared and provided instructions on how toplete the trial and exit the room. [It has been detected that you wish to leave the test room. Do you want to exit?] Lein tilted his head in confusion, unsure of what the system meant. "What about the souls I''ve obtained? How do I use them?" he muttered to himself. The system''s voice echoed again, followed by an information panel that materialized in front of Lein out of thin air. [The souls you have acquired will be stored automatically, and your soul altar will be able to detect them.] "Hmmm," Lein pondered for a moment, ensuring everything was in order. After a brief pause, he asked the system another question. "Can I re-enter this test roomter?" he asked curiously. He was delighted to have obtained an S-rank soul fragment, but it seemed everything was limited since he only had one S-rank soul, (Void Monkey Tail - S). After conducting hundreds of fusions, Lein felt he needed different S-rank soul fragments to achieve more varied results. Regardless of whether the attributes increased or decreased, at least there would be a chance to gain unique and diverse abilities or skills. [Yes, of course. You can enter it again.] "Okay," Lein exhaled in relief. It would have been difficult for him if he couldn''t ess the trial again, as it would have dashed his hopes of creating an S-rank soul with unique and powerful abilities. Chapter 240: Activating the soul altar [Detected that you wish to exit the test room. Do you want to exit?] "Yes." Lein eagerly agreed to leave the test room. In an instant, he felt his body being sucked by a powerful force. Shortly after, the view of the Teleportation Hub appeared before him. "Is it already night?" Lein muttered to himself. Around him, the surroundings were still bright with no sign of darkness. However, when he looked up at the distant sky, the night view filled with stars adorned the horizon. Zap... zap... "Damn it! These people still haven''t finished," Lein grumbled, frowning at the continuous explosions hitting the entry portal. Every now and then, the lightning towers would activate and strike the portal in the Teleportation Hub. Armies from alien races kept attacking, emerging from the portal, only to be instantly killed by lightning strikes from the towers. Lein didn''t bother too much. He shook his head and opened his status panel. The first thing he searched for was the button for promotion to the next level, Master rank. [Promotion to Master Rank] - Soul Essence: 10 (ready) - Power Essence: 10,000 (ready) - Energy Crystals: 100 million (ready) - Soul Altar (Select soul) - Soul Formation Completion (ready) [To proceed with the promotion, please select a soul on your Soul Altar.] "Finally, I can promote!" Lein eximed excitedly. He couldn''t wait to break through to the next level and take revenge on the alien invaders who had killed so many humans. However, before that, Lein noticed a system warning about selecting the required soul first. He quickly opened his Soul Altar panel. (Soul Altar - Universe) - EXP: +100% - Attribute: +100% - Skill cooldown reduction: +50% - Soul: not active [Activate] "Activate? So it wasn''t active before?" Lein asked in surprise. If he had already gained so many benefits, what would happen once it was activated? Feeling eager, Lein pressed the activation button. Immediately, a bright light radiated from Lein''s body. The light grewrger over time, releasing abundant waves of energy from within him, forming a small circle around him. Within the light, smaller lights floated randomly, moving without any pattern. The area of light expanded rapidly. In just seconds, it had grown to the size of the Teleportation Hub. Like a miniature universe, Lein saw stars floating within the light, emitting faint energy. "Wow... this is amazing!" Lein said in awe. The glowing area around him was just as mesmerizing as the night sky above. "Is this the universe-level altar?" Lein could hardly believe what he was seeing. He admired the expanding light area, which not only grewrger but also enhanced his senses significantly. Within the altar''s area, Lein''s perception increased almost tenfold. Meanwhile, two guards nearby shivered in fear. They felt as though they were standing in a pool of moltenva, burdened by the crushing weight of a mountain on their heads. "Sir... please stop, or I''ll die!" one of the guards said with difficulty, hoping Lein would halt whatever he was doing. "We''re sorry, sir. Forgive us," the other guard added, apologizing without even knowing what they had done wrong. Noticing the guards'' presence, Lein reacted with a start. "Ah?" he muttered, startled. He had been too focused on his power, ignoring his surroundings. With a thought, he controlled the energy around the two guards to reduce its intensity. Yes, he could manage the aura that filled the surrounding area. Not wanting to cause further disturbance, Lein also lessened the pressure from his altar''s aura. The light aura prated through buildings, cities, walls, and roads. All of this happened unnoticed by the city''s residents as Lein sessfully minimized the effects of his soul altar''s activation. The light aura continued to spread across Lein''s entire ind, showing no signs of stopping. The aura''s boundary extended beyond the void separating the ind, passing through floating objects like ships, small guarded inds, and even monster inds. Still waiting in the Teleportation Hub, Lein sensed something was off. "Is it still not done? Why is activating the soul altar taking so long?" he muttered to himself. He had a feeling that the better something was, the longer it took toplete. However, after more than five minutes with no response from the system, Lein began to feel bored. He opened his chat panel. The human race''s chat was much calmer now. The conversation wasn''t as lively as it had been at the start of the war. The main topic of discussion now was the World Market Trade alliance, with Nita''s name mentioned in almost every conversation. [Human Race Chat] - "I heard that Nita''s daughter will be a guest star on the Lady Ruler show. She''s bing the top idol for women and is incredibly strong." - "I''m watching! When does the show air?" - "Stop dreaming, that show is pointless even if you watch it." - "Where is Lord Lein? Why hasn''t he shown up?" - "I heard he went beyond the realm to destroy the alien invaders." - "I think so too." Reading these fan messages, Lein felt both proud and annoyed. He disliked seeing people praise him just for fun. He wanted the rulers of Earth to grow stronger and be one of the most powerful races in the universe. Lein then shifted his attention to the alliance chat, which was buzzing with activity. Many members were starting to realize the benefits of being part of the World Market Trade alliance. They had even begun coborating with the leaders of small inds after joining the alliance. [Alliance Chat] - "I found a Komodo monster ind here. Anyone want to hunt for Komodo tails?" - "Komodo? I need some to make a whip for my weapon. Send me the coordinates." - "Anyone want to help me reach Araahm Ind? I heard there are no tier-3 creatures there." - "Count me in. I need somebat experience." Lein scrolled a few times, smiling slightly at the behavior of the alliance members. He rarely joined the alliance chat, and to this day, the number of times he participated could be counted. Besides, what was the point of chatting? Nita had everything under control. He only needed to act ording to his will without relying on weak individuals who could cause unnecessary mistakes. While Lein was upied, the system notification finally arrived. [Activationplete. Please check yourtest status.] "Finally, after more than 15 minutes," Lein muttered casually. He immediately opened his status panel to review his soul altar''s updated status. (Soul Altar - Universe) - EXP: +100% - Attribute: +100% - Skill cooldown reduction: +50% - Soul: - - Soul Tier Limit: SS - Altar Range: 1 realm - Soul Capacity Limit: 1000 souls - Soul Attribute Bonus: 100% [Add Soul] "Wow¡­" Lein marveled at the numbers disyed. The soul altar''s buffs had drastically changed, especially the ones rted to souls. "Insane, 1000 souls? Does that mean I can store 1000 souls?" he thought, trying to grasp the purpose of each feature. His eyes thennded on the altar range. "1 realm?" Lein whispered. "What kind of measurement is that? How many meters? How many kilometers?" he wondered aloud. Logically, ranges should be measured by distance, but "realm" felt like a foreign concept to him. Setting that thought aside for now, his focus shifted to the soul tier limit, which left him stunned. "The upper limit is SS-tier souls?" he asked in disbelief. He had worked tirelessly to pursue S-tier souls, spending countless hours, creating hundreds of thousands of clones, andpleting hundreds of thousands of portal gates¡ªonly toe up empty-handed. Not a single S-tier soul. In the end, Lein encountered Mharzan and his Voidwalker, who killed him just to obtain an S-tier soul. If that ck system hadn''t intervened, he would have died. "Where on earth am I supposed to find an SS-tier soul?" Lein wondered in frustration. Putting the SS-tier soul issue on hold, his attention drifted toward the [Add Soul] option. From its name alone, Lein assumed it allowed him to insert newly acquired souls from the soul-crafting trial. "Let''s go!" he said eagerly, selecting the [Add Soul] feature. The Seegra soul addition panel appeared before him, resembling a card deck that disyed all the souls he had obtained from previous soul-crafting attempts. The panel showed over 60,000 cards, each one selectable with a touch. "So many, yet with so little variety," Lein muttered to himself with a wry smile. He had only used one fragment of an S-tier soul to craft a soul, so the result was limited to creatures with the abilities of a hollow-tailed monkey. Nevertheless, Lein felt grateful and wasn''t disheartened. No one truly knew how hard he had worked to reach his current position. Without hesitation, Lein selected 10 S-tier souls from the hollow-tailed monkey results. He picked a few, including (Cosmic Howler - S) and (Blood Voidtail Primate - S). [Would you like to select (Blood Voidtail Primate - S) and insert it into the soul altar?] "Yes." [Would you like to select (Cosmic Howler - S) and insert it into the soul altar?] "Yes." After choosing all 10 souls, the system disyed a notification to confirm his selection. [10 souls detected. Do you agree to proceed?] "Yes." With that, the 10 soul cards vanished into thin air from the soul addition panel. "Where did they go? How do I activate them?" Lein asked himself. He looked back at the panel, but there were no signs or instructions for retrieving or activating the souls within the altar. Chapter 241: Impact of Promotion to tier master Lein examined his status panel intently, until his gaze finally fell upon the promotion section, which was glowing brighter, indicating that all the requirements for the promotion had been met. [Promotion to Master Level] - Soul Essence: 10 (Ready) - Power Essence: 10,000 (Ready) - Energy Crystals: 100 million (Ready) - Soul Altar (Ready) - Soul Formation (Complete) [Promote] "Ah... so the soul altar wasn''t active before, which dyed the promotion," Lein muttered, ncing at the word "Ready" beside Soul Altar. Now, without hesitation, Lein pressed the promotion button. [You will advance to Master level, using: (10x Soul Essence), (10,000x Power Essence), (100 million Energy Crystals). Proceed?] "Yes." As Lein confirmed, a tremendous power surged from within him, like a dam breaking, releasing energy with overwhelming intensity. The wave of energy radiating outward was so strong that the soldiers guarding the main gate of the Teleportation Hub felt its impact. The soldiers copsed, kneeling, unable to stand due to the sheer force emanating from him. They struggled to stay in a ready stance, but it was futile. "Incredible¡­ I can''t even stand¡­" murmured one of the soldiers, awed and fearful. "Lord Lein is advancing! What level could he be reaching, I wonder?" Despite the oppressive sense of awe, they felt proud. The leader of the ind they served had grown stronger, and even as simple guards, their status in society would surpass that of wealthy merchants. Around Lein, a vision of the cosmos formed. Tiny lights spun like miniature gxies, spreading in every direction, with stars and celestial forms floating aimlessly, creating a marvel only achievable at this power level. In the center of the city, residents gazed at the astonishing sight. The cosmic image looked so real that a woman attempted to reach out to one of the tiny stars, only to realize she was touching empty air. "Hey, look¡­ what is this? It''s so beautiful!" eximed a woman, filled with wonder. "There''s a gxy! It''s so cute¡­ and so tiny," said a young girl who tried to chase one of the stars. "Hurry, where''s my phone? I need to capture this!" said a man in trendy clothes, quickly pulling out his phone for a selfie. The same scene was unfolding across the entire ind of Lein¡ªin Lein''s City of Life, Laras'' City of Light, Haikal Emanuel''s City of Cmity, and the cities of other core members of the world market trade alliance. Vehicles stopped, and passengers stepped out to witness this rare moment. "What''s happening? Are we about to teleport again, like back on Earth?" someone asked, sounding concerned. "You mean¡­ we''re about to move to another realm?" another person replied in disbelief. Inside a car, a child yelled to his father, "Quick, Dad, take a photo! This has to be a rare moment!" Along the streets, people stopped to capture the moment. They might not fully understand what was happening, but the cosmic disy around them was captivating. --- On a city street, a luxury car with neon blue lights beneath it stopped by the roadside. Beside the car, four women were discussing the gxy-like illusion surrounding them. The four girls were Laras and her friends, who had been on their way to a five-star restaurant a moment before. When the cosmic phenomenon appeared, their curiosity was piqued. "What is this? What''s happening?" Hana asked the others. "No idea, there''s no official info," Nita replied quickly. As one of the most influential people on Lein''s ind, she was equally baffled. Laras, standing next to them, narrowed her eyes, trying to guess what was going on. She was also quite shocked by the appearance of the cosmic image. "Could this be rted to the next event? Is the Celestial Sky realm evolving?" Laras mused, contemting various possibilities. "Nit, where''s Brother Lein?" Elen asked. Though usually quiet, her curiosity was triggered by the phenomenon. She had a faint suspicion but needed confirmation from Nita. Hearing Elen''s question, Nita seemed to recall something. Shortly, she raised her finger. "Ah... I know," she said. "Brother Lein seems to be promoting. He mentioned earlier that he was nning to promote," Nita exined to the others. "Thest update he gave was that he was in the soul formation trial phase. It seems he''spleted it and is now promoting," she continued. "What? Brother Lein is promoting to Master level?" Hana asked, mouth agape. As someone who frequently battled high-tier creatures in the outer realms, she knew the strength of those above tier-3. Only one word crossed her mind: "Powerful." "It''s not surprising, considering Brother Lein''s strength and resources," Larasmented calmly. "If someone like Lein couldn''t do it, that would be strange." Nita opened her phone and checked the friend chat feature to contact Lein. [Friend Chat System] - cute cat: "Brother, where are you?" - lein: "Teleportation Hub #1" - cute cat: "We''reing over, wait for us." - lein: "Ok" With a wide smile on her face, Nita said to the others, "Let''s go. Brother Lein is at Teleportation Hub #1, about three minutes from here." Without objection, they immediately got back into the car and headed to the Teleportation Hub. On the way, they saw the cosmic image still spreading. Some people were engrossed in taking photos, and news media had started covering it. Meanwhile, Lein, the cause of all this, stood firm with his eyes closed, as if gazing into the vast universe. In his view, he stood amidst the emptiness of the cosmos, bing the center of everything. Before him, ten lights in the shape of monkeys appeared. In an instant, Lein knew these ten figures were manifestations of his soul. "Ah... you''re here," Lein said, looking at the souls. The souls before him resembled statues; they floated without movement. Lein observed his surroundings and found the same scene as the one emanating from his body when he activated the soul altar. He attempted to move in one direction, and in an instant, he was there. "Whoa... so fast. Has my speed increased in this environment?" Lein murmured to himself. From a distance, he saw a small star shining and continuing to grow. Various other strange objects were also visible, all of them perceivable, observable, and entering Lein''s awareness clearly. Lein continued exploring his surroundings and his own body. Suddenly, he sensed something emerging from within him, allowing it to surface. Shortly after, a human-shaped aura emerged from within Lein''s body. He observed it in awe. "Is this me?" Lein wondered, confused. The figure of light in front of him had a transparent body yet still resembled him, from his clothing and body shape down to his hair. Chapter 242: Leins Soul Lein then looked at the description on the panel. [Lein''s Soul] The supreme ruler''s soul, capable of attacking, defending, and carrying out any desire of the soul''s owner as if it were his own body. "My soul?" Lein approached his soul manifestation and examined it closely. "Wow¡­ so handsome," he praised shamelessly. He observed every part of the soul''s body, which really did look exactly like him. He tried controlling the soul, and it moved as he wished¡ªlifting a hand, walking, jumping, even using a skill. "Great, I have a new clone," Lein said to himself. Shortly afterward, the system sent a promotion notification. [The ruler has sessfully promoted to tier-master] [Acquired skills: (Soul Sense), (Soul Annihtion), (Astral Soul Maniption), (Celestial Soul Rend), (Heavenly de Mirror), (Soul Constetion Dance)] [Became the first human of the Blue to reach Tier-Master. Earned title: (The Sacred Pir of the Universe)] Lein looked at the system notifications with a mixture of disbelief and awe. Thest two notifications made him incredibly happy, especially about the skills he had gained. But before he checked his status, he noticed that the cosmic phenomenon from earlier had disappeared, returning everything to normal. Far away, the guards had regained their strength and could now stand again. They looked at Lein with even more reverence than before. "Alright, let''s see what skills I''ve acquired," Lein said, opening the descriptions of his new skills. skill 7: (Soul Sense - passive) Detects the presence, aura, emotions, and soul power of living creatures within a radius of 100 km. Cooldown: None. The first thing he noticed was the skillbeled passive. "Awesome, I can sense soul energy now!" Lein eximed joyfully. skill 8: (Soul Annihtion) Uses void energy to absorb the souls of enemies by 50% within a 10 km radius, weakening them and temporarily boosting the user''s power by the amount of soul energy absorbed. Cooldown: 1 hours. skill 9: (Astral Soul Maniption) Controls the soul to manipte memory or suggestion within enemies for 10 minutes within a 10 km radius. Cooldown: 1.5 hours. The next two skills were abilities that utilized soul energy for offense: Soul Annihtion and Astral Soul Maniption. "The Soul Annihtion skill is great for attacking enemies across arge area," Lein muttered, imagining himself absorbing the power of enemies within that range. Meanwhile, Astral Soul Maniption was very effective for attacking and obtaining personal information. This skill would be perfect for investigations. skill 10: (Celestial Soul Rend) A sword strike that releases a holy cosmic wave, shattering the souls and bodies of enemies within a 1 km radius, while creating a spatial fracture leading to the void. The fracture willst for 1 minute. Cooldown: 2 hours. skill 11: (Heavenly de Mirror) Creates 10 light mirrors within a 500-meter radius that reflect attacks with an added holy energy, dealing 100% counter damage. The mirrorsst 10 minutes. Cooldown: 2 hours. skill 12: (Soul Constetion Dance) Draws a soul constetion in the sky that generates holy explosions at each star point, injuring and purifying enemies within a 1 km radius below it. Cooldown: 3 hours. Lein looked at thest three skill icons on his panel; each skill had undeniable destructive power. Instantly, his imagination filled with images of a radiant holy sword, breaking through enemies with devastating damage, creating shes of stars around it. "A soul constetion? Interesting¡­" he murmured, envisioning a magnificent constetion forming on the battlefield, erasing everything in its path. A small smile appeared on his face¡ªlike an explosion of uncontroble pride. At the same time, the rumbling sound of a car grew closer. A luxurious car with blue neon lights shining from underneath passed through the teleportation hub gate smoothly, with not a single guard stopping it. The car drove straight towards Lein, who immediately frowned. "This kid¡­," he muttered in annoyance. "Why bring a car into the teleportation hub area?" he murmured, closing his status panel. He already knew who the driver was: Nita and the others. As soon as the car stopped, Nita jumped out enthusiastically, running towards Lein. "Big brother¡­ where have you been? Huhuu!" she shouted, preparing to hug him. But before she could reach him, Lein gently held her head with one hand. "Stop¡­ what''s wrong with you?" he said, holding Nita back as she continued trying to get closer. Nita, refusing to give up, used all her leg strength, attempting to move forward a few more inches. "Big brother! Let go!" she protested like a little kid, but Lein just looked at her with a nk expression, ignoring her efforts. Smiling, he nced over at Laras and the other two girls standing not far away. "Hello¡­ Laras, Hana, Elen." The three girls, who had been smiling in amusement at Nita, immediately put on more serious faces. Laras was the first to speak, responding to Lein''s greeting politely, "Hello, Master Lein. Congrattions on your promotion," her voice light but with a hint of pride. "Congrattions, Brother Lein!" Hana said, pping her hands cheerfully. Meanwhile, Elen, who was usually quiet, tried to gather her courage, finally speaking softly, "Congrattions¡­ Brother Lein." Lein responded with a warm smile and a nod. "Oh yeah, what''s up? Why did you alle here?" he asked curiously. It was unusual for these four girls to show up together. By that time, he had released Nita. Nita, still feeling a little upset from failing to hug her big brother, stood there with her arms folded across her chest, striking a pose that clearly showed she didn''t want to be disturbed. Hana giggled at Nita''s expression. "Hahaha¡­ actually, we were nning to go to a five-star restaurant, Brother Lein. But then, that cosmic phenomenon appeared a while ago," Hana exined, ncing at Nita, who was still sulking. "We thought it had something to do with your promotion, so we came straight here after Nita managed to track your position." Lein nodded slightly, understanding the reason for their arrival. "Oh, I see¡­ yes, that was all due to the effects of the promotion to Master level." Chapter 243: Buff title : Sacred Pillar of the Universe Lein then exined to them about his promotion to master level, and he also recounted the events he experienced when entering the portal. He informed them that the realm they currently resided in, the Divine Sky Realm, was in the process of merging with the Cosmos Origin. Lein also told them that they would not be able to use the portal to travel to other realms temporarily. "What? Cosmos Origin?" Nita asked in surprise. It was the first time she had heard those words. Even Nita, who was still sulking, paid a little attention to Lein''s exnation. "Yes, I think it''s arger ce beyond the Divine Sky Realm," Lein exined after considering it. He felt that the Cosmos Origin was where all realms existed. "Makes sense, Brother Lein, just like when we were still on Earth,s are located in a gxy," Laras chimed in. "Yes, you''re right, Laras," Lein nodded in agreement. He then shifted his gaze to Nita, who was still pouting. He then said, "Nita, what''s wrong?" Nita remained silent, giving an indifferent look. Lein ignored her again, feeling that Nita had be very spoiledtely. Such a trivial matter resulted in her acting like this. As Lein''s power increased, he increasingly realized that only he could truly be relied upon. He wanted Nita to be the same way, not depending on him as her big brother. "Chat among yourselves for a bit; I''d like to check the changes in my status first," Lein said to the girls. He winked slightly at Laras, hinting for her to try and coax Nita back to normal. "Alright, Brother Lein." The girls then approached Nita and tried tofort her. Laras was the first to speak. "Nita, do you want a hug? Come here, hug me," Laras spread her arms, ready to embrace her at any moment. Not only Laras, but Hana and Elen also spread their arms, as if coaxing a little child, all waiting for Nita to choose one of them. "Haha¡­ thank you." Nita tried to keep her sulking mood but couldn''t. Seeing the three of them made her feel sad to ignore them, so she then ran to hug the nearest one, Laras, followed by Elen, and then Hana. The three girls then hugged and started a girlish conversation. Lein didn''t pay attention to the girls'' actions; his gaze was focused on his attribute panel. [STATUS] - Name: Lein - Tier Master (Sacred Pir of the Universe) - Level: 50 (2%) - Attributes: STR 79,315, AGI 79,381, INT 75,634, RES 77,589 - ss: Swordsman - Skills: (Divine sh Shadow), (Sky Shattering sh), (Area of Light), (Sword Heaven Prison), (Sacred Heart Sword), (Sky Sword Rain), (Soul Sense), (Soul Annihtion), (Astral Soul Maniption), (Celestial Soul Rend), (Heavenly de Mirror), (Soul Constetion Dance) - Sub Skills: (Double sh), (Sword Aura), (Quick Movement), (Light Barrier), ¡­ - Equipment: (Divine Sword +15), (Voidstride Boots +15), (Celestial Shadow Cloak +15), (Wrathforged ws +15), (Crown of Temporal Mastery +15) - Artifact: (Time Ring - pure), (Vortex te - heaven), (Mad Summoner''s Ne), (Goddess of Enlightenment Fan), (False Soul Ring), (Mask of the Eternal Phantom), (Lance of the Stormbringer), (Crown of the Sun Emperor) ¡­ [System Chat Message: (Human Race of Earth), (Alliance), (Staff), ¡­] [Market: Divine Sky Realm] [Friend: Cute Cat, Laras, ¡­] [Orb Ind] Lein felt a surge of power explode within him, energy overflowing to the point he almost struggled to control it. "Wow¡­ my attributes instantly increased by 50,000!" he thought in amazement, nearly doubling his power in a mere moment. Lein''s gaze then shifted to the title he had just acquired, and he immediately opened the description panel for the new title. (Sacred Pir of the Universe) A title obtained by bing the first ruler to reach the master level. Gains the sacred power of holy beings and bes one of them. - Attribute +50% - Reduces damage below master level by 90% - Soul Energy +50% "No wonder it went up by more than 50,000; there''s an additional 50% attribute increase," Lein muttered excitedly. So, if the 50% attribute increase was removed, his average attributes would only reach around 50,000 each. Thus, the 50% attribute increase gave him an additional 20,000 attributes in each stat. "It feels great to be special," Lein said with a bit of pride. Only he had received a 50% attribute boost. Of course, this only applied to the Divine Sky Realm; Lein wasn''t too concerned with other realms at the moment. Lein stared at the panel with a furrowed brow when he saw the added soul energy in the "Sacred Pir of the Universe" description. "Soul energy?" he murmured softly, then opened his soul altar panel to check. There, in the soul energy column, was a number that brought a faint smile to his lips. (Soul Altar - Universe) - EXP: +100% - Attribute: +100% - Soul Energy: 15,000 - Skill cooldown reduction: +50% - Souls: (Blood Voidtail Primate - S), (Cosmic Howler - S), ¡­ - Soul Tier Limit: SS - Altar Range: 1 realm - Soul Capacity Limit: 1,000 souls - Soul Attribute Bonus: 100% [Activate] Lein nodded in satisfaction, understanding that without his new buff, his energy would remain at 10,000. However, something more important awaited him now: he had to test all this power on a real battlefield. His eyes shifted to the girls in front of him. "So, what''s your next n?" he asked in a calm tone. Nita scoffed, crossing her arms as she looked at Lein. "We''re leaving. You can handle this yourself," she replied shortly, her tone clearly reflecting irritation. Unlike Nita, Laras gave a small smile and then looked at him gently. "What''s your next n, Brother Lein?" she asked with genuine concern. Lein gave a faint smile. "I''ll test out my new powers. Is there an area that still needs help?" Hana, standing beside Laras, quickly chimed in, "The ind to the east of the Divine Sky Realm is still in crisis, Sir. Dion''s forces are headed there, but they might need extra help." Lein nodded, preparing to depart. "Alright, then we part ways here." Laras and Hana nodded, while Nita still looked half-hearted. "Very well, Brother Lein. Be careful. Contact us if you need assistance," they said in unison. Lein nced at Nita and spoke with a warning tone, "Nita, don''t make things difficult for them, okay?" "Yes, Brother," Nita replied quickly, this time without the usual sarcasm. Lein could only shrug, a bit surprised by her suddenpliance. He waved, then turned and headed toward the car already prepared to take him to the port. *** On a fairlyrge ind, several groups of soldiers gathered under tall trees, their faces serious as they listened to instructions. In front of them, a young man stood, his right hand resting casually at his side, revealing a deep ck tattoo on his wrist¡ªa symbol denoting his role as the leader of this mission. The young man gazed at the soldiers one by one, ensuring they were paying attention. Then, with a calm yet authoritative voice, he began to speak. "This time, our goal is to blend in as the local beings of this realm. The Guardian estimates that a talented holy child has been born here." He paused, letting his words sink in. "So, we will move discreetly, without drawing attention. Gather the humans in this realm when the opportunity arises. We''ll take advantage without creating disturbances." One of the soldiers in the front row, a rough-faced man with a prominent scar on his cheek, raised his hand. His muscles looked tense, and his battle-scarred face gave a fierce impression. However, his tone remained respectful as he asked, "What are the signs of the holy child, Sir? And what should we do if we encounter them?" The young man nced at the soldier briefly before looking back at the entire force. "There are no clear, specific signs to recognize the holy child," he said casually, as though he was someone deeply familiar with this world. "However, one thing is certain¡ªthey are exceptionally strong." He paused for a moment, then continued in a calm tone. "If you encounter them, make sure you''re not on the enemy side. Try to wee them, offer assistance, and make them believe we''re on their side in fighting other races. Be honest in telling them we wish to form a mutually beneficial alliance." Each word he spoke sounded so fluent, almost without hesitation. The young man issued his orders as if he were the Guardian himself, someone who had nned this mission for a long time and understood every detail. "Yes, Sir!" "Understood, Sir." The voices of the soldiers echoed in unison, expressing their respect for the young man, none daring to challenge his directives. They stood upright, fullymitted to the n he hadid out. The young man nodded briefly, then gave a signal to disperse. "Remember, no mistakes are allowed. Now, move." This situation was not limited to just that ind; leaders from outside the Divine Realm were also strategizing to seize opportunities from this initial assault. They came with a variety of forces, ideas, and objectives. It was not umon for beings from other realms to engage in deadly battles amongst themselves to seize advantage. Chapter 244: Arrive at the ships port The harbor stretched wide ahead, with tall, majestic buildings standing firm along the horizon. Lein''s car moved slowly as it entered the grand main gate, guarded by blue crystal pirs with a diameter of ten meters, reflecting light that created a mysterious gleam around them. At each post, soldiers stood guard in perfect formation, saluting with wless precision. "Salute to the Ind Owner!" "Salute to the Ind Owner!" Their voices echoed in a firm and respectful tone, drawing the attention of citizens entering and leaving the gate, all closely monitored by the officers. Some citizens paused, watching as Lein''s procession of cars passed by them. "Amazing, the Ind Owner has returned. Could it be that this time he will also help other inds?" whispered one resident, his eyes shining with hope. "True. Thanks to the Ind Owner, we can sleep without fearing attacks from those alien creatures," replied another, nodding confidently. Some who saw the car began to talk among themselves, recalling the crucial decision they made when they chose to settle on Lein Ind. A choice that once was merely a hope had now be a reality, making their lives feel safe and meaningful. Inside the car, Lein took in the surrounding atmosphere without turning his head. He noticed every detail, but he remained silent, letting the citizens'' conversations pass without response. As the respected ind owner, Lein understood he needed to maintain his dignity. Overly socializing might lead to misunderstandings¡ªor worse, encourage disrespectful behavior from those who might take his kindness for granted. The car continued along the harbor''s main road, surrounded by bustling shops and services. The tempting aroma of food wafted from nearby stalls, offering various dishes. Jewelry stores glittered with shiny items, while electronics shops disyed advanced devices,peting for the attention of passersby. Among them, a hunter shop stood out¡ªselling essential supplies for hunters, such as weapons, potions, and trading goods. On the other side of the street, several five-star hotels towered elegantly, surrounded by spacious grounds. After a few minutes of driving, Lein''s car finally arrived at the main terminal of the harbor¡ªwhererge ships were docked and where registrations took ce. The main harbor building was impressive, stretching a thousand meters in length and a hundred meters in height, with dozens of floors for various divisions. Neon blue pirs adorned its front, streaming light that was almost hypnotic, while holographic panels flickered, disying important information in turns. The main building loomedrge, but instead of feeling empty, it was bustling with people moving in all directions. The room was vast, yet anyone whocked focus could easily get lost and separated from their group. Up ahead, the registration counter was crowded with people from diverse backgrounds, standing neatly in line, dressed in outfits that reflected their unique styles and purposes. There was no distinction of ss or rank¡ªeveryone stood equal as passengers waiting for their turn. Among them, some hunters simply observed while waiting. Hunters typically used teleportation portals for efficient travel, but this time, some decided to take a more rxed journey by airship, which was more economical and allowed them to enjoy the scenery. However, not all ces were connected by teleportation portals. Using a portal required ess to a location with a linked portal, recognized through a specially configured identification code. Although Lein Ind wasrge and advanced, not all areas beyond had integrated connections with the ind. Since Lein''s destination this time was an area not yet connected by a portal, he chose to travel by ship. "We''ve arrived, Sir," his driver said, stopping the car gracefully. Without hesitation, he stepped out and opened the door. Lein stepped out, his blue cloak flowing lightly in the breeze. His gaze caught sight of a woman in the distance, walking gracefully towards him, dressed in an elegant ck uniform, holding a tablet in her hand. "Wee, Mr. Lein. I''m Ana, ready to assist you," she greeted him respectfully as she came to his side. Lein gave a faint smile and extended his hand, his eyes warm and friendly. "Hello, how are you?" Ana held her breath for a moment, surprised at Lein''s warmth, far from her expectations of such a respected ind leader. Stammering, she shook his hand, her cheeks flushed. "Hello, Sir. I... I''m well... very well," she replied, her voice trembling. The figure before her was far warmer and more reassuring than she had imagined. Lein gave a slight smile, letting the moment of nervousness pass withoutment, then turned and walked toward the main building. Behind him, Ana followed with her face still slightly flushed, but she remained focused on her tablet, reviewing various information and notes she had prepared. They walked through the tall pirs of the building toward therge double doors, wide open. Inside, a vast room with a futuristic design unfolded, surrounded by ss walls that sparkled under the bright white lights illuminating the entire space. Harbor staff bustled about, each absorbed in their duties. On the holographic screens hanging above, flight announcements and departure information blinked every few seconds, creating a rhythm that felt like the heartbeat of a ce that never rests. "Please, Sir, to tinum Area number one," Ana said while walking slightly ahead of Lein, asionally ncing to ensure he followed her direction. She pointed to the area with respectful gestures. Lein nodded and calmly followed Ana''s guidance. A few minutester, they stepped out of the main building, and an extraordinary sight greeted them: a massive ship hovering solidly above the ground, its shadow extending, forming a silhouette that dominated its surroundings. On therge body of the ship, bright blue letters gleamed conspicuously, reading: [Astral Dominion] - Type: King-ss Combat - Speed: 20,000 km/h - Defense: 100,000 points - Weapons: Laser Cannons, sma Guns, Thunderbolt Launchers, Torpedo Tubes - Ability: elerates through space up to 1 million km; 1-minute cooldown The 500-meter-long ship had a sleek, aerodynamic design, perfect for efficiently piercing empty space. Its front was slightly pointed with sharp contours, disying both assertiveness and elegance, while its hull shimmered, reflecting the surrounding light, giving an impression of strength and invincibility. Chapter 245: Lein islands layered defences Lein''s gaze focused on the array of weapons along the side of the ship. One weapon had a long barrel with a bright blue muzzle that glowed sharply, ready to fire aser beam. Nearby, a conical weapon emitted condensed sparks of electricity, conveying that this ship was not merely a means of transportation but a war machine capable of obliterating any obstacle in its path. At the rear, tworge, tubr engines glowed bright blue, casting shadows around them that seemed to vibrate with the immense power within. "A beautiful yet terrifying ship," Lein remarked, his eyes examining every detail, admiring the aura of strength radiating from thebat ship. Ana stepped closer, then with an open hand, she pointed to the longdder leading up to the high entrance of the hovering ship. "Please, Sir," she said softly. Lein shook his head, smiling faintly, uninterested in taking thedder. With a firm movement, he bent his knees slightly, then leapt high,nding on the ship''s deck in one smooth, graceful motion. Ana was momentarily stunned, surprised to see that Lein had already arrived ahead of her. However, as Lein''s personal assistant, her physical abilities met certain standards. With the strength of a tier-1, Ana swiftly leapt andnded confidently beside Lein. Ana then checked the tablet in her hand and nodded. "Apologies, Sir, everything is ready. Our destination is Jenu Ind, about 23 million kilometers west," she exined professionally, carefully reading the information disyed. Lein listened while ncing at the horizon they would be crossing, his eyes reflecting determination and anticipation for the journey ahead. "The ind''s condition is quite chaotic," Ana said, her voice calm despite the seriousness of her report. "Two Tier-3 creatures have been detected there. The ruler of Thor Ind is still holding out, deploying his forces to defend his territory." Ana''s tone was clear and professional, allowing each word to be conveyed without haste. Lein listened intently, quickly grasping the dangerous situation described by his assistant. "The ship is ready, awaiting yourmand, Sir," Ana continued, her eyes focused, waiting for confirmation. Lein nodded resolutely, his gaze showing his determination. "Let''s proceed. Depart." Ana immediately tapped a fewmands on her tablet, sending a signal to the ship''s control room. Instantly, the massive ship vibrated smoothly, lifted slightly higher from the ground, then began to move. Below, the soldiers on guard gazed with admiration, watching therge ship hover gracefully above them¡ªa sight they could have only dreamed of in the past. Meanwhile, Lein satfortably in a plush chair at the front of the ship, with a tableden with fresh fruit before him. From this spot, he enjoyed the view outside the ship, his eyes taking in the harbor''s tall buildings that slowly faded from sight as the ship moved farther away, heading west, leaving behind the urban bustle of Lein Ind. On the other side, Ana sat in a separate seat, not far from Lein, keeping an eye on her devices, ensuring the journey proceeded smoothly. The thin tension hanging in the air did not disturb their rxed atmosphere¡ªa sign that they were ustomed to such journeys. Some timeter, therge ship stopped in front of a grand gate standing solidly between two small inds. The gate towered with giant pirs supporting each side, while a transparent light emanated from the gctic fortress shield enveloping the entire gate, preventing any entities from entering or exiting without permission. This was the only exit to the void outside Lein Ind and also the primary defense against any external threats. On one of the small inds, a man in a white robe floated towards the center of the gate. With disciplined and directed movements, he raised both hands, and a momentter, therge gate slowly opened, revealing the vast emptiness beyond the ind. Light shimmered from the now open gate, casting a glow in contrast to the surrounding darkness. The man saluted with full respect, bowing before the ship carrying Lein. "Salutations to the Ind Owner," he called out, his voice firm yet filled with respect. As the gatekeeper, this Tier-3 man was rarely seen, even by core members of the alliance. He was a personal guard directly appointed by Lein to protect the ind, ensuring that everyone entering and leaving the ind passed through strict scrutiny. Lein knew that although he had reliable core members, he still needed strong figures like this gatekeeper to safeguard the ind from external threats. Therge ship glided smoothly through the gate, leaving Lein Ind, now protected by the transparent Gctic Fortress shield, brilliant and steadfast in the distance. Around the shield, small ships crowded, navigating the void toward monster inds in search of fortune. High-level hunters traversed the emptiness, honing their skills in a world filled with challenges and opportunities. Beyond the ships, small inds drifted freely into the void. Unlike flying ships that required expensive fuel, these inds moved with the power of the Ind Orb, allowing their rulers to let their inds float boundlessly, simr to the early days when they arrived in the Realm of Divine Sky. In the distance, far to the west of Lein Ind, arge ind stood firm. Like a mighty fortress, it served as the western region''s guardian, emanating an intimidating aura of strength. In the air, an old man with a robust body floated, his white robe billowing in the gentle yet unending cosmic breeze. "Sir, who is about to pass by?" asked a middle-aged man behind him respectfully, his eyes fixed on therge ship approaching. The old man gave a faint smile, observing the ship that was bing clearer. "The Ind Owner," he said, his tone deep yet filled with respect. "His power has grown once again." The middle-aged man fell silent, his jaw dropping in disbelief. His gaze held a hint of astonishment. As a Tier-2, he had already experienced the immense difficulty of advancing, and yet, the old man before him, who had reached Tier-3, seemed genuinely impressed. Chapter 246: Promotion to Grandmaster tier "Well... just how powerful is the ind owner now? What tier has he reached?" he murmured softly, more to himself. The soldiers behind the old man were also watching with faces full of respect and admiration. They all looked on with hearts brimming with pride, knowing they served someone so extraordinary. The old man sharpened his gaze, his eyes narrowing as Lein''s ship approached. Slowly, he bowed, bringing his hands together in front of his chest. His voice echoed deeply, full of reverence. "We give our respects to the ind owner." His salute was followed by the resounding unison of the soldiers behind him, "We give our respects to the ind owner!" Inside the ship, Lein, who was loungingfortably while reading the news on his device, looked up for a moment, his gaze piercing through the empty space between them. The hundreds of kilometers of distance didn''t hinder his eyes from meeting the old man''s gaze, along with the guards around him. Lein nodded slightly, offering thanks in a calm but clearly audible voice. "Thank you. Continue with your duties." Lein''s voice floated across the void, reaching the ears of the old man and the soldiers who were waiting with an attitude of deep respect. They all bowed once more, this time with a deeper sense of joy. "Thank you, Sir. The main western fortress is ready to serve wholeheartedly!" they replied in unison, led by the old man. The faces of the soldiers glowed, their eyes sharing a satisfied smile. Among them, whispers of admiration could be heard. "Amazing... his voice is so calm, it makes my heart tremble." "Indeed. May our Lord continue to grow stronger... and stronger." They rejoiced at being part of Lein''s force and felt honored to serve such a powerful ind. It was as though having a leader that strong made them invincible. "Everyone, return to your posts!" the old man shouted, ending their brief ceremony. "Resume routine patrols immediately." With profound respect, the old man returned to the fortress ind, followed by his soldiers who obediently resumed their duties, guarding the borders with renewed spirit and confidence. *** Lein loungedfortably on the ship, his eyes focused on the hologram screen projecting from his handheld device. asionally, he reached for fresh fruit on the table, savoring the sweet and refreshing taste that cooled him amidst the journey. Near him, Ana sat on guard, her full attention focused on Lein, ready to respond to anymand or question he might give. The hologram screen on Lein''s device disyed news currently dominating the headlines. The main headline spoke of the World Market Trade Alliance, which was actively assisting inds in defending against external attackers. Images filled the screen, showing elite forces of the alliance arriving on various inds, providing food, protection, and other much-needed resources. Lein smiled slightly as he read the news. A gleam of deep satisfaction showed in his eyes, knowing his n was proceeding as expected. A faint shadow appeared in his mind¡ªa thought of the weak, who now ced their hopes in a powerful alliance. "If I were in their position, powerless against foreign forces, I, too, would wish for someone to help," he thought. He took a deep breath, savoring the momentary feeling of relief flowing through him. "Well..." he murmured softly, his voice warm but firm, "I will help as much as I can. The rest is up to you." Lein realized he didn''t want to be a god of mercy, protecting everyone without expecting anything in return. Helping as much as he could was the right step, a clear boundary to show his strength without having to sacrifice everything. His gaze shifted to the next piece of news, reporting the disbandment of a major organization led by William Anderson. This alliance,prised of powerful countries like China, Korea, and Russia, had crumbled under pressure. They had failed to unite against attacks from foreign realms, causing key members to withdraw one by one. "An organization without power?" Lein smirked, his fingers brushing the hologram screen to scroll through the news. "That''s just a useless illusion." As Lein was about to read the next article, he suddenly felt his body moving at a much higher speed. The surroundings changed; the scenery that had been visible outside the ship''s window was now reced by a stretch of space that seemed to pass by more rapidly. Lein looked around, confirming that his feeling was indeed correct. "The ship is elerating, Sir. We''ll arrive in a few minutes," Ana said beside him, noting the change in Lein''s expression. "How far are we from Jenu Ind?" Lein asked, his voice sounding light yet authoritative. "Approximately 15 million kilometers left, Sir," Ana replied promptly, her gaze filled with certainty. Lein thought for a moment, then nodded in understanding. If the ship''s speed reached one million kilometers per minute, the 15 million kilometers would be covered in around 15 minutes. He nced at the hologram screen, intending to resume reading the news, when a faintly important memory crossed his mind. "Ah... yes..." he muttered softly, moving his fingers over the spatial ring on his finger. Within the mysterious space of the ring, he found what he was looking for¡ªa small bottle, simple in appearance yet full of meaning. Before taking out the bottle, Lein quickly activated his protective skill, forming a transparent spatial seal that prevented anyone nearby from seeing or sensing what he was doing. He trusted Ana, as well as the soldiers controlling the ship¡ªbut not entirely. Even though they wouldn''t be foolish enough to attack or seize his belongings, Lein was still unwilling to risk his secrets in front of others. When the bottle appeared in his hand, Lein looked at it in awe. Before his eyes, the thick ck liquid swayed gently within the bottle, seemingly alive, while tiny points of light sparkled within, gleaming like stars in the night sky. [Divine Promotion Potion] This potion is made from the blood of the gods. Anyone who drinks it will gain extraordinary power. - (Ability): Consuming this potion will help anyone below the Emperor level to advance by one full level. Chapter 247: Reaching level 100, Got Dream Element Lein stared at the bottle in his hand, astonished. His mind whirled with thoughts, trying to imagine the kind of being capable of creating something with such immense power¡ªa potion that could instantly increase someone''s strength, without conditions. To him, this potion felt like a miracle from a world he did not fully understand. "How is it possible for this item to be made? Isn''t it too powerful?" he murmured in amazement, his voice nearly choked with wonder. He read the item''s description repeatedly, searching for instructions on how to use it but finding no clear prompts to "use" or "consume." After a moment''s thought, he lifted the bottle, casually opened the cap, and drank it down. The thick ck liquid inside the bottle flowed slowly, touching Lein''s lips and slipping into his mouth. As the cool liquid touched his tongue, a unique refreshing taste emerged,bined with a subtly sweet sensation. Amid the sips, he could feel small crystal-like granules softly bursting in his throat, sprinkling a cold sensation that was invigorating. With a single gulp, Lein finished the contents of the bottle, leaving not a single drop behind. [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 51, Attribute points +5,000] Immediately, a notification message from the system appeared, and a warm sensation flowed through his body, as if every cell and muscle in his body was expanding, growing stronger. Lein smiled faintly, feeling the subtle yet significant transformation. [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 52, Attribute points +5,000] Lein stared at the holographic screen in front of him, pausing momentarily before a sudden realization hit him. "What?!" His mind shouted, unable to believe what he was seeing. Without any prior signs or warnings, his level suddenly shot up to Level 52. The system notifications kepting non-stop, as if unwilling to stop surprising him with good news. "Whoa... each level gives five thousand empty attribute points!" he murmured in awe as he watched the stream of notifications filling the screen, ringing one after another like the endless chiming of metal. Now, his level had reached 70, and he could still feel the energy continuing to surge. [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 73, Attribute points +5,000] [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 81, Attribute points +5,000] [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 85, Attribute points +5,000] ... The higher his level climbed, the stronger the flow of power that entered his entire body, permeating his muscles and bones with a thrilling sensation. Lein felt himself transforming into something stronger, more powerful, as if the world no longer had boundaries for his ambitions. As his level surpassed 90, he began to wonder how far this enhancement would go. [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 95, Attribute points +5,000] [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 99, Attribute points +5,000] [Congrattions, Sovereign level increased. Level 100, Attribute points +5,000] ... Finally, as thest number reached Level 100, the seemingly endless notifications gradually stopped. Lein stared at the screen, transfixed, still processing what had just urred. Previously, he had taken pride in the speed of his level progression achieved through Tier-5 exp potions¡ªeach of those potions had granted him a hundred thousand exp in a short amount of time. But this time? The rate of increase from the God''s Promotion Potion was nothing short of a powerful explosion that propelled him upward without limits, making the exp potion seem like mere dust on the roadside. Lein was still fixated on the screen when a new notification appeared, drawing his attention back. "There''s more?" he murmured, curious. [Different promotion detected, please perform elemental selection.] [Proceed with elemental selection? Yes/No] "A different promotion?" Lein repeated in bewildered murmurs. "Is this because of using the promotion potion?" Lein pondered for a moment, realizing that every level increase was always apanied by a trial to earn something valuable. For instance, when he reached the Master level, he had to undergo the Soul Formation Trial to obtain his new soul, or when he was promoted to Tier-3 and had to face the Altar Formation Trial. But this time, he received the opportunity for elemental selection. If following the logic of his previous promotions, an elemental formation trial should await him. But now, thanks to the way of the gods, he could skip all of that. "The joy of taking the fast track¡­" A softugh escaped his lips, filling the room with a sense of relief and happiness. Everything he had gone through up until now seemed to be proceeding smoothly, without obstacles. Reflecting on his early days, when he had hesitated to leave the ind and face strangers, made him smile. Now, if he had to step into the outside world again, he felt he would neither be ashamed nor even afraid to face High-Level Masters. "Alright, let''s do the selection," said Lein in a cheerful tone. Without hesitation, he activated the panel before him, which instantly disyed a spinning selection animation. Round and round it went, shing colors in harmonious alignment, creating an atmosphere full of anticipation and suspense. Several seconds passed before everything stopped, revealing the awaited result. [Congrattions, you have obtained a high-level element: (Dream Element)] A spherical orb floated before him, within it the dark night sky, filled with brightly shining stars. The aura emitted by the orb radiated purity so pristine that it made Lein hesitate to touch it, fearing to tarnish its beauty. [Dream Element] A dream expert who is exceedingly skillful and wise. Create, Manipte, Control dreams. There is no difference between reality and dreams. - Type: High-Level Element - Rank: Star 1 - Attack: SSS - Defense: S - Abilities: (Elemental Control), (Dream Creation), (Dream Modification), (Dream Actualization) "A high-level element? Incredible!" Lein eximed in delight, his eyes gleaming. Amazed, he pondered the potential contained within this element. The skill he acquired this time seemed specialized in attack, possibly even the strongest attack skill in existence. "Let''s check out its skills," Lein said with excitement. With ease, he began examining the list of abilities associated with the new element he had just obtained, feeling anticipation fill him. In his heart, he imagined all the possibilities that the Dream Element could offer, ready to master the art of controlling dreams and making it a tool to achieve his goals. Chapter 248: Ancestral Pathway (Elemental Control) grants control over the element with mere thought, allowing the user to do anything within their mental reach. The higher the element''s level, the more powerful the elemental forces they can manipte. (Dream Creation) allows enemies to enter a dream realm that has been created. The lower the enemy''s level, the higher the chance of sess. The duration of this dream is only one minute, but within that minute, anything can change. (Dream Modification) enables the user to enter someone''s dream and alter it. The lower the target''s level, the higher the chance of sessfully modifying the enemy''s mind. (Dream Actualization) allows the user to materialize specific parts of the target''s dream. Again, the lower the enemy''s level, the higher the chance of sess. "Amazing... terrifying skills," Lein murmured, his eyes widening as he absorbed the information. He only needed a nce to understand how powerful these abilities were, especially thest one¡ªdream actualization. No wonder this element was considered a high-level element; with abilities like these, he could do anything¡ªcreate nightmares, alter someone''s dream to his liking, and make them a reality. "So fearsome¡­" Lein muttered, feeling a slight tension in his fingers, as if the shadow of frightening possibilities shed through his mind. At that moment, his eyesnded on the Elemental Control skill. Incredible! With this skill, he could control the elements for various purposes¡ªattack, defense, transportation, and more. "An extremely useful skill!" he eximed, excited, eager to test his new powers. Suddenly, a notification appeared before him: [A different promotion detected, Grandmaster-level promotion requirements fulfilled] [The ruler has sessfully promoted to Grandmaster] [Bing the first human from the blue to reach Tier-Grandmaster. Earned the title (Ancestral Pathway)] A confirmation prompt appeared on the screen: [Would you like to announce your promotion? "yes"/"no"] Lein nced at the question, considering the situation. "No," he answered firmly in his mind. He didn''t want people to be shocked half to death upon seeing his new level. Even the most clueless person would realize he had used an unusual method to level up. After the Grandmaster promotion notification ended, Lein felt an immense power fill his body, as if he had just been bathed in warm sunlight. Every cell in his body transformed, feeling afort he had never experienced before. His connection to the world around him also changed dramatically; he could sense every living creature around him as if they were connected by an invisiblework. Ana, who had previously been beside him, now stood rooted to the spot on the ship''s floor, her face showing a mix of fear and shock. Her eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape as she looked at Lein. "Master Lein? Is that you?" she asked, her voice trembling, each wordced with doubt. Not only Ana, but the soldiers standing guard at the ship''s entrance and those in the control room were also stunned, astonished by what they saw. They had previously been unable to see anything in the area where Lein was located. When Lein used a spatial seal to surround himself and examine the god''s promotion potion, Ana and the others were not overly surprised. That felt natural, considering Lein was the ind''s master and could do as he pleased¡ªno one dared toment. But now, the immense and oppressive power radiating from where Lein stood created an aura that made him appear like an entirely different person. They thought perhaps Lein had died, snatched away by some stronger entity without their knowledge. Lein quickly realized the effect of his overwhelming energy. He gathered his thoughts and focused, trying to suppress the oppressive waves of energy emanating from his body. Gradually, the intimidating aura began to fade, leaving a calmness in the room. As soon as the pressure dissipated, Ana and the others sighed in relief, as though a heavy weight had been lifted from their shoulders. They looked at each other with gratitude, smiles spreading across their faces as if they had just escaped a deadly situation. "Calm down, it''s just a minor disturbance. You have nothing to fear," Lein''s voice echoed from the chair where he had previously been sitting. He tried to reassure them as quickly as possible before thismotion attracted the attention of other alliance members. "Phew¡­ thank goodness," Ana said, quickly rising from her crouched position on the ship''s floor. She adjusted herself and returned to her original seat. Although a bit of fear still lingered on her face, a look of happiness also appeared, as though joy had dispelled the shadow of tension that had previously covered her. The other soldiers attending to the ship returned to their duties, disying the same sense of relief. Although Lein hadn''t explicitly said so, they silently agreed to keep quiet about the strange phenomenon that had just urred. An unspoken agreement formed among them. Meanwhile, Lein returned to his seat, feeling the new power coursing through him. With a curious mind, he examined the new thing he had obtained¡ªhis new title. (Ancestral Pathway) A title earned by bing the first ruler to reach the Grandmaster level. Unlocks the pathway to the ancestors'' resting ce, obtaining boundless spirit and luck. - Attribute +50% - Elemental attack +25% "Ha ha¡­ another 50% attribute!" Leinughed internally, feeling overwhelming joy. He felt like a wealthy yer who had just done a massive top-up and received an exclusive VIP bonus that no other yer could attain. From Tier-3 to Tier-Grandmaster, he had always been the first. All the buffs he received made him feel like a king, ready to dominate and be the strongest in the Divine Sky realm. "Elemental attack +25%," Lein took a deep breath, feeling his spirit surge. He had just gained the ability to control elements, and now he received a buff to increase the damage of his elemental abilities¡ªthis was pure happiness. With all the bonuses he had just acquired, his curiosity deepened. He was eager to see his attribute values. Without hesitation, he opened the status panel and checked his now likely transformed attributes. Chapter 249: Attribute 140,000+, create dream bubbles [STATUS] - Name: Lein - Tier Master (Ancestral Pathway) - Level: 100 (0%) - Judul: (Leader of The Sovereign 3), (Pr Suci Semesta), (Ancestral Pathway) - Attributes: STR 141,815, AGI 141,881, INT138,134, RES 140,089 - ss: Swordsman - Altar : (Soul Altar - Universe) - Element : (Elemen Mimpi - Bintang 1) - Skills: (Divine sh Shadow), (Sky Shattering sh), (Area of Light), (Sword Heaven Prison), (Sacred Heart Sword), (Sky Sword Rain), (Soul Sense), (Soul Annihtion), (Astral Soul Maniption), (Celestial Soul Rend), (Heavenly de Mirror), (Soul Constetion Dance) - Sub Skills: (Double sh), (Sword Aura), 51 more¡­ - Equipment: (Divine Sword +15), (Voidstride Boots +15), (Celestial Shadow Cloak +15), (Wrathforged ws +15), (Crown of Temporal Mastery +15) - Artifact: (Time Ring - pure), (Vortex te - heaven), 34 more¡­ [ System Chat Message : (Human Race of Earth), (Alliance), (Staff),...] [ Market : Devine Sky Realm] [ Friend : Cute Cat, Laras, ...] [ Orb Ind ] A sharp and attentive gaze emanated from Lein''s face. His eyes focused on the panel disying all the achievements and power he had umted. Listed there were his titles, extraordinary abilities, and high-level artifacts now within his grasp¡ªeach item was a manifestation of his extraordinary status. For a moment, he felt estranged from his newfound power. He almost forgot how strong he had be. Two significant breakthroughs had urred since his fierce battle against Fryon, a terrifying Tier-3 adversary who had overwhelmed even Elen and Ayumi, the President of the Japanese Alliance. "Only two breakthroughs? Hehh," Lein chuckled cynically,ughing at himself. If not for his unique duplication talent and the god-tier breakthrough artifact he obtained from Mharzan, he might never have reached the Grandmaster level. Lein was well aware that the world he inhabited was filled with unforeseen dangers, just as luck often arrived without warning. "Am I lucky?" Lein asked himself, unsure of the answer. His SSS talent, (Infinity Duplicate), was merely a high title without meaning if not coupled with luck. He realized that even with his talent, his life was not guaranteed. There were figures out there with powers beyond his imagination, who, if they wished him dead, could make it happen at any moment. However, Lein was unwilling to dwell on such thoughts for too long. His presence at this point was proof that he possessed a sliver of luck¡ªperhaps just enough to keep him alive. "Maybe," he thought, with a faint smile. After reading through all the information on the panel, a small smile yed on his lips. His average attributes now stood at an extraordinary level¡ªover 140,000. His body felt filled with indescribable power. He felt as though he could do anything within the reach of his thoughts, even stretching tens of thousands of kilometers away. Lein exhaled slowly, stepping out of the hidden room he''d created to concentrate his energy. Outside, his gaze immediately met Ana''s, who sat in her chair in exactly the same position as before. When she saw Lein emerge, Ana smiled warmly, her face glowing with relief. "Hello, Sir. Is there anything I can assist you with?" Ana''s voice sounded alert and attentive. Lein stared at her for a moment, curiosity sparking within him. "What did you feel earlier?" he asked with a tone of interest. Ana nodded, then recounted her experience with a serious expression. She described how she and the guards suddenly felt overwhelming pressure, as if an unknown power had surged around them. They briefly thought Lein was being attacked by a far stronger being, as the energy aura was so sudden and frightening. Lein nodded in understanding, responding briefly, "Alright..." He was just about to focus his mind on testing his new elemental control when his view suddenly shifted. Around him, he saw clusters of energy floating in the air¡ªlike smoke, but denser and more captivating. The energy was a metallic gray with sparkling white specks that softly glimmered. "What is this?" Lein murmured, astonished. Every time he thought of something, the clusters of energy moved as if directly responding to the rhythm of his thoughts. Not just one; the clusters increased and decreased, swirling in sync with the shadows of his thoughts, appearing and disappearing in unpredictable patterns. "I''m going to try creating a dream," Lein thought to himself, his lips curling into a faint smile. He focused his mind on a scene: a beautiful beach with stretches of white sand, blue waters reflecting the sunlight, and a cloudless, clear sky. At the shore, a woman leaned on her partner''s shoulder, sharing a quiet moment as they enjoyed the view. Not far from them, a soda vendor walked along the beach, offering refreshment to anyone in need. The woman waved toward the vendor. "Sir, I''d like to buy two sodas," she said, smiling sweetly at her partner. As Lein envisioned the scene in detail, the swirling gray energy clusters around him began to move, responding to his imagination. The clusters blended together, merging into one to form arge bubble that floated in the air. The bubble was so clear and fairlyrge¡ªabout ten meters in diameter¡ªhovering slowly in front of Lein. Inside the bubble, the vision of the beach, the couple, the soda vendor, and every detail he had imagined appeared vividly, one by one. Lein was stunned, watching the "dream" he created be a reality within the bubble. "Amazing¡­" Lein whispered in awe. "But¡­ how do I use this dream bubble?" An idea suddenly popped into his mind¡ªhe would test it on Ana. With intense concentration, he directed therge bubble until it floated toward Ana. Slowly, the bubble enveloped her body, positioning her right at the center of Lein''s imagination. Ana, who was busy with the tablet in her hand, suddenly felt her eyes grow heavy, her mind wrapped in an irresistible drowsiness. She tried to resist, but it became harder, until finally, her eyes closed. When she opened them again, Ana felt refreshed, as though she had just awoken from a long sleep. She was startled to realize she was now on a beautiful beach, with a soft sea breeze brushing against her skin. Beside her, a handsome man sat with a gentle smile, looking at her attentively. Ana leaned on the man''s shoulder, feelingfortable and at peace. "How are you feeling, Ana?" the handsome man''s voice sounded gentle, making Ana''s heart race faster. His voice was like a warm whisper that enveloped her consciousness. "I-I¡­ I''m happy¡­ very happy," Ana replied haltingly, trying to control her heartbeat. A sense of happiness enveloped her, yet at the same time, a strange feeling arose within her heart¡ªshe felt this wasn''t entirely real, but it was so captivating. The man smiled softly, as if understanding the confusion reflected in Ana''s eyes. "What''s wrong? You look puzzled," he asked, lifting Ana''s chin with his index finger, causing her to look up and meet his gaze directly. Their eyes met in a profound intimacy, so intense that Ana felt as though she was sinking into his eyes. Ana couldn''t answer. She felt as if she was intoxicated by his gaze. His face was so close, handsome and perfect. She felt an irresistible urge to get closer, her heart swept away in the strange vibration that flowed through the air between them. She closed her eyes, hoping to feel¡­ a kiss. Chapter 250: 21 seconds left Ana''s lips trembled as a gentle, sweet feeling touched her. The handsome man beside her kissed her lips without warning, with a movement that was soft yet firm. Ana could only surrender, letting herself be swept up in his rhythm. Her hands, as if beyond her control, began to embrace the man''s body, feeling the warmth radiating from him, as if they were one under the sparkling blue sky above the beach. While in that dream bubble, Ana was savoring passionate moments with the handsome man on the beachside. In the real world, her body was still sitting upright in her chair with her eyes closed, looking peaceful as if immersed in a deep sleep. Lein watched this scene intently, his eyes shifting to therge bubble floating in front of him. The scene in the bubble showed Ana walking along the beach, her hand intertwined sweetly with the man. "Did it work?" Lein muttered in awe. He examined every detail carefully, witnessing how vivid and lifelike the image was. In the dream world he created, Ana seemed to truly immerse herself in the role, enjoying every second without realizing that this was only an illusion. "Amazing... she doesn''t even realize it?" Lein shuddered, unable to hold back his admiration. His new power was truly incredible; he could create dreams and captivate people to enter them, making them get lost without realizing they were merely actors on the stage of illusion. A satisfied smile appeared on his lips. Faintly, a soft voice echoed in his mind, like a very familiar whisper. "So handsome... hold me, darling." Followed by a smallugh full of happiness. "How wonderful..." Lein froze. The voices echoed in his mind, as ifing from somewhere very close yet difficult to reach. He turned, scanning around, trying to find the source of the sound. But with his sharp perception and far-reaching senses, he didn''t feel anyone''s presence. "Whose voice is this?" Lein muttered, puzzled. He didn''t see anyone who could project such thoughts or feelings toward him. He thought for a moment, then shifted his gaze back to the dream bubble floating in front of him. Realizing, Lein let out a small snort. "Is this¡­ Ana''s heart''s desire?" he murmured, almost in disbelief. He realized that the voice he was hearing was the echo of Ana''s deepest feelings, her hidden desires manifested in that dream world. "This is crazy¡­ such an insane ability¡­" Lein grinned with inner delight. Imagine, hearing someone''s heart''s desires, even the deepest and most hidden ones! For a moment, he thought that while this was quite entertaining, this situation could turn into a disaster if he heard lewd thoughts from someone undesirable. He felt slightly relieved that the heart''s voice he heard came from Ana¡ªa smart, beautiful, and charming assistant. But Lein also imagined how terrifying this ability would be if he identally entered the mind of someone dirty or unpleasant. "That would be torture," he thought, shuddering slightly. Lein nced at the dream bubble, checking the remaining time. "The dream duration is only one minute..." "There''s still 21 seconds left," Lein muttered, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. Not wanting to waste the opportunity, Lein quickly made modifications to the dream bubble. He controlled the gray energy swirling around him, adding a new element to the illusion. With a little concentration, he made the sun in the beach sky slowly move closer to the surface, growingrger and more dazzling. In the dream, Ana and the handsome man running together along the beach suddenly stopped, staring in surprise at the strange shift in the horizon. Their eyes squinted against the now scorching light. "Darling¡­ is it just me, or is the sun actually bigger?" asked the handsome man, his eyes still locked on the view in front of them. Ana nodded, swallowing nervously. "Yeah¡­ you''re right," she replied softly, a feeling of unease beginning to wash over her heart. The two of them froze for a moment, watching in anxiety as the giant ball of fire drew nearer, burning the air around it. Fear was clearly etched on their faces as they finally realized the gravity of the threat. With a horrified expression, their eyes widened, and a spontaneous scream escaped their lips. "Runnn!" Ana and the man turned and ran as fast as they could, their feet digging into the sand in panic, trying to escape the ever-approaching sun. But its oppressive heat was unavoidable. As her body began to feel scorched, Ana, now separated from the man beside her, felt a tremendous fear. In her panic, she called out to the only person that came to mind, the one she always trusted in dire situations. "Help me, Master Lein!" Ana cried, desperate. However, the sun kept descending mercilessly, threatening to consume everything. Ana ran faster, her breath ragged, no longer caring about the man beside her, no longer caring about anything¡ªonly the instinct to survive consumed her. She didn''t dare look back, only hearing the deafening heat as it came closer¡­ Boom! The massive sun finally touched the ground, creating a colossal explosion that shook the illusion world. In an instant, everything around Ana¡ªthe beach, the sand, the handsome man, herself¡ªvanished in a burst of dust that obliterated everything. Nothing remained, no trace of life. --- "Ahhhhh!" Ana, who had been sitting calmly in the control chair, jerked awake, her eyes wide open, her face pale. Her loud scream echoed, startling everyone in the room. The soldiers on guard and other staff members stopped in their tracks, exchanging anxious nces before rushing over to try to understand what had just happened. Ana sat frozen, her body still drenched in sweat, her breathing ragged as if she had narrowly escaped death. The look of fear still lingered on her face, and her heart pounded hard and fast. She shivered, feeling the cold seeping between her heavy breaths. Her awareness hadn''t fully returned. "Where¡­ where am I? That sun...?" she whispered, her voice hoarse and full of confusion. Chapter 251: Reached level 250 Her eyes scanned the room wildly, searching for answers among the faces of the soldiers who now looked at her in bewilderment. But Ana ignored their stares, focusing only on the anxiety overwhelming her. Finally, her gaze fell on the figure of a young man in a blue robe standing not far from her, his face adorned with a warm smile. His gaze was gentle, as if capable of erasing the fear still swirling in her heart. "Sorry, I made you have a nightmare," Lein said sincerely, though there was a hint of guilt behind his smile. He knew, testing such a terrifying new ability on a Tier-1 being like Ana might have been excessive. Ana was silent for a moment, her heart gradually calming, feeling like a cool breeze in the middle of a serene night. Her previously tense face began to soften, and a small smile appeared on her lips. As if everything she experienced was merely an illusion that had now faded. "Ah, it''s all right, Master," Ana replied with an embarrassed smile. Certainly, many questions swirled in her mind, but she chose to hold them back. The important thing was that she was still alive and breathing. Lein nodded gently, then gestured for the other soldiers to return to their posts. After everyone dispersed, he sat back down calmly and formed a spatial seal around himself, concealing his presence from others. "Amazing¡­ so, is Grandmaster my limit?" Lein murmured, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. The divine promotion potion he possessed could help him reach levels below Emperor without any issues. This meant that no matter how many stagesy before Emperor, he could break through them easily. Carefully, he reached into his spatial ring, pulling out a small bottle filled with shimmering liquid. The liquid reflected a soft glow, like tiny stars shining in the darkness. Lein opened the cap of the divine promotion potion, gazing at it briefly before deciding to drink it. As the cool liquid slid down his throat, a refreshing sensation filled his body, followed by a sweet taste that burst delicately in his mouth. It tasted like star candy, stirring every sense with an exquisite vor. Lein closed his eyes, savoring every drop of the potion until not a single drop was left in the bottle. He waited, feeling the energy slowly flowing through his body, as if his body was being filled with light. "Ah, delicious," Lein whispered, letting out a satisfied sigh. He waited for a moment, allowing the effects of the promotion potion to work in silence. Soon after, a soft blue glow appeared before him¡ªa notification disy popped up, just as he expected. [Congrattions! Sovereign level increased. Level 101. Attribute Points +10,000] [Congrattions! Sovereign level increased. Level 102. Attribute Points +10,000] ¡­ "Ten thousand at once!" Lein murmured, his eyes gleaming with excitement. A broad smile spread across his face as he enjoyed each notification, one after another, disying his rising attributes. Deep down, he felt both satisfaction and amazement at how effortless this journey was for him. With a wry smile, he mused at the sheer amount of experience required for each level¡ª even an unlimited Tier-5 exp bottle wouldn''t be enough. "While others are busy hunting monsters, I can sit back and level up without any effort," he muttered, his toneced with irony. Mixed feelings brewed within him¡ªon one hand, he felt lucky to possess an extremely rare (SSS-ranked infinity duplicate) ability, but on the other hand, this ease felt almost unfair. Lein reflected for a moment, lowering his head with a faint, bittersweet smile. "It''s unfair, isn''t it," he whispered softly, as if hiding a burden. But he couldn''t deny it; a sense of happiness still filled his heart. As the owner of such an extraordinary power, he would surely make the most of his potential. A slightly unfamiliar, emotional feeling welled up within him¡ªperhaps because it was the first time he had experienced such a rapid surge of power. Shrugging off those thoughts, Lein shook his head, trying to dispel the distractions. His gaze returned to the notifications that continued to appear. [Congrattions! Sovereign level increased. Level 149. Attribute Points +10,000] [Congrattions! Sovereign level increased. Level 150. Attribute Points +150,000] ¡­ He paused, his eyes fixed on the level 150 notification. "One hundred fifty thousand attribute points?" he murmured, eyebrows raised. A mix of excitement and confusion swept over him¡ªthrilled by the vast number of attribute points, yet startled by the unexpected figure. Unlike the previous levels, which had provided a consistent number of attribute points, this time, a massive jump had appeared out of nowhere. Lein could only ept this reality with a slight nod. He continued to focus on the notification panel, while his heart and mind adjusted to the new strength that kept flowing into his body. [Congrattions! Sovereign level increased. Level 199. Attribute Points +10,000] [Congrattions! Sovereign level increased. Level 200. Attribute Points +200,000] ¡­ Lein''s expression showed a subtle shock he couldn''t hide. He blinked, entranced by the numbers on the notification panel¡ªnot just 150,000 anymore, but now surging to 200,000 attribute points. "Does every 50-level increase yield 10,000 times the level value?" Lein murmured, attempting to analyze the possible pattern. His mind began calcting, absorbing the logic behind these increases. He took a deep breath, contemting what he had just received. "At level 150, I got 150,000 points, meaning 150 times 10,000. And now at level 200, I''ve received a full 200,000 points¡­ impressive." Lein spoke quietly, his eyes shining with excitement. "So, if I reach level 250, will I get 250,000 points?" Smiling and raising an eyebrow, Lein felt confident in his hypothesis. Even if his calction wasn''t exact, the 400,000 points gained from levels 150 and 200 was already enough to satisfy him. His eyes refocused on the notification panel, enjoying every level increase with undiminished intensity. The panel continued to disy a stream of numbers that seemed to fill the screen endlessly. As he watched, Lein felt his body growing fuller with energy, as though each notification was a heartbeat strengthening his entire being. [Congrattions! Sovereign level increased. Level 249. Attribute Points +10,000] [Congrattions! Sovereign level increased. Level 250. Attribute Points +250,000] ¡­ Chapter 252: Successfully promoted to King stage Lein stared at the system screen disying a series of numbers. A surge of empty attribute points, totaling 250,000, appeared instantly, making the energy in his body feel like an overflowing river. This time, however, there was no surprise in his reaction. His eyes squinted slightly, assessing the change, until he realized one thing that was different: the level-up notifications had stopped appearing. "The limit is at level 250? That''s pretty high," he murmured softly, contemting the cap he had reached. This level was no joke, standing 150 levels above his previous Grandmaster rank, as if marking the doubled difficulty of climbing the next level. As he pondered this level cap, a new notification appeared in front of him, seemingly awaiting his decision. [A different promotion detected; please proceed with spirit body drawing] [Perform spirit body drawing? Yes/No] "Spirit body?" Lein muttered the unfamiliar term, intrigued. It seemed to be a unique specialization suited to the level he was entering this time. His thoughts wandered, wondering what kind of spirit body he might obtain. Perhaps something that could maximize the potential of his dream element? With a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, he chose "Yes" without hesitation. A surge of anticipation rose within him; his hopes were high¡ªmaybe this spirit body would elevate his dream element to extraordinary levels. The drawing animation moved quickly, white mist spinning on the screen, then shifting into a bright white light. Shortly after, the result appeared before Lein. [Congrattions, you have obtained (Spirit Body): Eternal Dream Body] Lein was momentarily silent, examining the details of the new spirit body he had acquired. "Eternal Dream Body¡­" he whispered in near disbelief, his eyes tracing the description provided by the system. [Eternal Dream Body] A body with perfect synchronization for the master of the dream element. Enhances the dream element to its maximum potential. - Abilities: (Eternal Dream Prison), (Dream Domain), (Dream Blessing) (Eternal Dream Prison): The ability to draw enemies into an endless, timeless dream, trapping them there forever. (Dream Domain): Creates an aura of dreams that traps enemies with weaker minds in a dream world. (Dream Blessing): Increases the power of the dream element by tenfold. "Eternal Dream Prison¡­ Dream Domain¡­ Dream Blessing¡­" Lein repeated each ability in both awe and slight confusion, then chuckled softly. "What is this? The exnations aren''t even specific, as if this spirit body is incredibly powerful yet without any high-level embellishment or shy name." Despite being slightly bothered by theck of details, a sense of satisfaction filled his heart. After all, the spirit body he had received seemed crafted for his dream element. A perfect blend of strength and synchronization, this body felt like the embodiment of the dream itself. Suddenly, another notification appeared, and his eyes widened as he read it. [A different promotion detected; requirements for promotion to King stage met] [The ruler has sessfully promoted to King stage] [Bing the first human of the blue to reach Tier-King. Title earned: (King of Humanity)] [Do you want to announce your promotion? "Yes"/"No"] Lein observed the notification of his promotion to the King stage on his notification panel. Right after the collection of it appeared, an overwhelming energy flooded his body, nearly startling him into thinking he was under attack by a powerful entity. "So strong," Lein muttered as he tried to contain the force that kept surging into his body. Lein felt like a dry sponge ced into a bucket of water, absorbing all the surrounding energy rapidly. Alongside the influx of power, he could see an extraordinary distance from where he stood. His senses continued to expand, reaching farther and farther, and he could even feel the countless monster inds around the Dominion''s astral vessel. Not only that, even his own ind, which he had left some time ago, entered his view. Hundreds of thousands of nearby inds,rge and small, as well as inter-ind ships, were also visible within his gaze. "Amazing¡­" Lein muttered enthusiastically. The process of absorbing the energy continued, and he remained still, trying to stay calm and allow all the energy to flow into him. For the moment, his gaze fell on the promotion announcement notification. Without hesitation and without a second thought, he quickly rejected it. "No." There was no point in letting others know about his cultivation level; he didn''t expect anyone to offer him any help. On the contrary, people would likely start to swarm him for the tiniest bit of benefit. Shortly after, the energy absorption process wasplete. Lein took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself, inspecting every part of his body after advancing to the King stage. Pausing for a moment and stretching his body slightly, Lein felt a newfound freedom, as if he could float like a bird if he desired. Besides that, his vision had be sharper, as had his instincts. Looking around with his now gleaming dark eyes, everything appeared crystal clear. He could even see an ant searching for food in a corner of the floor, directly into the control room of thebat ship, and the closest ind around the astral dominion with sharp rity. "Unbelievable," Lein remarked in admiration. Advancing to the King rank had granted him an ability he had longed for. He could see through walls¡ªan ability much sought after by children in the past. As Lein entered the King stage, he felt not only an enhancement in his vision but also in his perception. Every person''s inner thoughts around him now echoed faintly, like soft whispers in the air, even without him deploying dream energy, which he usually used to read minds. "He is truly strong, like the ind''s ruler¡­" came a voice in the heart of one man, filled with hope and admiration. "Lord Lein never feared that weak organization," whispered another''s heart, emanating deep respect. Lein listened quietly, a faint smile forming on his face. Their inner voices, filled with admiration and ambition, made him reflect. Though sometimes selfish, humans always had the desire to grow stronger¡ªa trait he knew well from his world of origin. "That is indeed my primary goal," Lein thought as he pondered. "To make humanity the strongest race." He shook his head, ending his daydream. When he focused again on his own body, his eyes caught sight of something new: clusters of dream energy floating around him. This energy looked different from before, now brighter and moving with an impressive vitality, as if responding to his increased power. "Have you grown stronger as well?" Lein murmured in awe, observing the dream energy. Previously, this energy appeared in, without any particr shine. But now, these clusters glowed, radiating with a pure power he could sense distinctly, adding a luxurious, magical aura around him. With a slight desire, he tried moving the energy. The dream energy clusters reacted, moving in the direction he wanted. As before, he directed the energy to form the letter "O," then "A." With increasing excitement, hebined the clusters, creatingplex shapes and spatial patterns, as if he were weaving dreams into reality. "So efficient," Lein muttered, amazed at the smoothness of his telekinesis. He marveled at how easy it was to control this energy, even moving it ording to his will brought a unique satisfaction. "Can I open a portal?" Lein wondered aloud. For a long time, he had anticipated the ability to split space, envisioning how amazing it would be to do so and travel wherever he wished. With full excitement, he stood tall, directing his dream energy to an initial point he designated in the air. The energy spiraled slowly, then shot downward, forming a path that shimmered brighter as it moved. Gradually, a small crack appeared along the energy trail, like a rift on the surface of reality, revealing a glimpse into another dimension. "Incredible¡­ I can split space!" Lein shouted in his heart, his pulse racing with satisfaction. He had always dreamed of opening mysterious portals, but now he was actually doing it. With enthusiasm, he widened the crack until it reached two meters, peering into the gaping void. The dream energy floated back to its ce, following his will perfectly. His gaze was filled with curiosity as he approached the crack. Slowly, he extended his hand and touched it. The sensation he felt was ordinary¡ªno resistance, no foreign feeling. With growing confidence, Lein continued to push his hand through the crack, then his shoulder, until his entire body entered, hoping the teleportation would take him somewhere else. "What?!" Lein was surprised and looked around. Instead of being taken to a distant location, he remained standing in the same ce, feeling like a fool. He muttered in confusion, "Do I need to mark the destination to teleport?" Curious, he spoke into the surrounding air. "Hey, System¡­ how do I use the portal I just created?" Silence lingered for a moment until finally, a soft voice from the system exined ["You must mark the target location, especially if you want to move to a faraway ce. Create another crack at the desired destination."] "Huh?" Lein frowned, not fully understanding. "Make another crack?" he repeated, trying toprehend the system''s instructions, connecting the logic behind this new technique. Chapter 253: NO EXP After some time pondering, Lein came up with a new idea to test his power. Far off in the distance, he spotted a small monster ind, about 200 meters across¡ªa ce that seemed ideal for his teleportation experiment. As before, he focused his energy, this time directing his mind to that ind. Carefully, he guided his dream energy to open a second crack above the monster ind. In an instant, a two-meter-high gap formed in the air above the isted ind. "Yoshhh¡­" Lein murmured excitedly, his wide smile reflecting his satisfaction. Without hesitation, he stepped into his first portal. At first, he felt only emptiness, but as soon as he envisioned the second portal on the ind as his destination, he immediately sensed a shift¡ªlike a change in air waiting at the other end. "It worked!" he cheered happily, his eyes shining as he gazed at the crack. Like a child who had just discovered a new toy, he didn''t want to wait any longer and immediately entered with his whole body. In an instant, far away, through a two-meter-high crack, Lein appeared with a broad smile. Satisfaction filled him. Finally, a dream he had held since childhood, from his days on Earth, hade true¡ªthe ability to move instantly from one ce to another. "Ha-ha-ha! Finally¡­" Lein''sughter echoed, filled with freedom, releasing his joy. However, as he was still relishing his sess, a deep, menacing sound broke the silence. "Aargh¡­" Lein turned and saw a pack ofrge wolves growling at him. They had coarse brown fur, muscr bodies, and long, sharp fangs that gleamed in the sunlight. Each wolf stood two meters tall, with fierce, glowing eyes that regarded Lein as if assessing this new opponent who dared set foot in their territory. Lein looked at the pack of wolves before him with a confused, even slightly disbelieving expression. His eyes focused on the attribute numbers disyed on the panel: (Stone-Eating Wolf) - Level 3 - Strength: 5, Agility: 3, Intelligence: 3, Resilience: 3 (Stone-Eating Wolf) - Level 5 - Strength: 10, Agility: 7, Intelligence: 4, Resilience: 4 Lein clutched his hair in frustration. "So¡­ weak?" he muttered, still stunned by how low the numbers were. For a moment, memories of his past struggles shed by¡ªtimes when even a single additional point was valuable and made a big difference. Taking a deep breath, Lein realized just how rapidly his power had grown. "I''ve advanced too quickly," he murmured, shaking his head slightly to dismiss the wave of nostalgia. Calmly, Lein stood tall, an amused expression crossing his face as he extended his hand forward, palm up, gesturing for the wolves toe at him. "Come on, then," he challengedzily. The lead wolf, with the highest level among the pack, red at Lein with shing eyes, then opened its jaws and let out a fierce howl. Its cry echoed through the air, summoning the wolves behind it. They all raised their heads, responding with long howls that shook the air around them. "Wuoooo¡­" Lein waited with dwindling patience, rolling his eyes as the pack continued to howl. "So slow," he sighed, feeling his impatience grow. He released a bit of his aura, just a small spark, to see how the wolves would react. Instantly, the effect of his aura spread uncontrobly. Within seconds, the entire wolf pack copsed to the ground¡ªeveryst one of them. [Killed Stone-Eating Wolf. Level difference too great, NO EXP] [Killed Stone-Eating Wolf. Level difference too great, NO EXP] Notifications kept popping up before his eyes, like an endless string of cold messages. Lein stared at the fallen wolves, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What?" he eximed in shock. The wolves¡­ they all died in an instant. He had only released a tiny bit of his aura, yet the creatures were utterly obliterated, powerless against what seemed to him like only a small amount of his strength. Lein realized that his power had now surpassed all previous limits he had imagined. No matter how numerous they were, these wolves were mere weaklings before him. Beyond the surprise at his boundless strength, something else made Lein pause¡ªhe hadn''t gained a single EXP from his recent attack. Not even a single point. Lein sighed deeply, reflecting on his situation. "Well, that makes sense," he muttered. Considering he had reached level 250, it was unreasonable to expect EXP from wiping out level 3 and level 5 monsters. If it were possible, he''d have to kill billions of low-level creatures just to gain a single level at this stage. "All right¡­" Calmly, Lein took a deep breath, trying to savor and feel the nearly limitless power now within him. Slowly, he began to immerse himself in every detail of his pulsating energy, like a mighty current flowing inside him. He tilted his head slightly, suddenly sensing a deep, chilling sensation. His consciousness expanded in all directions, spreading at an incredible speed. One by one, distant inds came within the reach of his awareness¡ªas if he were traversing a living map in his mind. "My Ind¡­ German Ind¡­ India Ind¡­ America Ind¡­" Lein named the inds he encountered along his mental journey, sensing the faint pulse of life in each ce. His awareness continued to expand effortlessly until he finally encountered a boundary. Before him loomed an invisible wall, solid and unyielding. Lein tried to breach it, but every attempt was met with resistance. Like a shadow beyond reach, something behind that barrier remained hidden from his consciousness. "Is this the limit?" Lein murmured softly, frowning. No matter how hard he tried, the barrier wouldn''t fall. He couldn''t even glimpse a faint outline of whaty beyond. Realizing he could gain nothing further, Lein withdrew his awareness. However, before fully returning, he marked several ces he had sensed were in a state of war. His face grew serious, ready to move forward. With a single breath, Lein shifted his focus back to his physical body. Slowly, he controlled the dream energy swirling around him, lifting his body slightly into the air. Chapter 254: Lein charm Other energy in the vicinity coalesced, forming a massive sword that glowed with power. Without hesitation, Lein swung the energy sword toward the monster wolf ind. In a single sh, the ind split perfectly in two, as if a vast, unbridgeable chasm had just been carved through its center. Grugh... The 200-meter-wide ind, filled with dense forests and wolf dens, shattered into hundreds of fragments. The ground cracked and shook until the ind eventually crumbled, falling slowly likerge pieces of dust into a bottomless abyss. Lein floated in the air, watching the ind''s destruction with a calm gaze¡ªas if such a scene was an ordinary sight to him. After that, Lein reached for his space ring, and instantly, more than 200 golden swords floated gracefully around him like tiny stars shining in the night. With a smooth motion, he activated his skill (Echo Phantom), causing each sword in front of him to transform into an image of himself. These clones appeared identical to him, each carrying the same strength and spirit. "All right, you all," Lein said firmly, his eyes gleaming. "Head over there and destroy all enemies." The clones didn''t actually need verbalmands since their minds were directly linked with the original Lein''s thoughts. Yet, his old habits were hard to shake, so the verbalmand still escaped his lips. "Yes, Master!" "Order received, Master!" In an instant, the 200 clones sprang into action, openingrge cracks in front of them¡ªportals that led to distant ces. Each clone entered its portal with a calm and steady pace, disappearing one by one toward their assigned destinations. Aboard the ship (Astral Dominion), Ana and the other soldiers watched the scene with wide eyes. They could hardly believe what they were seeing¡ªtheir mouths hung open as they watched Lein and his clones vanish into the cracks they had created. "Wow¡­ so this is Master Lein''s true power?" one soldier murmured, unable to resist asking hisrade. "I never thought the owner of this ind would be a human, just like us," added a middle-aged man, his voice filled with admiration and slight disbelief. "So handsome¡­ Is Master Lein looking for a harem?" a female soldier whispered, her cheeks flushed as she gazed at Lein as if he were a living god. Lein''s mesmerizing presence clouded her mind, making her unable to think clearly. The soldiers'' chatter filled the air on the ship, like an unending hum of admiration. On the other side, Ana lifted her phone with both hands, focusing its lens on Lein and his disappearing clones. She smiled faintly, her eyes glinting with hope and a hint of obsession. "Master Lein¡­ Master Lein¡­" Ana murmured the name with a tone full of longing, almost fanaticism. Her fingers moved quickly, capturing photos of Lein in the center, ensuring the images were sharp and perfectly framed. The real Lein appeared radiant in the middle of the picture, like the central light in the darkness. To the soldiers, Lein was more than just powerful. In their eyes, he was like a being of grace, kindness, strength, and wisdom. Lein might not have realized it, but around him, subtle shadows and faint, shimmering illusions appeared. To each person who looked at him, these shadows seemed different¡ªtaking form ording to their own ideal image of him. But one thing was certain: every time people looked at him, they saw the best, most perfect figure they could imagine. ___ "What''s next?" Lein murmured softly, watching as all his clones vanished through the portals that now sealed shut in the air. He stood tall above the void, lifted by the dream energy forming an invisible tform beneath his feet. When his gaze turned toward the ship (Astral Dominion) in the distance, he noticed the soldiers and Ana watching him with looks of astonishment and near fanatic admiration. "What''s going on with these people?" Lein whispered, puzzled. He looked down at himself, inspecting from head to toe to see if anything seemed unusual, but he found nothing out of the ordinary. Then, his gaze shifted back to the soldiers. His expression hardened as he noticed Ana aiming her phone at him, capturing every moment of his presence. "Hm¡­ Will these people finally understand my power after this?" Lein murmured, squinting. His mind churned, weighing whether letting the soldiersprehend his full strength was a wise move or the opposite. But after a moment''s silence, Lein decided, "No, they mustn''t," he said with a calm yet resolute tone. Deep down, he indeed wanted the people from Earth to respect him as a ruler and submit to every rule he set. However, if they understood the extent of his greatest power, they might think differently about him. They might not attack directly, but information about his immense power could leak to outside forces. Lein took a deep breath, feeling his sense of responsibility grow stronger. "I must be more careful from now on," Lein thought to himself. "All right, let''s try this reality ability," Lein said, focusing his thoughts on the dream energy swirling around him. In the air, Lein''s dream energy began to move, forming arge circle that slowly rotated, eventually creating a miniature world within it. The view inside the sphere of energy was identical to the ce where he stood¡ªa vast empty space with arge ship navigating the void, and soldiers gazing in awe. With his current level of power, Lein could create this illusionary world so realistically that it reflected every detail perfectly, from the gleam of the swords to the awe-filled expressions on the soldiers'' faces. The circle of energy began to expand, from an initial size of around 10 meters, stretching to 50 meters, and continued to grow until it reached a diameter of one kilometer. Around Lein, this giant bubble enveloped every living creature within a one-kilometer radius of where he stood. However, this illusion was invisible to the soldiers'' eyes, as though nothing was surrounding them. After ensuring the illusion wasplete, Lein activated the dream he had created. Chapter 255: Changing reality Ana cheered excitedly, waving her hand toward Lein, "Amazing¡­ Master, look over here!" She held her phone up high, trying to get Lein''s attention amidst his grand disy. "Are those people who look like you your own clones?" she asked, her voice full of hope. Lein, though far away, heard her question. He merely nodded, smiling faintly, "You''re right." Within the dream bubble he had created, Lein observed everything happening, including the soldiers who continued talking about his abilities, unaware they were already trapped in an illusory reality. He waved his hand gently, releasing dream energy that took the form of transparent gray mist. The mist drifted toward each soldier''s head, filling their minds for a moment before exiting smoothly. The effect was immediate¡ªall the soldiers fell silent, confusion clouding their faces. After a few seconds, they began looking at one another as though they had just noticed something strange. Someone quickly asked, "Heir, what are you doing here? Aren''t you assigned to the weapons section?" The soldier named Heir was stunned, then replied with a question of his own, "Then why are you here? You''re usually not on the ship''s front deck." Confusion spread further as another soldier interrupted, "Kian, aren''t you supposed to be in the monitor room?" One by one, the soldiers started questioning each other''s presence, even as they gathered on the front deck¡ªa ce most of them weren''t supposed to be. The sense of bewilderment grew as they confirmed that each of them seemed to be in the wrong location. Meanwhile, Ana looked around with a puzzled expression. She called out to the soldiers in a firm tone, "Hey, what''s going on here?" One of the soldiers heard Ana''s call, turned, and shrugged, signaling that he too had no idea what was happening. Several other soldiers did the same, shrugging and looking at each other in confusion. Ana then looked at her tablet, still lit in her hands, with the camera app still open on the screen. However, just as she was about to check the photos she had taken, her movements suddenly became strange. As if in reverse, she began to backtrack slowly, retracing each previous movement backward. Her hand closed the camera app, turned off the screen, then returned the tablet to its ce, until she finally sat back in the middle seat as if she had never stood up to take pictures. The same thing happened to the soldiers on the ship''s side. Automatically, they moved backward from their positions, each one retracing their steps back to their original posts, unaware they were reying their actions as if in a reversed recording. Lein, still standing over the void, calmly observed the effects of the dream maniption. Without realizing it, Ana and the soldiers had returned to their original positions, while their previous admiration-filled conversation had faded into silence within the shadows of the illusion he had created. Lein nodded in satisfaction, a proud smile spreading across his lips as he witnessed the power of the dream he controlled. "It can even influence reality¡­" he murmured in a tone of contentment. He felt the immense power within him, allowing the dream he created to be reality. Satisfied with his y in this dimension of illusions, Lein opened a dimensional crack in front of him. Without hesitation, he created a direct link to the Ind of Life¡ªhis ce of residence. With calm steps, he walked into the crack, and his body vanished from the void. At the same time, on the escort ship, Ana and the soldiers returned to their original positions, only to receive a surprising message on theirmunication devices. [Escort Squad Chat #14] [Escort mission canceled. Please return to headquarters immediately.] This brief but startling message appeared on every captain''s screen. Ana received a simr notification. She frowned in confusion at the sudden order. For a moment, she looked at the sofa where Lein had been sitting, but it was now empty. Her expression turned serious, a mix of confusion and determination as she stood up, then walked toward the ship''s interior to tidy up the equipment. *** In a ce far from the Ind of Life, one of Lein''s clones had arrived on an ind shrouded in the chaos of battle. On the ind, which spanned around 800 km across, a startling scene unfolded. A figure resembling a human but with grotesque features walked leisurely along a ruined city street. Behind this figure were several creatures that looked very much like him, obediently following as subordinates. Each creature radiated a formidable aura, their negative energy enough to terrify anyone who encountered such a horrifying group. Along the devastated city streets, corpsesy strewn about, remnants of a battle that had drained life and energy. The terrifying army regarded the bodies with scornful expressions, like predators who no longer saw any worth in their prey. "Master, there''s a group from the Dragon Blood Race up ahead!" one of the captains shouted in a respectful tone, reporting to their leader who walked in front. "Hmm¡­" A low, deep growl emerged from the leader''s throat. Its vibrations sent waves of fear through anyone who heard it. Without looking back, he ignored his captain, stepping forward without the need to respond. Wordlessly, the terrifying army advanced, halting only when arge crack suddenly appeared in the air in front of them. "Ergh¡­" The army leader hissed, his gaze sharp as he examined the newly formed crack, his body on high alert. He raised one hand, signaling his army to stop. All the creatures immediately fell silent, recognizing a new threat before them. From within the crack, a hand slowly emerged, followed by a foot stepping out, until finally, a young man around 25 years old appeared. The handsome man stepped out of the portal calmly, wearing an elegant blue robe that flowed gently around him. Two swords hung at his waist: one shining with gold and the other pitch-ck, reflecting the dual strength he possessed. His face remained expressionless, showing not a hint of fear, even as he faced the line of terrifying creatures before him. Chapter 256: Clone action The leader of the creature army watched the man cautiously. Even though he didn''t sense any prominent aura of power, he noticed a faint energy swirling around the man, like an endless flow of wind. It was unmistakable¡ªthis figure was far stronger than he appeared. "Wh-Which army are you from?" he asked, his voice hoarse yet full of menace. Swoosh! Before he could finish his sentence, the swordsman had already swung his golden de. The leader''s body was instantly split into four parts, blood gushing onto the already shattered city streets. "Attack!" shouted one of the captains, leading the army in a charge. The creatures leaped forward, unleashing their full strength, ready to strike down the man who had just destroyed their leader in a single sh. Swoosh¡­ Swoosh¡­ Swoosh! In an instant, ten lethal shes flew without mercy, eliminating every creature that approached. The army fell helplessly, most not even having time to react or defend themselves. "Weak," the Lein clone stated coldly. He looked around, scanning for other threats. In the distance, he sensed a faint aura from another creature, apparently at a Tier-3 level. A faint smile appeared on the Lein clone''s face, and he opened a new crack leading to where the creature was. In a location far from the clone''s position, an old man with a short staff satfortably on a plush sofa in a room almost in ruins. His gaze lingered greedily on the young human women standing nearby, one servant fanning him gently while another fed him fresh wine. "Ahh¡­ these humans are quite alluring," the old man muttered with a sly grin, his eyes glinting with lust. Suddenly, he raised his hand, halting his servants. His face tensed as if sensing something unusual. Tsk! A golden sword suddenly pierced his heart directly. The old man slumped, dead in an instant without a chance to fight back. "Ahhh!" The women servants screamed in terror. They ran away, frightened and trying to escape. The Lein clone appeared on the highway filled with debris, where he had just opened the portal. His eyes narrowed as he looked toward the building where the old man had been. "Old, yet still ying with the young," he said mockingly. He controlled the golden sword from a distance, unwilling to waste time watching the old man revel in his depraved pleasures. The clone''s gaze then shifted, scanning other locations around the battlefield. He pinpointed several areas emanating strong concentrations of enemy auras. "One¡­ two¡­ three¡­" he murmured, marking each distant target. He extended his hand, summoning three golden swords that floated in the air, spinning around him. His eyes sharpened as he directed the swords toward the three marked points. "Fly!" hemanded firmly. The three swords shot high into the air, moving like lightning toward their respective targets. They struck precisely without pause, piercing buildings, walls, or whatever stood in their way. In an instant, three leaders from the alien race scattered on the same ind as the Lein clone perished simultaneously, never having the chance to sense the iing, remotely controlled weapons. This kind of devastation was not only happening on this ind. On other inds also visited by Lein''s clones, simr destruction unfolded. Some of the more destructive Lein clones even annihted entire inds to wipe out the alien creatures to their very roots. They didn''t hesitate to erase every living being there, especially since the remaining humans were very few, most having perished in the enemy invasion. *** Lein, currently at the city hall, received notifications of the kills carried out by his clones. [killing alien creature, level difference toorge, NO EXP] [killing alien creature, level difference toorge, NO EXP] ... He sat rxed behind the leader''s desk, reviewing the battle reports from the past day. Yes, it had only been one day since the inter-race war event concluded. Lein had spent his time promoting, especially during the soul formation stage. "Casualties are quite high," Lein murmured, ncing lightly at the significant death toll¡ªnearly 20% of humanity''s poption. He continued reading through several more pages of reports. These reports typically covered the current conditions of the inds, the citizens, alliances, and information on the alien creatures. From the reports Lein received, the highest level of the invading aliens was only Tier-3. It was strongly suspected that the portals they created to prate the divine sky realm could only be passed through by creatures up to Tier-3. Higher levels would be rejected. "How powerful are the leaders behind these people?" Lein wondered, intrigued. He felt no fear at this point; with his King level, he could stand confidently among the realm''s leaders Lein continued turning the report pages until near the end, his interest piqued. He read carefully and attentively. What he was reading was a report on the alliances he had helped, or more precisely, those supported by the World Market Trade alliance. Lein had previously requested their assistance in choosing him as Guardian. Everyone had agreed to Lein''s proposal without exception. Even top alliances like the United States, Russia, and China had approved Lein''s proposal. And why wouldn''t they? With Lein''s assistance and the power of his alliance, those leaders not only gained the advantage of support from the World Market Trade alliance but also forged a friendship by agreeing to Lein''s request to be chosen as Guardian. As Lein was about to turn to the next page, his notification screen blinked. A new message appeared. - (Cute cat) Big brother, we''reing home soon. Want us to get anything? Lein looked at the message for a moment, then smiled slightly. His mind drifted back to a few hours ago at the Teleportation Hub, when Nita had irritably refused his usual hug. And now, she was offering to bring him food. "Still so childish¡­" he murmured, a faint smile on his face. Lein mulled over what food might be suitable. "Fried rice?" he whispered, but then shook his head, "too ordinary¡­" "Cheese cassava?" his thoughts shifted again. "Durian soup?" One by one, his choices didn''t feel quite right. Finally, he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, deciding not to overthink it. Lein opened the chat and typed a brief reply, "Anything." It didn''t take long for Nita to respond with a simple message, "OK." Chapter 257: Nitas change Lein hung up the phone and continued reading the report. He remained in the leader''s office in the city hall building until Nita returned with some snacks from outside. *** The next day, Lein woke up from his sleep. He stretched his arms, brought them together, turned his hands to rx his joints, yawned widely, then gently rubbed his eyes. "Good morning," he said softly. Lein felt very refreshed that morning; his face looked brighter and more energetic. He nced around the room as if he had just arrived in a new ce. The beautiful chandelier on the ceiling, therge window letting in sunlight, and therge dragon statue near the wall by his desk¡ªall of it looked brand new to him. "Is this the effect of advancing to the King level?" Lein thought, trying to recall his rapid advancement just hours ago¡ªor rather, yesterday. Many things had changed, especially his mind, which felt clearer, more rxed, and refreshed. He felt in control of everything; he could do whatever he wanted, and everything was within his reach. Still in bed, Lein focused his mind until he could finally see clusters of dream energy filling the room. No, almost every space around him was filled with dream energy. Lein''s awareness moved the dream energy in the corner of his bedroom, gently wrapping it around the ceramic dragon statue in the corner. "Wow¡­" Lein could lift the dragon statue, then move it right, left, up, down, in every direction. "Amazing," Lein murmured with a broad smile. As he got out of bed, Lein set the statue back in ce. He walked over to a mirror not far from his bed. A handsome figure with slightly long hair, dark eyes, and sharp eyebrows appeared in the mirror. Lein tried to smile, revealing his white, perfectly aligned teeth. "Damn¡­ my teeth were never this nice," Lein said, touching his teeth with his finger. "Real?" Lein could feel that his teeth were real and solid. "Hahaha¡­ it seems that the power advancement has a direct effect on my physical body," Lein concluded. Knock, knock. A light knock sounded on Lein''s bedroom door. After the knock, a voice followed. "Good morning, Brother. It''s Nita." Lein''s face changed instantly in front of the mirror. "Nita? That''s unusual," he said, recalling that Nita never visited his room like this. He turned and walked toward the door, opening it. There was Nita, dressed neatly in a pink skirt and a white blouse withce, her face full of smiles. In her hands was a tray with some freshly prepared food. "Morning, Brother. I brought you some food," Nita said cheerfully. Lein just stood there, looking at Nita with a disbelieving gaze. His face became even more curious as he sensed a major change in Nita''s appearance and aura. She now looked like a noble princess, from her attire to her recently adopted mannerisms. "What''s with you? Are you sick?" Lein asked directly, his gaze serious, wanting to hear Nita''s answer directly. Not only was she unbothered, but Nita also continued to look at Lein with a cheerful face and said, "No, Brother, I''m not sick." "I brought you some food. Here, please¡­" Nita said in the same tone, then extended the tray in her hands toward Lein. A big, invisible question mark appeared over Lein''s head. He was even more surprised seeing Nita in front of him than he was when he saw the Mharzan item (the Divine Promotion Potion). Lein thought hard for a moment until he finally concluded that Nita must have learned a few things from her friends. Lein''s main thoughts were of Laras, Hana, and Elen. "Well, as long as it''s a good thing," Lein thought, not minding it. He even wanted to thank them personally. "Come on in," Lein invited Nita in, then walked over to the table in the center of the room. Nita smiled widely when she heard Lein allow her toe in, then followed him from behind while carrying the food tray. Not long after, they both sat down on the sofa around the table, sitting together across from each other. Nita spread out the food on the tray, cing each dish and utensil on the table in a way that was spaced out yet within easy reach for both hands. Lein didn''t just sit back; he helped Nita arrange the food and set it up. They remained silent as they did so, until finally, all the food was neatlyid out on the table. "Thank you, you look very beautiful today," said Lein with a sincere gaze; he was truly happy to see the change in his sister. He also didn''t want to ask her again about what had happened; the important thing was that Nita had changed and be a little more mature. "You''re wee, Brother. Please try it; I hope it tastes good," replied Nita as she started exining the food on the table. "This fish soup, I made it with Aunt Eti, and I grilled this meat following an online tutorial," Nita exined, describing all the food on the table. Lein listened while eating and tasting the different dishes on the table. "Delicious," said Lein every time he tried a dish that Nita had prepared. And it was true; the food was delicious. If he hadn''t seen the change in Nita''s behavior, he wouldn''t have believed that she had a hand in making this food. Lein ate while continuing to listen to Nita. A short whileter, he finished his breakfast. "Here, have a drink, Brother," Nita extended a ss of drink toward Lein. Lein smiled with pleasure, took it, and drank it all at once. "Ah¡­ thank you, madam," Lein said with a sense of relief. Lein sat backfortably on the sofa, looking at Nita, who was now also looking at him with a happy expression. Her mouth moved slightly as if she wanted to say something, but she held back. "What is it? Is there something you want to say?" Lein asked directly, though he had a slight guess in his head about what she wanted to do. Nita lowered her head, her eyes filled with tears, and her lips trembled as she struggled to hold back a flood of emotions she could no longer contain. But her defenses broke down, and her tears began to flow freely. "I''m sorry, Brother¡­ I''m so sorry¡­" Nita sobbed, her voice trembling and breaking between her cries. "All this time¡­ I''ve only relied on you. If you weren''t here, maybe I would have ended up like those other people¡­ all dead¡­" Lein remained silent, letting Nita pour out her heart without looking away from her. His gaze was gentle, full of empathy. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes, yet beneath it was a sense of pride in seeing his sister dare to open up like this. He could also imagine that his sister must have seen the reports of the countless lives lost. With so many deaths, Nita''s thoughts must have been troubled, imagining herself in the ce of those people. Who would protect her? Who could promise her that she would continue to live and enjoy her life as she did now? Nita continued, her voice still trembling, "Brother¡­ thank you. I promise I''ll try to be more independent¡­ I''ll try not to be a burden to you anymore." Her sobs grew louder, filling the room with a mix of sorrow and determination that had long been buried within her. Lein continued to listen, not wanting to interrupt this moment. For him, this wasn''t just about Nita''s promise to change but a precious step he had never imagined he would witness. Finally, Lein took a slow breath and then spoke gently, "That''s enough, Nita. I understand." He stood up, walked over to her, and then sat beside her on the sofa. Gently, he put his arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace, while softly stroking her head. "It''s enough¡­ stop, or you''ll make me look like I''m burdened or something," Lein said with a slightugh. For him, protecting Nita was the easiest thing in the world; there was no doubt that the person most precious to him was his one and only sister, Nita. Nita fell silent in Lein''s embrace, trying to wipe away her tears that still kept flowing. In her silence, she felt the tenderness and strength in each of Lein''s strokes, reminding her of her childhood. But this time, there was a different feeling¡ªa realization that she was no longer a child whopletely depended on her older brother. A bit of embarrassment began to creep into her thoughts. She allowed Lein to stroke her head, though she knew, deep down, she wanted to appear more mature. But for now, she let herself feel thatfort, admitting that maybe she still needed time. Lein continued to stroke Nita''s head from the side, waiting for her sadness to subside and for her to stop crying again. Honestly, deep down, he was very pleased with the changes happening in Nita. "In every disaster, there''s a hidden benefit," Lein thought to himself, recalling an old saying from his vige. The war disaster brought on by the foreign creatures had brought a positive shift in Nita''s mentality and emotions, and Lein was grateful for that. Chapter 258: Alliance meeting messages, William fear Lein stayed with Nita for a while until she finally stopped crying and could speak clearly. "How are you feeling? Feeling better?" Lein asked, looking at Nita''s face. Nita smiled and gave a small nod as she wiped away the remaining tears. "Alright then, go downstairs and start getting ready," Lein said, then stood up from the sofa, intending to take a shower and prepare himself. "Let all core members know to be ready for the official alliance meeting at 10 a.m.," Lein instructed as he headed toward the bathroom. "Alright, Brother¡­" Nita replied without asking any questions. She then stood up and began clearing the tes on the table, stacking a few tes, bowls with bowls, and organizing everything on the tray. And so, the two siblings went about their morning routines. *** In a three-story room lined with shelves filled with books on every floor, an old man in white clothing was seen examining a book on one of the shelves. "Aetheris?" the old man murmured softly, reading a thin book with several circle diagrams on the page he was on. "Unstable¡­?" "A special state where a ruler bes a king?" The old man continued reading through the pages of the book until he finally finished. He gazed off toward the far end of the room, lost in thought. "If I''m not mistaken, young master Lein should have already reached the Master level!" the old man said to himself. Yes, the old man was Haikal Emanuel. He used to be an academic and served as a professor at one of Indonesia''s top universities. Since he possessed a talent that made him stronger through reading and gaining knowledge, he created this vast library during the racial war event. "It feels almost impossible to reach the King level," Haikal muttered to himself, imagining how difficult it would be to achieve the King level as described in the book he had just read. "Even the levels beyond Master are unclear. Very few books discuss the levels beyond Master," Haikal Emanuel said in frustration. From several books he had read, the Master level was when a ruler could construct their soul and activate it on an altar they had built. "I wonder what young master Lein''s soul altar level is¡­ and that light girl, too!" Haikal Emanuel walked down the numerous book aisles, having intentionallye to the library early in the morning after waking up. Yesterday, he had tried to enter one of the portals to attack the foreign invaders, but he couldn''t pass through due to a merging with the cosmos. There was also a time limit, which would end at an uncertain time. Thetest information he had received from his subordinates a few minutes ago was that the merging process had reached 42%. This meant it was almost halfway before Aetheris, where they resided, would merge with the cosmos. "Let''s hope none of those creatures exceed the Master level," Haikal Emanuel said with hope. In his view, Lein had already reached the Master level and could defeat invaders of the same level. As he continued walking through the library shelves toward the exit, he stopped in his tracks as he received an important message from Nita. - (Cute cat): All core members are expected to attend the official meeting at 11:00 a.m. "Good¡­ I assume young master will discuss further ns on the cosmos merging and the foreign invasion," he guessed quickly. In his opinion, nothing was more urgent than those two matters. Haikal Emanuel felt slightly more at ease, then continued on his way. He headed for the exit to prepare himself. *** Laras Residence, City of Light A garden filled with various types of beautiful flowers, and ake full of vibrant fish. A woman stood waiting beside a water faucet as it filled a bucket. Next to her was a middle-aged woman with a slightly plump figure standing by her side. "Miss Laras, you don''t need to do such menial work. Let me handle it," the middle-aged woman said, trying to stop Laras from filling the water bucket. "It''s alright, Auntie. I actually enjoy doing this," Laras replied reassuringly. She then added, "I''m used to doing this every day back on Earth, so there''s no need to worry." The middle-aged woman seemed resigned, unable to do anything more. She had tried everything she could, but Laras was apparently more determined than she''d anticipated. Before long, the watering bucket was full. Laras closed it, lifted it with her right hand, and headed straight to the flower bed she hadn''t watered yet. "This spot, wasn''t it?" Laras murmured, trying to recall the area she had previously watered. She found the spot and started watering. A fine mist of water sprinkled evenly over the flowers. Na¡­ na na¡­ na As she watered, Laras hummed her favorite song. She seemed very skilled; by the time she reached the end of the flower bed, the water in the bucket was empty. She gave it a small shake to make sure there was no water left, then turned back to fill it again. She opened the watering bucket, turned on the faucet, and waited. While waiting, Laras recalled their meeting with Nita, Elen, and Hana. She and the others had encouraged Nita to embrace her desire to change, to be more useful, and to support her brother Lein as best she could. "I hope you seed," Laras murmured, wishing the best for Nita. They were close; they were best friends. Now the bucket was full again, so Laras turned off the faucet, closed the bucket. Just as she was about to lift it, the sound of an iing message notification echoed. - (Cute cat): All core members are requested to attend the official meeting to be held at 11:00. Just like Haikal Emanuel, Laras received the same exact message. Or rather, all ten core members had received the invitation to attend the official meeting. "Official meeting?" Laras repeated, recalling the term they''d used before. After pondering it for a moment, she smiled and said, "Alright." Laras had suspected there would be a meeting due to the ongoing invasion. Besides that, the disturbances in the portal and the merging of the cosmos were matters that needed serious discussion. With that, Laras continued her morning routine, watering the flowers and nning to get ready afterward to attend the alliance''s core members'' official meeting. The other core members also received the message. They were all going about their morning routines when they received Nita''s message. Their responses were simrly enthusiastic and hopeful. They anticipated finding answers to everything happening at the uing meeting, so they were more than ready to attend wholeheartedly. *** The White House, America Ind William sat behind arge desk, his eyes scanning a stack of reports spread out across the table. asionally, he nced at the tablet in his hand to review more detailed reports. "So, Sir? Has there been any response from the Russian, Chinese, or other alliances?" an elderly man asked in front of him with hope in his voice. Hearing the question, William furrowed his brow. He intended to respond, but as he recalled their attitudes, a look of irritation appeared on his face. He had tried to establish good rtions with these alliances to share information, but all of them had refused and given unsatisfactory responses. "No, it seems they no longer trust us," William replied bitterly. He found it hard to ept this reality. When they first arrived, he was at the center of the world''s attention; even the Russian and Chinese alliances had shown interest and readiness to cooperate. However, when the alien invasion happened¡ªwhen power was the only thing that mattered¡ªthose alliances revealed their true colors, behaving very differently from how they had publicly presented themselves. "Just wait¡­ sooner orter, I''ll surpass you all," William said with conviction. He refused to be treated like this. While it wasn''t outright betrayal, being ignored by those who used to be weaker than him was a deeply frustrating feeling. William could only set aside the issue of cooperation with those alliances for the time being. He turned his gaze toward the elderly man in front of him and asked, "What''s the current percentage of the merger?" William asked with deep curiosity. The elderly man was ready with his answer. "It''s reached 42%, Sir. It''s expected to bepleted by tomorrow," he exined with a slightly fearful tone. William fell silent for a moment, taking in the report. A sense of worry crept into his heart. Imagining their current strength, it was clear that these alien invaders weren''t opponents they could face with ordinary Tier-3 soldiers alone. His thoughts drifted to the rulers in the Divine Sky Realm. There was only one person he believed could stand tall against this threat¡ªLein, the leader of the World Market Trade Alliance. "Any information from Princess Nita?" William asked again. "Yes, Sir. She advised that we continue to wait for further information," the elderly man across the table from William replied. Hufft... Stress clouded William''s mind. He felt uncertain about what to do, fully aware that their current strength wasn''t enough to stand alone. Chapter 259: Morning situation before the meeting The old man observed William in silence, waiting. His eyes tracked every small change on the man''s face, and as William''s expression turned serious, the old man spoke, his voice slightly hurried. "Sir, there''s new information," he said quickly. "The World Market Trade Alliance will hold an internal meetingter, at eleven in the morning." William''s gaze sharpened. He looked at the old man, confirming once again. "Is this information valid?" "Yes, Sir," the man replied firmly. "This information came directly from our spy close to Princess Hana, one of the alliance''s key members." He paused briefly, letting his words hang in the air. William was silent, but his mind moved swiftly. He sped his fingers, resting his chin on them, lost in thought. cing spies around the enemy was an old tactic, but in these times, obtaining quick information became an advantage that could not be squandered. A few seconds passed before he finally lifted his head, his gaze full of conviction. "Prepare the troops. I''ll go directly." The old man nodded, not surprised by William''s decision. "Yes, Sir," he replied promptly, then stepped out of the room with swift steps, carrying the message to the troops. ¡­ Elsewhere, the ind owned by the Russian alliance was bustling with activity. In arge room with marble walls and luxurious furniture, a burly middle-aged man sat rxed on the sofa. His muscles bulged beneath his formal attire, and his bald head made him appear even more intimidating. With a hard look, the man spoke to himself, his tone filled with frustration. "Young Master Lein... you''re always so arrogant." For a long time, he had tried to attract the attention of the World Market Trade''s leader, Lein, by helping various parties and undertaking numerous humanitarian missions during the previous war, hoping to break through the wall of pride surrounding the man. However, his efforts bore no fruit; not even a reply had ever reached him. He frowned, his expression of disappointment turning to determination. "Prepare the main troops," he ordered a woman standing firmly behind him, his loyal assistant who was always by his side. The assistant bowed her head slightly, showing her obedience. "Yes, Sir," she replied calmly before walking out with steady steps, ready to carry out his orders. *** Lein Ind, City of Life Lein stepped out of his bathroom, wearing a sky-blue robe that fell softly around him. Each step made the sleeves of the robe sway gently, flowing in sync with his steady movements. The robe seemed perfectly fitted to his body, as if crafted just for him, and there was a sense offort in every soft touch of fabric against his skin. At his waist, two lights in the shape of long swords were attached like ornaments, seeming almost like an aura illusion, yet solid enough to deceive the eye. The shape and details were identical to real swords¡ªthe hilt, the de, everything exuded a deep, sharp impression, as if ready to be drawn at any moment. "Sofortable," he murmured, smiling slightly as he straightened the sleeve of his robe with satisfaction. He remembered when he asked a skilled tailor to create this outfit, emphasizing how importantfort and aesthetics were. The cost wasn''t an issue, as long as the results met his expectations, and now, he felt truly content. As he descended the stairs and reached the town hall''s living room, his view was greeted by a spacious and neatly arranged room. A long table stood in the middle, surrounded by chairs set up in an orderly manner. On one side of the room, arge television screen was ced alongside several other electronic devices¡ªspeakers, a PS5, a fan, and small tables around. Each item gleamed, like new, signaling how well-maintained the ce was. Lein nced at the wall clock above therge TV hanging on the living room wall. The hands showed ten o''clock, and he smiled slightly, still an hour left before the alliance''s internal meeting began. He took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh morning air. Today was the first day he would serve in his role as a King-level leader. Lein walked leisurely towards the sofa in front of the TV, letting his body sink into the soft cushions that felt sofortable. With his flexible fingers, he picked up the remote, turned on the TV, and stared at therge screen disying the channel list. A small smile crossed his face as he recalled his habit of watching TV back on Earth. "What channels do people here usually watch?" he muttered, his eyes scanning the list with curiosity. A name appeared on the screen: (Neo Star). He raised an eyebrow, slightly intrigued. "Neo Star? Is this an idol channel?" he asked softly, selecting the channel with a single click. The show''s disy immediately appeared, featuring a beautiful female singer dressed in bright clothing, with several backup dancers moving in sync behind her. "Na na na..." The singer''s voice flowed melodiously, with a fresh rhythm and an inviting beat. Without realizing it, Lein nodded his head to the rhythm of the song, his body filling with the joyful energy he often felt back on Earth. Suddenly, a gentle voice came from beside him, "Brother, I''ve informed all core members." Lein turned and saw Nita already sitting next to him, joining him on the sofa with a small smile. "Thank you," Lein said warmly. "Hey, do you have any channel suggestions?" Nita smiled, pointing at the screen. "The (My Academy) channel, Brother. It''s the hunters'' favorite. They usually broadcast matches of academy students." Nita quickly took the remote and switched the channel to (My Academy). The disy on the screen changed, showing arge arena with academy students in uniforms standing opposite each other, preparing to duel. The cheers of the crowd echoed in the background, intensifying the scene on the screen. Lein smiled slightly, nodding, his eyes fixed on the screen. "Ha? A duel?" he murmured softly, almost in disbelief. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 260: Chaos at the Teleportation Hub How could such a duel be public viewing? Yet he remained captivated, enjoying each movement of the students in the arena. Though they were only low-level students, their movements were beautiful and deadly. Nita was just about to exin something about the show on the screen when her tablet vibrated softly, disying an iing message. Her fingers moved quickly, swiping across the screen to read the message. Her eyebrows raised slightly, her eyes fixed on the text for a few seconds until she gave a small nod, understanding its content. "Brother," said Nita, her voice calm but with a serious undertone. "The top alliances have already heard about our internal meeting. They are now on their way here. It seems they want to ask directly about future ns and developments." Lein, still sitting rxed on the sofa while watching the duel on the TV screen, merely gave a small nod, undisturbed. His eyes remained focused on the movements of the academy students fighting in the arena, observing their techniques with calm interest. At the moment, he was at the King level¡ªthree tiers above tier-3, the highest rank for humans now. The threat from other alliances seemed trivial to him, almost like a passing breeze. "Let them be," he replied lightly, his voice barely perturbed. "Let theme and do whatever they want." Nita nodded slightly, her face serious as she listened to her brother''s instructions. "Also, make sure the security of the city residents is maintained," Lein added, without taking his gaze off the screen. Nita quickly reached for her tablet again, typing swiftly and efficiently, rying Lein''s orders to those in charge of the ind''s security. Once the message was sent, Nita folded her hands, leaning back on the sofa, and watched the TV screen alongside Lein. The two sat side by side infortable silence, enjoying the duel on screen. Time passed, and they remained there, absorbed in the momentary peace, waiting for eleven o''clock to arrive. *** Teleportation Hub The previously quiet Teleportation Hub was now busy again, flooded with representatives from various alliances. The silence that had once hung in the air after the foreign creature attacks was now reced by the bustle of humans and an energy that seemed to fill the atmosphere. Creatures from other realms still asionally emerged through the portals, but their intensity had greatly decreased. Each appearance was nothing more than a minor disturbance, immediately obliterated by the Lightning Towers and the advanced defense systems surrounding the ind. At one of therger portals, a handsome young man appeared, dressed in a suit that was both stylish andfortable. Following him, an old man with a long beard emerged, wearing a white robe that trailed down to the floor. They were immediately followed by several men in ck uniforms, moving with disciplined precision as bodyguards nking them. "Ah¡­ finally," William murmured as he took a deep breath, his eyes sweeping over the surroundings with an undisguised sense of awe. This was William''s first time setting foot on Lein Ind. Until now, the ind had only existed in his mind through images on social media and television. The reality before him now felt far more impressive. The old man beside him, also gazing around with an expression of amazement, took a deep breath. "This ind¡­ it''s so different every time I see it. Even after so many visits, I''m still fascinated," he said with a tone of admiration mixed with awe. His gaze was fixed on the towering buildings that seemed to challenge the sky. William smiled at the old man''s murmurs. "Yes¡­ it''s as if he possesses boundless wealth. Just seeing that tall tower sends shivers down my spine," he replied, his voice low but filled with the same sense of admiration. The two stood for a moment, absorbing the lively atmosphere around them. The crowd continued to grow, and William noticed a few reporters running towards them with cameras and microphones at the ready. From afar, enthusiastic voices began to call out. "Excuse me, excuse me! Mr. William from the American Alliance, may we have a moment of your time?" "Mr. William, you''ve finally arrived! Do you have time for an interview?" The reporters'' calls filled the air, but William and the old man beside him remained standing, unfazed. The bodyguards quickly moved, forming a semicircle, creating a barrier between their employer and the crowd. "Stop¡­ maintain a two-meter distance," ordered the head of the bodyguards, extending his arm as a sign of the boundary to be respected. The reportersplied, stepping back slightly but staying close, preparing their equipment. Once everything was ready, a reporter quickly threw out the first question. "What''s the purpose of your visit this time, Mr. William? Are you here in response to an invitation from the World Market Trade Alliance?" William responded with a broad smile, adjusting his tone to sound friendly and open. "No, actually," he replied with a smile, "but as a fellow human, of course, I wanted to visit and meet my good friend, Young Master Lein." William restrained himself from showing too serious an expression. He knew well that in front of reporters, a smile and openness were the best tools for maintaining his image. "Mr. William, where will you and your party be staying while you''re here?" another reporter quickly asked. "Mr. William, in your opinion, how long will these foreign creature attacks continue?" another chimed in. With a consistent smile, William responded to each question with calm and a positive tone. His words were full of optimism, his answers sounding vague yet filled with humanity. On the other side of the Teleportation Hub, representatives from various other alliances faced a simr situation. They arrived with bodyguards, trusted assistants, and several security staff stationed closely around them. Just like the group from the American Alliance, the reporters immediately approached, carrying their bat gear"¡ªcameras and ready-to-use microphones¡ªallpeting to capture the moment and grab the hottest news for their broadcasts. The World Market Trade Alliance, led by Lein, had now truly be the center of attention for all humankind. Chapter 261: Busy city of life The main street of the City of Life was packed with flying cars gliding gracefully through the air, carrying alliance leaders from various regions. On the sidewalks, citizens lined the streets, gathering with bright eyes and enthusiastic smiles, awaiting the approaching procession. Tall buildings with gleaming surfaces reflected the sky''s light, creating a grand and futuristic backdrop. Amidst the crowd, a group of young people stood with wide eyes, their voices filled with excitement. "Look, that ck car¡ªthat''s President dimir Nova from the Russian Alliance!" One young man pointed excitedly, his eyes fixed on Nova''s red cloak, which waved gracefully as he passed by. "Wow, they say he''s as strong as a lion. Fierce and tough!" added a curly-haired girl next to him, her eyes shining with admiration. Not far from them, a line of sleek cars with elegant designs hovered low. "That must be the European Alliance!" another young man eximed, unable to contain his smile as he watched the cars arranged in a sophisticated, futuristic style that radiated technological elegance. Meanwhile, journalists tirelessly captured the moment. Camera shes flickered like stars, the reporters'' voices sounding spirited into their microphones,peting with the cheers of the citizens. "We''re here, live from the heart of the City of Life! The excitement of the people is unstoppable as they witness history in the making!" shouted one reporter with an enthusiastic tone. Behind him, the procession of cars continued, forming a majestic background. In homes and cafes, people followed the live broadcast onrge screens showing the procession from various parts of the city. Each time the camera zoomed in on the face of an alliance leader, cheers and small apuse erupted among them. ... On the west side of the city stood the grand Alliance World Market Trade building. The main gate of the Alliance World Market Trade building towered high, adorned with gleaming crystal carvings that cast a soft light amid the hustle. Along the gate, a row of guards stood tall in ck uniforms with futuristic weapons, their bodies reflected in the dark metal and crystal of the gate''s sturdy design. Their eyes were sharp, watching every movement around them. Behind the gate, a wide path stretched forward, leading the view to the training building on the right wing. There, the sound of marching steps and shing weapons echoed rhythmically, filling the air with the vigor of training. The soldiers wore uniformbat gear, training under the keen gaze of their instructor. To the left stood the main hall, grand and imposing, its walls adorned with holographic screens projecting information from alliance territories. Amid the bustle, a woman in a neat uniform with a silver badge on her left chest walked steadily. Her eyes were sharp, scanning every corner of the long hallway connecting the main hall to the important rooms in the building. Her steps were measured, exuding an unquestionable authority. After a few minutes, the woman arrived at arge, gleaming metal door. She knocked softly, waiting with her head slightly bowed in respect. "Enter," a gentle yet authoritative voice sounded from within. The woman stepped into arge room enveloped in a calm atmosphere. The room''s walls emitted a soft glow from blue and gold crystals arranged artistically. Behind arge desk, a woman with shoulder-length hair sat, her eyes focused on a stack of documents before her. Her fingers moved swiftly yet gracefully, turning page after page of reports without pause. The woman who had entered bowed slightly. "Hana," she called, her voice polite yet firm. Hana lifted her gaze from her report, observing the woman before her. "Is everything ready?" she asked briefly, her tone neutral yet meaningful, her hands still arranging the stack of documents. "Yes, Ma''am. We also just received word that the American Alliance representatives will arrive in a few minutes," the woman replied. Hana''s eyebrows raised slightly. She didn''t hide her surprise, though she remained calm. "They''re arriving sooner than I expected," she murmured softly, her eyes shifting to the documents on the desk. She stood up, tidying the files, then looked at the woman with a faint smile. "Thank you. You may return," she said gently. The woman nodded and turned to leave the room with the same steady steps. Hana, now ready to greet them, stepped out, walking towards the waiting room with confident strides. On the main street, the convoy of cars from the American Alliance glided with graceful speed, heading straight for the towering gates of the Alliance World Market Trade Building. Two massive pirs stood on either side, giving an impression of both grandeur and dominance, as if the structure itself scrutinized every visitor approaching it. A guard post stood in front of the gate. A soldier with a solid build and full uniform stepped out of the post, approaching the lead car where William was seated. Without hesitation, he knocked on the window with a firm tap. "Please lower the window and show your identification," he said in a deep voice, leaving no room for doubt. The driver in the front seat lowered the window and took a few cards from the car''s dashboard, then handed them to the soldier with a respectful demeanor. "We are from the American Alliance," he said, his voice clear and professional. The soldier received the cards and examined them carefully. One by one, he scrutinized each detail on the cards, his eyebrows furrowing slightly as he verified every element, ensuring nothing was overlooked. William, seated in the back, observed the guard patiently, his gaze fixed on him without a word. After a moment, the soldier closed thest card and returned it. "Alright, you may proceed," he said, gesturing for them to continue. William''s car moved slowly through the gate, while the soldier immediately turned to the other convoy cars, ensuring each vehicle underwent the same strict inspection. Inside the car, William gazed out the window, his eyes widening slightly as his view settled on the main Alliance World Market Trade building that now loomed before him. The structure looked like a giant built from gleaming metal and thick ss, reflecting the blue sky on its surface. Crystal pirs stood proudly, and the symmetrically arranged ornaments conveyed a sense of grandeur, as if the building wasn''t merely a meeting ce but a symbol of unshakeable strength. "How¡­ is it possible?" William murmured, almost in disbelief at what he was seeing. Every inch of the building exuded an unusual luxury, as if its materials came from another world, beyond the reach of his own alliance. In the front seat, an elderly man sitting beside the driver turned slowly towards William. "Sir, Miss Hana is already waiting in the lounge," he said softly, his voice almost a whisper, careful not to interrupt William''s sense of awe. William took a deep breath, his eyes still fixed on the scene outside. After a brief pause, he turned to the elderly man and gave a slight nod. "Tell her we''ll be there shortly," he said, then resumed gazing at the grand buildings they passed, as if trying to memorize every detail. After touring the Alliance World Market Tradeplex, the convoy of American Alliance cars finally stopped in front of a blue building that exuded both tranquility and elegance. Staff in formal attire moved back and forth in front of the ss doors, busy with their tasks, holding files or speaking intomunication devices, moving quickly yet orderly. In front of the building''s entrance, a woman stood tall, wearing a crisp white shirt and with shoulder-length hair. Her face was calm, yet the aura she projected conveyed a sense of authority that was impossible to ignore. Her gaze was fixed straight at William''s car, as if she knew exactly who was inside. From within the car, William looked toward the woman. His eyes narrowed slightly, studying her carefully. There was something striking behind the calmness of her expression¡ªa hidden strength that felt unmistakably real. As the driver opened the door, William stepped out with aposed demeanor. His shoulders were straight, his face unreadable, masking his surprise from the outside world. His gaze remained fixed on the woman at the entrance, measuring her with a sharp, practiced look. A few bodyguards from the other cars quickly exited, standing alert behind William. But he didn''t nce back, his full attention on the figure before him. A faint breeze passed through, slightly moving the edge of the woman''s shirt. Hana stepped forward as she saw William walking toward her. A warm smile graced her face as she greeted him, "Wee, Mr. William. Wee to the Alliance World Market Trade." William paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if searching for something to say. Then he smiled politely and replied, "Thank you, Miss Hana. I apologize if I kept you waiting." Hanaughed lightly, her cheerful voice echoing in the calm morning air. "Oh, no need to worry, sir. Please,e inside," she said softly, gesturing to the staff standing not far from them. "My staff will guide you to the waiting room." William nodded, though there was something he wanted to say, he felt it wasn''t the right time. Behind them, the sound of other cars began to fill the air, perhaps another alliance entourage arriving at the same ce. Chapter 262: Alliance arrival Hana stood in front of the main building, awaiting the approaching group with a rxed yet authoritative demeanor. From experience, Hana knew they were important people, though to her, they were merely guests with limited influence within the alliance. Her task was simple: to wee them, guide them, andter ry the results of the alliance''s internal meeting¡ªall under Lein''s direction. Her gaze thennded on a woman with ck hair walking toward her. A flowing red dress followed each graceful movement. Her skin was smooth, nearly wless, and her almond-shaped eyes radiated a firmness that reminded Hana of the mysterious allure typical of Chinese culture. Behind her, two authoritative figures nked her, both appearing middle-aged but exuding an aura as intimidating as any Tier-3 ruler Hana had ever encountered. The man to the woman''s right had a fierce face with a predatory gaze, like a resting beast ready to strike at any moment. The woman beside him, slightly more at ease, presented a different side¡ªher face was calm, but her gaze sharp and calcting, making ordinary people reluctant to meet her eyes for too long. "Miss Bai Qi, wee," greeted Hana, her voice firm yet respectful. She stepped forward, offering a polite salute as a gesture of respect. Bai Qi gave a slight nod. "Miss Hana, no need for such formality," she said in a neutral tone, neither excessive nor the least bit arrogant. Her eyes briefly nced at the building behind Hana, and a faint crease appeared on her brow. Hana noticed her look of awe as she examined the building''s material¡ªa metal with a silvery sheen and a glossy texture, as if sculpted from a substance she had never encountered before. Bai Qi''s gaze grew sharper as she observed several robots moving along the street, carrying equipment and performing their tasks efficiently. For a moment, she even heard a faint hum from one of the robots as it paused to check a device on the roadside before continuing on its way. "The Alliance World Market Trade has grown rapidly¡­" murmured Bai Qi, her eyes still scanning the surroundings with keen interest. Behind her, the soldiers who hade along were also alert. Some appeared busy scanning the area; a few activated their observation abilities, while others instinctively positioned themselves to maintain a defensive formation, as if anticipating any sudden attack. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Hana extended her hand to shake hands with Bai Qi and each member of the group. She then gestured with her hand, inviting them to step inside therge building behind her. In the lobby, they would wait until the internal meeting concluded. Bai Qi''s entourage walked through the weing hall at the front. They were greeted by a grand interior: arge room adorned with beautiful essories¡ªartistic paintings with sharp, vivid strokes, sculpted statues symbolizing strength and honor, technological prototypes gleaming like artifacts from the future, and hologram panels in every corner disying visual information and digital graphics gracefully in motion. Several staff members of the Alliance World Market Trade passed by, offering polite greetings with professional expressions before quickly returning to their tasks, unlike ordinary people who might stop to admire Bai Qi and her entourage or ask for photos with them. Behind Bai Qi, the fierce-faced man whispered in a low, serious tone, "Miss, I believe we need to reassess our evaluation of this Alliance World Market Trade." Hearing this, Bai Qi paused, then turned and looked at the man with a sharp gaze. Her eyes narrowed, her lips moved slowly, "Do not speak for the rest of the day," she ordered briefly, her voice low yet forceful, ensuring that every word was understood clearly. The man felt a subtle tremor in his chest, a clear warning to restrain himself. He nodded slightly, choosing silence, dismissing whatever he had just considered. After passing through several rooms, they finally arrived at a vast hall stretching out like a grand banquet room. Rows of carved wooden tables were spaced widely apart, each set up specifically for honorary guests from other alliances. Each table was equipped with four chairs, while guards stood alert around, forming a protective formation around their leaders. Bai Qi observed the hall, her gazending on a table already upied by members from another alliance. In one corner, she noticed William from the American Alliance sitting casually, his right leg crossed over his left. A cigarette hung from his lips, thick smoke billowing around him in rings that seemed to encircle him. Beside William sat an old man and two young men with impressive strength, their aura nearing Tier-3 levels, although they were officially still ssified as Tier-2. As Bai Qi entered the hall, William lowered his cigarette, looking at her with a slight smile, then called out softly, "Miss Bai Qi, you''re a bitte." His voice was low, yet somehow carried clearly to Bai Qi''s ears despite the distance across the room. Bai Qi didn''t respond, briefly raising an eyebrow without expression before dismissing him and continuing to one of the nearby tables. She sat down calmly, unhurriedly, followed by the middle-aged man and woman behind her, who also took their seats, while the guards stood alert beside them, watching every corner of the room cautiously. From his spot, William only smiled slightly, entirely unfazed by Bai Qi''s attitude. He raised the cigarette back to his lips, taking a deep drag, the smoke swirling into gentle spirals in the air¡ªa sight that, to some, might seem beautiful and soothing, even in this room filled with tension. As time passed, one by one, the alliance delegations arrived, filling the hall with the presence of important figures from around the world. The steady, calm footsteps echoed as a middle-aged man with a thick ck beard entered the room. Arge sword with a jeweled hilt hung securely on his back, gleaming whenever the light touched it. His long,yered robe draped over him in heavy, elegant fabric, marking his identity as Sayyid Rafiq, the leader of the Arab Alliance. His deep, serene gaze radiated the calmness of a thinker who had long pondered the world. Chapter 263: Core members arrive Rafiq scanned the room, observing the many other alliances already present. Some unfamiliar faces sat in silence, maintaining a respectful demeanor but asionally watching each other with cautious nces. Rafiq cleared his throat softly, then murmured, "Many people have already gathered¡­" After a moment of observation, a slight smile appeared on his face, and he let out a quietugh. "Hahaha¡­ it''s rare to see these people gathered in one ce," he said, stepping towards a table in the corner of the room, followed by his two loyal guards. With calmposure, they took their positions, observing the room while keeping a measured distance. Not long after Sayyid Rafiq''s arrival, a different aura filled the hall as a tall woman with pale skin and neatly pinned blonde hair entered the room. Her movements were graceful and poised, her aura exuding strength and authority, evoking an aristocratic presence that could not be ignored. The woman was Elizabeth, the leader of the British Alliance, whose arrival immediately drew attention. One of the female guards behind her whispered softly, "Miss Elizabeth, Mr. William is over there," nodding towards the other side of the room. Elizabeth nced in the indicated direction, and sure enough, she spotted William, the leader of the American Alliance, sitting at a table with a cigarette in his hand. They exchanged a brief look, and William gave a slight nod, smiling faintly. With elegance, Elizabeth walked toward a table near the American delegation. She passed several other alliances, who watched her with curiosity, acknowledging her presence without needing a single word. Upon reaching the table, Elizabeth sat down, her posture rxed yet graceful, then looked at William with a small smile. "Have you been waiting long?" she asked in a casual yet familiar tone. William leaned back in his chair, extinguishing his cigarette in the ashtray before him. "Yeah¡­ just a little early," he replied lightly, his voice soft but clear, hinting at a close rtionship between them. Elizabeth nced around the room, observing the prominent figures from various alliances seated in their respective formations, with their guards standing watchfully nearby to prevent any disturbances. While still surveying her surroundings, she asked William, "Any new information about Cosmos?" William sighed, shaking his head. "Nothing yet," he answered regretfully. "Even with the help of that young oracle, we haven''t managed to track him down." Elizabeth nodded slightly, appearing unsurprised. Although their conversation was simple, the two looked perfectly at ease, a sign of their long-standing closeness. They continued their private conversation, asionallyughing softly or whispering to each other, undeterred by the people around them who watched from a distance. The strongest alliances of humanity continued to arrive, filling the hall with a vignt presence. Each group took their designated seats. Some leaders who had known each other for a long time conversed casually, while newer leaders exchanged nces, trying to grasp who was among them. This meeting was a rare opportunity to get to know one another more closely, especially since circumstances had forced them to attend without an official invitation. Amid the small conversations taking ce in the hall, the atmosphere was disrupted by the arrival of arge, muscr man, calmly walking towards the entrance of the alliance building. The clock showed 9:10, and at that moment, a bare-chested man with massive muscles walked through the gateway. His physique was powerful, his skin sunburned, bearing scars of past battles and intense training. Several alliance groups undergoing inspection by the guards paused, casting nces of admiration and envy at the man, but no one dared to voice aint. "Isn''t that Mr. Bagus¡­" murmured one of the alliance leaders sitting in his car, gazing with respect and a hint of curiosity. The figure they saw was one of the ten core members of the World Market Trade Alliance. Although most of them had never met him in person, they recognized his name and face from widely circted information on the inte. Bagus looked at the crowd in front of the building with a puzzled expression, then chuckled. "Is there a wedding going on?" he joked in a low tone. From the gate to the path leading to the reception hall, many people were gathered, unfamiliar faces filling the area. His gaze was drawn to a car moving slowly beside him. Inside sat a woman dressed in a purple kimono, seated gracefully, gazing calmly toward the building. Bagus shook his head slightly, as if brushing off his own thoughts, and continued walking steadily toward the reception hall. "Mr. Bagus!!" a loud shout echoed from a distance. Bagus paused and turned his head. In the distance, a young man wearing a ck jacket and ck helmet was riding arge motorcycle, speeding toward him. "Who''s this?" Bagus muttered, curious, then recognized the figure beneath the helmet. A smile spread across his face as the young man stopped his motorcycle right beside him. "Yo¡­ Arya, you finally made it," he greeted warmly. The young man, Arya, smiled as he removed his helmet. His messy ck hair appeared, and his gaze was sharp yet full of friendliness. Arya, one of the core members of the World Market Trade Alliance, was a fighter who specialized in defense, known for his exceptional endurance in battle. "Want a ride?" Arya patted the back seat of his motorcycle, raising an eyebrow in invitation. Bagus looked at therge bike for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Let''s go," he replied casually, then sat on the back seat. Arya ced his helmet at the front of the bike, then started the engine, which rumbled softly, ready to take them to the reception hall. "Ready?" he asked, ncing slightly at Bagus behind him. After receiving a confirming nod from Bagus, Arya twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle set off steadily, carrying the two of them toward the hall. Along the way, the gazes of other alliance members followed their journey, realizing that two key figures from the World Market Trade Alliance had arrived. Chapter 264: Internal meeting room Hana stood tall at the entrance, her face adorned with a warm, professional smile. She was used to weing guests from outside the alliance, and her friendly demeanor made anyone who came feelfortable. Every gesture, every smile, all seemed natural to her. "Wee... please,e in," said Hana, nodding slightly to the alliance delegation that had just arrived. Her voice was soft yet clearly audible among the crowd. The leader of the delegation smiled back at her, "Thank you, Miss Hana. See you soon." He stepped past her, followed by his members in an orderly manner. After they passed through the door, Hana nced at her watch. The long hand pointed to 10, and the short hand was at 9. "Fifteen more minutes¡­ looks like I need to get ready as well," she murmured quietly, her gaze sweeping around the lobby. Not far from where she stood, another woman in a guard''s uniform stood at attention, observing the surroundings calmly. "You,e here," Hana called, her tone calm yet clear. The woman turned quickly and, with agility, walked over to Hana. "Yes, Miss Hana. I am ready to serve," she replied in a firm tone. "Take over my position. If anything happens, contact me immediately," Hana instructed in a professional tone. "Yes, Miss." The woman instantly stood in a rxed yet alert posture, imitating Hana''s earlier stance without hesitation. She gave a slight nod, epting the responsibility with full sincerity. Hana smiled faintly, pleased to see the readiness and firmness on the woman''s face. "Good... good, I leave it to you," she said. Then she turned and started walking into the building to prepare for the internal meeting room. Walking down the alliance building''s corridor, Hana moved with steady steps. She observed every room she passed, watching the staff busy with their respective tasks. The corridor was bustling with activity; an atmosphere of cooperation and busyness filled the air around her. "Good afternoon, Miss Hana!" called out a male staff member who was pushing a cart full of logistics boxes, waving warmly as she passed. "Good afternoon, Miss Hana!" echoed a woman with her hands full of books and a small bag on her back, smiling warmly. Hana only gave a slight smile and a nod in response. She was used to the warm greetings from the building''s staff. Her presence was highly respected among them, not only because of her position as a core member but also because of her dedication, which made her well-known. Every task, from the smallest to the mostplex, she always carried out with excellence. "I wonder how many people have arrived by now," Hana murmured to herself, pondering as she continued walking. Her steps now led her down a long corridor adorned with gleaming silver walls. Along the walls, soft blue neon lights glowed like connecting lines, lending a futuristic impression. Several metal columns protruding slightly from the walls made the corridor look both sturdy and elegant. The lights created a modern atmosphere, slightly cold, yet highly professional. After passing a few turns, Hana arrived in front of a towering door with the words "Meeting Room" engraved on a ck metal que mounted beside it. As she approached, the door opened automatically, but it wasn''t the room beyond that she saw. Instead, Hana was greeted by ayer of white light that enveloped the doorway, like a protective curtain. The light glowed softly, creating a clear boundary between the outside and inside of the room. From the outside, no one could see in, even when the door was fully open. Only those who stepped through this light could see whaty within. Aside from this light curtain, the door was also equipped with a strict security system that screened everyone who entered. Fingerprint scans, retina scans, and even full-body checks were conducted automatically every time staff entered, whether for work or merely cleaning duties. For most people, entering this room required patience. However, as a core member, Hana didn''t need to go through these checks. She coulde and go with ease, without having to stop for lengthy inspections. With confident steps, Hana passed through the protectiveyer of light, and as she emerged on the other side, the internal meeting room finally came into view. Hana was immediately greeted by a scene of grandeur and elegance. The ck floor beneath her feet shone like a perfectly polished obsidian mirror, reflecting every object in the room. The vast walls surrounding her were filled with artistic ornaments; among them stood statues of human warriors in proud stances, and floating holograms disying abstract paintings that glowed softly in blue light. White pirs stood firmly along the room''s sides, exuding a blend of grace and strength. On the ceiling,rgemps with symmetrical patterns adorned the room, illuminating every corner with a blue neon glow that enhanced the futuristic feel. Small crystals twinkled above like stars, specially arranged to add a magical atmosphere to the room. As Hana stepped further in, her gaze settled on the long table in the center of the room, surrounded by elegant chairs upholstered in thick red fabric that looked incrediblyfortable. At the end of the table, tworger chairs were ced side by side, indicating a special position for those leading the meeting. Hana observed the chairs around the table and smiled slightly. "I''m the first to arrive, it seems," she murmured, taking a seat on one of the chairs on the left side of the table. In afortable position, she pulled out her phone from her pocket. A quick touch on the screen made a small hologram appear, disying several features and applications that she could ess instantly. She opened her social media and began scrolling, ncing at a few trending posts. However, only a few seconds passed before her attention was drawn elsewhere. Hana sensed the presence of someone approaching¡ªnot just one, but more than one. She looked up and turned towards the entrance. Sure enough, two men were approaching her, each walking with a calm yet energetic demeanor. Arya, the younger man, nodded respectfully upon seeing Hana, while the other man, Bagus, carried arge hammer in his right hand as if it were an inseparable part of him. Chapter 265: Japan, 0% "Miss Hana, as always, you''re punctual and ready," Arya greeted her with a warm smile. "Ah, Arya, Bagus. You two are right on time as well," replied Hana with a lightugh, giving them a small wave. Bagus only nodded briefly, cing his hammer beside his chair. He took a seat across from Hana, while Arya sat next to him. Bagus continued watching Hana, and, as if he could no longer contain his curiosity, he asked with a hint of intrigue, "Miss Hana, how did the alliance leaders react upon arriving here?" Arya, seated next to him, sharpened his ears, clearly interested and not wanting to miss a single detail. Hana responded to the question with a faint smile. "They arrived as scheduled. They seemed quite enthusiastic about the oue of our discussions in this meeting. The leaders of the top alliances also came, bringing their primary strengths." Arya looked at her, his eyes widening slightly in surprise at Hana''s statement. "All the top alliance leaders are here? So, they''re all gathered in one ce?" he asked, almost in disbelief. He had never imagined that these top alliances, who once risked their lives recruiting members in the early days of the transmigration, would now all meet in the same room. "Yes," Hana replied, looking at him calmly. "From America, Russia, India, Japan, China, and all the other major alliances. They''re all here." Hearing Hana''s confirmation, Arya fell silent, as if her words echoed in his mind. His gaze drifted, trying to picture the meeting room filled with alliance leaders, each carrying their own vision, pride, and tensions. As someone who rarely participated directly in such meetings, it was hard for him not to imagine the atmosphere with all of them gathered in one room. How would they feel, those who might have had some disagreements in the past, now sitting side by side for amon goal? Beside him, Bagus murmured one word, "Interesting." His voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried a deeper curiosity. With a slight nod, he sped his hands on the table, looking at Hana intently. "So, what''s their attitude? Any signs of tension or possible outbreaks?" he asked, his gaze narrowing with focus. He knew well that if tensions reached a peak, the room could turn into a battlefield in seconds. Hana gave a faint smile. She activated a hologram from her device, which instantly disyed data in graphs and numbers that reflected the mood and emotions of each alliance. "ording to the monitoring team''s observations, there''s no indication of major conflict for now. The highest level of resentment recorded was at 18%, from the Chinese alliance," she said, pointing to the alliance''s name disyed on the screen. The glowing numbers on the hologram showed the names of the major alliances along with their resentment percentages. Arya and Bagus leaned in to take a closer look, examining the disyed data. "America, only 5%? Since when have they been so¡­ calm?"mented Bagus, raising an eyebrow, his expression showing surprise. "Japan, 0%?" Arya muttered in near disbelief. His eyes focused on the name of the alliance, listed at the bottom with no trace of detected hostility. In other words, Japan showed no signs of animosity or tension towards the World Market Trade alliance. Hana shrugged casually, as if the data wasn''t surprising to her. "I didn''t believe it at first either," she said lightly. "But after I inquired further, Sister Elen exined. Apparently, a clone of Mr. Lein once appeared and helped Ayumi and Elen herself face an alien creature that nearly brought them down." Hana''s words brought Arya and Bagus into a brief vision of the incident. They pictured the tense moment on the Japanese ind, with Elen and Ayumi cornered, wounded, and desperate, facing a merciless alien creature. But the presence of Lein''s clone changed everything, driving away the threat and giving them a sense of safety and unforgettable strength. "So that''s the reason," Bagus murmured, nodding thoughtfully. His expression showed deep understanding, like someone who had just found the final piece of aplex puzzle. Arya, sitting beside him, allowed himself a small smile. "Of course. Who wouldn''t be captivated by the strength of an alliance leader? His power is truly extraordinary." Hana, Bagus, and Arya chatted casually, discussing the arrival of the alliance leaders and the increasingly tense situation, especially with the emergence of enemies from alien races. Their conversation flowed easily, asionally punctuated by smallughs as each shared their insights and predictions. Time passed until the sound of heavy footsteps approached the room. Two figures appeared at the doorway: an older man with a sharp gaze and a young man who looked fresh. Their auras were markedly different, like two sides of a coin equally strong. The older man, Takni, stepped in with a rxed expression as if strolling in his own yard. His gaze hinted at long experience in various battles, like the eyes of someone who had repeatedly faced death. His simple gray shirt showed his still-toned muscles, despite his advancing age. At his side, a long silver sword hung at his waist, moving in rhythm with his firm steps, each stride echoing on the room''s gleaming floor. Beside him, a young man named Efan walked with an easy grace. His short ck hair was styled in a trendy manner, adding a fresh, modern look. His neatly cut casual attire conveyed an elegant but understated impression. He waved toward Hana, a broad smile on his face, his eyes radiating a cheerfulness that contrasted with Takni''s rxed aura. Hana weed them with a nod and a warm smile. "Mr. Takni, Brother Efan¡­ d you could make it," she greeted them casually. Takni nodded and smiled back at Hana. Efan also gave a wide smile and quickly walked over to the chair beside Arya, who greeted him with a friendly nod. The two friends shook hands in a familiar way, a kind of handshake that held meaning only the two of them understood. "Sorry I couldn''te with you earlier, Arya. I had a few things to take care of," said Efan as he pulled out his chair, sittingfortably yet alert, showing how much he valued this meeting. Content source m-vl|e Arya just chuckled, shaking his head casually. "No big deal. The important thing is you arrived on time," Arya replied with a smile. Chapter 266: Poor Budi Efan and Takni joined the conversation with Hana and the others. As core members of the World Market Trade alliance, they naturally shared a close and harmonious bond. With Lein acting as the bridge, these ten individuals had grown even closer over the past few months in the realm of the Divine Sky. However, everyone''s attention was soon diverted when a woman in an elegant white gown entered the room. Her steps were slow, almost silent, as if she was afraid of disturbing the atmosphere. Her clear eyes moved quickly, scanning the room with a hesitant expression. Her slightly wavy, long hair shimmered like silk, reflecting the light from the crystal chandelier above. A white ribbon adorned one side of her hair, adding a soft, pure impression¡ªlike a living porcin doll just released from its ss case. Hana, sitting on one side of the table, sensed the girl''s presence before seeing her. She raised her hand cheerfully, waving toward the door. "Elen! Over here!" she called out, her voice full of enthusiasm. Elen, the girl, was momentarily startled but then managed a small smile. Her initially hesitant steps became more assured as she walked toward Hana. Her white gown swayed slightly, following the rhythm of her now quicker steps. Reaching the table, she stopped, bowing her head stiffly but politely to greet the others. "Yo, Princess Elen! You look stunning today!" Arya, seated across the table, eximed yfully, his smile widening as he nced at Elen from head to toe. "Wee, Princess Elen," Takni added in a calm, deep voice, nodding slightly at the girl. Elen''s cheeks immediately turned red. She lowered her gaze, avoiding direct eye contact. "Thank you," she whispered softly, bowing once more. Her gaze briefly darted toward Arya and Takni before she quickly escaped to a chair next to Hana, sitting upright like a student attending their first ss. Seeing Elen''s shyness, the other members exchanged faint smiles. They were ustomed to her reserved nature. However, no one underestimated her. Everyone knew that beneath her gentle and hesitant demeanor, Elen possessed a terrifying power¡ªthe ability to control time, capable of making anyone tremble. Hana, sitting beside Elen, beamed. She couldn''t be happier. Finally, another woman at this table. "Elen, how did you get here today?" she asked curiously. Hana knew Elen often relied on her father to escort her since she was too afraid to travel alone. Elen slowly turned to her, herrge, beautiful eyes meeting Hana''s. Her smile curved slightly, showing a small pride she could barely hide. "I came here on my own this time, Sister Hana. I''m no longer afraid of those people," she said in a soft voice, though a hint of courage was evident beneath her tone. Hana raised her eyebrows high, her expression instantly shifting to disbelief. "What? You came here by yourself? Really?" she asked, her eyes widening as if she had just heard something impossible. Elen nodded firmly, her cheeks flushing again. "Yes," she replied shortly but confidently. "Amazing! That''s the spirit, Elen! You''re actually very strong!" Hana grinned broadly, then flexed her arm as if showing off muscles. The gesture looked amusing yet endearing. "You need to have more confidence in yourself," she added, her tone like an encouraging older sister. Elen chuckled softly, her nervousness gradually fading. This warm interaction made her feel weed and appreciated. "Thank you, Sister Hana," Elen said quietly but with a sincere smile. Her eyes sparkled, reflecting her happiness at the praise. She sat up straighter, trying to shake off the shyness that usually overtook her in crowds. While still feeling a bit awkward, she made an effort to adjust to the atmosphere around her. The conversation at the meeting table remained light. Now, six core members had gathered. Smallughter and casual discussions filled the room, creating a warm atmosphere. They talked about various topics, ranging from alliance developments to personal experiences during their time in the Divine Sky realm. The clock on the wall showed 10:55. Only five minutes remained before the meeting began. Outside the room, the sound of footsteps drew closer, apanied by faint whispers. A strong aura and a distinct presence alerted Hana and the others that more core members had arrived. Therge wooden door with elegant carvings slowly opened. The elderly Haikal entered first. His long white robe moved gracefully, exuding an undeniable sense of authority. His sharp eyes scanned the room, but his lips curved into a friendly smile. "Good afternoon, everyone," Haikal greeted warmly, his voice deep yet gentle, instantly drawing everyone''s attention. He walked confidently to the center of the room and chose an empty seat not far from Lein. Behind him, Laras stepped in. Unlike Haikal, she wore simple yet elegant casual attire¡ªa pastel blue blouse and white trousers. Her flowing ck hair, perfectly styled, added to her charm. "Hello, everyone!" she said cheerfully, her voice clear like a spring breeze. She waved casually before walking toward an empty seat near Hana and Elen. However, all attention was immediately diverted when thest person entered the room. A young man with an unorthodox style. His bright green hair, as striking as neon lights, and his outfit, bursting with bold abstract patterns in orange, purple, and yellow, made him almost painful to look at. The man paused at the doorway, standing tall with a confident pose. Then, in a loud voice, he shouted, "Hello, everyone! How are you?" His voice echoed, making a few at the meeting table wince involuntarily. He spread his arms wide, his broad grin unwavering, as if daring anyone not to respond to his enthusiasm. "Budi, take your seat. You''re blocking the way for Brother Lein and Sister Nita," Bagus''s deep voice came from one side of the table, spoken in a t but firm tone. Budi slowly lowered his arms, looking slightly awkward after the reprimand. Still, his smile remained intact. "Ah, Brother Budi is always so full of energy," Elen murmured softly, her eyes watching him with a mix of admiration and bewilderment. Chapter 267: Lein and Nita arrive Hana and Laras, sitting next to Elen, could only let out a long sigh. They chose not toment on Budi''s mboyant behavior, as if already ustomed to his shy style. Of everyone present, only Efan and Arya responded to Budi''s greeting with enthusiasm. "Yo, good morning, Budi!" Arya called out, waving a hand. "Finally, you''re here! Sit down, bro!" Efan added, pointing to an empty seat near him. Feeling slightly cheered by his two friends'' warm reception, Budi nodded energetically in their direction. However, he realized that not everyone in the room shared the same reaction. Some only looked at him with faint smiles or gave polite nods. He walked to his seat more calmly this time, setting aside a bit of his ego to preserve the atmosphere. After settling into the seat next to Efan and Arya, he leaned back in his chair, trying to regain his confidence. "You guys are so cool," he muttered quietly to his two friends before ncing around the table, attempting to find a new topic to discuss. All the core members had now gathered in the room. Their eyes met in an awkward silence. Therge wall clock above the door showed exactly 11:00, but two chairs designated for Lein and Nita remained empty. Bagus, who had been leaning back with his arms crossed, could no longer hold himself back. He let out a long sigh before asking in a casual tone, "Brother Lein and Sister Nita still haven''t arrived. Has the schedule been postponed?" The question hung in the air for a moment, drawing everyone''s attention. Some turned to look at him, while others gave small nods of agreement. Their thoughts seemed aligned¡ªit was likely Lein had a reason for his dy. Hana, seated at the end of the table with a tablet in her hands, quickly responded, "Wait. Brother Lein would have informed us if the schedule had been postponed." Her voice was firm, though she herself seemed slightly uneasy. She checked the tablet in her hands, scanning through the system messages to ensure nothing had been overlooked. But there were no new messages. The meeting time appeared to remain as scheduled. In a corner of the room, Haikal Emanuel, the elderly man with his ever-immacte white robe, leaned backfortably in his chair. He nced at the others with half-closed eyes, his expression as serene as ever. "Why are you all so impatient?" he murmured, folding his hands across his chest and crossing one leg over the other. His tone was soft, yet it managed to shift the atmosphere. Haikal''sment was like magic. That gentle reprimand prompted everyone to let out long sighs before sitting more calmly in their chairs. The room fell into sudden silence, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. Tick... tock... tick... tock... ___ Suddenly, a gentle energy filled the room. A warm aura, like the morning sun, drew everyone''s attention toward the door. A young man and a beautiful girl appeared, as though they had been there all along. Both of them radiated a serene presence, their small smiles bringing a sense of peace. "Hello, everyone, you''re all here," Nita greeted first, her voice clear and full of enthusiasm. She waved her hand, her wide smile instantly easing the previously tense atmosphere. Lein, standing beside her, simply nodded calmly. His movements wereposed yet brimming with authority. Without saying a word, he walked toward his seat at the head of the table, which was slightly different from the othersrger, with intricate carvings on the backrest. Nita followed closely behind him with light steps. Silence returned to the room as the two of them sat down. All eyes were on them. No one uttered a sound, their gazes filled with a mix of emotions¡ªamazement, nervousness, even a hint of fear. They seemed hypnotized by the arrival of the siblings, as if unable to believe what had just happened. "When did Brother Lein get here?" Hana''s voice broke the silence, sounding quiet butden with disbelief. Her eyes widened as she looked left and right, searching for answers on the faces around her. A few people nodded in agreement with Hana''s question. And like opening a floodgate, other voices began to rise. "Brother Lein, how did you get in? Did you use advanced magic?" Arya asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, like a child discovering a new toy. "Amazing! Brother Lein, you must have gotten even stronger!" Budi eximed enthusiastically. However, he bit his lip right after speaking. His gaze dimmed slightly, realizing that Lein and Nita''s presence hadpletely stolen the spotlight. Clenching his fists tightly, he resolved to make a more impressive showing next time. Meanwhile, Haikal, sitting not far from Lein, stared at him sharply. His brows furrowed, and the lines on his experienced face deepened. His thoughts raced, trying toprehend what had just happened. For someone like him, this was not just an ordinary surprise¡ªthere was something off, as though Lein had crossed a boundary that defied logic. On the other hand, Laras sat silently with a simr expression. Her eyes were fixed on Lein, and behind her graceful demeanor, her mind worked quickly. She tried to recall everything she had learned, searching for a reasonable exnation for the sudden appearance. But, like Haikal, she found only deeper mysteries. Lein noticed the confusion enveloping the room. He exhaled softly and gave a small nod. A sudden shift urred. A powerful energy began to emanate from his body, slowly at first, like a calm river. But in the next moment, the energy surged with unstoppable force, resembling a massive dam bursting all at once. The waves of energy swept through every corner of the room, filling the air with a heavy and soul-shaking aura. A faint blue light began to glow around Lein, creating the illusion of swirling winds encircling him. "Ugh!" Haikal Emanuel was the first to feel its impact. His aged body trembled slightly, and he sighed, struggling to withstand the sudden oppressive force pressing against him. Clenching his fists, he focused his gaze on Lein, who remained seated calmly in his chair. Chapter 268: Leins Tier A transparent blue panel suddenly appeared in the air, like a window of light floating without any frame. Its soft glow reflected on Haikal''s face as he stared at it with a frown. His eyes squinted, trying to read the information disyed. However, when he saw the rows of question marks, his body tensed slightly. [Status] Name: Lein Level: ??? Race: ??? Power Core: ??? Rank: ??? "Everything¡­ just question marks?" he muttered in a hoarse voice, almost like a whisper that escaped unintentionally. The sound was enough to draw the attention of several people around the long table, including Bagus, who sat not far from him. Haikal blinked several times, as if trying to ensure what he saw wasn''t an illusion. Yet the blue panel remained unchanged. Numbers, levels, even Lein''s basic attributes¡ªall were just question marks. Three small symbols that felt as vast as an abyss. The uncertainty made the back of his neck sweat slightly. Across the table, Dion, who was usuallyposed, straightened himself slightly, trying to observe Lein''s reaction. Slowly, an invisible pressure began to fill the room, like air that suddenly became too heavy to breathe. Some of the core members started to look uneasy. Bagus didn''t even try to hide his difort. His right hand clenched tightly on the table, and a reddish flush began to creep across his face and neck. He struggled to remain upright, but his increasinglybored breaths became harder to control. Bagus slumped slightly forward, taking a deep breath. "I can''t take it anymore, Brother Lein¡­ please stop," he said weakly, his eyes slightly reddened from the effort of holding on. "Brother Lein, what''s happening?" Dion finally asked. His voice was steady, but there was a slight tremor in his tone, like someone trying to withstand the force of an impending storm. Lein, sitting at the end of the table, only looked at them all with a small smile. His blue eyes swept across the room, radiating a calmness that starkly contrasted with the chaos around him. Without a word, he raised his hand slightly, and the oppressive pressure in the air disappeared instantly. Like a wind that suddenly stopped blowing, the room returned to calm, though the pounding of their hearts was still audible to each person. Lein bowed slightly, gesturing in respect to them, before leaning back into his chair with a rxed expression. "Thank you for your patience," he said, his voice low but full of authority. "Truly, your presence at this internal meeting is a great honor to me." After a few opening remarks, Lein began to praise their work. He acknowledged Haikal''s contributions in strengthening defenses, Dion''s innovations in resource management, and Bagus''s dedication to training new recruits. However, he didn''t linger on pleasantries. "Alright, enough with the praises," he said, straightening his posture. His calm voice turned firmer. "The main purpose of this meeting is to discuss the attack by alien races from beyond the realm of the Divine Sky." All eyes were on Lein, listening intently. Even Bagus, though his body still appeared exhausted, tried to focus on every word that left their leader''s mouth. "First of all," Lein continued, "I want to hear any information you have about this attack. What do we know so far?" There was a brief silence. The members exchanged nces, seemingly deliberating who would speak first. However, before anyone could say a word, Bagus raised his hand, although his expression showed he still harbored a great deal of curiosity. "Lord Lein," he said in a somewhat heavy voice. "About your status panel earlier¡­ why is everything just question marks? Is this part of¡ª" Lein raised a hand to stop the question, his movement smooth yet exuding authority. "Bagus," he said with a small smile, "we''ll discuss thatter. For now, let''s focus on this attack." Bagus swallowed hard and nodded slightly, though his curiosity was far from satisfied. He leaned back into his chair again as Lein nced at the other members, waiting for them to start speaking. Haikal Emanuel, an elderly man with a neatly groomed long white beard, raised his hand slowly but with authority. His deep yet calm voice broke the silence, "From my observations, there are certain patterns that can be recognized in these alien attacks." All heads at the long table immediately turned toward him. Lein gave a slight nod, signaling Haikal to continue. "All the creatures I have encountered so far," Haikal began, his fingers drumming on the ck wooden table, "only reached Tier-3 at most." His tone was t, as if this was a fact everyone should already know. But he didn''t stop there. His sharp, aged eyes scanned each of the core members, ensuring they were paying attention. "They arrive in organized groups, operating under direction. It seems that each race has a leader issuing direct orders. And one more thing," he paused briefly, letting the tension hang in the air. "These races are hostile to each other. They''repeting for something¡ªperhaps resources or perhaps power." Laras, seated on the opposite side of the table, leaned back with her arms crossed. Her eyes narrowed as she recalled something. "That''s correct, Mr. Haikal," she finally said, her voice cold yet firm. "I saw the alien creatures fighting on one of the inds. They even killed each other without hesitation." Haikal nodded slowly. "I suspect," he continued in a heavier tone, "that the ones behind all of this are not ordinary beings. They are creatures beyond the Master level." As if by unspoken agreement, all the core members shifted their gaze to Lein. No one said a word, but their looks conveyed more than words ever could. They all knew. Lein had undoubtedly surpassed the Master level. How could he not? The pressure he had exerted earlier was enough to make them all feel suffocated. Yet Lein simply smiled faintly, raising a hand to steer the discussion. "That''s not what we need to focus on right now," he said lightly but with authority. Chapter 269: Summary "You''re correct, Mr. Haikal," Lein continued, looking at him seriously. "They are clearly well-organized, and there''s undoubtedly a greater power behind them." A brief silence filled the room before Laras, who was usually quiet, let out a long sigh. Her face turned serious, and her eyes, usually filled with empathy, now looked sharp, like a freshly honed de. "This is only the opening assault," she said, her tone carrying the weight of an old, buried wound. "Their higher-ups cannot yet enter our realm. Not because they don''t want to, but because they can''t¡ªat least for now." All eyes turned to her. Laras seemed lost in thought, as if remembering something she wished to forget. "As we all know," she continued, "the process of Cosmic Unification is underway. When it reaches 100%, the barrier between dimensions will disappear, and their leaders will attack with full force." "What''s the current percentage of Cosmic Unification?" Lein asked, his tone t but firm. Hana, sitting next to Laras, immediately responded. "It''s currently at 71%." The atmosphere in the room shifted. Some core members froze, while others exchanged looks of shock. "What?!" eximed Bagus, nearly jumping from his seat. "How is that possible? We just checked, and it was still at 44%!" "That''s thetest report from the Reconnaissance Division," Hana replied firmly, though her face looked slightly pale. "This isn''t fabricated data. It has been verified." Some members murmured softly, trying to process the grim news. The tension grew thicker until Lein, seated at the end of the table, raised a hand. "Everyone, calm down." Lein''s voice silenced all whispers. He looked at each of them, ensuring their full attention was on him. "It''s true that Cosmic Unification has reached 71%. As Laras mentioned, once it reaches 100%, they will attack with their full force." Lein paused, allowing his words to sink into everyone''s minds. "However, you don''t need to be afraid," he continued, his tone shifting to one of confidence and determination. "Before that happens, I strongly suspect that there will be a selection of Guardians for our Divine Sky Realm." Those words hung in the air like the toll of a great bell. Everyone stared at Lein, trying to grasp his meaning. Lein didn''t immediately continue, choosing to wait for their responses. "Yes, that''s correct¡­" Hana tilted her head, gazing at Lein with curiosity. Her brows furrowed slightly as if she were deep in thought. "By the way, have all the alliance leaders agreed to choose you as the Guardian, Brother Lein?" Lein gave a small smile, one filled with confidence but devoid of excessive emotion. He nodded lightly and replied in a rxed tone, "Even if they don''t want to, I will force them." The statement echoed through the room, causing a moment of silence. The resolute aura radiating from Lein made it clear to everyone that this wasn''t an empty im. Takni, who had been sitting quietly in the corner of the table, finally spoke. His voice was deep and calm, like the flow of a river carrying immense power beneath its surface. "That''s right," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "There''s no need to ask for permission. Since we are strong enough to force them, it will be easier that way." The atmosphere grew heavier, but Lein merely nodded withposed ease. "Alright," he said, redirecting everyone''s focus. "Back to the topic. Is there any other information about these alien attacks that hasn''t been discussed?" Several core members began sharing their experiences with the alien creatures, showing battle scars as evidence. Although much of the information was already known, they still reported minor details to help refine their strategy. Takni recounted a battle against a group of Tier-3s that ended up fighting each other after infiltrating a small territory. Hana added that while their attacks were organized, gaps in coordination still existed. Lein listened attentively, analyzing every speaker. After several minutes of discussion, Lein raised a hand¡ªa simple gesture, but one that immediately silenced the room. "Alright," he said, his tone cold andmanding. "That''s enough about the alien creatures." He turned to his right, where Nita sat with a tablet in her hands, ready with notes. "Nita," Lein called her sinctly. "Read the summary." Nita, who had been busy typing on her tablet throughout the meeting, straightened her posture. She took a short breath and began reading in a clear voice that resonated in the room. "The results of our discussion are as follows," she said, her eyes fixed on the tablet screen. "First, the Cosmic Unification process is now at 85% and continues to rise. Once this process isplete, beings beyond the Master level will be able to enter our Divine Sky Realm." Some core members appeared uneasy, ncing at each other with unreadable expressions. Even Takni, who was usually calm, tapped his fingers on the table¡ªa sign that he was deep in thought. "Continue," Lein prompted gently, encouraging Nita to proceed. "Second," Nita continued without hesitation, "this attack is merely the opening strike. Their current power cap is Tier-3, but their next assault will be at full strength." Nita''s firm tone made the room even quieter. The sound of the core members'' breathing grew heavier, as if her words carried an additional weight they had to bear. "Third," Nita went on, "these alien creatures are not entities entirely different from us but rather other races that have existed before us." This statement caught some by surprise. A few members frowned, clearly trying to grasp the implications of this revtion. Hana looked as though she wanted to say something but chose to remain silent. "Fourth," Nita nced briefly at Lein to ensure she was proceeding correctly, "their goal is to plunder the Divine Sky Realm¡ªiming all its resources and assimting its rulers into their race." These words were delivered coldly, yet their impact felt like a hammer striking the walls of their confidence. "Fifth," Nita''s voice softened slightly but remained firm, "once the Cosmic Unification isplete, it''s highly likely that a Guardian Selection for the Divine Sky Realm will take ce." Chapter 270: Soul Contract The words hung in the air, striking each core member like a heavy hammer. Slowly, they recalled the moments when Lein had pushed them beyond their limits. They remembered the time he gave them silver badges that allowed them to break through to level 20. They remembered the experience potions that guided them to Tier-3. They remembered the invaluable artifacts and gear, all provided by Lein. No one spoke, but the silence spoke volumes. Lein looked at them, his gaze filled with confidence. "Trust me," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "As long as I''m here, we will not run. We will not bow. And we will absolutely win against those alien creatures." Lein raised his hand calmly, and from his spatial ring appeared 11 small bottles containing a liquid with several white crystals inside. Each bottle looked simple yet bore engravings of ancient symbols that glowed faintly, signifying their extraordinary origin. [Divine Promotion Elixir] An elixir made from the blood of gods. Anyone who drinks it will receive extraordinary benefits. - Ability: Consuming this elixir will help anyone below the Emperor level advance by a full rank. Suddenly, the room was filled with an almost suffocating silence. All eyes were fixed on the bottles, disbelief etched on their faces at what they had just witnessed. Bagus was the first to break the silence. "This is insane... This potion is impossible to exist," he murmured, almost as if talking to himself. "Damn it, where did he get something like this?" eximed Budi, his face a mix of shock and awe. Haikal Emanuel remained silent, his eyes locked on the bottle in front of him. His mind raced, trying toprehend how it was possible for Lein, their leader, to acquire something that even the highest rulers might never have seen. "Where could he have obtained this?" he thought, feeling small before the power Lein had just revealed. Laras, usually calm, couldn''t hold herself back. "Brother Lein," she said, looking directly at their leader, "how could you give us something this valuable? This... is too precious." Her voice was steady, but there was an undertone of unease in it. Several other core members nodded in agreement with Laras''s statement. It wasn''t just the potion''s value, but the description that made them think twice. Laras continued, "ording to the description, a single bottle can elevate a ruler to the Master level. Wouldn''t it be better if we focused on strengthening a few of us to near-max levels, just below Emperor level? That way, we''d have a greater chance of survival." Other heads nodded in agreement. The strategy made sense¡ªit was better to have a few strong rulers than many weaker ones. However, Lein simply shook his head slightly, a faint smile on his face. "There''s no need. Drink the potion," he said, his tone leaving no room for debate. Before anyone could argue, Lein waved his hand again. This time, 11 more bottles appeared from his ring, each glowing as brilliantly as the first. "You will each receive two bottles. One to reach Master level, and another to advance to Grandmaster level," he said casually, as if discussing something mundane. The room was instantly filled with a mix of emotions¡ªshock, amazement, and even a hint of fear. Haikal finally spoke up. "Sir Lein, are you... sure?" he asked, trying to confirm he hadn''t misheard. Lein looked at each of them, his eyes radiating an unyielding determination. "Drink the potion quickly. We don''t have much time. The cosmic unification has already reached 92%," he said, ncing at the corner of a hovering holographic screen nearby. The core members finally relented, yielding to Lein''s generosity. Hesitant but resolute, they opened the first bottle. A sharp yet alluring aroma wafted from the liquid. As the potion flowed down their throats, the effects were immediate. Their bodies began to tremble, enveloped in divine energy that surged like tidal waves, shattering the limits that had bound their power. Lein watched in silence. A vision formed in his mind¡ªa group of formidable protectors standing at the gates of this ind, holding back endless waves of ferocious creatures. It was a vision he had nned for a long time. Lein had always deliberately enhanced the power levels of the core members of the alliance to help him safeguard his ind and serve as protectors of humanity. Of course, he was not afraid they would betray him, as they had all signed a soul contract beforehand. As long as Lein''s power level remained higher than theirs, or that of any other bonded soul, they would be bound by the contract and unable to escape. (Soul Paper) An ancient soul paper crafted from mysterious materials, adorned with magical symbols that shimmer in the dim light. When touched, it feels warm, as if it channels the energy of the souls bound within. - Master: Lein - Bound: Cute Cat, Haikal Emanuel, Laras, Budi, Arya, Hana, Elen, Takni, Efan, Dion, Bagus - (Soul Contract): The bound soul will not and cannot harbor malicious intent toward the Master. Punishment: 99% status reduction and imprisonment in the soul prison. * Please drop your blood on the paper to agree. * The bound soul limit is Master level & cannot exceed the Master''s soul. With this soul contract, Lein was confident that they would not betray him for insignificant gains. Lein sat calmly in his chair, but his gaze radiated vignce. Each core member in the room held the elixir bottle with trembling hands, reflecting aplex mix of emotions: awe, fear, and anticipation. The soft glow from the [Divine Promotion Elixir] reflected on the table''s surface, creating silhouettes that emphasized the potion''s grandeur. Budi was the first to finish consuming his elixir. His body trembled violently, as if being pulled by an invisible force. The aura around him gradually shifted, bing denser and more oppressive. Lein, his expression neutral, opened Budi''s status panel to observe. [Status] - Name: Budi - Level: 50 - Race: Human - Earth - Power Core: System - Rank: Master Tier Lein gave a small nod, saying nothing. His gaze then shifted to the other members, ensuring their enhancement process was proceeding smoothly. From her seat, Hana whispered, "Master Tier... Isn''t this too much?" Her voice was almost drowned out by the overpowering aura filling the room. Chapter 271: Haikal emanuel vow Elen, sitting nearby, turned to her with curiosity. "By the way, sister Hana, what soul did you get during the draw earlier?" she asked, leaning slightly forward. Hana grinned widely, her eyes sparkling. "An A-tier ice monster!" she replied excitedly. "What about you, Elen?" Elen''s expression changed instantly. Her enthusiasm faded, reced by hesitation. She bit her lip as if searching for a way to avoid the question. Finally, she answered softly, "I... got a giant octopus monster. S-tier." The room fell silent. All eyes turned toward Elen. Budi''s mouth hung open slightly, while Arya forgot to blink. "S-tier?!" Arya finally eximed, his tone a mix of admiration and disbelief. "Are you sure, Miss Elen?" Elen gave a small nod, unable to say more. "Damn it... I only got A-tier," Budi muttered, throwing himself back into his chair with a look of despair. "It''s fine. I got an S-tier too," Laras said casually from her seat, as if obtaining an S-tier soul was an everyday urrence. "And so did I," Haikal Emanuel added without hesitation, heightening the tension in the room. Efan, who had been quietly listening, finallyined with a sour tone, "Am I not handsome enough to get more than an A-tier?" The atmosphere gradually became lively with discussions about soul tiers. Some members chuckled, trying to ease the tension in the room. However, on Hana and Elen''s side, Hana''s attention remained fixed on her best friend. Hana could clearly see the anxiety on Elen''s face. The giant octopus might possess incredible power, but for Elen, just imagining her soul creature was enough to terrify her. "It''s okay, Elen," Hana whispered gently, cing aforting hand on Elen''s arm. "Soul monsters are under your control. They can''t hurt you." Elen nodded slowly, but her expression was far from calm. Hana knew that Elen''s shy personality made it hard for her to ept the fact that she had to control something so massive and strange. From her seat at the front, Nita smiled reassuringly. "Elen, you''re so lucky to have an S-tier soul. I only got an A-tier," she said sincerely, trying to encourage the young girl. Meanwhile, Lein remained silent, observing their discussion withoutment. His sharp gaze betrayed his thoughts about the soul draw results. Even he was somewhat surprised that three of his core members had obtained S-tier souls. However, his attention was interrupted by the screen in front of him. A message from the reconnaissance division appeared: [Cosmic Unification: 96%] "Everyone, hurry! Break through to Grandmaster tier now," Leinmanded, his tone firm and urgent. "Damn it¡­ Let''s move quickly!" The core members immediately stopped their discussion. The previously rxed faces turned serious. They opened their second bottles of [Divine Promotion Elixir] and, without hesitation, drank them to thest drop. The sound of liquid flowing down their throats echoed faintly in the otherwise silent room. Their auras changed drastically. Within seconds, waves of immense energy erupted from each individual. The air in the room grew heavy, as thoughpressed by the overwhelming power being born. Amid the tense atmosphere, Haikal Emanuel, an elderly man with a wise gaze, slowly opened his eyes. The wrinkles on his face, a testament to years of wisdom, now seemed to emit an aura of calm yet lethal power. He raised his head slightly, surveying the room with sharp but rxed eyes, as if ensuring that everyone had experienced a significant transformation. Lein, sitting calmly in his chair, gave a faint smile as his gaze met Haikal''s. He nodded slightly, acknowledging the old man''s achievement. "Congrattions, Mr. Haikal," Lein said warmly, his tone tinged with pride. "You''ve reached the Grandmaster tier. Truly an extraordinary aplishment." Haikal did not reply immediately. He slowly rose from his chair, his movements reflecting the dignity of a veteran who was never rushed. With steady steps, he stood tall before Lein, then bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle. "I, Haikal Emanuel, vow to follow you until the end of my life, Sir Lein," he dered in a deep voice, each word filled with resolve. There was no hesitation, only pure devotion evident in his demeanor and words. Silence enveloped the room. The other core members looked at Haikal with a mix of admiration and emotion. They witnessed the actions of the elderly man, who, despite his newfound strength, still showed profound respect for Lein. The stillness was broken only by the sound of chairs scraping the floor as the other members stood one by one. Nita, who was sitting beside Lein, also stood up. However, before she could bow like the others, Lein gently ced his hand on her head, stopping her from doing so. "You stay seated," he said softly but firmly. Nita gave a small smile, her face flushing slightly. "Sorry, abang¡­" she replied quietly, obeying Lein''smand without protest, though her heart swelled with pride. Meanwhile, the others quickly followed Haikal''s example. They bowed deeply, showing their respect and gratitude to Lein. Their gazes held unmistakable thankfulness. Lein, who had brought them to this peak of power, was not only a leader they respected but also someone they trusted wholeheartedly. "Alright, take your seats," Lein finally said, his face adorned with a warm smile. "I''m d to see your unwavering loyalty up to this point. Thank you for your trust and dedication." However, that smile disappeared instantly as Lein continued with a harsher tone. His voice echoed, reverberating through the room with a hint of dream energy he infused to emphasize his words. "One thing you must always remember," he said sharply. "Hold steadfast to humanity. If I hear¡ªeven just a whisper¡ªthat any of you have betrayed humanity, I will personally hunt you down and eliminate you without mercy." His voice was like thunder striking on a clear day. All the core members felt a powerful tremor that pierced to their very bones. Their hearts pounded rapidly, not just out of fear but also from the sheer authority and immense power radiating from their leader. Even Nita, who usually felt Lein''s gentleness, now experienced a tension that sent chills down her spine. Chapter 272: Cosmos Origin No one answered. They only bowed their heads, embedding Lein''s words deep into their hearts. His words were like carvings on stone, impossible to forget. Lein took a deep breath and continued in a lighter tone. "This meeting is over. Now, return to your families for the time being. I don''t know what lies ahead, but I hope you all remain vignt and united to face whateveres." Hana, still seated in her chair, hesitantly raised her small hand. "Sir, what about the leaders of the alliance?" she asked. Lein turned to her, a small smile appearing on his face. "Don''t worry, Hana. Return to your ce. I''ll handle them myself." He rose from his seat, preparing to leave the room and head to the waiting hall of the alliance building. But before he could take another step, a notification sound suddenly filled the room. A bright blue light materialized in the air, forming familiar system text in front of them all. [Cosmos Unification isplete. Wee to Cosmos Origin.] Lein stood motionless in front of the glowing panel, its light casting a soft shadow over his face. The air around him felt heavy, as if an invisible force were pressing down on him. His body remained still, but his narrowed eyes revealed immense patience, epassing the entire Divine Sky Realm. Then, a sudden surge struck, piercing through the boundaries of energy around him. The force was intense, brutally assaulting his consciousness in an attempt to subdue him. Lein frowned, and in an instant, the invading force was repelled, failing to overpower him. "That''s it?" he muttered, his voice low yet cold. But before he could delve deeper, an unusual vibration emanated from the spatial ring on his finger. Something inside it¡ªone of his most valuable possessions¡ªhad shattered. Lein raised his hand, summoning the fragments of the destroyed item into his palm. Tiny glowing shards appeared, radiating residual energy that still felt warm. [Rebirth Stone] An item used to alter one''s race. If activated in a new realm, it grants ess to a promotion space. Lein arched an eyebrow, his expression turning serious. "Promotion space?" His voice carried a subtle tremor of curiosity. His mind raced, piecing together all possible scenarios. But before he could delve further into the mystery, his consciousness swept across the entire Divine Sky Realm. An unnatural silence greeted him¡ªno sound, no signs of life. A chilling sensation crept over him. Lein probed deeper, and his heart sank. Everyone¡­ was gone. Not a single soul remained in the Divine Sky Realm. "Where did they go?" he murmured, his tone no longer cold but tinged with a faint quiver of worry. He stared at the empty expanse around him, now feeling far vaster and quieter than ever before. While Lein tried toprehend the situation, far away in another ce, a white space stretched infinitely. A massive floating tform stood in the center, its surface reflecting a silvery glow. In the middle of the room, Nita stood, her body tense, her eyes scanning every corner, searching for something¡ªor someone. The silence was so profound that she could hear her own heartbeat. Her footsteps echoed as she cautiously advanced, halting abruptly when a brilliant light appeared before her. From the radiance, a woman emerged. Her face was wless, like a goddess''s sculpture, with eyes radiating both gentleness and strength. Her gown, long and shimmering like stars on a dark night, moved gracefully despite the still air. Nita furrowed her brows, gazing at the woman with a mixture of wariness and awe. [Status] - Name: Tauriel - Level: ??? - Race: Forest Elf - Power Core: System - Rank: ??? "Hello..." The soft voice greeted her, akin to the morning breeze carrying the scent of dew. The woman smiled, her face glowing like a full moon hidden behind leaves. Nita stood frozen, her eyes locked on the elegant figure before her¡ªa woman d in a green gown adorned with golden ents that circled her slender waist. Her long ck hair was crowned with living leaves, glimmering softly with each movement. The woman''s gaze, as though looking at a child seeing the world for the first time, was filled with tenderness. "H-hello?" Nita finally responded, attempting to shake off her nervousness. She forced a stiff smile and nced around. This room¡­ empty, white, and endless, like a boundless canvas. "Where is this, ma''am?" she asked, her voice slightly trembling. The woman chuckled lightly, herugh sounding like leaves brushing against one another. "No need to be afraid. This is only temporary," she said, raising her hand. Instantly, the air around them vibrated. From the white tform''s surface, roots shot out, growing and twisting at an astonishing speed. The roots intertwined, forming a sofa that appeared plush. "Please, have a seat," she said gently, nodding in invitation. Nita stepped forward hesitantly and sat down. The sofa was soft, far morefortable than it looked. She ran her hand over its surface, marveling. "So soft," she murmured. The woman gave a faint smile and sat on another sofa she had just created. "My name is Tauriel," she introduced herself warmly. "I am from the Silent Forest Realm. You are here because of something you have used." Nita frowned. "What do you mean, ma''am?" she asked cautiously. "The crystal core you used to advance to Tier-1. It was a part of our race," Tauriel exined. She crossed her legs gracefully, her eyes remaining fixed on Nita with attentive interest. Nita nodded slowly, starting to piece together the situation. That crystal¡­ she had indeed used it to enhance her strength. "Do you have any questions?" Tauriel asked, her tone kind but her gaze sharp, as though she could read every doubt in Nita''s heart. Nita exhaled deeply. "Why am I here? I want to leave. My realm is at war," she said bluntly, anxietycing her every word. Tauriel offered a faint smile, one that held secrets. "Ah, all Aetheris face simr challenges. However, the unification of realms will not proceed until every being makes their choice." She raised her hand again, and a small, softly glowing stone appeared in her palm. Nita stared at it intently. That stone¡­ it was identical to the one she had received after the interspecies war event. "So, this is the Rebirth Stone?" she asked. Tauriel nodded. "Correct. With this stone, you can change your race. By joining the Silent Forest Realm, you will develop much faster." Chapter 273: Becoming the (Guardian - Divine Sky Realm) Nita narrowed her eyes. "Why should I move?" "Because your enemies¡­ are far above the Grandmaster level," Tauriel replied. Her tone remained calm, but every word carried a heavy weight. Nita''s chest tightened. She knew the strength of a Grandmaster, yet if her enemies were stronger¡­ even Lein might struggle. "How many levels above Grandmaster are there?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Tauriel shrugged her slender shoulders. "It''s uncertain. But usually, there''s more than one. And in my realm, you won''t have to fight them. You can be safe, grow, and live without burdens." A moment of silence passed. Nita lowered her gaze, pondering the offer. However, her thoughts returned to Lein and all the people she had left behind in the Divine Sky Realm. "I''m sorry, Lady Tauriel. I cannot," she finally said, her tone firm. Tauriel looked at her, surprised. "Why not?" "I''m not alone," Nita replied, her eyes staring straight ahead. "And I can''t abandon them."Tauriel stood, appearing taller now, and gazed at Nita with a different expression. "You¡­ are not alone? And you''re not the strongest in the realm you belong to?" Nita nodded without hesitation. Tauriel''s expression shifted from surprise to curiosity. She sighed deeply, then offered a faint smile. "Very well. In that case, how about we be allies? Friends." Nita looked at the woman, considering her offer. After a few seconds, she nodded. "Of course, Lady Tauriel." Tauriel smiled. "Good. This is for you." She pulled out a hexagonal amulet and tossed it toward Nita. Nita caught it deftly, examined it briefly, and then stored it in her spatial ring. In front of her, a countdown appeared. 02:01 01:59 01:56 "Still two minutes left," Nita muttered. Tauriel smiled softly, her eyes glimmering with meaning. "A very fortunate girl," she murmured. "I can''t wait to meet her¡­ in person." *** The same experience Nita had in the empty space with Tauriel was shared by all living beings in the Divine Sky Realm¡ªexcept for Lein, who was still trying to figure out why everyone had vanished. In another part of the white void, Haikal Emanuel stood, staring at a strikingly handsome man floating mid-air, exuding an aura of immense power. "Make your choice. Do you want to be part of my Eternal Darkness race?" the handsome man asked firmly, his tonemanding yet slightly hopeful. It was rare to find a realm that could produce a Grandmaster during its early stages. "Apologies, sir, but I refuse," Haikal Emanuel replied casually. The handsome man was slightly taken aback but quicklyposed himself. "May I ask why?" he inquired with curiosity. "I still love my realm, sir. It''s where Ie from, and I intend to return," Haikal answered without hesitation. As an educator on Earth, he had a teacher''s soul and a deep desire to see the younger generations grow smarter and more advanced. The presence of someone like Lein only strengthened Haikal''s bond with the human race of Earth. "Very well, there''s nothing more to discuss. Good luck." With that, the handsome man disappeared from Haikal''s sight, and a countdown timer appeared before him. 02:01 01:59 01:56 *** In another part of the void, Laras stood on a vast white tform. Before her, an extraordinarily beautiful woman floated gracefully. Her four golden wings stretched majestically, each spanning over ten meters. The air around her was filled with a gentle floral fragrance that seemed toe from nowhere. "Tough girl, why did you reject my offer?" the woman asked, her voice soft yet full of curiosity. Laras lifted her chin slightly, showing respect but remaining resolute. "No particr reason, Your Grace. I simply cannot leave the ce Ie from," she replied, her voice filled with conviction yet humble. The winged woman smiled faintly, her gaze softening. There was something about Laras that caught her attention. "As I suspected," she said with a slow nod. "Your heart is pure." With an elegant gesture, the woman raised her hand. From thin air, a small angel-shaped statue materialized, glowing gently. The statue floated toward Laras beforending softly in her hands. Laras examined the statue with curiosity. A panel of information briefly appeared before her. [Statue of the Goddess of Light] A statue imbued with the blessings of the Goddess of Light. Grants power to her followers and destruction to her foes. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Pure - Essence: 980 - Ability: (Light''s Blessing) +100% damage to dark creatures within a 1,000 km radius "Thank you, Your Grace," Laras said sincerely, knowing full well that this statue was but a fraction of the woman''s power. The winged woman smiled softly. "Use it wisely. I trust you." In an instant, the woman vanished, leaving Laras alone in the empty space. A countdown timer appeared in front of her, steadily approaching zero. 00:19 00:06 00:03 *** Back in the alliance meeting room, Lein was currently sitting casually in his chair. He intended to wait for a while, as the disappearance of everyone might be rted to the unification process that had just beenpleted. "Five minutes have passed..." Lein hadn''t finished his sentence when he began sensing life reappearing across the Divine Sky Realm''s floating inds. Right in front of him, inside the internal meeting room, the core members materialized and exchanged puzzled looks. "Did you also get transported to that ce?" "Yes, I was offered to move, but I refused." The core members confirmed their experiences and recounted the events they had just gone through. However, they had to stop their discussion as something extraordinary was happening outside. Lein had already vanished from his spot. The core members quickly followed. When they reached the exterior of the alliance building, they saw the silhouette of an enormous tree descending from the sky. The tree was lush, massive, and descending slowly. At the same time, a notification sound echoed in everyone''s ears, and a status panel disyed the following notification: [Congrattions to the rulers who remain standing. Evaluating the essence of life...] [The Guardian selection process willmence shortly. Initiating ruler selection...] [Guardian selection failed. Initiating unteral Guardian designation...] [Congrattions to the Ruler: Lein, for bing the (Guardian - Divine Sky Realm).] Chapter 274: Talent Crystal - acquire or enhance talents Lein hovered in the air, standing firm as a gentle breeze flowed around him. Before him, the shadow of a massive tree slowly materialized, towering as if it were touching the heavens. A soft golden light enveloped its branches, exuding a sacred and mesmerizing aura. Suddenly, a cold voice echoed in his mind. [Congrattions, you have be the (Guardian - Divine Sky Realm). Title: Guardian has been granted.] [Congrattions, your performance in Aetheris has been rated at SSS level. You have received a reward: (Talent Crystal).] Lein frowned, ncing at the notification window floating before him. His lips moved slightly, barely audible. "A forced Guardian?" he murmured. His eyes narrowed as he scanned every word in the message. There was something odd about the process¡ªa hasty Guardian selection, as though the system had no other choice. However, that thought was quickly reced by stinging curiosity. Lein delved into his mind, searching for details about the reward he had just received. (Talent Crystal): A rare item that grants the opportunity to acquire or enhance talents. If the user already has a talent, the existing talent will be upgraded. Sess rate: 25%. His eyes widened briefly before he let out a shout that echoed among the thin clouds. "Insane!" he eximed, his tone a mixture of awe and frustration. Several core alliance members standing not far from him turned their heads in unison. Laras, who was the closest, raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a questioning gaze. "What''s wrong, Brother Lein?" she asked, her tone calm yet clearly curious. Lein scratched the back of his head, chuckling awkwardly. "It''s nothing. Just ignore it," he replied, trying to conceal both his excitement and concern. He quickly stored the crystal in his spatial ring, deciding that the time for experimentation was not now. Meanwhile, the shadow of the enormous tree became clearer. Leaves made of pure light shimmered, moving gently as if singing an inaudible harmony of nature. Bagus, one of the core members, tilted his head, frowning. "What kind of tree is that?" he asked in a tone of fascination. He tried stepping closer, but the space around him felt strange¡ªlike the distance between him and the tree grew with every step he took. Arya, standing beside Bagus, shrugged. "No idea, but I bet that tree is something incredibly valuable," he said confidently. Lein remained silent, his gaze fixed on the tree. His body was tense, a mix of curiosity and caution flooding his senses. But before he could analyze further, a surge of powerful energy rising from below stole his attention. Figures began flying closer, one by one, other alliance leaders appearing, hovering in the air with radiant auras. "What is this? All statuses are marked as unknown?" an older leader with gray hair eximed incredulously, pointing toward Lein and his core members. He stared at the panel in front of him, his eyes wide. Another leader murmured, his voice trembling. "They... they''ve already surpassed the Master level?" he said, more a statement than a question. But the murmurs were cut short as Lein''s aura spread, filling the air with such intense pressure that it made everyone catch their breath. Lein''s gaze did not waver, but to the others, every second under his stare felt like facing the ultimate judge. Elsewhere, dmir Nova stood stiffly, his muscr frame taut like a fully drawn bowstring. He silently observed Lein, though his thoughts were in turmoil. How is this possible? he wondered. How could they reach a level that even surpasses the old leaders so quickly? Beside him, Bai Qi let out a low growl, his sharp eyes locked onto Hana, one of Lein''s core members. "Miss Hana, you...?" he began, half hoping for a reassuring answer, but the other half fearing the truth. Hana, with a cold smile, simply nodded slightly. She then swept her gaze across the gathering of alliance leaders. "William? And the others?" she asked lightly, her tone seemingly indifferent yet still intimidating. Bai Qi swallowed hard, sensing something amiss. His eyes darted around, trying to count their numbers. "They''re not here," he muttered, his voice full of unease. "Damn it, those cowards!" Hana''s aura shifted abruptly. From a calm and graceful demeanor, she now radiated like a volcano ready to erupt. The air around her trembled, her spiritual pressure spreading like shockwaves. All the leaders in the air felt their knees weaken, one by one falling to the ground, unable to bear the weight of a Grandmaster''s aura. Only on m v|le|mp|yr "Stop, Miss Hana! We are innocent!" one of the leaders shouted with a trembling voice, his face pale. "Yes, we had no intention of betraying humanity!" another cried out, his voice near hysterical. But Hana did not hear them. Her gaze remained fixed ahead, her expression nk yet threatening. dmir Nova could only growl internally. William, you coward! If we meet again, I will kill you! he thought furiously. He knew that for now, there was nothing to be done except endure and await Hana''s decision. Hana''s aura radiated with such intense energy that it spread throughout the Alliance building. The staff on the lower floors, initially engrossed in their tasks, suddenly froze. A look of horror spread across their faces as they felt the overwhelming pressure enveloping the building. The air around them began to change¡ªfrosty mist appeared out of nowhere, nketing the rooms with an increasingly piercing chill. The ss ceiling began to frost over, forming crystalline spiderweb-like patterns. Before everything froze entirely, a warm light seeped into the room. It was gentle, like the touch of morning sunlight on the skin. Everyone turned toward its source. Laras stepped forward slowly, her body radiating warmth that dispelled the icy mist. She approached Hana with a gaze full of calm. "Hana, that''s enough," Laras said, her voice soft yet firm, like a spring breeze soothing a winter storm. "I was almost tempted by that offer too. But when I thought of my family, and our Alliance, I realized it was the wrong choice." Chapter 275: Tree of Life Source Hana looked at Laras, her eyes previously filled with rage, now beginning to soften. Her tightly pressed lips curved into a faint smile, one of gratitude. The icy mist filling the room slowly vanished, reced by a warmth that embraced everyone. "Thank you, Laras," Hana said, her voice steadier. She retracted her aura, prompting the leaders in the area to exhale in relief. With a warm gaze, Hana surveyed all the Alliance leaders. "I apologize for my earlier outburst," she said sincerely. "That anger¡­ it wasn''t directed at you. On the contrary, I am grateful for your loyalty to Earth." Meanwhile, in the distance, a phenomenon drew everyone''s attention. The colossal tree, with its towering trunk reaching the heavens, appeared to be drawing closer. Haikal Emanuel, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stepped forward. "The tree is approaching. Let''s investigate," he said as he shot into the air. The Alliance leaders weren''t far behind. They quickly activated their flying devices¡ªsleek, advanced tools emitting a bluish glow. In an instant, the sky above the Alliance building was filled with figures darting toward the giant tree. Lein had already arrived. Using his portal, he stood atop one of the tree''s leaves. The leaf was so vast it resembled a sprawling in, stretching up to 10 kilometers. However, this wasn''t thergest leaf¡ªfarther away, other leaves appeared even grander, like floating inds in the air. The tree''s trunk soared with an astonishing diameter of about 500 kilometers. If this tree fell, Lein thought, the smaller inds below would surely be obliterated. He narrowed his eyes at the massive tree, trying toprehend its existence. "What exactly is this tree?" he muttered, touching the surface of the leaf beneath his feet. It felt smooth yet sturdy, like steel. No system notifications appeared, even though this tree had clearly emerged during the Cosmos Unification. Lein gestured to open the tree''s status panel. Information flowed before him, disyed clearly in a holographic panel. [Tree of Life Source] - Guardian: Lein - Life Energy: 1,000 years - Energy Quality: Low-level energy - Realm Level: Low Realm - Resources: Low-level resources - Realm Protection: Low-level protection *Realm Level: The higher a realm''s level, the greater the strength limit of rulers within it. *Resources: The higher a realm''s resource level, the higher the quality of resources that appear within it. *As the Guardian, you have full ess to the Tree of Life. "Is this like an ''Orb Ind,'' a realm?" Lein wondered. He thought the tree might function simrly to Orb Ind, a floating ind core tasked with disying a realm''s information. However, this tree felt grander, moreplex. "Whatever it is, this tree needs to be upgraded. But how?" Lein said, puzzled. He had no idea what items were needed to improve it. He touched the surface of the leaf, trying to glean more information, but found no clues about how to enhance the tree. Lein was about to explore further when his consciousness, previously restrained, suddenly broke free of its bonds. His awareness rapidly expanded, reaching into the void of the universe. It didn''t take long for him to survey the entire area surrounding the Divine Sky Realm. "Ah¡­ there they are," Lein said lightly. Without hesitation, he opened a portal before him, heading straight into the void beyond the Divine Sky Realm''s protective barrier. *** The core members and the alliance leaders were heading toward the giant tree to investigate further. Meanwhile, on Lein''s Ind, the low-level rulers, who had previously been busy with their own activities, simultaneously froze as notifications appeared before them. A golden holographic panel lit up in front of each individual, disying the system''s evaluation of their performance during their time in Aetheris. Their faces disyed a variety of emotions¡ªsome were surprised, others smiled in satisfaction, and a few sighed in disappointment. However, one thing that unified them was the shadow of the colossal tree that suddenly appeared in the sky. The tree was so massive that its roots and leaves seemed to grip the horizon. Conversations began to ripple among them, creating an atmosphere filled with amazement and curiosity. Elsewhere, a simrmotion was unfolding. On crowded highways, people engaged in animated discussions. Office buildings, usually quiet, buzzed with the whispers of workers checking their notifications. The Hunter Guild, a hub of adventurers'' activities, became one of the busiest locations. Discussions about the Cosmos Unification and the shadow of the giant tree dominated the conversation. On a street corner, a small fried snack stall stood modestly. The savory aroma of freshly fried tempeh and bananas wafted through the air, attracting the attention of passersby and drivers who paused momentarily. Several men with the rugged appearance of hunters gathered in front of the stall, chatting while enjoying their snacks. "Hey, what was your evaluation result?" asked a short-haired man with a friendly face, biting into a piece of fried tofu. He looked at his chubby friend beside him. "I got a C rank," the chubby man replied with a chuckle. He wiped his oily mouth before continuing, "But I got a rare-tier skill! Check this out." Proudly, he sent the details of his skill to his friends'' holograms. A glowing panel appeared in the air, showing the specifics of the newly acquired ability. "Whoa, that''s cool! I only got a level 25 item," said a middle-aged man in the group with a small sigh. However, his eyes betrayed a hint of pride. "But it''s worth a decent price if sold. Maybe I can upgrade my weapon." The conversation carried on, shifting to other topics that warmed the atmosphere further. A younger man, his face adorned with a thin beard, turned to his friends. "Hey, have you heard about that giant tree? They say if we''re not careful, it could destroy our ind." "Ah, no way," the chubby man interrupted while shaking his head, half his mouth still full of snacks. "The system just blessed us. There''s no way we''d face a disaster right after." "But I''ve heard from other guilds that the tree¡­ it''s not just any tree. Its Guardian will decide all our fates." Their conversation paused momentarily. Their gazes instinctively shifted toward the shadow of the massive tree on the horizon. Some of them shivered, not from the cold, but from a profound sense of insignificance in the face of something so immense and unfathomable. Chapter 276: Confronting the guardians Beyond the realm of the Divine Sky, dozens of fleets from various races floated in perfect formation within the void of the cosmos. Each ship gleamed under the starlight, exuding an aura of intimidation that pierced the darkness of space. Among the fleets, thergest ship radiated a golden-white light, resembling a flying pce. It bore the emblem of a phoenix with outstretched wings on its hull, symbolizing the majesty and power of the Celestial Race. On the main deck of the leading ship, a strikingly handsome man stood tall, bare-chested. Aurelius, Guardian of the Seraphis Vali Race, gazed intently toward the Divine Sky realm in the distance. His long white robe fluttered gently in the invisible winds of space, while golden wings on his back emitted a soft, luminous glow. His flowing silver hair waved gracefully, projecting an aura of serenity that sharply contrasted with the concealed ferocity in his eyes. Behind him stood an elderly man in a white robe with silver wings, Serai, bowing respectfully. His blue eyes reflected earnestness, his body slightly hunched to convey profound reverence. "Master, all forces have taken their positions. We are merely awaiting your orders," Serai said in a calm yet resolute voice. Standing alongside Serai were four other individuals in a row. Each bore wings of different colors¡ªgold, silver, blue, and red. Their powerful auras radiated outward, forming waves of energy that enveloped the deck. These men and women were themanding leaders of the Seraphis Vali forces, each a master of lethalbat arts. Their eyes burned with passion and anticipation as they awaited Aurelius''smands. Aurelius narrowed his gaze, his eyes locked on the Divine Sky realm, which appeared as a faintly glowing orb in the distance. Its protective barrier shimmered like a fractured sheet of light, seemingly needing only a single strike to shatter. "Any news from the other races?" Aurelius asked in a deep, regal voice, without shifting his gaze. One of the leaders, a man with crimson wings, swiftly responded, "Master, they''ve also taken their positions. Each fleet is ready to advance as soon as the barrier falls." A thin but fervent smile spread across Aurelius''s face, dominating his expression. "Good. Let them prepare. When the timees, we will seize the core energy of that realm. All shall bow before our light." Aurelius''s sinisterughter echoed menacingly, sending chills down the spines of even the five leaders standing nearby. Meanwhile, far from the Celestial fleet, another vast armada moved with fierce intensity. These ships resembled feral beasts, designed with w-like and fang-like structures. Red and ck lights flickered from their hulls, casting an intimidating and ominous ambiance. On themand ship of this fleet, a towering man stood on the deck, his body solid as stone. His skin glimmered like steel scales, with massive, curved horns protruding from either side of his head. Behind him coiled a colossal dragon, its body covered in gleaming ck scales streaked with faintly glowing red lines. The dragon exhaled small bursts of me, adding to the oppressive atmosphere. "How much longer?" the man asked in a gruff voice that rumbled like thunder. A woman with spiked hair stood beside him, holding a tablet projecting a holographic map. "Just moments, sir. Once the barrier copses, our dragons will strike without mercy. The forces are already in position at every strategic entry point." The man nodded slowly, stroking the dragon''s head beside him. "Good. This realm has been our target for far too long. If the other races interfere, destroy everything. There''s no room for mercy." The dragon beside him let out a low growl, its eyes glowing like fiery embers. The woman behind him felt her heart racing but steeled herself to remain upright. All races were quickly preparing their fleets, unwilling to be left behind in the battle that was about to unfold. In another faction, the fleet of the Dark Race moved in silence. Their ships resembled massive shadows, blotting out the stars around them. A dense ck aura radiated from each vessel, cloaking the surrounding space in an eternal night. On the main ship, an elderly man with a swirling vortex of ck energy spinning behind him stood calmly on the deck. His eyes, like ck holes, betrayed no emotion, though a glimmer of concealed excitement flickered within them. "It is time," the old man said in a low, resonant tone. A warrior d in dark armor stepped forward, carrying a sword that seemed to be forged from pure shadow. "All forces are ready, Master." The old man''s lips curled into a faint, cold smile. "Destroy them, but do not exhaust their energy. We will harvest all of it to strengthen our core of darkness." "As youmand, Master." *** A simr situation unfolded among nearly every race encircling the Divine Sky Realm. They were restless and impatient to break through, eager to seize the resources and energy within. However, the Guardians were not merely after resources; they sought something far more valuable. The protective barrier of the Divine Sky Realm, long regarded as an imprable defense, began to show signs of weakening. Fine cracks spread like spiderwebs across its surface, and faint tremors rippled throughout the area. These vibrations captured the attention of the surrounding forces, especially the Guardians. In tense silence, they rose from their seats, focusing all their attention on the weakening barrier. And then, the inevitable happened. The barrier shattered like ss, its piercing sound echoing throughout the dimension, leaving the Divine Sky Realm defenseless. At that very moment, the Guardians simultaneously extended their consciousness, attempting to pierce the realm''s boundaries and probe its now-exposed interior. But their efforts were abruptly halted. Their consciousness, which should have moved unimpeded, was suddenly obstructed by another force. A consciousness emanating from within the Divine Sky Realm¡ªstrong and unexpected¡ªblocked them like an invisible wall. Aurelius, one of the strongest Guardians, standing on his grand and magnificent ship, felt the power clearly. Without warning, his body disappeared from the vessel, only to reappear outside the Divine Sky Realm''s boundary. With an air of arrogance, he stood in the void, scanning his surroundings with sharp, suspicious eyes. "Who is it?" he demanded, his voice booming with a threatening tone. To his logic, it was impossible for another Guardian within the Divine Sky Realm to be powerful enough to block his consciousness. It had to be a trick from one of the Guardians outside this dimension. There was no answer. Instead, from the distance, an old man with an aura of dense darkness appeared, approaching Aurelius leisurely. The man looked at Aurelius with a casual gaze and asked lightly, "What''s wrong? Your consciousness was blocked too?" Aurelius didn''t respond immediately. The old man''s words set his mind racing. If it wasn''t him who caused the obstruction, then who? With sharp eyes, Aurelius tried to piece together the clues. "If not him¡­ could it be *that* man?" he muttered softly, recalling one other figure who might possess strengthparable to his own. But his thoughts were interrupted abruptly. The figure he had been considering appeared without warning, standing right before him. This man, radiating an overwhelming aura, locked eyes with Aurelius. His gaze was cold, filled with hostility. "What do you mean, Aurelius?" the man asked, his voiceced with subtle menace. There was not a trace of fear in him, despite standing before one of the strongest Guardians. He stood tall, exuding readiness to face whatever came his way. Aurelius narrowed his eyes, his confusion deepening. His mind branched out, trying toprehend this baffling situation. Thest thing he suspected was that the source of this interference might originate from the Divine Sky Realm itself. As he tried to confirm this theory, his gaze unconsciously shifted toward the Divine Sky Realm directly in front of him. There, he saw something that left him momentarily speechless. A young man sat casually atop a transparent bubble floating in the air, radiating an aura of calm yet immense intimidation. "Hello," the man greeted with a warm smile that seemed oddly out of ce amidst the tension. His voice was friendly, as if he were merely weing guests into his home. Aurelius was stunned, as were the other Guardians. The brief silence was shattered by a cry of disbelief from the gathering Guardians. "What?! A King?!" one of them shouted, his expression mirroring the shock felt by the others. The atmosphere shifted drastically, filled with panicked whispers and confused expressions. The Guardians exchanged nces, seemingly searching for answers from one another. "How is this possible?" Aurelius thought, this time unable to conceal his astonishment. He took a step back, attempting to maintain a safe distance from the man. The other Guardians followed suit, slowly retreating further, realizing they were facing an entity far from ordinary. Within seconds, more Guardians began appearing one by one, gathering around the area with heightened vignce. On the other hand, Lein simply observed them all with a yful expression. There wasn''t a hint of fear or hostility in his demeanor. Instead, his gaze reflected curiosity, as though he were watching a group of confused children. "Why do they seem so weak?" Lein thought while stroking his chin. His eyes scanned each Guardian before him, analyzing their auras and strength. "Is it because my attributes are higher than theirs?" he wondered internally, trying to find a logical exnation for their strange reactions. Chapter 277: Confrontation Lein stared at the status panel in front of him with curiosity. His gaze first fell on a man with a handsome face, who appeared utterly terrified as he faced him. The status panel emitted a silvery-blue glow, disying detailed information. [Status Panel] - Name: Aurelius, Guardian of Seraphis Vali - Level: 280 - Race: Seraphis Vali - Power Core: Faithwarden - Rank: King Tier Lein looked at the panel with a slightly raised eyebrow. "A Guardian? So this man is a protector like me?" he thought while observing the man named Aurelius more closely. However, one thing puzzled Lein. "Level 280¡­ But why does his aura feel so weak?" he muttered inwardly. Lein realized the man''s level was 30 tiers higher than his own, yet there was no sign of the power that a King Tier Guardian with such a level should possess. Shifting his attention, Lein now focused on an old man with a dark, dense aura standing a few steps beside Aurelius. His face was lined with wrinkles, but his sharp eyes radiated wisdom and danger. The dark aura surrounding him was so thick that the air nearby felt suffocating. [Status Panel] - Name: Zkeron Vyral, Guardian of Nerothar - Level: 254 - Race: Voidborn - Power Core: Cultivator - Rank: King Tier The old man noticed Lein''s gaze. With a friendly smile, he sped his hands together and gave a slight bow. "Greetings, Guardian. My name is Zkeron," he said politely, though there was a dangerous calmness underlying his words. Lein narrowed his eyes. Inwardly, he muttered, "Hah, this old man is cunning. His smile is friendly, but his aura reeks of death. Only the gods know how many lives have been extinguished by his hands." Lein didn''t respond to Zkeron''s greeting, choosing to ignore him and shift his focus to a burly man with fiery red hair and gleaming scales that stood out on his neck. The scales appeared sturdy, with intricate patterns that resembled magical carvings. [Status Panel] - Name: Kath, Guardian of Drakmorath - Level: 267 - Race: Drakmorath - Power Core: Bloodline - Rank: King Tier The scaled man showed no reaction. He simply stood there, but his pitch-ck eyes stared at Lein with intense focus, like a dragon evaluating its foe. While observing the three Guardians in front of him, Lein sensed the presence of another equally strong aura in the distance. His expanded awareness swept across the entire area, capturing every living being and object around him. All this information flooded his mind, though most of it remained faint. One of the things that caught Lein''s attention most was a massive fleet hovering in the distance. The battle fleet was shaped like a t floating in the void of space. Millions of beings moved across its surface, busily preparing themselves. Smaller ships surrounded the main fleet, each equipped with high-level towers andbat weaponry. "They''re seriously nning to invade my realm," Lein muttered coldly, his eyes narrowing in anger. For now, he shifted his gaze away from the fleet and refocused on the three Guardians before him. Still standing atop the Dream Bubble, Lein finally spoke. His voice was calm but carried an air of authority. "I just want to ask you all: is it true that you''re the ones attacking my realm?" Aurelius seemed startled by the question. His face turned pale, and his body trembled slightly. However, he tried to hide his fear behind a haughty tone. "So what if we are?" Aurelius replied, folding his arms. But before Aurelius could say more, Lein had already moved. With a swift motion, he raised his holy sword. A bright light flooded the space, creating a 10-kilometer-long sword sh that shot directly toward Aurelius. aashhh! The sh tore through the air with immense force. There was no hesitation or mercy in the attack, only a pure intent to annihte. Aurelius didn''t remain idle. In a fraction of a second, he raised his right hand. A transparent sword radiating sacred energy appeared in his grip. The space roared as Lein''s radiant sword collided with Aurelius''s holy energy, creating shockwaves that reverberated far beyond their battlefield. "How arrogant," Aurelius dered loudly, his voice brimming with pride. Without hesitation, he swung the holy sword in his hand to block Lein''s sh. The sh emitted extraordinary sacred energy, though its length was only a few kilometers, far shorter than Lein''s. BOOM! The collision of the two energy swords created a cosmic explosion. The tremendous boom echoed, shaking the void. The dazzling light from the sh of the two sacred energies illuminated the entire area, while its vibrations spread to the farthest corners of the emptiness. The battle fleet, which had previously been on standby, immediately switched to defense mode. "Quick! Activate the ship''s protective shields!" one of the captains shouted in panic, his voice ringing across the deck. His body trembled, and his eyes couldn''t look away from the distant battle. A wave of fear swept through the soldiers watching. They knew that a battle between Guardians was not something that could be resolved quickly or without massive casualties. Aboard one of the main ships of Seraphis Vali, Serai stood with fervor. Her gaze was fixed on Aurelius, her eyes zing with burning hatred. "Go on, my lord! Destroy that lowly creature!" she shouted passionately. A long-standing grudge against Lein burned within her, especially after the forces she had sent to the Divine Sky Realm were annihted without a trace. Meanwhile, Lein remained seated calmly atop his Dream Bubble, his face full of serenity despite being surprised by the result of the earlier sh. "Hmm... it seems my basic skills have improved," he murmured with a small smile, silently praising himself. However, his gaze returned to Aurelius. Even though the earlier attack had been blocked, Lein was unbothered. He knew it was just a casual sh, not his full power. "I will ask you one more time," Lein''s voice echoed, enveloping the void with overwhelming pressure. "Are you the ones who attacked my Divine Sky Realm?" The voice thundered like rolling lightning, spreading far to the ships in the distance. The lower-tier troops who heard its reverberation immediately dropped to their knees. Chapter 278: Apology Their hearts were gripped with profound fear, even though they were shielded by the energy of the Guardians. "What''s happening?!" one soldier shouted in panic. "My lord, save us!" another cried out, pleading for protection. Aboard themand ship of one of the fleets, a woman with a voluptuous figure gazed toward Lein and the other Guardians. Her face was full of worry. Beside her stood a handsome man with a serious expression, lost in thought. "Darling, what should we do?" the woman asked, her voice trembling. The man let out a long sigh before replying, "I have a feeling this realm has birthed a Guardian with divine talent. It''s impossible for a newly emerged realm to possess a King-Tier Guardian." The woman nodded in agreement. "You''re right. A realm capable of producing a King-Tier Guardian must be incredibly powerful. But¡­ what should we do? Send troops to attack it?" The man fell silent, his eyes lighting up as if he had found the answer. After a moment, he stood with determination. "We must apologize in person." The woman was taken aback, unable to believe his words. "Wait, what do you mean? Won''t he attack us if we get closer?!" The man smiled confidently. "There''s no need to fear. The fact that he''s asking questions shows that he wants answers, not a fight." Without hesitation, the man opened a portal, looking at his wife with a calm expression. Reluctantly, the woman followed her husband into the portal. Back at the battlefield, silence filled the air. None of the three Guardians dared to answer Lein''s question. Zkeron, who stood nearby, merely smiled faintly. His sharp eyes gleamed with intelligence, carefully observing Lein''s every move. "Interesting," he murmured casually. Despite being a Guardian exuding powerful darkness, Zkeron showed no intention of attacking. He chose to keep watching, like a chess yer waiting for the next move. Unlike Zkeron''s calm demeanor, Kath was almost losing his patience. His fists clenched tightly, and his teeth ground together as he struggled to suppress his anger. Yet, he refrained from being the first to attack. As a strategist, Kath knew all too well that being the instigator of conflict would make him the primary target for the other Guardians. "I really want to crush this brat''s head," Kath growled, his voice dripping with hatred, though his body remained rooted in ce. Lein, on the other hand, seemed indifferent. He sat leisurely on his Dream Bubble, unhurried. He waited, as though he had a specific deadline in mind before he would act. "So, no one''s confessing?" Lein muttered lightly. Though his tone was soft, his voice carried a pressure that made the surrounding void tremble. But before Lein could continue, three massive cracks suddenly appeared in the fabric of space. From each crack emerged extraordinary figures, bringing an aura that heightened the already tense atmosphere. The first figure to emerge was a tall, slender woman in a beautiful gown with abstract patterns that shimmered with a cold glow. She stood gracefully above the void, her icy gaze fixed on Lein. Lein observed the woman with great interest, and the system panel before him immediately provided information: [Status Panel] - Name: Aurora, Guardian of Cryon - Level: 143 - Race: Cryon - Power Core: System - Rank: Grandmaster-Tier "A being with a system-based power core, and a Guardian at the Grandmaster level," Lein murmured, studying the data disyed on his panel. His mind raced, delving deeper into the concept of Guardians. Apparently, being a Guardian didn''t require one to be at the King level. Even Master-level individuals could attain the title, depending on the strength of their power core. The second figure to appear was a middle-aged man d in a sky-blue robe. His long, ck hair gleamed like a starry night, and his aura was on par with Aurora''s. From the information on Lein''s system panel, the man was a cultivator at the Grandmaster level. The final crack revealed two figures at once: a woman dressed in elegant attire that entuated her curves, followed closely by a handsome man exuding amanding aura. Lein only needed a moment to discern that both were at the King level. The four figures now stood before Lein. Their gazes were filled with caution, yet none of them disyed fear. Lein scrutinized them with a curious expression, as if weighing the potential threat they posed. From the distance, Aurelius''s voice broke the silence, shouting toward the elegantly dressed woman. "Lyra, what are you nning to do?" he yelled, his voice brimming with anger and frustration. Lyra, the voluptuous woman, turned to look at Aurelius alongside her husband, their expressions cold. There was no hint of respect in their eyes. "What do you mean? What''s your business?" Lyra retorted mockingly. Aurelius felt his blood boil at Lyra''s reply. Under different circumstances, he would haveunched a direct attack. However, his fury froze as Lyra''s husband shot him a piercing gaze, a silent threat that didn''t need words to be understood. "Darling, remember our goal," Lyra said, soothing her husband gently. Her husband redirected his attention to Lein, leaving Aurelius stewing in frustration. Lyra''s husband stepped forward, calmly meeting Lein''s gaze. With a neutral tone, he began to speak¡ªneither arrogant nor submissive. "My apologies, sir. First, allow me to introduce myself," he said. Despite being on an equal level of power with Lein, the extraordinary potential of the young Guardian before him made them tread carefully. Lein remainedposed, waiting for further exnation, his sharp, curious eyes continuously assessing the neers. With a slight bow, Hanes began to speak. "My name is Hanes," he said, his voice calm and steady, like the flow of a river¡ªgentle yet brimming with strength. "This is my wife, Lyra. First, allow me to extend our apologies for our actions." Lein merely raised an eyebrow, a small gesture indicating that he was listening, though he gave no verbal response. His face remained expressionless, but the corners of his lips seemed to curve slightly, almost into a smile, leaving Hanes uncertain whether the man before him was intrigued or subtly mocking him. Chapter 279: Hanes vs Kaelth The husband and wife, Hanes and Lyra, bowed deeply toward Lein. Their movements were filled with sincerity, as if conveying deep regret. They remained in that position for several seconds, letting the silence linger in the air before finally straightening up. From a distance, Aurelius observed the scene with a look of disbelief. His eyes narrowed, trying to ensure that what he was seeing wasn''t an illusion. He nced around, as if seeking confirmation from anyone nearby. "What are those two idiots doing?" Aurelius muttered, his voice almost a whisper, but the astonishment in his tone was unmistakable. Kaelth, arge man with a fierce face, frowned deeply. He cast a sidelong nce at Aurelius, as if seeking validation. His gaze conveyed the same disbelief. However, instead of remaining silent, Kaelth spoke up in a loud, mocking tone. "What are you doing? Bowing like that? Are you afraid just because he''s a Guardian like us?" His voice echoed,ced with scorn clearly intended to humiliate Hanes and Lyra in front of the other Guardians still lurking in the shadows. Before Kaelth''s ridicule could continue, Hanes had already moved. His body shot forward so quickly that it almost appeared as a blur, leaving a gust of air that shook the void. In an instant, he was right in front of Kaelth. A seemingly casual punch flew from Hanes'' hand, but the speed and precision of the attack caused the surrounding air to vibrate. "Puk!" The energy released from the punch erupted violently, creating a shockwave that tore through the empty space. Kaelth''s body was hurled far away, smashing into severalrge floating rocks. The sound of explosions and shattering stones echoed around, shaking the battlefield. Kaelth staggered momentarily before standing firm. Scales resembling those of a dragon began to emerge on his body, radiating glowing patterns that covered his skin like armor. The patterns shimmered, signifying the immense power hidden within him. He brushed the dust off his chest with a casual motion, as if he had merely faced a gentle breeze rather than a lethal attack. In the blink of an eye, Kaelth vanished from his position. His speed was almost impossible to track with the naked eye. Suddenly, he was standing right in front of Hanes, his gaze burning with seething anger. "Do you want to start a war, Hanes?" Kaelth growled, his aura erupting uncontrobly. The void around him trembled violently, as if being forced to submit to his power. Hanes remained unfazed. He released his own aura, radiating an equally powerful pressure. The air around them grew heavy, as if breathing had be impossible. Hanes stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Kaelth''s without a hint of hesitation. "You won''t leave here without losing a limb," Hanes said tly, but his words ignited a burst of fury in Kaelth. Kaelth roared loudly, his body beginning to transform into a half-dragon form. Large, luminous wings appeared on his back, adding to his majesty and power. The energy he emitted multiplied thousands of times over, shaking the void to the point of nearly cracking. "Dear, you¡­" Lyra said softly, not far away. She stared at her husband in confusion. Her expression seemed to indicate that this was not part of their original n. On Kaelth''s warships, chaos was breaking out. The fleet captains, who had been waiting for further instructions, now acted without awaiting orders from above. "Mission canceled! Fleet, retreat immediately!" one captainmanded firmly. "Activate shields! Move away at full speed!" another added. The engines of the warships roared to life simultaneously, propelling the vessels away from the battlefield at maximum speed. The crew members stared at the monitors showing the energy explosions from Hanes and Kaelth, their faces tense. Meanwhile, on Hanes'' ships, a different conversation was taking ce. "Our Guardian won''t lose," said one soldier confidently, his tone reflecting absolute belief. "Hanes is the protector chosen by destiny. He will surely win." On the other hand, Kaelth''s soldiers harbored the same faith in their Guardian. "With the bloodline of the great dragon, Guardian Kaelth is the strongest! No one can defeat him," dered a red-horned soldier. However, on the neutral ships, whose crews were merely there to observe, a different kind of discussion unfolded. They didn''t care who emerged victorious; they were only eager to witness the conclusion of this epic battle. Back on the battlefield, Hanes'' and Kaelth''s auras continued to sh, creating waves of pressure that destroyed everything in their vicinity. Yet, amidst the chaos, arge, transparent bubble appeared, shielding two nearly forgotten spectators¡ªAurora and an old cultivator. Aurora stared at the bubble in confusion. Her hand touched its surface, which reflected a soft light, strong enough to withstand the pressure from the two Guardians. "Where did this thinge from?" she murmured. The old man beside her simply shook his head, equally perplexed. The bubble not only protected them but also created a perfect barrier, allowing them to observe the battle without being affected. They looked around, and their gazes eventually settled on Lein. His figure stood poised, his attentive eyes fixed on Kaelth and Hanes. Lein''s face remained calm, yet there was a faint hint of interest in his eyes, like a researcher observing a fascinating experiment. Without saying a word, Aurora and the old man bowed deeply in gratitude, even though Lein didn''t look their way. To Aurora and the old man, the bubble was a blessing that saved their lives from the deadly pressure of the two Guardians'' auras, which were almost obliterating everything around them. Aurora and the old man hadn''te to this area seeking death. They were here to participate in the scramble for a newly emerged realm in the Divine Sky, just like many other races. Typically, Grandmaster-level Guardians dominated such events. But this time, the situation was different. King-level Guardians, legendary figures with extraordinary power, were taking over this contest. This change had caused many, including Aurora, to worry about the safety of their fleets. Aurora, d in a beautiful dress that clung to her like a shimmering mist, stood with a worried expression. She kept thinking about the fate of her race''s fleet. "Have they gotten far enough away?" she wondered, clenching her fists at her sides. Chapter 280: Hanes vs Kaelth 2 The void of space was no safe ce, especially with King-level Guardians whose threats were unpredictable. But before her thoughts could drift further, a figure suddenly appeared before her. Lein stood tall, his aura radiating with undeniable power. His eyes locked onto Aurora, scrutinizing her as though searching for something. "You," he said in a t yet intense tone, "do you know them?" The question startled Aurora. She tried to answer, but the words seemed frozen in her throat. Her body trembled, her gaze fixed on Lein''s emotionless face. Lein let out a long sigh, appearing slightly annoyed. "Hmph¡­ this woman," he muttered, turning away from Aurora. His attention now shifted back to Kaelth and Hanes, who were at the height of their confrontation. Kaelth, his body now fully covered in shimmering dragon scales, turned his gaze to Aurelius. "You, whose side are you on?" his voice echoed,ced with a subtle threat in every word. Aurelius'' beautiful face disyed only a faint smile, but there was a spark of confidence in his eyes. Without a word, Aurelius disappeared from where he stood. When he reappeared, his aura exploded like a wave of pure, holy light, enveloping the surroundings in energy that was both soothing and terrifying. The light surrounding Aurelius was so pure it inspired awe. Even those watching from afar felt as though they werepelled to bow in reverence. Kaelth, his gaze sharp, gave a brief nod. "Thank you," he said tly, before redirecting his attention toward Zkeron, the old man standing silently in the distance, exuding a dark aura like a thick mist. Yet Zkeron remained unmoved. His cold stare merely returned Kaelth''s gaze without any intent to intervene. "I hope you still care about the race behind you," Kaelth said, the threat clear in his tone. After confirming that no one else would interfere, Kaelth refocused entirely on Hanes. His gaze now burned with seething fury, ready to destroy. A thunderous roar shook the battlefield, echoing like a storm across the area. The sound was so intimidating it made the air feel heavier. Amidst the rumbling, Kaelth''s body was enveloped in dense blue energy. His hands transformed into sharp ws that glimmered brilliantly. With a powerful leap, he lunged at Hanes like a bloodthirsty beast. Hanes was already prepared. With an elegant motion, he raised his hand, and a massive brush appeared out of thin air. The brush looked mystical, its tip glowing like golden ink. With smooth yet deliberate movements, Hanes began painting in the air. Each stroke of the brush formed glowing patterns, like ancient calligraphy imbued with profound meaning. "Advance," he said softly, almost a whisper. The glowing patterns suddenly exploded, emitting a bright yellow energy that cut through the air toward Kaelth at high speed. However, Kaelth merely shifted his body slightly, dodging the attack effortlessly. "Too slow," he muttered, his voice dripping with confidence. He continued moving forward, closing the distance to Hanes. Hanes'' eyes remained calm. He resumed painting in the air, this time with more decisive movements. The pattern that formed resembled a great mountain, solid and majestic, as though it would summon the very peaks from the earth. "Go!" shouted Hanes, and the pattern floated forth, transforming into a massive mountain that emerged from the void. The mountain descended with a deafening roar, heading straight for Kaelth. Yet Kaelth was unstoppable. With his glowing ws, now transformed into powerful fists, he surged forward. The enormous mountain collided with Kaelth with a force capable of obliterating anything in its path. But instead of retreating, Kaelth punched through the mountain with his fist. Boom! A tremendous explosion shattered the mountain into shards of energy that scattered in all directions. "You want to im my body? Nonsense!" Kaelth roared, his voice reverberating with rage. Suddenly, Kaelth''s advancing figure vanished. Like a shadow swallowed by darkness, his presence disappeared in an instant. Hanes continued to look forward, unaware of the danger approaching from behind. "Husband¡­ behind you!" Lyra shouted from afar, raising her hands in panic, trying to warn him. Kaelth reappeared behind Hanes with astonishing speed. His sharp ws, enveloped in a deadly blue dragon aura, were poised to strike. In a sweeping motion, he swung his ws downward, aiming for Hanes'' neck with brutal force. Every movement exuded an inevitable death, ensuring Hanes'' body would not remain intact. Puff! Yet as Kaelth''s ws struck, Hanes'' body turned into a cloud of gray smoke, dissipating into the air. No flesh, no blood, only emptiness. "Damn it, escaped?!" Kaelth bellowed, his voice filled with frustration and fury. He felt as though he had been yed, like a tiger losing its prey at the final moment. In the distance, Hanes reappeared. His body remained shrouded in a calm aura, though it was clear he had just narrowly avoided death. His hands moved quickly, painting another pattern in the air. This time, the pattern took the shape of arge, glowing yellow with pulsating lines of energy. The expanded, hovering above Kaelth, ready to ensnare him at any moment. Hanes smirked faintly, "Let''s see who gets caught this time," he murmured softly. Kaelth stood tall, his body exuding unshakable confidence. He showed no signs of wariness, as though the threats around him were nothing more than a gentle breeze. But then something strange began to happen. His eyes changed, shifting from their normal color to glowing white that radiated an icy brilliance. His irises spun slowly, forming ck patterns like living mes, as though his eyes were portals to primordial power. Suddenly, powerful vibrations rippled through the air. The void surrounding the battlefield began to quake, producing a rumbling sound that shook the soul. The vibrations were so profound they reached Lein and the other observers in the distance. They exchanged nces, their expressions alert. "The dragon''s heartbeat?" Aurelius murmured, his voice tinged with disbelief. He had been observing from afar, but now it felt as though he was being drawn into the intensity of the battle. Chapter 281: Summoning the altar Lein remained seated calmly atop his energy bubble, observing the fierce battle between Hanes and Kaelth. Their various tricks and extraordinary powers were on full disy before him, yet Lein''s face stayedposed, almost devoid of emotion. Suddenly, a soft yet hesitant voice sounded nearby. "Excuse me, Sir... did you ask about them earlier?" Aurora, who had just regained consciousness, stood not far from Lein. Her eyes, filled with doubt and fear, looked at the leader, seeking confirmation of her previous question. Lein turned, his gaze calm yet sharp, observing Aurora, who seemed to be trying hard to maintain herposure. In an instant, he realized the girl was attempting to conceal her nervousness. "Yes," Lein finally replied, his voice low butmanding. "Do you know them?" Aurora swallowed hard as Lein approached, the distance between them shrinking. Her body trembled slightly, but she forced herself to stand tall. After taking a deep breath, she answered cautiously, "Yes, Sir, I know them." Aurora began her exnation, trying to recall the details she once knew. "They are Guardians who ruled centuries ago," she said, her eyes ncing briefly toward Hanes and Kaelth, still locked in a fierce battle. "Kaelth, the scaled Guardian,es from the realm of Drakmorath¡ªa ce where the mighty dragon race ruled with power extending to various corners of the cosmos." Aurora paused briefly before continuing, now pointing toward Hanes. "And the man with the golden brush is Guardian Hanes, protector of the Arcathar realm. A realm where the Arcathar race, cultivators with extraordinary abilities, are the rulers." Lein listened intently, asionally nodding slightly while envisioning the two realms described. His eyes stared into the distance, trying to piece together this new information in his mind. "You know quite a lot," he finally remarked, his tone reflecting deep curiosity. "How long have you been a Guardian?" Aurora did not answer immediately. She appeared to be thinking, her brows slightly furrowed as if digging up long-buried memories. After a moment, she opened her mouth, a sorrowful expression reflected in her eyes. "I... am not actually an original Guardian," she said, her voice trembling. "Our former Guardian fell in a great battle, and as the strongest in my realm, I was forced to take on the role. To be the new Guardian, leading the Cryon race." As she spoke those words, Aurora''s posture changed. Her shoulders, which had been slightly slumped, now lifted, and the look in her eyes showed extraordinary determination. Lein could clearly see that this girl, despite being wounded and burdened with great responsibility, had endured with remarkable strength. "Thank you," Lein said in a t tone, yet full of meaning. Aurora''s answer made his thoughts drift, imagining what the Divine Sky Realm would be without him. With the unification of realms and the threat posed by the Guardians who were ready to invade, he knew for certain that humanity was on the brink of extinction. His anger red up once more. Lein would not allow these Guardians to return to their realms without his permission. With a sweep of his awareness, he sensed the presence of other Guardians hiding around the battlefield, watching the duel between Kaelth and Hanes. Lein shifted his gaze back to the battlefield. Hanes now stood firm, both hands sped in front of his chest. From a distance, Lein could feel an immense concentration of energy swirling and gathering in Hanes''s hands. Suddenly, a crack appeared in the air right above Hanes, slowly expanding as if the very dimension itself was about to break open. Lein refocused his attention on the battle in the void. Hanes, standing tall in the center of the arena, slowly sped his hands. The movement radiated an intense aura that rippled around him, as though summoning great power from beyond the dimension. Within seconds, the air above him fractured like a shattered mirror. The rift widened, and from within it, a massive altar slowly emerged. The altar was grand and intimidating, surrounded by twelve towering golden pirs. At its center stood a majestic golden throne, emanating a pressure so overwhelming it seemed to crush the surrounding space. "You''re getting serious now?" Kaelth, standing in the distance, stared at Hanes with sharp eyes. He showed no fear whatsoever; instead, a faint smile yed on his lips. Not wanting to be outdone, Kaelth began performing intricate hand movements. His fingers danced in the air, forming mysterious patterns until both hands came together in a p. "Come forth..." The sky above Kaelth began to crack slowly, mimicking what had happened to Hanes earlier. A simr altar appeared through the rift, radiating an equally powerful aura. The altar descended slowly, each of its movements seeming to shake the space. "Hahaha... this is getting interesting!" Kaelthughed, his voice echoing throughout the void. "Who will die this time?" From the edge of the battlefield, an old man with dark skin, who had been watching without interest from the start, slowly opened his eyes. His once drowsy gaze now sharpened, observing Hanes and Kaelth with a look of pity. "They are both so unaware," he muttered softly, his voice barely a whisper. "They are fighting in the presence of a monster." Zkeron, the old man, then nced briefly at Lein, who sat calmly atop his energy bubble. "What?!" Zkeron was suddenly startled. In an instant, Lein had moved to stand before him, calmly bnced atop his dreamlike bubble. "Hi," Lein greeted softly, his smile rxed yet full of meaning. The energy of therge bubble surrounding him began to glow softly, but beneath its calm exterior, there was a piercing sense of threat. Zkeron, momentarily shocked, took a deep breath, attempting to steady himself. "Hello, Young Master. A pleasure to meet you. I am Zkeron," he said, regaining his casual demeanor. Lein wasted no time. "Are you interested in a proposition?" he asked directly, producing a white parchment adorned with ancient writings. The parchment floated gently toward Zkeron. Zkeron''s eyes narrowed as he caught the parchment. He read it carefully, and his initially rxed smile turned into a wide grin. After a moment, he let out a boomingugh that echoed throughout the space. "Hahaha... do you truly understand the consequences of this?" Zkeron asked, his tone now sharp and threatening. His cold, piercing gaze locked directly onto Lein. Lein merely gave a faint, enigmatic smile. "There''s no need," he replied casually, "because you will die right now." As Lein uttered those words, a crystal suddenly materialized out of thin air beside him. The crystal emitted a soft yet sacred glow, with a symbol of a clock spinning slowly at its center. Its aura was both soothing and intimidating, as if it embodied destiny and death simultaneously. Chapter 282 : Lein takes action (Chrono Crystal) A deep-blue crystal adorned with intricate glowing patterns. When touched, it emits a soothing, cold aura, as if stopping time around it for a brief moment. Inside, a swirl of blue light moves slowly, indicating its connection to the flow of time. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Heaven Grade - Essence: 178,000 - Time Freeze (Active): Halts time for 10 seconds, freezing everything around the user while allowing them to move and n their next steps without interruption. This effect can be activated once every 24 hours, providing a strategic opportunity to change the tide of battle or evade danger. Use wisely! Lein wasted no time. With a swift gesture, he activated the Time Freeze skill of his legendary artifact, the Chrono Crystal. From within the crystal, the shadow of a giant clock appeared, emitting a dazzling golden light. Its hands spun rapidly several times before finally stopping, pointing precisely at the number ten. Tick. The first tick resounded, shaking the entire space. In an instant, time around him froze. The dark aura drifting in the distance hung motionless in the air, and the old man who had previously stood arrogantly was now silent like a statue, trapped in a void. Crack... A faint cracking sound began to emerge, like a crystal fracturing under pressure. Crack... crack... The cracks grew louder and rhythmic, originating from the bodies of the frozen Guardians. Lein frowned, his gaze focused on the invisible fissures creeping around them. The restraints of the Chrono Crystal seemed to weaken, unable topletely suppress the power of the Guardians. "Hahaha! You dare to restrain a King-level Guardian with such a low-grade artifact?" Zkeron''sughter echoed, filled with mockery and scorn. The dark aura around him suddenly surged, engulfing the void with a thick darkness that seemed to swallow the light. The once-frozen atmosphere turned ominous. Lein ignored Zkeron''s taunts, but behind his calm exterior, his mind was in turmoil. His gaze hardened as he looked at the artifact, questioning its reliability. "How could a Heaven-Grade artifact fail? Isn''t this supposed to be the highest level?" he muttered internally, confusion evident on his face. But there was no time to think further. A sh of ck energy shot forward, aiming to cleave his body from the lower left to the upper right. With trained reflexes, Lein raised his sacred sword, Infernal de - Part 2 , which radiated a dazzling ck light. Tang! The sound of metal shing reverberated as his sword sessfully blocked the sh. Lein gazed forward, his eyes narrowing as he tried to sense Zkeron''s presence hidden within the darkness. Silence once again enveloped the space, but Lein knew the danger wasn''t over. His body tensed as he felt the looming threating from multiple directions. And sure enough, this time, hundreds of ck shes appeared simultaneously, raining down on him like a deadly storm of weapons. With agile movements, Lein swung his sword, creating golden shes that shielded him. He deflected each attack with perfect precision, like a swordsman who had honed his skills over hundreds of years. The chimes reverberated one after another, creating a symphony of chaos in the midst of the dark arena. Lein stood firm in the center of the onught, his expression calm though every movement radiated intense focus. "Tch, are all of you cowards who only dare to attack from the shadows?" he remarked casually, his voice cutting through the silence. His cold gaze pierced the darkness, challenging the hidden enemies. Lein had no intention of wasting more energy against this endless barrage. With his signatureposure, he reached for another artifact, a sacred crown hidden within his dimensional space. (Crown of the Sun Emperor)A crown born from the scorching energy of the sun, absorbing the power of stars until it destroys them. Nestled between space and time. - Type: Active Artifact - Grade: Heaven - Essence: 141,000 - Ability: Sr Dominion - Activates sr domination mode, enhancing all magical abilities tenfold. Attacks inflict severe burning effects. Duration: 5 minutes. Cooldown: 1 hour. The golden crown rested firmly atop Lein''s head, adorned with seven colorful crystals at its peaks. A soft glow emanated from the crown, exuding an indescribable majestic aura. Lein exhaled slowly, preparing his next move. Without hesitation, he activated Skill 3: Area of Light , which granted extraordinary effects¡ªa doubling of attributes for ten minutes and significantly more lethal attacks against dark creatures. (Skill 3: Area of Light) Creates an area of light with a 10-kilometer radius. Increases all attributes by 100%, nullifies enemy healing, and boosts damage against dark creatures by 100%. - Duration: 10 minutes - Cooldown: 1 hour Sacred light began to radiate. A brilliant energy engulfed the area within a 10-kilometer radius, dispelling the suffocating darkness that had previously dominated. The once-menacing atmosphere shifted dramatically, bing dazzlingly bright all the way to the horizon. "Wh-what?" Zkeron muttered, his voiceced with shock. He nced around in disbelief. "His holy energy¡­ is it erasing my dark energy?" he murmured, watching the light that now ruled the empty void. Zkeron''s gaze fixated on Lein, who stood proudly in the center of the glowing circle, his eyes filled with resolve and fury. The crown on Lein''s head shimmered brilliantly, amplifying the terrifying aura of his presence. To Zkeron, Lein was no longer merely an opponent but a genuine threat. "I''ll have to take this seriously now," Zkeron muttered, his expression sharpening. With deliberate hand movements, he summoned his own altar. Suddenly, the sky above him cracked like ss struck by a heavy blow. Through the fissures, a golden altar slowly emerged, its dim glow contrasting against the holy light. The altar hovered briefly before descending with perfect precision, stopping before Zkeron as though bowing to hismand. "You''ll be the one to die today," Zkeron dered arrogantly, his voice filled with unshakable confidence. He raised his hand high,manding the altar. Momentster, from the center of the altar, ck shadows began to materialize. They moved slowly, seeping out like thick smoke that gradually formed shapes. One by one, the dark souls rose, their figures resembling humans with hollow eyes radiating darkness. Others took the shape of massive monsters with grotesque and terrifying forms, exuding an air of intimidation. The sacred light from the Area of Light shed with the ck aura emanating from the altar, creating an unseen battle of energy in the air. The risen souls stepped forward, releasing low growls that echoed across the entire area. Chapter 283: Soul Annihilation Lein leapt from his dream sphere with a graceful motion,nding calmly on the vast emptiness of the universe. His sharp eyes pierced the darkness, fixed on the dimly glowing altar in the distance. From within the altar, the souls of dark creatures slowly emerged, one by one, like mist rising from an endless abyss. Their numbers grew to about twenty, neatly lined up like soldiers awaiting orders. Amid the crowd stood Zkeron, his face brimming with confidence, directing his arm with amanding gesture. Observing the scene, Lein offered a faint smile¡ªa smile that seemed more curious than satisfied. He knew the power before him was insignificantpared to his own, yet this time he decided not to obliterate Zkeron outright using his clones. Instead, there was an undeniable excitement he couldn''t hide. He wanted to test the soul-annihting skill he had acquired during his recent promotion. Previously, he hadn''t had the chance to use it, as there were no master-level rulers in the divine sky realm. He had been forced to wait, eager to discover the full extent of his new skill. But now, with Zkeron and his army of dark souls standing before him, the moment he had been waiting for had finally arrived. Stay connected with m-v l|e''-NovelBin [Skill 8: Soul Annihtion] Utilizes the ruler''s elemental energy to absorb 50% of the enemy''s soul energy within the user''s awareness radius, weakening them while temporarily increasing the user''s strength based on the absorbed soul energy. - Cooldown: 3 hours. Lein raised his hand with a casual motion, and at that moment, a radiant blue circle formed around his body. The light transformed into a vortex of energy, spinning slowly at first, but within seconds its rotation elerated. A faint wind began to rise, sweeping Lein''s hair back. Gradually but surely, the vortex expanded, spreading in all directions and absorbing any soul energy it touched like a whirlpool pulling dry leaves across a river. Zkeron''s army of dark souls was the first to feel its effects. Their bodies trembled violently, and their anguished cries echoed through the void. The dark aura surrounding them appeared to be drawn out, dissipating like smoke vanishing into the air. "Arghhh!" "Howlll!" The pained screams of the dark souls shattered the silence. Lein stood unwavering at the center of the energy vortex, his eyes keenly observing the effects of his power. One by one, the souls fell to their knees, their dark auras erodedpletely. Their forms grew weaker and increasingly translucent. Their energy was absorbed by the blue vortex, merging seamlessly into Lein''s being. Zkeron, who had previously stood with an air of authority, now looked panicked. "What is this man doing?!" he shouted, his voice full of frustration and a hint of fear. With swift movements, he raised both hands into the air. A massive ck dome materialized, enveloping him and the altar from which the dark souls were summoned. Duum... A heavy sound echoed as the dome closed, shielding Zkeron and his forces. However, Lein showed no sign of fear. His blue energy vortex continued to spin, its power prating the dome like wind passing through cracks. [Sessfully absorbed soul energy¡­] [Soul absorbed, energy gained¡­] ... The system notifications rang out incessantly, marking Lein''s sess in draining the dark souls. "If I recall correctly, soul energy is essential for summoning a soul altar and powering the souls within it," Lein murmured, trying to recall the information he had read. So far, he had never summoned his own soul altar, despite the lingering curiosity. However, he held back the urge. For now, he chose to observe the effects of Soul Annihtion . His gaze remained fixed on the spinning blue vortex, continuously drawing in the souls around it. The effects of Soul Annihtion were not limited to Zkeron''s dark souls but also extended to the souls summoned by Hanes and Kath. The two individuals, who had been locked in fiercebat moments ago, now stood still. Kath''s face turned pale, his vacant gaze fixed on his weakening souls. Their energy flowed rapidly toward Lein''s blue vortex, like rivers unable to resist a powerful current. "My soul energy... it''s depleting so quickly," Kath said, his voice trembling, his eyes filled with deep panic. He felt almost paralyzed, like a candle slowly melting under intense heat. On the other hand, Hanes watched Lein with terror. The figure of the man, standing firm with an aura radiating like a divine punisher, seemed like an unstoppable monster. Hanes'' breathing grew ragged, but before he could act further, a soft yet urgent voice spoke near him. "Dear, we need to leave this ce," Lyra whispered, suddenly appearing at his side. Her face showed deep concern, her hand gripping his arm tightly. Hanes turned to meet his wife''s gaze. He knew Lyra was right, but leaving without a strategic n would only worsen their situation. In a firm tone, he replied, "I agree, but we can''t leave recklessly." He quickly whispered a n into Lyra''s ear. After a few seconds, they exchanged nces and nodded in agreement. Hanes raised his hand, summoning his soul altar. In an instant, the golden altar he had previously called vanished into the void as if it had never appeared. "You won''t escape," Kath growled angrily. sh! A massive, glowing w appeared out of nowhere, hurtling toward Hanes and Lyra with incredible speed. The air around it vibrated with the sheer force of the attack. However, Hanes swiftly waved his brush, conjuring a giant golden fist that intercepted the strike with a resounding boom. "Push forward!" Hanes shouted to Lyra. The two seized the opportunity to flee, reappearing a few meters away from Lein. "Young Master, please forgive us," Hanes said in a low voice. He and Lyra bowed deeply before Lein, their faces filled with regret."We deeply regret attacking the realm where you were born. We didn''t know¡­" Lyra added sincerely, "We''re prepared to offer appropriatepensation for our mistake." Lein tilted his head slightly, gazing at them with cold, curious eyes. "What can you offer?" he asked, his tone emotionless yet oppressive. Chapter 284: Level 150 Equipment Chest Hanes'' heart churned, a sliver of hope arising amidst his fear. Without hesitation, he pulled several items from his spatial ring. Discover more content at m,v l''e-NovelBin The first item he produced was a ck chest with shimmering purple lines at each corner. Arge gemstone on the top of the chest glittered luxuriously, radiating an aura of exclusivity. Lein examined the description of the item. (Level 150 Equipment Chest) Contains a set of level 150 gear forged at the epic grade. Perfectly suited for a swordmaster. Lein''s current equipment was capped at level 50 at best. He had advanced rapidly using the divine promotion potion but had overlooked upgrading the gear he was using. A faint smile crossed his lips as he murmured softly, "Perfect for me." Internally, he admitted that Hanes had been quite smart in choosing an item that matched his needs. His gaze then shifted to a small ck pouch that Hanes had also presented. Slowly, he began to read its description carefully. (Land of 100 Realms) Contains a vast emptynd tform spanning 100 realms. Note: 1 realm = 100,000,000,000,000 km2 = 1 trillion km2. Lein''s eyes widened. "That much?" he eximed, half in disbelief. Such an enormous size was almost beyondprehension. His heart raced as he imagined a boundless expanse capable of amodating entire civilizations. The sheer magnitude nowy before him. He turned his gaze toward Hanes, who stood with a hopeful expression. Hanes'' broad smile revealed his confidence that the offer would be irresistible. However, Lein merely nced at him briefly, ignoring the overconfidence, and then shifted his attention to the next item. In Lein''s hand was a piece of paper with neatly written details that he began to read: - (Elf ves) : 10 billion - (Dragon ves) : 10 billion - (Orc ves) : 1k billion - (Goblin ves) : 1k billion - (Troll ves) : 1k billion - (Vampire ves) : 500 billion "Insane?" Lein thought. His expression tensed. How could someone offer such an absurd number of ves? Unease churned within him. He nced at Hanes, who still wore that foolishly confident smile. Lein tried to discern the hidden intent behind it. "ves? How?" he asked, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. All he held was a sheet of paper¡ªno sign of the billions of ves it listed. Hanes bowed slightly, attempting to exin. "Indeed, My Lord. I can provide ves of various races. However, I will need time to deliver them here." "How?" Lein pressed, not hiding the skepticism in his voice. "I would need to return to my realm to gather them," Hanes continued, his tone calm but resolute. "We would use transport ships and teleportation to bring them to your domain." Lein nodded faintly, though his eyes remained watchful. "How can I trust you?" he asked bluntly, cutting through any pretense. The aura around him shifted slightly, pressing down on Hanes and Lyra. Hanes fell silent, visibly deep in thought. He knew that a newly ascended guardian like Lein would not easily trust others, especially strangers. After a moment, Lyra, his wife, spoke up. Her voice was soft yet brimming with confidence. "We can wait for you to finish your matters here, My Lord. Afterward, you can follow us to our realm to see the ves for yourself," Lyra suggested. Lein considered briefly, then nodded. "Very well," he replied curtly. His gaze shifted back to the next items¡ªseveral identical pouches. Lein picked up one of the ck pouches and read its description: - (Resource Pouch) contains 100 million units of metal resources. - (Resource Pouch) contains 100 million units of seed resources. - (Resource Pouch) contains 100 million units of building materials. - (Resource Pouch) contains 100 million units of potion resources. ¡­ There were ten simr pouches, each holding a massive quantity of basic resources. Lein examined the pouches one by one. While their quality wasn''t extraordinary, the sheer quantity offered was overwhelming, even for someone as powerful as he was. These items were ideal for establishing the foundation of an empire, especially given his current circumstances. Lein finally finished inspecting thest pouch. He looked at Hanes and Lyra with a barely visible smile. "Alright," he said casually. "You''ve shown sincerity. I will forgive you." Hanes and Lyra let out a sigh of relief. Their faces lit up with hope, as if a tremendous weight had been lifted off their shoulders. Lein, on the other hand, maintained his faint smile. In his mind, he was already forming grand ns to make full use of these resources. Shortly after Lein finished speaking, a soft voice reached his ears. "My Lord, we also wish to apologize¡­ please ept ourpensation." The source of the voice was Aurora and an elderly man, who was also a guardian. They stood within a transparent barrier created by Lein¡ªa glowing shield that had kept them safe from the fierce battle between Hanes and Kath earlier. Aurora, looking full of remorse, bowed her head, while the elderly man beside her held several items in his hands. They had prepared gifts to present to Lein as a gesture of their regret. Lein, maintaining a calm demeanor, manipted the protective barrier. Aurora and the elderly man moved closer smoothly, as if drawn by an invisible force. With an evaluative gaze, Lein began inspecting the items they brought. Simr to what Hanes had offered, these items consisted of basic resources that Lein greatly needed, such as weapons, construction materials, and other essential supplies. Each item carried undeniable strategic value, even though their quality was rtively average. After assessing the items, Lein finally gave a faint smile and said in a firm tone, "Very well, I ept your apology. Wait for me to deal with these assassins first." His smile reflected the wisdom and authority befitting a new guardian. Lein understood that while he needed to be firm, showing mercy was also essential to cultivating respect. With that matter resolved, Lein turned his gaze to the remaining guardians. Kath stood beside Aurelius, ring at him with undisguised hostility. That re burned like a zing fire, reflecting the seething anger within him. On the other hand, Zkeron, his aura shrouded in dense ck energy, appeared far more cautious. Chapter 285: Skill 12: Soul Constellation Dance The ck aura enveloped Zkeron like a deadly egg of darkness. With a serious expression, he began retracting his soul altar, trying to conserve his soul energy to avoidplete depletion. He knew the consequences of losing his altar would be fatal. Lein had no intention of prolonging the moment. With a confident gesture, he activated one of his deadly destructive skills. (Skill 12: Soul Constetion Dance) Within 10 minutes, the ruler gains the ability to draw soul constetions in the sky that generate sacred explosions at every star point, damaging and purifying enemies within a 10,000-kilometer radius below. - Cooldown: 6 hours. Lein''s right hand began to glow with an intensely radiant white aura. At the tip of his fingers, where the energy condensed, it resembled a diamond shining brightly in the night. With a graceful movement, he raised his hand into the air and formed a single luminous point. Slowly, that point was followed by others appearing in the void. As he connected the points with lines of light, a star pattern began to take shape in the sky. "Absolutely stunning," Lyra whispered, standing not far from him. Her eyes were glued to the increasingly brilliant star patterns. Aurora, standing beside her, could only nod in agreement. "Such pure power," she murmured in awe. Every connecting line seemed to carry both peace and a threat of death for enemies beneath it. Meanwhile, Zkeron began to feel doubt creeping into his mind. The starlight emanating from Lein was overwhelmingly oppressive, as if dictating a foregone defeat. "No, I can''t fight this power. I need to regroup," he muttered with determination. In an instant, he opened a dimensional rift with the intent to escape. However, before Zkeron could enter the dimensional crack, a devastating sh shot toward him. The sh not only tore through space but also shattered his illusion of safety. The streak of light moved like a hot knife through butter, sending tremors that echoed in the air. "Damn it!" Zkeron shouted angrily, his body moving swiftly to evade. But the sh was too fast and too precise. Frustration mixed with fear began to show on his face. He realized Lein wouldn''t let him escape so easily. Panic started creeping into his heart, making him aware that his escape n wouldn''t go smoothly. With no other options, he immediately transformed his human body into its spirit form. In an instant, his physical form faded, reced by a pitch-ck figure with two sharp red horns protruding from its head. A pulsating red crystal sat in the center of his chest, emitting an ominous and intimidating glow. Zkeron''s spirit body expanded, growing to a height of a hundred meters. ck energy flowed from the pores of his body like a dense fog surrounding the massive figure. With a swift motion, he swung his gigantic hand in a slicing motion. From the tips of his fingers, a massive ck sh shot out, splitting the empty air and aiming to counter Lein''s cosmic sh released earlier. Boom¡­ A massive explosion shook the void as the two shes collided. Waves of energy spread, creating ripples of force that shook the surrounding area. However, this time, Lein''s cosmic sh was unstoppable. Its energy continued to surge forward with relentless power, pushing toward Zkeron''s spirit form. "Aaaarrgh!" Zkeron roared, his eyes zing with a mix of anger and fear. He knew that relying solely on his current strength wouldn''t suffice. Using both hands, he extended the ck energy around his body before suddenly vanishing, as if swallowed by the empty air. Lein furrowed his brows, his eyes narrowing as he tried to sense Zkeron''s presence. Within seconds, he felt the enemy''s aura reappear not far behind him. Without turning around, Lein moved his hand. Four massive swords materialized in the air, each radiating such powerful energy that the surrounding void trembled. "Why is the young master summoning swords into empty space?" Lyra asked hesitantly, squinting as she observed the enormous swords slowly hovering above the battlefield. She couldn''t detect Zkeron''s presence. To her, Lein''s actions seemed like a waste of energy. "Don''t worry, the young master knows exactly what he''s doing," Hanes replied confidently, his tone firm and devoid of any doubt. He wouldn''t dare underestimate Lein''s decisions or actions, which had repeatedly proven to exceed everyone''s expectations. Lein remained calm, ignoring the voices around him. He continued forming constetions in the sky, connecting the glowing points of light one by one. At the same time, the massive swords he had summoned began to descend slowly, encircling the area where Zkeron was hiding. The swords'' auras merged, creating a formation that grew increasingly solid until it finally formed an unbreakable energy prison. (Skill 4: Sword Heaven Prison) Summons a sword prison to trap enemies for 1 minute. Reduces enemy attributes by 80%, blocks teleportation, and spatial maniption. - Cooldown: 30 minutes. Zkeron, who had reappeared, looked up in horror. The four colossal swords now surrounded him, exuding immense pressure from all directions. The dark energy enveloping his body seemed to scatter, unable to withstand the pure aura emanating from the swords. "Damn it¡­ What is this man doing?" he muttered in a shaky voice, as if his body was beginning to lose its strength. The swords were connected by energy channels, forming walls that restricted his movement. The prison was nowplete, trapping him entirely. "No! No!!!" Zkeron roared, his voice filled with panic. His divine consciousness tried to break through the barrier, but every attempt ended in vain. The prison''s energy was far too strong, even for someone like him. For the first time, Zkeron felt fear piercing his heart. His pulse quickened, and he screamed in desperation, "I don''t want to fall again!" In his massive spirit form, Zkeron performed an unusual movement. He spread his arms wide, and his chest slowly opened, revealing a massive, rapidly beating heart at its center. The red glow within the heart grew dimmer as ck veins crept across its surface, resembling horrific roots of darkness. Chapter 286: killed Guardian - Zkeron "I won''t suffer alone," Zkeron muttered, his voice dripping with hatred. His dark and furious gaze bore into Lein, as if trying to pierce him with sheer malice. The remaining dark energy in his body began to gather into his heart, seeping into every crevice and cavity. The process was swift, like a serpent slithering into its prey. The more dark energy entered Zkeron''s heart, therger it grew. Its shape became grotesque and terrifying¡ªthe ck veins coiling around it seemed alive, pulsing with a chilling rhythm. "Heart of the Void," Zkeron muttered weakly, yet his words carried a deadly intent. The massive heart, once pulsating inside his chest, now floated in the air, rotating slowly and emitting an increasingly intense ck aura. Its beat echoed throughout the void, exerting a crushing pressure on every being nearby. "Hahaha¡­ This curse will kill you," he said in a raspy voice. Hisughter was bitter, filled with deep resentment. As his words ended, the heart suddenly shattered. From its cracks, ck blood sprayed in all directions, poisoning the void with an ominous aura. The emptiness trembled violently, as if unable to withstand the unleashed power. From the fractured void, metallic ck chains emerged with no discernible origin. Each chain moved with terrifying speed, targeting Lein as he continued crafting the constetion in the air. The chains screeched as they shot forward, leaving a trail of lethal ck mist. "What is that?" Lein muttered with a hint of curiosity. His eyes narrowed as he observed the approaching chains. He had never encountered anything like this before. "Lord Lein, beware of those chains!" Hanes shouted from afar, his voice filled with urgency. He appeared nervous, his eyes reflecting deep concern. "That''s the old man''s deadly curse skill," he exined further. Hanes was well aware of the curse''s reputation¡ªa technique capable of destroying even high-level spirit bodies. "A curse, is it?" Lein muttered softly, his tone unbothered. However, a glint of inspiration shed in his eyes. With swift movements, hepleted the strange constetion he had been forming. The constetion was indistinct, almost like an abstract pattern. However, upon closer inspection, it resembled an elephant with a long, curved trunk. Buzz¡­ The constetion,posed of dozens of stars, descended directly onto the ck chains. The moment the constetion''s points struck the cursed chains, something horrifying urred. Boom¡­ A massive explosion shook the void. Its sound was deafening, and the shockwave of energy swept across everything in its path. Irregr cracks spread across the empty space as if the dimension itself could not withstand the impact. ck and white light intermingled, creating a scene of utter devastation. "Run!!!" Hanes shouted in panic. His face turned pale, reflecting a profound fear, as though witnessing the apocalypse unfold before his eyes. Without hesitation, he activated his spirit body and shot off at an incredible speed. Lyra, who had previously hesitated, also sprang into action. In an instant, her body transformed into its spirit form, and she fled as quickly as possible, leaving a trail of blue mist in the air. The explosion was so terrifying that anyone in its vicinity instinctively knew that staying would mean certain death. Find your next adventure on m_v l|e-NovelBin Other beings present felt the same threat. Aurora and the old man utilized their various tricks to escape. They vanished in an instant, leaving the explosion behind without the slightest desire to continue fighting. Aurelius, who had stood arrogantly before, now transformed into a spirit form resembling an angel. Large white wings extended from his back, radiating a golden glow. However, despite his majestic appearance, he immediately flew away at tremendous speed, proving that even he did not want to be caught in the destruction. On the other hand, Kath transformed into a transparent dragon with gleaming lightning horns. He pped his enormous, powerful wings, generating airwaves strong enough to obliterate the ground beneath him. With a graceful yet urgent movement, he soared away from the center of the explosion, leaving trails of lightning in the air. Dom¡­ Domm¡­ Explosion after explosion continued to echo, annihting everything in the void. Massive rocks floating in space were instantly reduced to fragments by the shockwaves of the star constetion''s sts. The energy radiated so intensely that it spread far and wide, destroying small inds scattered around the battle area. The sound of destruction reverberated, creating an atmosphere of tension and utter devastation. Zkeron, still trapped within Lein''s sacred sword prison, watched the massive explosions with a gaze full of regret. His eyes¡ªdeep, hollow sockets devoid of flesh¡ªwidened as he realized the waves of destruction were heading straight for him. No one could know what thoughts crossed his mind at that moment, but an undeniable aura of despair emanated from his frozen, motionless stance. Doomm... Doom... The waves of holy energy continued to surge, mercilessly sweeping everything in their path. The empty space began to lose its stability, creating cracks that expanded relentlessly. Amidst the chaos, Lein stood calmly, observing the destructive scene from within his Dream Sphere ¡ªa transparent, softly glowing bubble shield strong enough to protect him from the constetion''s explosions. "So beautiful," Lein murmured softly, his voice nearly drowned by the roar of explosions around him. He watched the destruction as an artist might admire their masterpiece, as if the devastation he had created was a work of art. Behind hisposed demeanor, a transparent panel appeared before his eyes, disying notifications that detailed the results of his star constetion attack. [You have destroyed Wolf Ind¡­ NO EXP] [You have destroyed Goblin Ind¡­ NO EXP] ¡­ A series of notifications appeared rapidly on the panel, informing him that the small inds and their inhabitants had been obliterated. Yet no experience points were gained from the destruction. Lein remained unfazed, his face expressionless. He was well aware that killing low-level creatures like goblins or wolves would not grant him any experience. But then, his eyes widened. A different notification appeared on the panel, causing him to hold his breath for a moment. The glowing text drew Lein''s full attention. [You have killed Guardian - Zkeron, gained +3 level increase] Chapter 287: Cosmos Origin [You have killed Guardian - Zkeron, obtained (Spatial Ring - Heavenly Grade)] [You have killed Guardian - Zkeron, obtained (King''s Heart x1)] [You have killed Guardian - Zkeron, obtained (Mid-Tier Elemental Crystal x13)] [You have killed a Natural Guardian, gained (Nature''s Luck Points) +11,500] ¡­ "Unbelievable," Lein thought to himself, the shock evident on his face. He stepped forward and reopened the notification panel to confirm what he had just seen. His eyes scanned the series of blinking messages, as if trying to find something that could exin this anomaly. "He''s really dead?" he muttered in a low voice, almost like a whisper. The words felt strange even to himself. Lein had never imagined that Zkeron¡ªa mysterious Guardian¡ªwould die so easily. This defeat felt too sudden, too... absurd. "How could he be so weak?" Lein continued, this time with a tone filled with profound confusion. Lein had hoped the man would put up a decent fight as a Guardian. However, Lein felt no threat whatsoever. With just his Star Constetion skillbined with his Sword Prison, he had already managed to kill a Guardian. His mind began to form a hypothesis. "Perhaps these Guardians are merely at an initial stage. Their power hasn''t yet reached its true peak," he thought to himself. The thought brought him a slight sense of relief, though it didn''t fully satisfy him. The surroundings were silent. Lein stood alone in an infinite void, d in his shimmering blue cloak. Wisps of gray smoke still lingered in the air, veiling the remnants of destruction. A cold, sourceless wind blew around Lein, carrying with it the hollow scent of emptiness that echoed in the darkness. "Huff¡­" Lein let out a long sigh, his gaze drifting into the distance. The dark sky stretched endlessly, illuminated only by faint, twinkling stars from unreachable distances. Yet, amidst that void, one object caught his attention. Lein''s sharp gaze locked onto the Heavenly Sky Realm, which appeared in the distance like a massive. White lines circled its surface, emitting a radiant light that seemed to act as a shield of pure energy. Lein could feel the immense waves of power radiating from that realm, vibrating even the empty space around him. "How did this realme to be?" he wondered, his curiosity piqued by its origins. As he continued to gaze at the realm, Lein suddenly sensed a new presence. Cracks in the dimension abruptly appeared around him, producing sharp sounds like shattering ss. From those cracks, figures began to emerge one by one. The first to step out was a married couple, followed by a young woman and an old man with a long white beard. "Congrattions, Young Master. You are truly formidable," said Hanes, a middle-aged man in a red robe, with a smile that exuded excessive confidence. His tone was filled with praise, but Lein could detect a hint of ttery hidden within his words. "The destructive power you disyed earlier was truly terrifying. I even thought I might die just by standing near it," Hanes continued, ncing at the others around him, as if seeking their agreement. Aurora, Lyra, and the old man nodded instinctively. They didn''t nod simply because Hanes said so, but because they had witnessed Lein''s power firsthand. That explosion¡­ was a sight they would not easily forget. "Stop right there," Lein said coldly, cutting Hanes off before he could continue his flowery words. His sharp gaze served as a subtle warning that he had no interest in excessive ttery. Lein knew Hanes'' character well. The man was skilled at ttering others to serve his own interests. A moment of carelessness, and Lein might lose more than he should. Discover hidden stories at m,v l''e-NovelBin Hanes stopped speaking, but his face remained adorned with a friendly smile. He bowed his head slightly, like someone who understood boundaries. There was no sign of offense or resentment on his face¡ªhis demeanor remained full ofpliance. "By the way, what is the Young Master''s name?" Hanes asked, this time with a more serious tone. "Congrattions on bing a Guardian." "Lein," Lein replied briefly, his voice calm and unwavering. He felt no need to hide his identity. "Nice to meet you, Young Master Lein." "Nice to meet you, Young Master Lein." Everyone greeted him enthusiastically. For them, meeting someone as powerful as Lein was a rare opportunity¡ªa potential bridge to security and future benefits. "Wee to the Cosmos Origin, Young Master Lein," Hanes said with a meaningful smile. His words caught Lein''s attention. "Cosmos Origin?" Lein repeated the words with a questioning tone. His gaze swept across the boundless dark area around him, as if trying to find a clearer exnation. "Yes, the ce we are in now is the Cosmos Origin," Hanes said, spreading his arms as if to embrace the vast, endless space. The starlight in the distance danced in his eyes, adding a profound sense of the majesty of the ce. Hanes began exining enthusiastically, his voice full of energy though his firm tone conveyed the importance of the information he was about to share. "Just like in Aetheris, inds of cosmic beings can appear anywhere and at any time," he said, pausing briefly to ensure Lein was paying attention. Lein listened quietly, his gaze fixed on Hanes. He realized that this information was crucial to surviving in this mysterious new world. Hanes continued, "Cosmic beings are a serious threat. They are not only powerful but also possess skills that are difficult toprehend. Their durability is extraordinary; evenbined forces often struggle to defeat them." Hanes''s expression changed, reflecting the gravity of battling those creatures. "However," he added, "the rewards for defeating them are often worth it. The materials they leave behind are extremely rare and highly valuable." As he spoke, Hanes raised his hand as if imagining the shimmering cosmic materials in his palm. Lein could catch a faint glimpse of greed behind Hanes''s tone, but he chose to remain silent. "However," Hanes said, his tone suddenly turning serious, "there is an even greater threat: the Realm Bubbles." His face hardened, and his gaze carried a clear warning. Lein tilted his head slightly, waiting for further exnation. Chapter 288: Cosmic Disasters, A Black Hole Hanes continued, "Realm Bubbles are small realms inhabited by cosmic beings with intelligence. They have built their own civilizations within them. The higher the level of their civilization, the stronger the beings that inhabit the bubble." He looked at Lein, ensuring the young master grasped the gravity of the situation. Lein kept listening with a neutral expression, though in his heart, he began to imagine the civilizations of cosmic beings that might not be too different from the worlds he knew. "Apart from the Realm Bubbles," Hanes added, "there is another phenomenon known as Cosmic Disasters." This time, his tone shifted to a mix of fear and enthusiasm. "Cosmic Disasters?" Lein asked in a t tone, his eyes carefully observing every change in Hanes''s expression. "Yes, these disasters bring destruction, but also great opportunities," Hanes exined, making sweeping gestures with his hands. "When these disasters ur, there''s a chance to create legendary items, including high-tier artifacts. But the signs of their appearance are often difficult to recognize, so only the lucky or highly perceptive can take advantage of them." Lein nodded slightly, trying to absorb all the information. Disasters that bring fortune¡ªa concept that sounded contradictory yet captivating. However, the atmosphere soon shifted. Hanes paused briefly, swallowing nervously. "And there is one thing that must be feared above all," he said slowly, his tone lowering as tension spread across his face. "What is it?" Lein asked, his eyes narrowing with growing curiosity. "A ck Hole," Hanes replied in a trembling voice. "When this phenomenon appears, everything descends into chaos. A ck Hole possesses unmatched gravitational pull. It will absorb everything around it without discrimination." Lein raised an eyebrow. "How dangerous is it?" he asked, his tone calm, though there was a cold edge to his words. Hanes took a deep breath, attempting to steady himself before answering. "Imagine this, Master Lein. Sovereign inds, high-tier realms, warships, even powerful beings of extraordinary strength¡ªall of them will be sucked into the ck Hole. And within it¡­ there is only emptiness, or what we call the Sea of Death." A silence enveloped them for a moment. Lein gazed far ahead into the endless darkness of the Cosmos Origin. The image of destruction Hanes described seemed almost too unbelievable toprehend, yet he knew this world had its own ways of proving how small he truly was. "Of all the ck Hole appearances I''ve ever heard of, only two realms and a handful of sovereign inds managed to survive. They became incredibly powerful afterward," Hanes exined. His voice carried authority, reflecting his vast life experiences. His expression was serious, emphasizing the importance of the information he had just shared. Hanes continued to exin various aspects of the Cosmos Origin to Lein. Together with the others, he shared basic knowledge such as the locations of nearby realms, the current conditions of the Origin realm, and the interactions between races that influenced one another. They spoke with respectful tones, aware that Lein had just arrived in the perilous Cosmos Origin. "Thank you, everyone," Lein said casually. In truth, he didn''t feel the need to express gratitude, but as a gesture of appreciation for their sincerity, he still did. Hanes and the others exchanged nces but dared not take Lein''s words lightly. Politely, they gave small nods and refrained from showing excessive pride. Their respect for Lein ran so deep that none of them dared to respond in an overly familiar manner. "Alright, Master Lein, as promised earlier, my wife and I will return to our realm first. We will meet you again in one month," Hanes said while ncing at Lyra, his wife, who stood beside him. "Yes, Master Lein, we promise," Lyra added in a soft yet firm voice. Clear respect was visible on her face. Read new adventures at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin Lein nodded slowly, then said, "Very well, but before you leave, take this." He raised his hand, and two elegant ck swords materialized out of thin air, radiating a mesmerizing dark glow. Without hesitation, he handed one to Hanes and the other to Lyra. Hanes was stunned as he held the ck sword in his hands. He ran his fingers over its surface, from the tip to the hilt, with admiration. The dim light of the sword reflected in his eyes, making his gaze appear radiant. "It''s exquisite," he murmured, almost unaware that he had spoken aloud. "Thank you, Master Lein. We have nothing of equal value to repay this gift," Hanes said in a slightly embarrassed tone. He bowed his head, attempting to hide his feelings of inadequacy. "There''s no need. Now go," Lein replied, waving his hand. He had no interest in hearing Hanes say unnecessary things. His demeanor remained calm, but a slight impatience could be detected in his tone. Following Lein''smand, Hanes quickly retrieved a small object from his spatial ring. In an instant, the object transformed into a magnificentrge ship, appearing out of the void before them. The ship glowed faintly, with its metallic body reflecting light from various angles. Its sheer size suggested it could traverse the universe with ease. The ship was truly awe-inspiring. Its body stretched over 10 kilometers long and spanned 1 kilometer wide. Standing nearly 300 meters tall, it consisted of multiple levels seamlessly blended into a design that was both luxurious and efficient. The structure appeared robust, with gleaming metallic panels reflecting the surrounding cosmic light. Along the sides of the ship, glowing lines pulsed gently, resembling streams of energy, indicating the advanced technology powering it. "Until we meet again, Master Lein," Hanes said as he bowed respectfully before opening a glowing portal. He stepped inside alongside his wife, Lyra, who nced at Lein with a gentle smile. The portal emitted a bluish-purple light, and within it, the figures of Hanes and Lyra faded, only to reappear on the deck of the massive ship. Lein watched them as they now stood aboard the ship, their figures appearing small against the grandeur of the vessel. From afar, Hanes and Lyra waved at him, their movements slow as if bidding farewell for a long journey. Chapter 289: Use talent crystal Lein shook his head slightly. "This guy¡­" he muttered softly, a faint smile crossing his face, reflecting both admiration and exasperation at Hanes''s asionally over-the-top tendencies. After Hanes and Lyra left, Lein turned his attention to Aurora and the old man standing not far from him. Both appeared to be preparing for their own farewells. "Master Lein, we will also be leaving. Don''t forget to visit the Cryon Realm," said Aurora, a graceful woman with a hopeful expression. There was sincerity in her voice, indicating her desire to deepen their cooperative rtionship. However, her duties called¡ªshe needed to ensure her realm''s safety and stability. "Of course," Lein replied firmly, his eyes reflecting resolve. He knew that exploring the Cosmos Origin would be the next step after resolving the issues in the Divine Sky Realm. "I must also bid farewell, Master Lein. Please stop by if you have the time," said the old man politely. His voice was steady, a testament to his long experience as a guardian of his realm. Lein nodded slightly, then raised his hand. Two ck swords, identical to those given to Hanes and Lyra, materialized in the air, radiating a captivating dark glow. Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin Without much ceremony, he handed the swords to Aurora and the old man. Aurora received the sword with slightly trembling hands, her eyes filled with deep gratitude. "Thank you so much, Master Lein. This sword¡­ it''s extraordinary," she murmured, gently running her hand along the de. The old man, though calmer, nodded respectfully and said, "I don''t know how to repay such a gift. Thank you, Master Lein." "No need to repay me. Go now, and take care of yourselves," Lein replied, his voice calm but full of meaning. A few momentster, Aurora and the old man summoned their respective ships. Although smaller than Hanes''s, their ships still exuded power and efficiency. Aurora''s ship had sleek curves with glowing blue patterns, while the old man''s ship appeared sturdier, with a simple yet robust design. They boarded their ships, and after brief preparations, both disappeared from Lein''s sight. Now, Lein stood alone amidst the void of space. Silence surrounded him, broken only by the faint light of distant stars and the gentle flow of cosmic energy moving around him. "I''vee this far," he murmured softly, his voice nearly drowned by the profound silence. Lein gazed at the cosmos with a reflective expression. In less than a year, he had surpassed limits he never imagined possible. What a crazy journey this has been, he thought, a faint smile forming on his lips¡ªa mix of pride and disbelief. "Without my help, humanity might only be able to reach Tier-3," he said as he summoned his status panel. A bluish-green light appeared before him, forming a series of numbers so extraordinary they were hard to believe. His attribute values now exceeded 5 million in total¡ªeach major attribute boasted over 1 million points individually. The panel not only recorded his strength but also affirmed the results of his relentless effort and extraordinary luck. The items he possessed were a collection of high-tier artifacts, things he could release to help humanity at any time. However, two items stood out most to him: the Talent Crystal and the God Promotion Elixir. These two items weren''t just valuable; they had the potential to change humanity''s destiny. Lein took the Talent Crystal out of his spatial ring, the item shimmering like a tiny star in his hand. He carefully examined the crystal''s description: (Talent Crystal): A rare item that grants the opportunity to acquire or enhance talents. If the user already has a talent, the existing talent will be upgraded. - Sess rate: 25%. Lein smiled faintly. "With this Talent Crystal, humanity can possess better talents, and their progress will surpass that of other races that have existed in the universe for eons." He then turned his gaze toward a small bottle glowing with golden light: the God Promotion Elixir. "With this elixir," he whispered, "even an ordinary human can ascend directly to the Emperor level. Imagine the impact. Even talented beings would struggle to match the power granted by this elixir." Lein held the bottle carefully before storing it away again. After observing his status panel for a moment, his attention shifted to the talent he was most proud of: (Infinity Duplicate - Version 2) - Rank: SSS - Duplicate 1 item into 10,000 - Cooldown: 30 minutes "Thank you so much," Lein said sincerely, his gratitude stemming from the fact that this talent had made him who he was today. Just as he was about to close the panel, a thought crossed his mind. He retrieved the star-shaped Talent Crystal, which shimmered like a miniature gxy in his hand. "I wonder," he said, smiling with anticipation, "what would happen if I upgraded the Infinity Duplicate talent to the next level?" Without hesitation, he selected an option on the panel: [Would you like to use the Talent Crystal? Yes/No] "Yes." His voice was firm, devoid of any doubt. The crystal in his hand began to levitate, emitting a soft glow as it spun slowly. The rotation grew faster, transforming into a spinning crystal sphere that radiated a brilliant light. Lein stood still, his eyes fixed on the crystal. A silvery light enveloped the void around him, as though the entire universe had paused to focus on this moment. [Sessfully used Talent Crystal¡­] [Failed to acquire a new talent¡­] [Upgrading talent (Infinity Duplicate - SSS - Version 2)...] 20%...45%...80%... Lein watched the progress bar with bated breath. His gaze was intense and unblinking, like a scientist monitoring the most critical experiment of his life. Seconds passed, filled with an almost unbearable tension. The stillness around Lein mirrored the anxiety hanging in the air. 99%...100% [Upgrade sessful¡­ Please select an upgrade path] Increase duplication quantity tenfold 10% chance to enhance item quality Reduce cooldown by 25% Lein stared at the options, his mouth slightly open, nearly in disbelief. "What? There''s an upgrade path?" he eximed, his voice echoing through the empty void. His gaze shifted rapidly between the options, trying to grasp the immense value of each choice. Chapter 290: Talent upgrade, version 3 This system had clearly exceeded his expectations. In fact, Lein hadn''t been confident he would seed on his first attempt. "Am I really this lucky?" he muttered softly, his eyes returning to the status screen. He read through each option carefully, his voice trembling slightly with undisguised enthusiasm. "Increasing duplication quantity tenfold... Hmm, intriguing." He tried to imagine the implications. However, another thought crossed his mind. He vividly remembered a previous experience with an item called the Blessing Potion, which had usage limits. Despite granting him an additional 100 attributes, the potion could only be used five times per individual. "There''s no guarantee I can keep using this ability indefinitely," he said, exhaling deeply. Lein paused for a moment. He stared at the screen, but his thoughts wandered far beyond the numbers disyed. "Furthermore," he continued, "the direction of this talent''s development might hinge on the upgrade path I choose now." His gaze hardened, full of calction. If he chose to increase duplication quantity, the options for enhancing quality or reducing cooldown might no longer be avable in the future. Silence enveloped the empty void, broken only by the soft sound of Lein''s breathing. He tried to envision scenarios where he would urgently need a massive number of items in a short time. "Duplicating 10,000 items is already incredible," he murmured, this time with a confident tone. He imagined the God Promotion Elixir he possessed, an extraordinary item that allowed someone to ascend to the Emperor Level with a single dose. If he fully utilized this ability, humanity could develop at a pace rivaling the strongest races in the universe. "In a single day, I can create 400,000 God Promotion Elixirs," he calcted carefully. "With the current poption of 1.3 billion, it would only take me five days to make enough elixirs for all of humanity." However, his calctions also showed that increasing the duplication quantity further was not urgent. At his current pace, he was already capable of achieving his goals within a reasonable timeframe. Lein smiled faintly, a smile that reflected his confidence. "For now, duplicating 10,000 items is enough," he said before locking in his choice. Next, his gaze shifted to the cooldown reduction option. He pondered the immediate effects of this ability: the shorter the interval between uses of the duplication talent, the more frequently he could utilize it. The consequences were clear¡ªthe number of duplicated items would increase significantly. However, Lein realized something. "This effect essentially serves the same purpose as increasing the duplication quantity," he muttered softly, his voice echoing in the silent space. Both options, though through different means, offered the same end result: stacks of items in a shorter time frame. He crossed his arms over his chest, contemting scenarios where a shorter cooldown would be genuinely useful. A memory of his battle against Mharzan in the elemental formation trial realm came to mind. At that time, he had only a brief window to act but couldn''t duplicate more than one item before his opponent caught on to his trick. Lein sighed deeply, recalling how he had missed a golden opportunity to turn the tide. "If only I could have duplicated two items simultaneously back then¡­" he murmured, his voice tinged with regret. Yet, he quickly shook his head, as if dispelling the thought. "No," he said firmly. "Cooldown isn''t a priority right now." With a resolute decision, he turned his attention to the quality enhancement option. Lein carefully read the third option: a 10% chance to enhance item quality. He scoffed lightly. "10% might seem significant, but it''s not as high as it looks," he remarked, his voiceced with skepticism. To him, the figure felt more like a trap than a genuine opportunity. He tried to visualize how this effect would work. "Will all 10,000 items have their quality enhanced simultaneously?" he wondered, tapping his chin with his fingertip. "Or just one item?" The system provided no detailed exnation, leaving Lein with numerous unanswered questions. Nevertheless, despite his doubts, this choice still intrigued him. Images of high-quality elixirs and weapons with enhanced abilities began to fill his mind. Even with a small chance, he knew that quality often mattered more than quantity in critical situations. With growing determination, he spoke to himself, "Despite the risks, quality enhancement is more valuable than the other two options." [Congrattions, the talent (Infinity Duplicate - SSS - Version 2) has been sessfully upgraded to Version 3] "Version 3," Lein said enthusiastically. He then immediately opened his talent panel. (Infinity Duplicate - Version 3) - SSS Rank - Duplicate 1 item into 10,000 - 10% chance to enhance item quality - Cooldown: 30 minutes Lein carefully studied each line of information. A wide smile slowly spread across his face. "So, both abilities are active simultaneously," he said in a satisfied tone, as though confirming a fact few people would understand. "This¡­ is incredible." However, he didn''t let his excitement get the better of him. "Calm down, Lein," he reminded himself with a wise tone. "This is only the first step. There are still thousands of crystals stored in my inventory. There''s so much more potential to unlock." Slowly, he pulled out a new crystal from his spatial ring. The gentle light of the crystal reflected in his eyes, giving an impression of mystery and hope. His hand moved carefully, gripping the item as he directed his thoughts to confirm the next enhancement attempt. Find your next adventure on m_v l|e-NovelBin But before pressing the confirmation, his gaze fell on the description disyed on the screen. Lein squinted, reading the text carefully. A new thought crossed his mind, sparking even deeper curiosity. (Talent Crystal): A rare item that grants the opportunity to acquire or enhance talents. If the user already has a talent, the existing talent will be upgraded. - Sess rate: 22.5%. "What? It dropped to 22.5%," Lein said, puzzled. "What''s going on? Why did the sess rate decrease by 10%?" Lein kept questioning, confused. There had been no prior exnation that the sess rate would drop. Chapter 291: Success This was exactly the kind of situation he had anticipated. He had suspected from the beginning that the system wouldn''t easily grant such powerful effects, whether obtaining new talents or enhancing existing ones. The more Lein thought about it, the calmer his expression became. He would always take a deep breath whenever the thought crossed his mind again. He rationalized this situation, understanding it better because he possessed a massive number of Talent Crystals. He didn''t value them as highly as others might. If he had given just one Talent Crystal to the Guardians earlier, they might have fought to the death, risking their lives for that single crystal. How difficult was it to obtain a Talent Crystal? Extremely difficult, of course. "I needed to achieve an SSS rank evaluation just to get one," Lein said with pride. "Well¡­ whatever it is, as long as there''s a chance of sess, let''s try it." Lein chose to stay positive. He then confirmed the use of the Talent Crystal. [Sessfully used Talent Crystal...] [Failed to acquire a new talent...] [Enhancing talent (Infinity Duplicate - SSS - Version 3)...] 20%...45%...80%... The enhancement progress bar began to move, the percentage ticking upward slowly. Lein observed the indicator with intense focus, his eyes fixed on the screen as if afraid to miss even the smallest detail. In his mind, he envisioned the effects that might emerge if this enhancement seeded. 98%... Lein held his breath. Just one more percent, he thought. But suddenly, the system disyed a notification: [Enhancement failed¡­ please try again.] Lein flinched. "What? What kind of lousy system is this?" he shouted, frustrationcing his tone. He stared at the words "Please try again" with rising anger. The phrase reminded him of a childhood memory on Earth, where he often encountered the same disheartening message in small lottery games: "Better luck next time, please try again." The sting of failure felt like reopening an old wound. Lein shook his head, trying to clear away the negativity. "Calm down, Lein. It''s just a 22.5% sess rate. This failure is reasonable," he reassured himself. Remainingposed, he grabbed another Talent Crystal from his spatial ring and initiated the process again. The enhancement began once more. This time, Lein waited with less expectation, attempting to stay rxed. But the result was the same: [Enhancement failed¡­ please try again.] Lein wasted no time. He immediately used another crystal. The thousands of Talent Crystals he possessed gave him confidence that he could endure failure after failure. He understood that perseverance was key to sess. Even so, repeated failures gradually wore on his patience. Minutes passed. Finally, a different notification appeared: [Enhancement seeded¡­ please select an enhancement path.] 1. Increase duplication quantity by 10 times 2. +5% chance to enhance item quality 3. Reduce cooldown by 25% "So the sess rate only increases by 5%?" Lein grumbled, his voice tinged with disappointment. He muttered under his breath, feeling the system was stingy. Still, he realized that increasing the sess rate was the most crucial improvement for him at this point. Without much hesitation, Lein chose the second option. To him, raising the sess chance to a total of 15% was a logical move. [Congrattions, talent (Infinity Duplicate - SSS - Version 2) sessfully enhanced.] "Version 3 again?" Lein frowned. "So it still says Version 3? No name change?" he murmured, dissatisfied that the system didn''t grant a new title despite the ability''s growth. Lein opened his talent panel to check thetest updates: (Infinity Duplicate - Version 3) - SSS Rank - Duplicate 1 item into 10,000 - 15% chance to enhance item quality - Cooldown: 30 minutes Lein stared at the description for a moment. His expression gradually softened into a smile. "Well, it''s still a good improvement," he said, encouraging himself. This time, his curiosity spiked. He was eager to test out his upgraded ability. However, just as he reached for another Talent Crystal, a different notification popped up on his system panel. [Private Message] Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin - (Cute Cat) Big brother, how are things out there? Are you doing okay? "Haha, I forgot about them because of these crystals," Lein chuckled to himself. He had be a Guardian, the strongest individual, yet he had neglected his own domain. "We''ll continue thister. Besides, I''m curious about the talent Nita will get," Lein said with a hint of hope in his eyes. He had long noticed his younger sister''s desire to be useful to him, though she couldn''t directly contribute in most ways. Well, there were people far away who considered her useless, after all. Lein scanned his surroundings, ensuring nothing was overlooked, then opened a massive rift and stepped through it. *** Heavenly Divine Realm ¨C Tree of Life''s Origin In the void of the heavenly divine realm, a colossal tree floated gracefully, as though it upheld the world atop its roots. The Tree of Life''s Origin stood majestically, its enormous roots sprawling in every direction, suspended like endless bridges. Its sturdy trunk rose as high as a mountain, connecting a massive base to a crown resembling a verdant green ind. The lush leaves glowed softly, radiating beauty in various hues¡ªemerald green at the center, gradually transitioning to orange, red, and finally gold at the edges. The ce resembled a small paradise, with many people enjoying its splendor; children ran gleefully along its broad branches, while groups of adventurers sat leisurely, chatting beneath the tree''s shade. At the tree''s pinnacle, on a vast t area, the core group of the Alliance stood in a circle. Haikal Emanuel, usually calm andid-back, appeared different this time. His face bore a worried expression, his gaze fixed on Nita, who stood not far from him. "Princess Nita, have we received any response from Lord Lein?" he asked, his tone more serious than usual. Nita, dressed in a simple white gown with radiant eyes, turned to him. Her lips curved into a small smile. "My brother will be here shortly, Lord Haikal," she replied softly yet firmly. Her words immediately brought relief to those around her. Laras, standing beside Haikal, let out a long sigh apanied by a faint smile. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 292: Return to the divine sky realm "Thank goodness¡­" she whispered. However, despite their relief, the shadow of the recent war against alien races still loomed in their minds. Their sess thus far felt fragile without Lein''s presence as their leader. ¡ª Suddenly, a massive portal opened in the air, not far from where they stood. The portal emitted a brilliant blue glow, swirling like a vortex and exuding a powerful presence. From within, a familiar figure stepped out confidently: Lein, d in a flowing blue robe that swayed with the wind, emerged with a calm stride. "Brother!" Nita eximed, her eyes sparkling. She wanted to run to him but hesitated. Her feet remained rooted, yet her gaze was filled with joy as she looked at her elder brother. Lein walked closer, his gaze warm. As he stood before Nita, he raised his hand and gently pinched her cheek. "Good," he said simply, a small smile apanying his words before letting go. Nita''s face turned red, but her smile was undeniable. She knew it was his way of showing pride in her. Lein''s gaze then shifted to the other core members. He looked at them casually yet with an undeniable authority. "We seeded," he said sinctly, but his voice brought deep relief to everyone present. "Thank goodness¡­ Thank you so much, Lord Lein!" Laras said, her voice sincere and filled with gratitude. Others murmured in agreement, expressing their thanks for Lein''s efforts in saving them from a dire threat. "Lord Lein, were they very strong?" Agus, one of the members, asked curiously. Lein gave a faint smile, his eyes narrowing slightly as if recalling the battle he had just fought. "They were strong¡­ very strong," he replied seriously, but shortly after added with a light chuckle, "But I''m stronger!" The group chuckled softly together, admiration evident on their faces. None dared to doubt his words; to them, Lein had proven himself to be an unshakable leader. Haikal, who had remained silent earlier, stepped forward. His face was serious, but there was a hint of curiosity visible. Your journey continues on mvl "Lord Lein, what should we do next?" he asked. "What do you mean, Lord Haikal?" Hana inquired with a puzzled tone, her brows slightly furrowed. Haikal Emanuel took a deep breath, as if searching for the best way to express his thoughts. "Well, now that Young Master Lein has be a Guardian, I think it''s the right time to make significant changes. We need a more organized governmental structure," he exined, his tone steady, though a trace of doubt flickered in his eyes, as if he understood the enormity of the responsibility he was suggesting. Haikal Emanuel''s words echoed among the group. A few core members exchanged nces, then slowly nodded in agreement. Even Laras, who was usually more critical, appeared to approve this time, offering a small nod while her lips pressed together as if contemting Haikal''s words. "Calm down." Lein raised his hand in a soothing motion, his gaze sweeping across the core members. "We''ve just entered a new realm within the Cosmic Origin. Take it slow, don''t rush," he said in a calm yet firm tone, like a leader who understood that major changes required time and meticulous nning. "Yes, we will reorganize the governmental system," Lein continued, his tone now filled with certainty. "But not today. For now, it''s better for you all to explore this realm thoroughly. Observe carefully for any significant changespared to before," he advised, demonstrating that he led not just with strength but with wisdom as well. Deep inside, Lein sensed that much had changed. However, he didn''t fully understand what was different. There was something unfamiliar, though he couldn''t yet exin it. That was why he asked them to observe the surroundings closely¡ªperhaps they could uncover clues he had missed. "Understood, Lord Lein," Hana responded with a nod of agreement. "Some people have reported that the Monster Ind has been rarely seen this time," she added, her expression filled with curiosity. "That''s true. I''ve heard the same," another member chimed in, confirming the reports. They all nodded, agreeing to follow Lein''s instructions. The discussion concluded, and they gradually dispersed, each carrying a deep sense of curiosity about the changes urring in the Heavenly Divine Realm. One by one, the core members bid their respectful farewells before leaving to carry out their tasks. They looked eager yet serious, like a team preparing for an important mission. It wasn''t long before silence fell, leaving only Lein and Nita atop the great tree. Lein gazed at Nita with a gentle look, like a brother filled with affection. A mysterious smile graced his face. "I have a gift for you, Nita," he said softly, his voice calm yet meaningful. Nita was startled by his words. Her eyes widened, and she looked at Lein with curiosity. "Really, Brother?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, revealing a mix of excitement and disbelief. Lein simply nodded, keeping his secret forter. Without saying much, he approached and extended his hand to Nita¡ªa gesture that was hard to refuse. "Care for a little walk?" Lein offered with a warm smile that made Nita feel at ease. Without hesitation, Nita returned his smile and took his outstretched hand. The evening sky atop the tree radiated extraordinary beauty. A soft orange light enveloped every corner, reminiscent of sunsets on Earth they once knew. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh leaves, enhancing the serene atmosphere of the ce. Lein and Nita walked hand in hand across arge leaf stretching like a natural bridge at the summit of the Tree of Life''s Origin. Around them, people gathered with their families and friends, enjoying the breathtaking view under a sky painted in shades of orange. "How do you feel?" Lein asked gently, his voice hoarse yet filled with care, as they continued walking slowly. "I''m happy..." Nita replied, her voice cheerful but soft, like a delicate melody harmonizing with the evening''s serene atmosphere. Lein said nothing more. They kept strolling leisurely, savoring each step on the curved leaf leading to the edge. When they reached the end, they sat side by side, letting themselves be immersed in the beauty of the orange glow that filled the horizon, painting the boundary of the Heavenly Divine Realm with indescribable grandeur. Chapter 293: Lein gifts While Lein and Nita enjoyed the splendor, others did the same. On the western side of the tree, a small family strolled slowly. A five-year-old boy tightly held his father''s hand, walking with tiny, enthusiastic steps. "Dad, are we going to reach the highest ce?" he asked, his eyes sparkling as though every step was a grand adventure. "Be patient, son. We''ll get there soon," his father replied with a smile, gently patting the boy''s head. The mother followed behind, carrying a few bags filled with snacks for them to enjoyter. Her gentle gaze rested on her child and husband, a small smile gracing her lips. They eventually stopped at a quiet corner, where a soft breeze blew, carrying the fresh scent of leaves. Sitting together on a wide expanse of leaves, the small family marveled at the breathtaking scenery before them¡ªthe sky blending shades of orange and purple, with an endless horizon stretching as far as the eye could see. Not far from them, on the eastern side of the tree, a couple enjoyed an equally romantic moment. They sat on arge leaf, a small tarp beneath them providing somefort. The woman leaned against her partner''s shoulder, her eyes closed, as if savoring the peace that could only be found in this ce. "I want us toe back here every year," she whispered, her voice soft like the wind flowing through the leaves. The man smiled, gently stroking her hair. "We''ll always have this ce, as long as we''re together," he replied. They spoke of their dreams, the milestones they hoped to achieve in the future, exchanging promises under the orange glow dancing across the leaves. Meanwhile, in another corner, an elderly man stood alone at the edge of the tree''s leaf. His hunched body and weary eyes gazed far into the vast universe, as if trying to grasp something only he could understand. He didn''t move or speak, but his presence exuded an aura of tranquility and wisdom. The old man''s thoughts wandered far into the past¡ªto a youth filled with turbulence, struggle, and loss. Now, in his twilight years, he felt grateful to still witness the changing beauty of the world and to experience the peace he had long sought. At the summit of the Tree of Life''s Origin, everyone was lost in their own worlds. Families, lovers, and a solitary old man¡ªall of them found meaning in life beneath the evening glow that enveloped this realm. *** The following day, after the unification of the cosmos, the Heavenly Divine Realm entered a new era that brought significant changes. Life felt lighter, freer. The citizens, who previously lived within the confines of their respective realms, now experienced a profound connection to the vast cosmos. This new atmosphere sparked widespread enthusiasm and joy. However, curiosity remained the driving force for society. The Tree of Life''s Origin became a ma for families eager to explore further. From the early hours of the morning, families packed their belongings to journey to the legendary tree, hoping for unforgettable experiences there. On the other hand, social media was abuzz with lively discussions about the changes happening in the Heavenly Divine Realm. One of the main topics was the status of the monster inds. Previously, these inds were vital ces to gather rare materials and experiences. Now, only a few monster inds had appeared, and even those were inhabited by low-level creatures, offering little value to fighters. This scarcity posed a major challenge, especially in meeting daily energy crystal demands. ¡ª Meanwhile, in the main hall of Lein''s residence, the atmosphere was more tranquil. Morning sunlight seeped through the gaps in the curtains, casting a warm glow on the long table where Lein and Nita were seated. As usual, Lein sat at the table''s end, while Nita sat beside him. tes of simple yet delicious dishes were neatly arranged before them. "Brother, what about the gift you mentioned yesterday?" Nita asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She scooped her food slowly, awaiting Lein''s response. Lein gave a small smile. He looked at Nita''s expressive and curious face, a rare sight since they entered the Heavenly Divine Realm. In his heart, he realized he had never given Nita a gift before. No wonder she was so eager. After a moment, Lein raised his hand and pulled out a shimmering crystal from his spatial ring. The crystal emitted a soft glow, like a small star illuminating the room. "This," he said, floating the crystal toward Nita''s hands. Nita immediately caught the crystal with both hands, her eyes widening in amazement. The crystal''s radiance was so beautiful, its design so wless it resembled a piece of art. "What is this?" she asked, her voice brimming with curiosity as her eyes studied the intricate details of the elegant and seemingly expensive crystal. Holding the crystal tightly, Nita read the description that appeared before her with a serious expression: (Talent Crystal): A rare item that provides an opportunity to acquire or enhance a talent. If the user already possesses a talent, it will be upgraded. - Sess rate: 25%. Before finishing the description, Nita stopped reading. Her mouth opened slightly, and she looked at Lein as though seeing something beyondprehension. Her face reflected a mix of shock and disbelief. "Brother... what is this item?" she asked in a hollow tone, her voice escaping as if on its own. But in truth, Nita wasn''t really asking. She already understood the crystal''s description. She knew its purpose and how valuable it was. Her words were more an expression of disbelief at the reality before her. Lein''s smile remained warm, his tone calm yet filled with anticipation. "It''s a gift. Come on, use it now," he said, gently encouraging Nita to try the crystal immediately. A gleam of excitement flickered in his eyes, as if he could barely wait to see what would happen. Nita continued to stare at Lein with a nk expression. Her body froze, unsure of what to do. And then, suddenly, tears began streaming from her eyes. The clear droplets fell silently, but they conveyed an overwhelming depth of emotion. Then her tears broke free. She cried uncontrobly, like a child finally receiving the long-dreamed-of gift. Her body trembled slightly, and she didn''t even try to hold back her tears. "Thank you, Brother," she said in a hoarse voice, filled with emotion. After a moment of struggling to regain herposure, Nita finally wiped the tears from her face with both hands. She looked at Lein with a gentle gaze, brimming with gratitude. Lein returned her gaze, this time with a proud smile on his face. "Alright, alright¡­ it''s a gift. Go ahead and use it," he said, encouraging her with a teasing tone. Nita nodded, taking a deep breath before refocusing on the crystal in her hands. She reopened the crystal''s description, now more serious than before. [Do you want to use the Talent Crystal? Yes/No] "Yes," Nita answered, her voice still slightly trembling, a lingering trace of her joyful tears. The crystal in her hands began to float. A soft light emanated from its surface, slowly rotating like a small, living. The spinning grew faster, producing glimmers that started to fill the room. A silvery light enveloped the empty space around them, like a dance of stars greeting the universe. Lein stood still in his ce, his eyes fixed on the crystal. The light from it reflected on his face, revealing the hope and confidence he ced in this moment. [Sessfully used Talent Crystal¡­] [Searching for a suitable talent¡­] A progress bar appeared before Nita, a small line inching slowly to the right. The percentage numbers climbed gradually: Find more adventures on mvl 20%¡­ 45%¡­ 60%¡­ Nita held her breath. She didn''t blink, as if each rising percentage was tied to the beating of her own heart. The tension filled the room, making the atmosphere quieter than ever. Lein remained standing by her side, appearing calm, yet his eyes reflected his expectations. Deep down, he hoped Nita would receive the best possible talent. 98... The tension peaked. The room seemed to pause for a moment, waiting for the final verdict. [Failed to obtain a new talent...] Nita stared at the notification with a nk expression. Her eyes, once filled with hope, now dimmed. Her body froze, as if she had lost the ability to respond. The silence enveloping the room made the sound of her unsteady breathing painfully clear. She didn''t immediately process what had happened. Slowly, tears began to well up in the corners of her eyes. Disappointment consumed her, like a dark cloud suddenly blocking out the sun. Her hands, which had been holding the crystal, slowly lowered, reflecting the heaviness in her heart as she struggled to ept this reality. But before her tears could fully fall, Lein interrupted with a nonchnt gesture. He reached into his spatial ring, pulled out another crystal, and tossed it toward Nita. "Don''t cry. Use it again," he said casually, as if the previous failure was nothing to worry about. The crystal floated through the air beforending in Nita''s trembling hands. She looked at the crystal with a mix of emotions¡ªrelief, gratitude, and overwhelming thankfulness. Like someone on the verge of drowning but saved at thest moment, her once-wrinkled expression began to brighten again. "Thank you, Brother," Nita said hoarsely, her voice full of emotion. Those simple words carried so much meaning. Nita knew how rare and expensive talent crystals were. But then, she almost forgot something¡ªLein had an extraordinary special talent: the ability to duplicate items. He likely had thousands of these crystals. Realizing this, Nita''s emotions gradually steadied. Her earlier disappointment began to fade away. Chapter 294: Monster island existence Nita immediately opened the description of the talent crystal in front of her. The system disyed a transparent interface with a brief summary. Without hesitation, she pressed the confirmation button to use it. The drawing animation began¡ªa swirling pattern of light with various talent icons floating within it. Nita watched intently, her breath slightly held. Beside her, Lein also observed, his expression remaining calm. After a few seconds that felt like an eternity, the result appeared: [Failed to obtain a new talent...] Nita froze, her eyes shifting directly to Lein. Her face reflected a sadness she couldn''t hide, despite her efforts to remainposed. Lein frowned slightly, folding his arms on the table. "Is it really this difficult, even with a 25% sess rate?" he muttered to himself. He then pulled out a ck pouch filled with 100 talent crystals and handed it to Nita. "Here," he said as he passed it to her. "Use them until you get a talent." His voice was firm yet understanding. Nita epted the pouch with both hands. The soft glow of the crystals inside reflected in her eyes. Yet, a heavy feeling enveloped her heart. She felt as though she was burdening Lein. Her small hands gripped the ck pouch tightly. In silence, she made a promise to herself: "I have to obtain a talent. I can''t waste brother trust." "Let''s continue thister," Lein said in a more rxed tone, trying to lighten the mood. He took a bite of food from his te, a small smile appearing on his face. "For now, let''s eat first." "All right, brother," Nita replied, nodding softly. A faint smile began to form on her lips. They resumed their breakfast at the tableden with food. Though the earlier failure still lingered in Nita''s mind, Lein''s warmth and attentiveness kept the atmosphere peaceful andforting. *** Far from the City of Life, the central hub of the World Market Trade Alliance, a small floating ind approximately 200 meters in length hovered in the vast void of the Divine Sky Realm. The ind was surrounded by several advanced defense towers, their soft blue lights flickering intermittently¡ªa sign that they were ready for activation at any moment. A tense aura enveloped the small ind, as if it were prepared to face an unseen threat. On the ind, a group of people in fullbat gear stood in a vignt formation, their sharp gazes fixed on the horizon. Among them, a tall man with fair skin held a bow in his hands. His keen eyes scanned the distance, searching for something that had yet to appear. "Still no sign of it," he muttered, his voice low and tinged with impatience. Not far from him, a woman carrying an iron shield approached. The sound of her footsteps on the ind''s hard surface echoed clearly in the silence. "We''ve been searching for two hours. Should we return?" she asked, her voiceced with worry. Their search came at a steep cost, renting this ind alone was a major expense. If they failed to locate the monster ind within the next few hours, significant losses would be inevitable. Their target was a monster ind¡ªa floating ind filled with rare resources. The man with the bow didn''t answer the woman''s question. His jaw tightened, and his eyes radiated a restrained fury. If there were someone to me, he might have unleashed his anger without hesitation. "Lona, don''t bother the Captain right now," said another man from a distance. He wore a long ck coat that billowed slightly in the wind. His gaze was cold, and his face bore the same tension as their captain''s. They were a Hunter team, a group reliant on sessful monster hunts to fund their operations. The team''s finances were intertwined¡ªevery member shared in both profits and losses. Failing to find the monster ind wouldn''t just mean personal loss for their captain; it posed a threat to the entire team. Behind them, around fifty other members stood in orderly rows. However, unlike their captain or the core team, they appeared far less experienced. Their auras were weak, indicating strength that hadn''t yet reached level 10. Most of them seemed like novices, their bodies stiff, and their eyes reflecting the tension of facing a real battle. A young man, who appeared to be the leader of the novice group, stepped forward. With a firm voice, he issued amand: "Stay alert, everyone. We don''t know when the monster will appear. We must be prepared." The team captain remained rooted in his spot, his gaze vacant yet vignt. A cold wind swept through, carrying a tense silence. Suddenly, his eyes caught something. In the distance, he heard a faint sound¡ªthe subtle waves of energy slowly approaching. With swift precision, he sharpened his hearing and pinpointed the direction of the waves. His hunter instincts instantly triggered an rm in his mind. "Everyone, get ready!" he shouted, hismanding voice breaking the silence. The captain''s call spurred the entire team into action. Both the novices and core members moved quickly, taking their positions, organizing formations, and readying their weapons. A heavy tension nketed the ind. From the distance, a sight they had been anticipating began to emerge. An ind approximately 300 meters wide floated toward them. Its surface was shrouded in a thin mist, whilerge shadows moved ominously within. The approaching ind looked terrifying. It resembled the ruins of a once-grand city, now in decay and filled with horrors. The remaining structures appeared as skeletal towers, their walls made of white bone overgrown with dark green moss. At the center of the ind stood a massive gate shaped like an open skull''s jaw, both inviting and menacing. ck mist veiled most of the ind, while the faint sound of rattling bones echoed from afar. Meanwhile, back on the Hunters'' ind, one of the core team members was organizing the formation of the novices they had brought along. "Everyone, form a five-line formation! Stay behind us and don''t act recklessly!" his voice was firm, calming those who were trembling in fear. The atmosphere among the novices was varied. Some were visibly shaking, gripping their weapons with unsteady hands. Others whispered softly to encourage themselves or theirpanions. A few appeared eager, their eyes zing with anticipation for their first battle. At the front, the main team stood in a line. The captain held his bow tightly, his sharp eyes scanning every corner of the approaching ind. A man with a magic staff stood beside him, his aura calm as his hands traced small magical symbols in preparation. Lona, the woman with the iron shield, was already in a defensive stance, asionally ncing at the novices. The leader stood at the forefront, arms crossed, exuding confidence. The two inds were now only a few hundred meters apart. The wind carried the stench of decay from the skull ind. The novices began whispering among themselves, some taking deep breaths to steady their nerves. The captain suddenly raised his hand, signaling for silence. "We only have one shot," he said quietly but firmly. "Stay focused." From atop the skull ind, a line of monster troops came into clear view. Standing before the bone gate was a figure that appeared to be their leader, floating with a massive skull staff in its grasp. Its eyes glowed a fiery red, radiating a terrifying aura. The level was disyed above its head: [Lich - Eternal Sorcerer] - Level: 21 - Type: Undead Sorcerer - Attributes: Str 330, Int 522, Agi 352, Res 298. - (Necrotic Aura): Increases dark magic potency, granting +30% damage to all magic attacks and reducing opponents'' magic resistance by 20%. - (Phantasmal Form): Disappears into shadow form for 5 seconds, increasing movement speed by 50% and reducing iing damage by 30% during the effect. ... Behind it, ranks of skeletal soldiers armed with swords, spears, and shields stood in formation. Beside them, specialized skeletal units equipped with ranged weapons like bone bows and magic staffs readied themselves. Some were visiblyrger, likely elite guards for the leader. "Level 21... that''s a Tier-2 Lich," the captain muttered under his breath. "This won''t be easy." Lona nodded. "Their forces are organized. That''s unusual for monsters. Our novices must be extra cautious." The man with the magic staff added, "There are ranged skeletons¡ªbows and magic staffs. We need to take them out first." The novice leader nodded. "Captain, you focus on the initial assault. I''ll manage the novices. We need to form a defensive line." As the two inds finally connected, a loud rumbling echoed. The strong vibrations caused some of the novices to nearly lose their footing. The skeletons immediately advanced, marching steadily toward the Hunter team. The Lich floated above them, letting out a chillingugh as its staff began to glow with crimson energy. The captain stepped forward with his bow in hand. "Rain of arrows!" he shouted. In an instant, glowing arrowsunched toward the skeleton troops, striking the front lines and shattering several monsters. But from the Lich''s side, the leader cast its magic. A massive meteor ball wreathed in blue mes lit up the sky, hurtling toward the Hunter ind. "Take cover!" the novice leader shouted. Lona raised her shield, while the man with the magic staff began chanting a protective spell. Chapter 295: Building a bridge The novices in the Hunter team appeared panicked. They were startled by the captain''s sharp warning but tried to follow the instructions given. Hastily, they sought cover behind the defensive formation that had been set up. Their faces reflected fear, but their hands gripped their weapons tightly, trying to suppress the trembling. Far from the mor of battle, Lein sped through the air toward the Tree of Life''s Source. He rode a futuristic hover bike with tworge wheels gleaming as if coated in pure silver. The bike''s engine emitted a soft hum, a testament to the advanced technology powering it. Its sleek body, with elegant curves, reflected the perfection of both design and power. Lein sat casually, his posture upright, while his long ck hair fluttered in the gentle wind. His gaze was sharp, yet his expression remained calm, exuding natural dominance. As the strongest and wealthiest figure in the alliance, everything he used was of the highest quality. "Still there, but quite rare," he murmured while observing something in the distance. His voice was t but filled with contemtion. During the journey, Lein''s focus wasn''t solely on his destination. His awareness expanded, epassing the entirety of the Divine Sky. He could monitor the actions of Hunter teams scattered across various regions, searching for the elusive monster inds. In his observations, he noted the varied oues faced by these seekers. Most teams returned empty-handed,menting the rarity of the monster inds'' appearance. Yet a few lucky teams managed to find such inds, bringing back valuable loot. Lein stored all this information in his memory, analyzing patterns and opportunities. "There''s still much to be done," he murmured softly, recalling his agenda for the day. As humanity''s Guardian, Lein''s responsibilities extended far beyond leadership. He had to ensure that the human race continued to thrive and had a fighting chance in the Divine Sky. Today, one of his critical tasks was to revisit the Tree of Life. Lein had discovered the portal leading to the tree''s trunk some time ago. His current journey was the next step in exploring the source of its power. He elerated his bike, speeding past the City of Life, his primary city, as well as other cities under his protection. Before long, Lein reached the edge of the main ind, where massive construction was underway. From the sky, he observed the bustling scene below: heavy machinery in motion, trolleys transporting construction materials, carrier vehicles, and thousands of workersboring tirelessly. Giant cranes rose into the sky, lifting massive beams that would be part of a floating bridge. Lein watched the activity intently. He had issued the order just a day prior to build a passage connecting the main ind to the Tree of Life. The floating bridge under construction was designed to be extraordinarily strong and vast, capable of supporting the weight of thousands of people simultaneously. Lein wanted to ensure that ess to the Tree of Life would no longer be the privilege of a select few wealthy individuals or Hunter families. With this bridge, everyone, including ordinary citizens, would be able to visit and benefit from the tree''s power. "Everyone deserves a chance to grow," Lein thought to himself, a small smile forming on his lips. The distance between the Main Ind and the Tree of Life''s Source was estimated at 5,000 kilometers, making the bridge under construction a monumental project. Currently, the progress had reached 10%¡ªan extraordinary feat given the scale of the endeavor. This rapid progress was due to the use of advanced machinery and the involvement of experienced professors specializing in architecture and construction technology. From the skies, Lein hovered on his hover bike, observing the scene below. The bridge under construction stretched far into the horizon, resembling a long line slowly connecting two worlds. Heavy machines worked incessantly, and the teams of workers appeared as tiny dots from the height at which Lein floated. "Excellent..." Lein thought. Though satisfied with the progress, he didn''t intend to linger too long. He raised his hand forward, and the air around him began to ripple. The air before him fractured, creating a dimensional rift that gradually widened. A soft light emanated from the opening, signaling the activation of a pathway to another location. Calmly, Lein steered his bike into the rift. The bike''s hum blended with the sound of magical energy, creating an atmosphere of mystery. On the other side, a simr dimensional rift appeared near the roots of the Tree of Life''s Source. From the opening, Lein emerged on his hover bike. The air in this ce felt different¡ªfresher and rich with energy. "Wee, Master Lein!" "Thank you foring, Master Lein!" Voices from the crowd echoed. Around the roots of the Tree of Life''s Source, many people had already gathered. Some were busy managing small stalls selling snacks and simple drinks, taking advantage of the crowd to do business. Children ran aroundughing, while workers leaned against smaller trees, enjoying their break. Lein responded with a slight smile, enough to show that he appreciated their attention. Without slowing his bike, he glided through the crowd and headed toward the towering trunk of the Tree of Life''s Source in the distance. Before long, Lein arrived beside the Tree of Life''s Source. The tree was so massive that its trunk seemed to pierce the clouds, with roots spreading across thend for tens of kilometers. Despite its grandeur, however, the tree was still in a weakened state. Lein ced his hand on the tree''s trunk, and a description appeared before him, disyed through a magical system essible only to him: (Tree of Life''s Source) - Guardian: Lein - Life Energy: 1,000 years - Energy Quality: Low - Tree Tier: Low - Resources: Low - Nature''s Protection: Low - Luck Value: 11,500 "All low," Lein murmured tly, though his expression revealed a hint of surprise. It had been a long time since he had seen the word "low" in any description rted to him. Yet here it was, disyed right before his eyes. "If I''m not mistaken, the portal should be over there," Lein said, shifting his gaze to the right side of the tree. A few days ago, he had discovered an entry portal in this area, but at the time, it wasn''t active. The tree''s system had mentioned that the portal required time for activation. Lein revved his bike, the wind tousling his hair as he sped toward the portal''s location. Every second felt crucial, given the importance of essing this portal for the future of the Tree of Life''s Source. "Hopefully, it''s ready this time," he muttered quietly, hoping he wouldn''t have to wait any longer. It didn''t take long before Lein arrived at the eastern area of the tree. This part of the area was rtively quiet, as it was far from where the bridge was being constructed. It was a fair distance away. Lein examined the massive tree trunk, which at first nce appeared as usual. However, upon closer inspection, a portal in the form of a door became visible. Chapter 296: Upgrade Core Lein observed his surroundings carefully. Nothing seemed unusual in the area¡ªat least not to others. Some vigers even walked past the mysterious door visible to him without paying it any attention, as if it didn''t exist. "So, I''m the only one who can see it," Lein thought, narrowing his gaze at the door. Driven by curiosity, he approached the door slowly. When he was only a few steps away, a system panel suddenly appeared before him. A soft blue light emanated from the panel, casting a contrast against the surroundings. [Entry Gate] Entering this door will take you inside the Divine Tree, where various features and administrative settings for the Guardian are avable. "Ahh... so inside this tree is some sort of control center?" Lein murmured, imagining an aircraft cockpit lined with advanced buttons to control every function of the system. Lein didn''t dy any further. He stepped forward, his body touching the door''s surface. The sensation was surprising¡ªit felt like passing through an invisibleyer of water. Cold but not piercing, soft yet offering no resistance. Once he fully passed through the door, the world around him changed drastically. He now stood inside an enormous space that felt like staring at the night sky above an endless desert. The tree''s interior was hollow, with circr walls resembling the bark of the Tree of Life''s Source. However, the walls were darker in color, with a rough, fibrous texture like ancient wood untouched by time. Above him, bright light illuminated the room from an unseen source, casting gentle shadows across certain areas. Lein surveyed his surroundings, his eyes adjusting to the extraordinary scale of the space. Far in the center of the room, something caught his attention. Several objects floated gently in the air, emitting a soft glow that reflected off the walls. From a distance, these objects appeared captivating, with unique shapes that seemed to defy gravity. "Interesting," Lein murmured, squinting to get a clearer view. He realized there was nothing else in this room as remarkable as those objects. Without hesitation, he directed his hover bike toward the center of the room. The hum of his vehicle blended with the silence, like a faint rhythm breaking the stillness. At high speed, Lein crossed the seemingly endless distance. It was no surprise¡ªthis tree''s diameter reached 500 kilometers, and the room''s center was about 200 kilometers from his starting point. In mere seconds, he was directly in front of the floating objects. Lein stopped, staring at a row of transparent orbs hovering a few meters above the ground. Each orb emitted a distinct aura, with unique shapes and contents that seemed extraordinary. The nearest orb caught his attention¡ªarge ss sphere with an empty bubble inside. The bubble pulsated slowly, almost as if alive, asionally disappearing and reappearing like a naturally forming portal. As Lein gazed at it, an information panel appeared before him. [Resource Trunk] - Level: 1 - Spawn rate: 10k/hour - Monster level cap: 30 - Chest limit: Gold Chest - Monster race cap: Low-tier races Lein read the information carefully. "Ahh... so this is why Monster Inds have be rarer," he murmured. He recalled the hunters''ints about struggling to find new inds for their expeditions. This information exined that this resource core was limiting the spawn rate of monsters and new inds. Currently, the poption under Lein''s domain had reached an extraordinary number¡ª1.3 billion people. With the Resource Core generating only 10,000 units per hour, he was beginning to feel the immense burden of leadership. The resource needs for such arge poption were disproportionate to the amount being produced. Lein stared at the orb with furrowed brows, his mind racing for solutions. "How do I increase its level?" he muttered to himself. This issue gnawed at his thoughts. He pulled various items out of his spatial ring, hoping one of them could influence the Resource Core. The items emitted a gentle glow as they were removed, but none elicited a reaction. The orb remained suspended, unchanged. Lein sighed deeply, realizing his efforts were in vain. As he returned the items to his ring, he murmured, "I''ll ask Hanes when I meet him again," recalling how much Hanes knew about the cosmos. Lein moved on to the next orb. Inside, a small shield with a plus sign at its center floated gracefully. The shield emitted a soft light, radiating an almost invisible protective aura. A panel of information appeared immediately. [Protection Trunk] - Level: 1 - Defense Energy: 100k - Energy Regeneration: 1,000/second - Energy Reflection: 1k + 1% Lein silently observed the description of the Protection Core. This core was responsible for safeguarding the realm of the Divine Sky. "Is this good or not?" Lein asked himself. Hecked much experience with inter-realmbat and wasn''t sure whether these numbers would be significantly helpful or merely decorative. For now, Lein chose not to dwell on it and moved on to the next orb. This one contained a miniature arrow pointing upward¡ªsimple yet eye-catching. Lein gazed at it with renewed hope. "An upgrade?" he said, sounding slightly excited. However, his excitement quickly faded as he read the panel''s description. [Tree Tier Trunk] - Level: 1 - Entry Tickets: 10 - Bubble Realm: Tier D Limit Lein''s brows knitted in confusion. "What is this supposed to mean?" he muttered, rubbing his chin. The term "Bubble Realm" sounded unfamiliar to him, and the Tier D limit felt underwhelming¡ªunworthy of a realm as grand as the Divine Sky. "Why is the limit only Tier D? Isn''t that far too low?" he grumbled, his toneced with frustration. The more orbs he inspected, the more questions arose, leaving him without answers. Lein stood still, contemting the situation. His eyes remained fixed on the orb, but his thoughts wandered far, seeking a solution. "I need to figure out what''s required to upgrade these cores," he said firmly, his voice low but resolute. "Otherwise, this realm will remain far too weak." He took a few minutes to form a n in his mind. His face, previously filled with confusion, now bore a serious expression, his gaze steely with determination. "I know what needs to be done, but it can''t be done right now," he muttered. Without wasting time, Lein resumed his inspection. Lein walked from one orb to another, reading the descriptions that appeared. Each orb had its unique benefits, but all were constrained by limitations that reminded him of the pressing need for upgrades. Chapter 297: Spatial Ring – Celestial Tier After examining all the orbs floating before him, Lein finally realized that each orb was a tangible representation of the attributes listed on the [Tree of Life] status panel. These orbs were not merely aimless floating objects; they were the core of the system sustaining the Divine Sky Realm''s existence. "So, each orb represents an attribute, huh!?" Lein muttered, a tone of revtion in his voice. His eyes lit up as he gazed at the five floating orbs, each emitting unique energy that symbolized a different attribute. However, one other object caught his attention. At the center of the cluster of orbs, a pentagonal stone stood upright, about one meter tall. Above the stone, a transparent sphere floated gracefully, reflecting a faint golden glow. Lein stepped closer, his curiosity growing with each step. Lein extended his hand toward the transparent sphere, and a description appeared before him. [Guardian Panel] - Tree Cores: (Tree Level Core), (Resource Core), (Protection Core), (Energy Quality Core), (Luck Core) - Realm Crystals: 0 *Please select a tree core to upgrade. He carefully studied the description. Each word on the panel began forming a clearer picture in his mind. "So, I need something called Realm Crystals to upgrade this tree''s attributes," he murmured, nodding slowly as he began strategizing. Lein realized that this Guardian Panel was the central hub for enhancing the Divine Sky Realm''s capabilities. Without Realm Crystals, the attribute cores could not advance, which would mean significant limitations for the realm''s defense and resource management systems. "In that case," Lein said with a faint smile, thinking aloud, "isn''t it great that I have a Luck stat of 11.5 thousand?" He recalled the moment he defeated Zkeron, the Guardian of the Zkeron Realm. That battle not only brought a monumental victory but also an extraordinary reward in the form of Luck attributes. Now, that figure was one of the most critical assets he possessed. Lein then remembered another reward he had received from Zkeron. Excitedly, he retrieved a ring from his spatial ring. The silvery metal of the ring reflected a soft glow under the light of the orbs, making it look like a sacred artifact. "Hahaha... how could I forget this?" Lein''sughter echoed through the chamber, though it carried a hint of self-deprecation. It was understandable, really. Since his battle with Zkeron, Lein''s power had increased at an astonishing rate. Thousands of items had flowed into his inventory in a short period, making it challenging to determine which ones were truly valuable. Lein focused his attention on the ring now in his hand. Detailed information about the ring appeared before him, as if eager to exin the artifact''s uniqueness. (Spatial Ring ¨C Celestial Tier) A ring of celestial beings, capable of storing unlimited items and containing various materials from across the universe. - Owner: Zkeron - Capacity: 1 trillion km2 - Bonus Attribute: Charisma +80 points - Abilities: (Concealment), (Absorption), (Filtering) (Concealment): Undetectable by beings below the owner''s level. (Absorption): Can absorb items when activated. (Filtering): Filters iing objects ording to the user''s preferences. *Note: Locked: Please break the seal to im ownership. Lein widened his eyes as he read the ring''s capacity. "One trillion square kilometers?" he muttered in awe. It wasn''t that he had never encountered numbers thisrge before, but the fact that an item with such capacity actually existed left him astonished. "Locked?" he murmured, his eyes fixed on the red warning text in the ring''s description. He let out a long sigh. Almost every spatial ring he hade across was always locked, as if their previous owners had meticulously prepared extra protection in case the ring was lost or taken. "Let''s break it," he said eagerly. He could hardly wait to test his method of unlocking this celestial-tier item. Lein closed his eyes, channeling his consciousness into the spatial ring. Instantly, he felt himself in an infinite void, floating in emptiness. However, the void began to shift. From the pitch-ck darkness, a faint figure slowly materialized. The figure solidified, taking the shape of an old man with a sturdy physique. His face was calm, but a deadly aura radiated from every inch of his being. A message floated before Lein''s eyes. (Guardian Soul) A protective entity created to safeguard all that is entrusted to it. It will never betray its owner and carries out its duties with unwavering loyalty. - Level: King-tier Lein squinted, observing the figure closely. "This old man again?" he muttered, recognizing the unmistakable resemnce. The figure was a replica of Zkeron, the former owner of this celestial ring. sh¡­ Without warning, a ck sh tore through the air, forming a lethal cross attack aimed directly at Lein. The sh shot forward at incredible speed, leaving a dark trail in the void. But Lein didn''t move an inch, as though unaffected by the attack. He raised one hand, opening his palm, and a glowing white barrier formed. The barrier expanded, creating a massive shield twenty meters wide in front of him. Boom!... The ck sh struck the barrier, resulting in a massive explosion. Thick smoke billowed, flooding the void with waves of energy that shook the surroundings. Yet Lein stood firm, his expression as calm as a rock amidst a storm. As the smoke began to dissipate, Zkeron''s soul darted rapidly toward Lein. His movements were resolute, and his gaze was full of determination. "A close-range attack?" Lein smirked faintly. It had been a while since he used his body to fight. Or rather, he rarely did so because he found it too troublesome. But this time, he decided to engage. Zkeron''s soul was now right in front of him, raising both hands. From his palms emerged a small transparent cube that quickly expanded at an extraordinary rate. The cube grewrger, enclosing Lein in an instant. However, before the cube could fully seal the space, Lein swung his ck sword. The sh was razor-sharp, shattering the cube in one blow. The fragments of transparent energy scattered and disappeared into the void. "Argh..." a low groan escaped from Zkeron''s soul. Chapter 298: Leins dream world He staggered back a few steps before spreading his arms wide. Beneath him, the empty void began to tremble. Slowly, a massive ck hole appeared, like a giant maw preparing to devour everything. Lein looked down, his eyes narrowing. "A ck hole?" he muttered, observing the massive void as if it posed an immense threat. However, the surprises were not over. Above him, a simr ck hole appeared, creating a pressure that made the empty space around them feel suffocating. Zkeron''s soul stared at Lein with a wide grin. His skeletal face, with glowing red eyes, exuded an unmistakable menace. In a fraction of a second, the figure vanished from sight, leaving Lein standing between the two massive ck holes. From a distance, Lein appeared alone in the void, while the two ck holes¡ªone above and one below him¡ªslowly began to concentrate their energy. Not wasting any time, Zkeron''s soul, now hovering far in front of Lein, clenched his fist. The motion was slow but carried an air of majesty and deadly threat. At the same time, the two massive ck holes above and below Lein began to stir. From their depths emerged a rain of dark stars¡ªthousands of glowing fragments radiating destructive energy in a deep ck hue. Each fragment resembled a zing projectile, mercilessly targeting Lein''s body. Caught off guard and unable to activate his protective barrier in time, Lein was bombarded by explosions. Boom¡­ Boom¡­ A relentless barrage of deafening explosions echoed through the void. Lein''s body appeared small amid the bursts of destructive energy, like a leaf caught in a thunderstorm. Each fragment that struck him erupted with ferocity, creating shockwaves that tore through the empty air around them. Ripples of energy spread, giving the illusion of endless destruction. In the distance, the red mes in Zkeron''s eyes red brighter. The glow reflected his satisfaction, like a fire being fed new fuel. But then, suddenly, something changed. Crack¡­ A cracking sound reverberated through the air, shaking the surrounding emptiness. Zkeron, basking in his perceived dominance, lifted his gaze. The sky above him fractured, like fragile ss beginning to splinter. The cracks expanded, spreading rapidly in all directions. Crack¡­ The sound echoed again. Shards of the illusion began to crumble, disintegrating into tiny fragments. Zkeron looked up in rm, the red mes in his eyes now zing chaotically, no longer exuding triumph. Fear gripped him¡ªsomething rarely experienced by a King-tier soul like himself. Meanwhile, Lein sat casually on a floating dream bubble, observing the scene with a faint smile. "Incredible," he muttered in admiration, his gaze fixed on the dream bubble, which was starting to lose its shape under the pressure of the copsing illusion. He knew all of this was the result of a carefullyid strategy. "Even a King-tier soul cannot escape my dream trap," Lein said with pride, his hand gently caressing the smooth surface of the bubble. From the moment he entered this void, Lein had created a dream world to trap Zkeron. Everything Zkeron saw and felt was nothing more than a fabrication of the dream Lein controlled entirely. He let out a light sigh. "Goodbye¡­" With a confident gesture, Lein waved his hand. Thousands of golden and ck swords appeared around him, floating in the air like a flock of predatory birds. The swords radiated a piercing sharpness, causing the void to tremble with the pure energy they contained. One by one, the swords shot toward Zkeron at lightning speed. Zkeron, still trapped in the dream, tried to resist. A massive ck sphere formed in his hands, spinning and absorbing energy from the surrounding space. He hurled it toward the iing storm of swords. "It''s useless¡­" Lein murmured calmly. The energy sphere collided with the first golden swords, creating a massive explosion. However, it wasn''t enough. The following swords kept advancing, breaking down the ck sphere bit by bit until its energy waspletely depleted and it vanished. Zkeron''s soul stared nkly at the inevitable rain of swords. He knew the end was near. Argh! A desperate scream echoed. His body was relentlessly struck by the sharp swords. The red light in his eyes began to dim, like a candle me flickering against the wind. [Your sword deals 1.099k damage to the Guardian soul ] [Your sword deals 799k damage to the Guardian soul ] [Your sword deals 1.255k damage to the Guardian soul ] ... Lein furrowed his brow as system notifications appeared before him. "One million damage?" he muttered, almost in disbelief. Damage that high was rare, even for his swords. "It seems these swords are truly extraordinary," he thought, nodding slightly, satisfied with the oue. Lein turned his gaze toward Zkeron''s soul , which was thrashing about, unleashing all of its dark magical power. The energy figure writhed, radiating a thick aura as itunched various destructive attacks to stop the unending rain of swords. Explosions erupted as Zkeron''s destructive magic shed with the golden swords emitting holy light. However, his efforts appeared futile. The rain of swords Lein had summoned was not only limitless but grew stronger over time. The sky above Zkeron was filled with golden swords that continuously emerged like an unending torrent. Each sword that struck created a small explosion, contributing to total annihtion. Lein had activated Skill 6: Sky Sword Rain. (Skill 6: Sky Sword Rain) Summons an infinite number of swords to rain down on the enemy for 10 minutes. Each sword strike increases damage by 2%, stacking up to 20 times. - Cooldown: 1 hour. Lein stood at a distance, observing the lethal effects of his skill. He knew that with its long duration and gradual damage increase, Zkeron wouldn''tst long. Sure enough, within seconds, the Guardian Soul was destroyed. [Congrattions, you have defeated the Guardian Soul.] [The Spatial Ring is now unlocked.] Lein''s body felt lighter as the empty space around him disappeared, returning him to the trunk of the Tree of Life. Before him, the item orb that had been the focus of the battle now appeared calm. Lein looked at the heavenly spatial ring in his hand, its surface emitting a soft, majestic glow. "I need to bind it first," Lein thought, piercing his fingertip with his sword. A drop of dark red blood fell,nding precisely on the surface of the ring. [The Heavenly Ring has been sessfully recognized. Owner: Lein.] Chapter 299: Absorbing Realm Crystal The system notification appeared before Lein''s eyes, making him smile in satisfaction. With a mere thought, the ring floated slowly toward the index finger of his left hand. Once it was in ce, the ring felt perfect¡ªnot toorge, not too small. "Veryfortable," Lein said, inspecting the ring. The spatial energy radiating from it made him feel like a king. "I wonder what''s inside." Without dy, Lein sent his consciousness into the heavenly spatial ring. What he saw made his eyes widen in amazement. Within, an endless space unfolded, filled with countless objects. Energy crystals emitted multi-colored light. Mysterious stones glowed softly, as if harboring magical power. Piles of golden armor stood tall in one corner, while everyday items like tes, tables, and even torches were scattered haphazardly throughout the space. "This man was truly wealthy," Lein muttered, his steps wandering through the boundless space in awe. He had never imagined the vast wealth a Guardian could hide. "Are all Kings and Guardians this rich?" Lein wondered aloud, his smile growing wider. Thoughts of hunting other Kings and Guardians began to surface in his mind. If every victory yielded treasures like this, the struggle against them would be immensely rewarding. However, he held back the burgeoning greed in his heart. "Ah, there it is!" Lein eximed with excitement as his gaze fell upon a pile of glowing green crystals in the corner of the space. In Lein''s hand now rested a star-shaped crystal with a brilliant white hue. A soft light radiated from its surface, enveloping the surrounding area with a pure and serene aura. As he held it, Lein felt an indescribable calmness, as if every burden in his mind had disappeared in an instant. [Nature Crystal] Contains life energy, can be used to enhance the life energy of the Tree of Life. "So simple," Lein murmured as he read the crystal''s brief description. Yet, he could sense the immense power hidden within it. Without hesitation, Lein retrieved all the Nature Crystals stored in his Heavenly Spatial Ring. The crystals floated out slowly, spinning in a circr formation before him. A total of 124 crystals, each radiating a gentle glow, created a breathtaking disy in the room. Lein let out a short sigh, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Time to see how this works," he thought as he opened the Guardian Panel. [Guardian Panel] - Life Branches: (Tree-Level Branch), (Resource Branch), (Protection Branch), (Energy Quality Branch), (Luck Branch) - Nature Crystals: 0 *Please select a tree branch to enhance. Lein carefully read through the panel, his eyes shifting from one option to another. However, there were no buttons or clear instructions for adding the Nature Crystals. He frowned, feeling perplexed. "There''s no button to add them?" he murmured. "Maybe I just need to bring the crystal closer to the orb?" Lein guessed, picking up one of the crystals. As Lein brought the crystal closer to the transparent orb hovering in front of the panel, a notification immediately appeared. [Absorption of Nature Crystal initiated¡­] [Absorption 0.1%...] [Absorption 0.2%...] Lein watched the process unfold with a frustrated expression. The absorption rate was agonizingly slow, prompting him to calcte the time required. "If one crystal takes 27 minutes¡­ then for 124 crystals¡­ this is horribly inefficient," he grumbled. "Can I let go of it?" Curious, Lein released his grip on the crystal. It now floated in the air, remaining connected to the orb by a kind of transparent energy thread that emitted a soft glow. Lein observed the connection closely. "Hmm, a bit troublesome. But I''ll let it be for now," he muttered, deciding to let the process continue. At the very least, he now understood the basic principles of how the Tree of Life worked. Before moving on, Lein suddenly recalled an important ability. With a single hand gesture, he opened the duplication menu. In an instant, the 124 Nature Crystals before him multiplied into 10,000. The expanse of crystals filled the room, shining like stars in the night sky. A small smile crossed his face. "This should''ve been the n from the start," he said, satisfied. With this, he had enough resources to elerate the growth of the Tree of Life without any dys. Lein nced at the Guardian Panel onest time before closing it. "Next? Enhancing the realm?" he wondered, his eyes filled with determination. He swung his hand, creating a rift in the air before him. Light from the rift enveloped the surrounding space, exuding a mysterious and inviting aura. Without hesitation, Lein stepped through, leaving the room behind. *** In a grand room adorned with luxurious ornaments, every corner exuded opulence, while the light from crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow on the walls. The gold and deep blue tones of the decor added an air of elegance, creating a serene yetvish ambiance. Near an open window, Nita satfortably in a plush chair. Her face looked tired, but her eyes were fixed on a small bright blue crystal in her hand. She turned the crystal slowly, as if searching for answers within it. "The 37th crystal," she muttered softly, her voice nearly swallowed by the silence of the room. There was a tone of despair in her words, the result of 36 previous failures. She let out a long sigh as doubt began to creep into her thoughts. "Do I trulyck talent?" she wondered, the voice of her inner turmoil growing louder. Her gaze shifted to the ceiling before she lowered her head, sping her hands together while gripping the crystal tightly. "God in heaven, please help me," she prayed softly, her words barely a whisper. With thest bit of faith she had, Nita touched the surface of the crystal, confirming her system prompt. A radiant light began to shine, apanied by an animation sequence that slowly unfolded before her eyes. [Sessfully used Talent Crystal¡­] [Searching for a suitable talent¡­] A progress bar appeared in front of Nita, slowly filling as the numbers climbed: 20%¡­ 45%¡­ 60%¡­ She bit her lower lip, staring unblinkingly at the screen. Chapter 300: Nitas talent - Cosmic Gambler A progress bar appeared in front of Nita, slowly filling as the numbers climbed: 20%¡­ 45%¡­ 60%¡­ She bit her lower lip, staring unblinkingly at the screen. Each increase in the percentage made her heart race faster, as though all her hopes were pinned on this process. Finally, the bar reached 100%, followed by the sound of a system notification. [Congrattions on acquiring the talent (Cosmic Gambler S)] "Yay yey! Sess!" Nita eximed excitedly, her voice breaking the silence that had filled the room moments earlier. She leapt from her chair, raising both hands high in the air to release her joy. After calming down, Nita sat back down and opened her status panel to confirm the result. [STATUS] - Name: Nita - Grandmaster Tier - Level: 100 (0%) - Attributes: STR 91,815, AGI 91,881, INT 98,134, RES 90,089 - ss: Archer - Talent: (Cosmic Gambler S) - Altar: (Soul Altar King Tier) - Element: (Chaos Element - Star 1) - Skills: (Arrow Explosion), (Nature Archery Dance), (Sun Core Arrow), (Killer Eye), (Heavenly Archer''s Heart), (Falling Star Arrow), ... - Sub Skills: (Multi Shoot), (Nature Aura), 51 more¡­ - Equipment: (Celestial Bow of Eternity +15), (Windstrider Boots +15), (Hunter''s Eclipse Cloak +15), (Twilight Hunter''s Grip +15), (Crown of the Starseeker +15) - Artifact: (Time Ring - pure), (Vortex te - heaven), 34 more¡­ [System Chat Message: (Human Race of Earth), (Alliance), (Staff),...] [Market: Divine Sky Realm] [Friend: Lein, Laras, ...] Seeing the talent''s name disyed on the panel, Nita couldn''t suppress her smile. "S-rank? This is truly incredible luck!" she said enthusiastically. Curiositypelled her to check the details of the talent. She tapped on the talent icon, and a description appeared. (Cosmic Gambler S) Life is a game of chance; nothing in this world is guaranteed, not even life itself. Strive for eternity through unpredictability. - Bad Fortune: - - Good Fortune: - - Draw Points: 0 [Draw] *Use 1,000 draw points to initiate a draw. *Performing good deeds will increase draw points. *Good fortune: grants favorable oues to the user or target. *Bad fortune: inflicts unfavorable oues on the user or target. Nita was transfixed as she read the description. Her eyes scanned the screen quickly, ensuring she caught every sentence. She even pinched her cheek to make sure this wasn''t a dream. "I need to tell Brother right now!" she eximed excitedly. Opening the system chat, she searched for Lein''s name in her friend list and quickly typed a message: [System Chat Messages: Friend chat - with Lein] cute cat: Brother, where are you? The reply from Lein came almost immediately. lein: I''m outside. What''s up? Did you finally get a talent? Nita smiled brightly at Lein''s response. She had already guessed that her brother must have been hoping for her sess. She eagerly recounted everything that had happened¡ªfrom her 36 failures to finally obtaining the (Cosmic Gambler S) talent. Lein replied with words of praise, promising to check on her once he finished his current task. "Thank you, Brother," Nita whispered after closing the chat. Without Lein, she might have remained just an ordinary girl among billions in the Divine Sky Realm. Taking a deep breath, Nita rose from her chair with newfound determination. "Yosh! I must help Brother with my new power!" she dered enthusiastically. Her face was lit with a radiant smile, and her eyes sparkled. She had waited so long for this moment¡ªthe chance to be someone useful to Lein, the person who had given her so much support. Outside Nita''s room, life in the Divine Sky Realm continued peacefully. The sky was clear, with no signs of danger, and people went about their daily activities with calm hearts. In a faraway ce, the atmosphere was in stark contrast to the peace of the Divine Sky Realm. Arge cart, pulled by a muscr creature resembling a giant ox, moved slowly along a rocky road. Seated atop the ox was a rough-looking man with a hardened expression, his face emotionless as though this were just another mundane task. Inside the cart, which was enclosed by iron bars, dozens of humans were trapped in despair. They were captives, their bodies scarred and their eyes filled with exhaustion. Among them, a young girl in tattered clothing shook the body of a woman lying beside her. "Mother, wake up... I''m scared," she whispered, her tears streaming down her face. A middle-aged man in the corner of the cart quickly warned her, "Alice, stop crying. If you don''t, that man will whip you again." His voice was heavy, reflecting a long history of enduring simr suffering. Alice stifled her sobs, her ears twitching nervously at the warning. However, her body trembled uncontrobly. Fear consumed her, leaving her utterly helpless. In another corner of the cart, a man with a body covered in wounds sighed deeply with regret. "If only I hadn''t chosen another realm¡­ This is all my fault," he muttered, looking at the others with pained eyes. "I miss the Divine Sky Realm¡­ Lord Lein¡­ Lord Bai Qi¡­ Lord Mooner si¡­please save us," another woman said, her voice breaking under the weight of despair. They were all humans from Earth who had chosen to leave their sky realm during the Birthstone Selection, hoping to find better lives in another realm. But luck had not been on their side. They hadnded in the wrong location¡ªa territory ruled by ruthless bandits. In no time, they were captured and now faced the grim prospect of being sold as ves. Everyone in the cart wore iron cors around their necks¡ªsystem-disrupting artifacts that effectively sealed their powers. They were powerless, forced to await an increasingly bleak fate. As the cart continued its journey along the crowded road, a young man stood at the roadside. His fiery eyes locked onto the iron cage with unyielding determination. "Just wait, Alice¡­ I will save you," he muttered, his voice filled with conviction. However, not all humans who ventured into other realms faced such tragic fates. Some individuals, armed with immense strength and unwavering resolve, managed to survive and seize great opportunities. Chapter 301: Williams New Life In stark contrast to the tragic fate of some human rulers who became ves, there were also humans who experienced extraordinary fortune. Amid the vast emptiness of the silent cosmos stood an immense realm¡ªhundreds of thousands of timesrger than the Divine Sky Realm. Hovering majestically above this void was a massive ind, the heart of life for countless creatures living in unique harmony with the forces of nature. This ind was a breathtaking sight. Every corner buzzed with the activities of various races of beings living their lives with great enthusiasm. Beast Masters trained wild beasts into either tamepanions or loyal protectors. Merchants showcased rare artifacts that glowed with magical energy, while craftsmen busied themselves forging exotic weapons from mysterious materials. The vibrant cacophony was like a melody of life, a testament that this ce was a hub of power and high civilization. The architecture of this grand ind stood in stark contrast to the majestic beauty of the Divine Sky Realm. Every structure was designed to blend seamlessly with nature, reflecting a harmony between technology and untamed wilderness. Towering spires adorned with giant beast-head sculptures symbolized the glory of the Beast Masters. The walls of the buildings were covered in softly glowing vines, appearing alive as if to protect the structures within. Across the roads, arched bridges made of giant bones bore witness to the taming of the wild forces of nature. All of this gave the impression that the ind was more than a mere dwelling¡ªit was a kingdom ruled by beings of extraordinary power. The sky above the ind was a spectacle in itself. A bluish-green hue radiated softly with the flow of invisible magical energy. The faint glow from the heavens created a serene atmosphere, despite the overwhelming power palpable in every breath of air. In the distance, a colossal fortress loomed, guarded by enormous beasts. These loyal protectors of the Beast Masters added an aura of strength and majesty to the ind. On one of the bustling main streets, a group of soldiers dressed in luxurious attire walked together, engaged in serious discussion. Their leader, arge man d in a thick fur mantle, initiated the conversation. "Have you heard thetest news? Master Gerald hase to our ind to train his disciple," he said, his voice deep but filled with enthusiasm. One of the soldiers beside him responded, his toneced with envy, "Yes, I''ve heard. But I also heard that the new disciplees from a lower-tier realm." There was a faint hint of mockery in his words. Another member chimed in, adding fuel to the discussion. They were all beings from high-tier realms, brimming with a sense of superiority. To them, the idea that someone from a lower-tier realm could be Master Gerald''s disciple was an affront to their status. However, a woman at the back of the group spoke firmly, her face exuding clear pride. "Watch your words. Master Gerald''s new disciple is incredibly strong. He could defeat all of you with one hand," she dered, her eyes glinting with confidence. The man who had mocked earlier narrowed his eyes, feeling insulted. "What do you mean by that? Are you in love with him or something?" he retorted, his tone half-mocking. The woman blushed but didn''t hide her admiration. "Of course. Besides his handsome appearance, he''s extremely powerful. He''s an Alpha Command," she said, imagining the face of William Anderson. One of the team members, a burly man with narrowed eyes full of curiosity, slowly shook his head. "What? He''s an Alpha Command?" *Note: Alpha Command = tier-3 stage in system power Behind him, a younger-lookingpanion let out a smallugh, his skeptical grin unmistakable. "Isn''t that not enough? I mean, yeah... it''s impressive, but far from extraordinary. I''m sure there are plenty of talents out there who can easily surpass that." His tone carried a hint of mockery, but in the corner of his eyes, a trace of envy flickered, barely concealed. The woman, standing with a rxed yet confident demeanor, crossed her arms over her chest. Her piercing gaze seemed to challenge anyone to argue further. "He also possesses an S-rank talent," she said softly but sharply. Her statement brought a moment of silence. All team members stopped, looking at one another as if trying to process the information. Some disyed disbelief, while others began showing traces of fear. "Are you serious? You''re not joking, right?" A man''s voice rasped, sounding as if he wasn''t sure he wanted to hear the answer. He swallowed hard, shifting his gaze from the woman to their leader, hoping for rification. The team leader, a tall man with amanding aura, folded his arms behind his back. He nodded slowly, his expression turning serious. "If that''s true, I can sense something interesting will happen in theing years," he murmured in a low tone, more to himself than anyone else. The leader scanned his surroundings sharply, ensuring no strangers were nearby. His jaw tightened as he whispered in a warning tone. "Enough. Stop speaking poorly of Master Gerald''s new disciple. If the security officers hear you¡­" He let the sentence hang in the air, his eyes scrutinizing each team member with heavy pressure. Some of them lowered their heads, realizing their mistake. The leader took a deep breath, trying to calm his now irregr heartbeat. High above the tallest tower, a figure d in a ck cloak stood motionless. Their hood obscured most of their face, leaving only sharp eyes visible, piercing through the darkness. Rabbit-like ears twitched, seemingly catching every whisper of the wind. The figure slowly raised a hand, gesturing silence to someone behind them. "Stay here for now," they said in a low voice, like a cold breeze in the night. At the same time as the adventuring team discussed William Anderson, a small ind was drifting through the void. In the dark, silent expanse of the cosmos, a small ind floated with steady motion. The ind appeared simple, devoid of excessive embellishment, yet the aura emanating from it clearly indicated it was no ordinary ce. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 302: Komodo Island Large stones encircling its edges glowed faintly, signifying the presence of protective magic. Above it, a group of individuals stood tall, each exuding a powerful aura that made the air feel heavy. At the very front of the line, a man wearing a crown of swan feathers stood with sharp and authoritative eyes. His posture radiated leadership, silencing everyone before him. With a firm voice, he began giving instructions. "This exploration will focus on tamingte-stage tier-3 monsters," he dered. His voice echoed, conveying that this was no ordinary expedition. He paused briefly, allowing the members to absorb hismands, then continued, "Next, to my right is Young Master William. He will assist us in this exploration." With a wave of his hand, he introduced the young man to the team. William, with pride, stepped forward. His smile brimmed with confidence as his arrogant gaze swept across the crowd. "You all have nothing to fear. I''ll help you with my strength," he said, his tone carrying a hint of conceit. A sense of satisfaction filled his heart as he observed their reactions. This was the moment he craved¡ªto be feared and respected. Even the leader with the swan-feather crown beside him, whose strength was a level higher, showed no sign of underestimating him. To assert his status, William raised his hand, and with a simple gesture, his ster magic activated. Tiny starlights swirled around his palm, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. "Amazing! Young Master William is so powerful!" the members cheered, enthusiastically praising him. None dared to question his abilities, especially considering who his master was. As they discussed, a small ind emerged from the distant horizon. Its size was modest, but the atmosphere around it felt vibrant, reflecting an ecosystem thriving atop it. William observed the ind with a serious expression. His eyes glinted coldly as he read the holographic notification before him. [ck-wed Komodo Ind] - Estimated Poption: 2 million - Danger Level: - Resource Level: C "Two million monsters?" William muttered to himself, slightly surprised. This was his first time participating in a major expedition since bing Master Gerald''s personal disciple. Over the past few days, he had been treated exceptionally well, almost like royalty in this world. Yet, a name he despised suddenly surfaced in his mind. "Lein¡­" he whispered, barely audible. Old memories of Lein¡ªthe leader he once followed in the Celestial Sky Realm¡ªhaunted his thoughts. Back then, he had been forced to submit to Lein to survive, but now, things were different. He had a mentor, Master Gerald, a Beast Master at the Primal Ascendant level. *Note: Primal Ascendant = King stage in system power The leader with the swan feather crown shouted loudly, breaking the silence. "Everyone, prepare! Summon your beasts!" Themand spurred the entire team into action. They raised their hands high, and from each hand, glowing holograms appeared. Symbols of beasts spun, radiating magical energy before finally settling on a specific creature. In an instant, their summoned beasts materialized from thin air. A massive monkey roared ferociously, marking its presence. A lion cloaked in mes walked confidently, its zing mane resembling a fiery crown. And there were more¡ªferociousnd beasts, flying creatures, and strange, indescribable entities. The sheer variety left William slightly astonished. The team consisted of more than a hundred people, but not all of them were Beast Masters. Around 40% of the members wielded other powers. One of them, a Faithwarden, quickly activated a Light Halo. The aura it produced multiplied their power, causing everyone around to feel its immense pressure. Meanwhile, a Star Beast transformed into a majestic eagle with shimmering silver wings, ready to soar into the skies. Amidst themotion, an old man with a seemingly modest cultivation stood silently. His gaze was calm, but there was a sharp perceptiveness behind his eyes. He appeared to be analyzing the situation carefully, like a general nning a war strategy. Not wanting to be outdone, William made his move. He took out a flying disc from his spatial ring. "Come out," hemanded coldly. The disc hovered beneath his feet, emitting a golden glow. With an elegant motion, he stepped onto it and stood tall, like a king surveying his domain. The leader with the swan feather crown looked at William with a neutral expression. However, in his heart, he murmured, "This child¡­" It wasn''t easy for him to admit, but William''s presence radiated an aura that couldn''t be underestimated. The speed of the two inds was incredible. ck-wed Komodo Ind, despite its efforts to evade, couldn''t resist the momentum of the ind carrying William and his team. It pressed forward relentlessly, like a predator closing in on its prey. As the ind''s operator, the man with the swan feather crown issued a firmmand to increase the ind''s speed. Tremendous energy radiated from the ind''s core, creating magical ripples in the air as the eleration formation activated. Within minutes, the distance separating William''s ind and ck-wed Komodo Ind vanished, and the two inds finally met. "Attack!" shouted the man with the swan crown, his voice echoing across every corner of the ind. With swift movements, he summoned his white swan. The creature appeared from a swirl of energy, its wings spread wide, the luminous feathers reflecting sunlight. In a sh, the man leaped onto the swan''s back and soared high into the sky above Komodo Ind. The rest of the team didn''tg behind. Their spirits burned bright, evident in their haste to mount their respective beasts. Giant monkeys, ming lions, and even airborne beasts like thunderbirds joined the charge into the skies. Others used energy-based transportation devices, swiftly crossing the distance between the two inds. "Charge!" one of the team members shouted, followed by a chorus of war cries. The sky above Komodo Ind became crowded with the figures of Beast Masters and their ferociouspanions. From afar, the two inds seemed small, mere dots in the vast sea of the heavens. Yet for those on board, the gap between them felt like an endless chasm¡ªspanning tens of thousands of kilometers. These inds resembled colossal warships slowly but steadily heading toward a monumental collision. Chapter 303: Gerald, william master William hovered in the air on his flying disc, leading the charge with an arrogant posture. The disc emitted a faint starlight, casting dancing shadows across the surface of the cloud sea below. From above, William''s gaze locked onto Komodo Ind, now clearly visible. Defensive towers rose high, while thousands of ck-wed komodo warriors stood in orderly formations around the ind, ready to repel the invasion. [ck-wed Komodo - Warrior] - Level: 25 - Attributes: 2484 STR, 2172 INT, 2004 AGI, 1688 RES - Abilities: (ck w Strike): A deadly sh imbued with corrosive poison, reducing the physical strength of enemies for five seconds. (Shadow Pounce): A sudden attack from blind spots with a 30% critical hit chance. (Titanic Roar): A roar that stuns enemies within a wide radius, reducing AGI by 20% for three seconds and inducing temporary fear. William reviewed the data via his holographic interface, then sneered. "Weak," he muttered, his cold voice condemning the existence of every creature on the ind. Behind him, a massive surge of energy began to gather. Small stars appeared in the air, twinkling brightly before converging into a giant energy sphere at his back. "Obliterate¡­" he whispered coldly. The massive star hurtled toward Komodo Ind at a terrifying speed. In an instant, a cataclysmic explosion erupted, annihting a significant portion of the komodo forces and devastating the environment within a radius of hundreds of kilometers. The sound of the explosion shook the air, apanied by plumes of dust and fire. Doomm¡­ Boomm¡­ Explosion after explosion tore through the ck-wed komodo formations. The warriors screamed in agony, their bodies consumed by the overwhelming star energy. Yet amid the chaos, one of the defense towers on Komodo Ind rotated. Its muzzle glowed, firing a sma beam directly at William. William realized it and immediately leaped far to the side, avoiding the sudden attack. "Tch..." he muttered, his gaze fixed on the sma tower with an expression of sharp vignce. In the distance, rows of sma towers and other defense structures stood majestically above Komodo Ind. Thebination of advanced technology and the primitive Komodo forces seemed a bit odd but was not to be underestimated. This army had proven its superiority by conquering human inds in previous battles. "Star sh," William uttered slowly, his voice cold and filled with determination. In an instant, he unsheathed a shining light sword, its radiance piercing the eye. With a decisive movement, he swung his sword, creating a sharp sh that streaked straight toward the defensive towers. The sh was not only swift but also deadly¡ªwithin moments, the towering structures were neatly split and crumbled like sandcastles swept by waves. The echoing destruction caused panic among both warring sides. Over the two inds, the battle intensified. Smoke rose into the air, apanied by the sh of weapons. No one retreated; both the human and Komodo forces fought as though their lives depended on victory. Each side vowed to destroy the other entirely. Blood flowed, but there was no fear¡ªonly a steely resolve to survive or die. Far from the chaos of the battlefield, on a small wooden boat, an old man sat calmly. His long ck hair fell to his shoulders, contrasting with his thick ck beard. His eyes were sharp like an eagle''s, observing the battle from afar. Around him was only the void of the silent cosmos, yet his face bore an expression of deep curiosity. "That boy possesses extraordinary talent," he murmured softly, his gaze still fixed on William''s figure on the battlefield. "But why did he lose in Aetheris, the ce where he grew up?" The question lingered in the air, full of mystery. The old man sighed, folding his arms across his chest. "Could it be that someone in Aetheris is more talented than him?" he muttered again. His eyes turned grim. "Or perhaps... a great misfortune follows him." The worry shadowed his thoughts. As a teacher, he was reluctant to invest resources in a student who would only be a burden. But there was something about William that made him hesitant to give up. As the old man was lost in thought, suddenly, the air around him cracked, like ss shattering. Arge fissure appeared before him, and from within it emerged another old man dressed in luxurious noble attire. His robe was adorned with golden embroidery, radiating an aura of authority that was hard to ignore. His steps were steady as he approached the boat. "Gerald¡­" the nobleman greeted, his voice deep yet filled with charisma. Without hesitation, he sat on a small chair across from the old man named Gerald. Gerald did not move from his position. His eyes remained fixed on William''s battlefield. "What''s the result?" he asked casually, as if the oue of the battle was of no consequence to him. The nobleman remained silent for a moment, staring at Gerald before finally replying in a weary tone, "Defeat." The wordnded like a heavy blow. Gerald finally turned his head, staring at the nobleman with a disdainful look. "Heh¡­" He clicked his tongue softly, a sneer curling his lips. "I told you, you''re too stingy. If you had given him to me, I could have helped you. But you always refuse." His voice was full of mockery, yet it carried an undeniable confidence. The nobleman sighed, unfazed by Gerald''s taunts. "I don''t care what you say," he replied tly. "But I might need your help again soon." "No problem, as long as the payment is right," Gerald responded without hesitation. He shifted his gaze back to the battlefield, but his tone revealed that he enjoyed this game. Their conversation continued casually, like two old friends sharing grievances. Gerald began talking about William, his new student, and his concerns about the possible misfortune shadowing him. He also discussed the potential greatness hidden within William. The nobleman listened quietly, asionally nodding, though his mind seemed upied with other matters. *** Divine Sky Realm Life in the Divine Sky Realm is very busy. Every alliance ind is undergoing a period of development, all benefiting from the unification of the Divine Sky Realm with the cosmos. Chapter 304: Level 250 Equipment Chest Lein stood in the midst of the void within the Divine Sky Realm, an infinite space filled with glimmers of light from distant stars. In his hand, he held a small, seemingly ordinary ck pouch that exuded a mysterious aura. The pouch was a gift from Hanes, who was also a guardian and had apologized to Lein during the great battle beyond the boundaries of the Divine Sky Realm, when the unification process of the cosmos was finallypleted. The gift from Hanes was no trivial matter¡ªits contents were abundant, consisting of various rare items and valuable materials, all specifically prepared by Hanes to support the development of the newly emerged Realm. With a gentle motion, Lein reached into the ck pouch and pulled out a small chest. (Level 250 Equipment Chest) :The chest radiated an extraordinary aura, designed specifically for Swordmasters who had reached Level 250. Its contents were alluring to anyone whoid eyes on it, inspiring both awe and greed. Lein slowly turned the chest in his hands, his sharp and mesmerizing eyes scanning every detail. The ck material encasing the chest shimmered subtly like obsidian, reflecting light in a mysterious and captivating way. Purple lines flowed along the edges of the chest, resembling streams of living energy, pulsating faintly as if it had a life of its own. "Even the chest itself is luxurious. What about its contents?" Lein muttered, his curiosity piqued. Therge gem on its top, shaped like a star crystal, emitted a deep and mesmerizing glow. This light was more than just a reflection¡ªit seemed to hold a miniature world within, tempting anyone to unravel its secrets. Intricate carvings on the chest''s sides depicted epic battlefields and victories, emphasizing that this was no ordinary chest¡ªit was a symbol of triumph. Lein let out a soft sigh, a faint smile forming at the corner of his lips. "Amazing... even its appearance alone is so grand," he murmured while admiring the chest in his hands. His fingers moved cautiously, tracing the purple lines decorating its surface. The touch emitted a warm sensation, as if the chest held a life within, waiting to be unveiled. "It''s better to duplicate it first before opening," Lein said casually, his eyes ncing at the system panel floating before him. A notification appeared, indicating that the cooldown for his Duplication ability had ended. [Duplicate (Level 250 Equipment Chest) up to 10,000? Yes/No] Without hesitation, Lein approved themand. Instantly, the space within his ring filled with thousands of identical chests. A subtle energy swirled around him, showcasing the extraordinary power of his ability. "All right, let''s open one," Lein said with clear excitement on his face. He reopened the chest panel in front of him, his fingers gliding through the air to select the avable option. [Open Chest (Level 250 Equipment Chest), are you sure? Yes/No] "Yes," he answered sinctly, his tone confident. Another notification popped up, followed by an intense burst of light from the chest that had just been opened. [Sessfully opened (Level 250 Equipment Chest), obtained:] - Boots: Lightstride Greaves, Level 250 - Gloves: Luminous Grasp, Level 250 - Helmet: Radiant Crown, Level 250 - Armor: Sanctified Aegis, Level 250 - Weapon: Sword of Celestial Light, Level 250 Five items floated slowly in front of Lein, emerging from the now-empty chest. Each item was encased in a transparent energy bubble, shimmering beautifully like embryos surrounded by an aura of life. Each bubble emitted a golden-white glow, creating a stunning disy in the void of the Divine Sky Realm. Lein gazed at them in awe, his eyes tracing every detail of the items that appeared wless. "Truly a ready-to-use equipment set," hemented, his tone filled with satisfaction. The golden-white hue dominated the appearance of each item, giving an impression of elegance yet lightness for use. Boots with an aerodynamic design, a helmet adorned with glowing jewels, and a sword radiating a sharp aura¡ªit all seemed crafted specifically for an epic battle. "Let''s see the attributes¡­" Lein whispered. He reached for one of the bubbles, the gloves at the edge of the row. As his hand touched the surface of the bubble, it felt warm before slowly dissolving. The item description immediately appeared before him, disyed clearly on the system panel: (Gloves - Luminous Grasp) - Level: 250 - Attributes: STR 14K, RES 12K - Ability: (Ster Purge) With each attack, these gloves release ster energy, forming a cosmic ring of light around the user. This ring deals 1,000% light damage to enemies within a 10-kilometer radius and removes all negative buffs from allies within the same range. - (Additional Effect): Each enemy hit by the ring reduces all the user''s active skill cooldowns by 1 second. - Cooldown: None (passive effect). Lein stared at the description of the gloves'' attributes and abilities with sparkling eyes. The words felt like a dream¡ªan extraordinary ability, passive effects with no cooldown, and impressive total attributes. "INSANE!" he eximed inwardly, almost unable to believe what he was seeing. These gloves were not just ordinary equipment; they were a destructive tool designed for the battlefield. "With every attack?" he murmured, frowning. It was hard to imagine the impact of a cosmic light ring with a 10-kilometer radius generated by ordinary strikes. Especially since the gloves'' total attributes alone surpassed typical Level 30 rulers. Lein''s thoughts drifted momentarily, recalling his early days in the Divine Sky Realm. Back then, he only had equipment with attribute scales ranging from 1 to 5 at Level 10. Now, he stood at the pinnacle of power, holding a weapon far beyond what could have been imagined before. Without hesitation, Lein slipped the gloves onto his hands. As soon as they touched his skin, the gloves lit up brightly, emitting a soft golden glow that enveloped his hands. A warm sensation coursed through his fingers, creating an indescribable feeling offort. He stared at his glowing hands, the golden gloves seemingly fusing with him. "Hahaha... sofortable," he murmured, a satisfied smile gracing his face. The gentle light surrounding his hands reflected dazzling shadows, giving him the aura of a sacred priest exuding undeniable majesty. Lein grew even more curious after reading their attributes and abilities, so he casually used the gloves directly to experience their effects. As the gloves integrated with his body, Lein indeed felt a significant surge in power. The previously muted golden glow now radiated brilliantly. Lein''s hands, now encased in the glowing golden gloves, resembled those of a priest bestowing holy blessings. "Hahaha¡­ incrediblyfortable," Lein said with a smile. He felt his hands enveloped in a soft pressure, bringing an unexinable warmth. He wanted to test the power of the gloves. His gaze turned toward an ind visible in the distance. From where he stood, the ind seemed small, but Lein knew it was merely an illusion of distance. The ind, spanning 250 kilometers wide, was actually quiterge. [Stone Antlion Ind] - Estimated poption: 1.2 million - Danger level: C - Resource level: E After storing the other items into his spatial ring, Lein opened a portal to the ind. A sh of blue light carried his body through dimensions, and in an instant, he stood on unfamiliar ground. Chapter 305 Cosmic Blink Chapter 305 Cosmic Blink [You have entered (Stone Antlion Ind)] [Please be cautious of the ind''s inhabitants, as they will mark you as an enemy.] A system warning appeared before Lein''s eyes. He frowned, surprised by the notification''s sudden appearance. "Is this a new system development?" he wondered silently. At a nce, the system seemed more informative and personal than before. However, he set aside his curiosity for now. His eyes turned toward the swarm of monsters beginning to approach, surrounding him in an organized formation. In front of him, massive creatures with oval-shaped bodies and long, wed legs stomped the ground. They were a horde of Hell Antlions - Warriors, C-ss monsters with attributes substantial enough, even for creatures at Level 30. [Hell Antlion - Warrior] -Level: 30 -Attributes: 2875 STR, 2398 INT, 2125 AGI, 2950 RES -Abilities: (Abyssal Sand Trap), (Dust Barrage), (Burrow Ambush) (Abyssal Sand Trap): Quickly digs a trap in the ground, pulling enemies toward the center and reducing their movement speed by 50% for five seconds. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om (Dust Barrage): Fires sharp sand to strike enemies, dealing damage based on INT with a 25% chance to blind the target for three seconds. (Burrow Ambush): Burrows underground tounch a surprise attack from below, dealing high damage with a 35% chance to cause a "stun" effect for two seconds. Among the swarm, Lein noticed several antlions with striking red-striped abdomens. [Hell Antlion - Sentinel] -Level: 30 -Attributes: 3575 STR, 3763 INT, 3335 AGI, 3250 RES -Abilities: (Abyssal Sand Trap), (Dust Barrage), (Burrow Ambush) Looking at the swarm, Lein simply smiled faintly. He didn''t care about their details at the moment. His main focus was testing the power of his new gloves. Without rushing, Lein raised his sword. His first sh was casual, without utilizing the dream energy characteristic of his attacks. [Congrattions, you have defeated (Hell Antlion - Warrior). NO EXP.] [Congrattions, you have defeated (Hell Antlion - Sentinel). NO EXP.] [Congrattions, you have defeated...] Notifications kept pouring in, their sounds echoing like chimes in Lein''s ears. However, what astonished him wasn''t the sheer number of notifications, but what was happening around him. As his sword struck the first target, a radiant white energy burst from his body. The energy expanded, forming a rapidly growing circle. Its radius kept increasing, annihting everything it touched. The air vibrated, and a low rumbling sound apanied the circle of light sweeping across the entire swarm of monsters around him. Lein stood tall in the center of the destruction he had wrought. The ground around him was now empty, cleared of monsters within a 10-kilometer radius. The corpses of the antlionsy motionless on the ground, their bodies charred and lifeless. A faint smell of burning lingered in the air. "Truly terrifying," Lein muttered, his eyes fixed on the fading circle of light. That was just one sh, he thought. Just one. What would happen if every sh produced the same effect? He smiled, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Not bad," he said with a tone of enthusiasm. This attack might not affect creatures above his level, but having such a versatile power would be incredibly useful in certain situations. And he knew the time woulde. Having finished testing the gloves'' abilities, Lein lifted his foot slightly. In an instant, he stomped the ground with immense force. Boom! BOOM! The monster-infested antlion ind was obliterated in a sh, a tremendous explosion tearing through the ground and destroying everything on it. Rocks flew into the air, dust billowed high, and within seconds, the ce was reduced to an empty expanse, with only fragments of soil scattering like ashes. Lein stood in the middle of the devastation, looking on with satisfaction at the destructive power he had just unleashed. "All right, let''s check out the other equipment," he muttered casually, yet with a hint of curiosity. He extended his hand, and a light appeared, manifesting a pair of boots with a bright blue aura in front of him. The boots had an elegant design; waves of light along the soles seemed to flow like shimmering water under the sun. On the side of the boots, a lightning symbol was intricately carved, exuding an impression of unstoppable power. Lein observed for a moment before reading the item''s description. (Boots - Lightstride Greaves) -Level: 150 -Attributes: AGI 20K, RES 16K -Ability: (Cosmic Blink)The wearer can shift between dimensions within cosmic light, traveling up to 1,000 kilometers instantly. Each teleportation leaves residual light energy along the path that explodes, dealing 1,000% light damage to enemies within a 100-meter radius of the teleportation path. - (Additional Effect): Increases the wearer''s movement speed by 500% for 10 seconds after teleportation. - Cooldown: 10 seconds "Cosmic Blink¡­" he murmured in awe. He gazed at the boots more seriously. The ability to teleport as far as 1,000 kilometers in an instant? Even for Lein, this felt incredibly special. Indeed, he already had teleportation abilities, but instantaneous movement like this would be immensely advantageous in battles requiring high-speed maneuvers. Without hesitation, Lein immediately put on the boots. As soon as they were secured, a warm, bright light emanated, forming subtle patterns that harmonized with the gloves on his hands. The radiant glow of the two items seemed tomunicate, acknowledging Lein as their rightful owner. Lein nced around, ensuring his current position. With a calm breath, he attempted to activate the Cosmic Blink ability. Sashhh¡­ Before he could fully grasp how the skill worked, his body had already shifted 1,000 kilometers in an instant. Lein froze for a moment, his eyes darting back toward where he had been. "Wuoh¡­" he murmured in amazement. The air around him still felt warm from the residual energy. He turned to look at his teleportation path, faintly noticing the remnants of a light energy explosion that had scorched the surrounding area. "So fast¡­ it''s as if these boots can read my thoughts," Lein remarked with a smallugh. Joy radiated from his face, like a child discovering a new toy. "This equipment truly aligns with my core power," Lein thought. A small smile appeared on his face as he recalled Hanes, the one who had given him the chest containing this equipment. "Hanes was wise to give me this set," he muttered again, half in praise and half in recollection of Hanes'' seemingly perfect decision. Chapter 306 Radiant Crown. Chapter 306 Radiant Crown. Lein hadn''t expected any rewards from them. As a newly appointed Guardian, his primary goal was simply to broaden his understanding of the cosmos and acquaint himself with its important figures. Hanes, with all his wisdom, had left a significant impression on him. His thoughts drifted for a moment. "Is the realm where they reside truly that far?" Lein asked himself, trying to grasp the vastness of the world he had just entered. However, he quickly shook his head, dismissing the thought. "This isn''t the time for that," he whispered softly. Then, with calm determination, he retrieved the remaining items. Once again, bright light red up, revealing the next piece of equipment before him. A majestic golden crown slowly materialized before Lein, radiating a dazzling light that captivated the senses, like a small living sun in open space. Lein gazed at it with anticipation. He knew this crown was no ordinary object¡ªits aura exuded an overwhelming sense of authority and power. (Helmet - Radiant Crown) - Level: 250 - Attributes: INT 18K, RES 18K - Ability: (Gctic Vision)This helmet allows the wearer to see all enemy movements within a 1,000-kilometer radius, including those in stealth mode. Additionally, the helmet grants the ability to project sacred light that locks onto a primary enemy, reducing all their attributes by 50% for 10 seconds. - (Additional Effect): Enemies affected by the light projection lose the ability to teleport for the duration of the effect. - Cooldown: 30 seconds "Hahaha," Leinughed in satisfaction, his voice softly echoing around him. "This ability is absolutely insane." He imagined the effects of Gctic Vision¡ªthe ability to prevent enemies from teleporting and to halve their attributes. Such a strategic advantage was not to be underestimated. Slowly, Lein ced the crown on his head. Once worn, a gentle, warm light seeped into his body, calming his entire mind as if he were taking a peaceful walk in a flower garden. "Sofortable..." he murmured, feeling the almost meditative effect. Lein paused for a moment, analyzing whether this was part of the crown''s hidden abilities. After confirming that its effects worked perfectly, Lein continued. He pulled out a magnificent golden armor, adorned with a web-like golden circle across its chest. The armor looked extraordinarily sturdy yet intricately detailed, striking a perfect bnce between artistry and functionality. (Armor - Sanctified Aegis) - Level: 250 - Attributes: STR 16K, RES 20K - Ability: (Celestial Ward): Creates a protective shield within a 50-kilometer radius, providing 90% damage reduction to all allies within the area. The shield also absorbs all energy attacks and reflects them back at enemies with an additional 300% of the original attack''s strength. - (Additional Effect): If the shield is destroyed, it releases a cosmic light explosion that deals 1,000% light damage to all enemies within a 5-kilometer radius. - Cooldown: 30 minutes "Hmmm... the cooldown is long this time," Lein muttered with slight confusion. The armor''s abilities were indeed impressive, but a 30-minute cooldown felt a bit peculiar. "Then again, it makes sense," he said with a faint smile, nodding to himself. With protection that could absorb 90% damage, coupled with a cosmic explosion effect, it was reasonable for the ability to have such a limit. Lein donned the armor, feeling its material meld seamlessly with his body like an invisible shield. He reflected for a moment, imagining how terrifying this armor would be if wielded by an ordinary human. "They''d probably feel like the ultimate ruler of the world," he thought with a small grin. Finally, he pulled out thest item of the level 250 equipment set: a golden sword with a crystalline blue de that radiated a brilliant glow. The de resembled shards of starlight fused together in the form of a sword, hovering in the air before him. (Sword - Sword of Celestial Light) - Level: 250 - Attributes: STR 16K, RES 20K - Ability: (Eternal Radiance):This sword emits waves of cosmic eternal light that create a Light Supernova within a 500-kilometer radius, dealing 5,000% holy light damage to all enemies in the area. - (Additional Effect): Destroys protections, dimensional barriers, and negative buffs across the entire battlefield. - Cooldown: 1 hour The sword was undoubtedly powerful, but not enough to rece his personal weapon. "At least it''ll work as an everyday sword," he thought, storing it in his equipment slot. Lein extended his hand, gripping the sword. The moment he touched it, the heavy aura emanating from the weapon seemed to envelop his body, giving the impression that the sword had a will of its own. He gazed at the de, carefully observing every intricate detail. "Beautiful... but still no match for my primary sword," Lein said casually, though his tone carried a hint of dismissal. The sword was undoubtedly powerful, but not enough to rece his personal weapon. "At least it''ll work as an everyday sword," he thought, storing it in his equipment slot. Now, his full set wasplete¡ªgloves, boots, armor, crown, and weapon. Lein stood in the middle of the deste battlefield, previously destroyed by his power, feeling like a god who had just risen from myth. "It''s been a long time since I''ve worn a full set," he said with a heartyugh. Over the years, he had focused so much on enhancing his personal strength that he''d almost forgotten the existence of these pieces of equipment. He paused for a moment, reflecting on the extraordinary abilities of each item. "Level 250 gear like this is absolutely absurd. Anyone who hears about these abilities would surely tremble," he mused, staring into the distance. Lein''s body radiated a dazzling golden-white light, ented with deep blue hues that framed his proportionate physique. Wearing the full set of level 250 equipment, Lein appeared as a legendary figure ready for battle. However, despite hismanding presence, the brilliance felt a bit excessive to him. Lein had maintained his fitness through regr workouts with Nita, turning physical activities into moments of sharedughter and joy. "This gear is too shy," Lein murmured, his eyes fixed on the glow emanating from his armor and essories. The light seemed intent on proiming its wearer''s power to the world. With a bit of focus, Lein activated the equipment concealment ability through the system. In an instant, the equipment disappeared, leaving behind his simple yetmanding figure. As an experienced yer, Lein could easily conceal his gear manually without system assistance, but this time he opted for the quicker method. "All right... what''s next?" Lein said, reaching for the bag Hanes had given him. Lein rummaged through the bag and found the item he had been anticipating. Chapter 307: Land of 100 Realms (Land) Contains a tform of emptynd spanning 100 realms. - Land x100 realms *Note: 1 realm = 1,000,000,000,000 km = 1 trillion km2 *Note: 100 realm = 100 trillion km2 "This... this is massive," Lein muttered, half-whispering. He stared at the bag with an expression of awe mixed with confusion. While he was ustomed to extraordinary gifts, this item felt almost too fantastical. "How could such an item even exist? Isn''t this space too vast?" Lein wondered to himself. It would still be reasonable if thend''s size was 1,000 or 100,000 km2, but thend Hanes had given him used the unit of "realms," which was unimaginably vast. Without hesitation, Lein decided to test the item. He immediately attempted to extract one realm from the ck bag. However, before thend could materialize, the system issued a warning: [To deploy thend, please prepare an Orb Ind.] The system notification sounded. Lein had already suspected that an orb would be required for deployment. Without a second thought, he retrieved an Orb Ind from his spatial ring. The Orb Ind floated gently before him, like a living, energy-filled sphere. Lein then extracted the realmnd, following the system''s instructions. [Deploying thend, do you agree to bind it to the nearest Orb Ind?] "Yes." Lein agreed and watched intently. He was eager to see if thend''s size truly matched the immense scale described. In just a fraction of a second, an expansivendmass appeared beneath Lein''s feet. The sky, once empty, was now filled with solid terrain,plete with hills, small mountains, and scattered patches of green vegetation. Lein stood in awe, his eyes scanning the seemingly endless horizon. "What¡­?" he murmured softly, unable to believe the breathtaking sight before him. It felt as if he had been transported to a new world teeming with life. Thend around Lein was mostly barren, with a few hills and mountains visible in the distance. Sparse vegetation covered some areas within his view. "Damn, what about the main ind and the other inds?" Lein muttered in concern. With the vastness of this trillion-square-kilometer realm, it was certain the other inds would be affected. The Divine Sky Realm might be overcrowded. Worried, Lein quickly expanded his spiritual awareness. His consciousness spread rapidly, epassing the entire Divine Sky Realm. He sighed in relief upon discovering that the newndmass did not disrupt the structure or interfere with the other floating inds. "Good¡­" he muttered with a tone of relief. Thendmass, despite its extraordinary size, had seamlessly integrated without causing any destruction. Lein smiled faintly, his mind already filled with grand ns to utilize this enormous territory. At first nce, the one-realm-widendmass filled Lein''s view with an iprehensible scale. The Divine Sky Realm, previously cramped with floating inds, seemed to stretch and adjust itself. The protective barriers, once static, now flexed like stic, making room for the newly emerged terrain. From Lein''s perspective, thendmass didn''t rece the floating inds but instead rested beneath them, acting as a massive foundation supporting the world above. "Looking at it now, the floating inds seem much safer," Lein remarked casually while observing the newly formedndscape. He recalled the early days of entering the Divine Sky Realm, where falling from one of the floating inds meant certain death. "If I''m not mistaken, the first one to fall was Asep," he thought, reminiscing about the horrifying incident. But now, the circumstances had changed. As long as one had a flying device, they no longer needed to fear losing their life if they fell from an ind. Lein crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse below. "If it''s like this, wouldn''t it be better to move life down to thisnd?" he murmured. He began contemting the future of the Divine Sky Realm. Lein had no experience in building a civilization. Creating a race, establishing a kingdom, or even constructing a city were foreign concepts to him. Even family life was something he had never experienced. He understood that the next steps would require careful nning. "Looks like I''ll need to meet with Hanes and hold an internal meeting with the core members to discuss this matter," Lein thought to himself. He felt the weight of growing responsibility but remained confident in his ability to manage the situation. With steady yet decisive steps, he resolved to expand the newnd further. For Lein, creating a vast main territory as a base was a top priority. His thoughts were focused on the battles he had observed across the cosmos and the extraordinary gifts he had received from Hanes. With unwavering determination, he extracted anotherndmass from his spatial ring. The secondndmass appeared, equally magnificent and expansive, merging with the first to form an evenrger domain. Lein didn''t stop there. He had already duplicated severalndmasses previously and currently possessed over 30,000ndmasses in addition to the 100 gifted by Hanes. *** Meanwhile, in the City of Life, a giant videotron on a skyscraper disyed breaking news that immediately caught the public''s attention. A female anchor stood on the edge of one of the floating inds, with the vast newnd stretching beneath her in the background. Even from a great distance, the scale of thendmass was unmistakable, as if it filled the horizon entirely. "Breaking news: an unidentifiedndmass has appeared beneath the floating inds. Hunters have begun conducting inspections," reported the anchor with a serious tone, adding tension to the air. The sudden emergence of this vastndmass shook the Divine Sky Realm. Human leaders¡ªwhether loyal to the alliance or now hunters¡ªgathered to discuss what had transpired. Panic briefly swept through the popce. Meanwhile, alliance officials attempted to remainposed while investigating who was responsible for this phenomenon. Little did they know, this was all part of Lein''s grand n to create monumental change. Various media outlets continuously broadcast updates about the mysteriousndmass beneath the floating inds. Unfortunately, rather than calming the public, many television stations sensationalized the news to boost their ratings. Although the situation sparked some unrest, public order remained intact,rgely due to the strict oversight in the City of Life. Chapter 308: Exploration of new land Since Lein was appointed as Guardian, his status had risen to that of a deity. He was not only the ruler of the Divine Sky Realm but also the owner of the inds where humanity resided. His figure had be a symbol of power and stability amidst the ongoing monumental changes. In one of the luxurious residences allocated to officials of the World Market Trade Alliance, the morning felt calm. A small family sat at the dining table. The wife patiently fed their child, who eagerly enjoyed their breakfast. "Dear, will you be joining the exploration of thatnd?" the wife asked, ncing at her husband as he prepared for work. The man, dressed in the Alliance''s standard military uniform, smiled reassuringly. "Don''t worry. That''s Guardian''s work. Everything is under control." "Really? So, the Guardian is behind this?" she responded in surprise, her hands pausing momentarily. Her eyes widened, reflecting her growing admiration for Lein. Her husband nodded. "That''s right. Because of that, only a small number of personnel were sent for the expedition, and I''m not part of the team." She smiled with relief, though her respect and awe for Lein grew even stronger. To her, the man who ruled this realm was truly an extraordinary figure. "Alright, take care, okay?" The husband smiled, kissing her forehead before leaving the house. Their current life wasfortable, far from hardship. It was all thanks to his bold decision to join the Alliance at the start of humanity''s migration to the Divine Sky Realm. Simr scenes unfolded in many other households. People from all walks of life, from officials to schoolchildren, couldn''t hide their curiosity about the emergence of the newnd. Many awaited official information from the Alliance, though rumors and wild spection continued to spread. This uncertainty created a mix of anticipation and anxiety among the popce. ¡ª At the City of Life''s harbor, activity surged. Ships prepared to descend to the newndmass, carrying expedition teams of soldiers and hunters. Faces filled with excitement and curiosity were everywhere. A young hunter, wielding a weapon that looked worn but battle-ready, joked with his friend. "I hope there are plenty of monsters down there. It''s been a while since I''ve seen some good loot from them," he said with a smallugh, though his eyes gleamed with ambition. "You''re right. If there aren''t, we''ll be wasting our time," his friend replied while checking his gear. "Our ie has been downtely, and the floating inds we''ve been finding are fewer and fewer." Thisint was met with nods of agreement from the rest of the team. They knew this opportunity could either bring new wealth or serve as a stepping stone to fame among hunters. "Regardless, we need to be the first ones to get down there," the team leader dered, his voice firm and full of determination. The team nodded in unison, their energy and hunger for adventure palpable. *** At an altitude of hundreds of kilometers above the newnd, a fleet of ships hovered with mesmerizing elegance. From a distance, they looked like a swarm of bees clustering in the air, moving in orderly formation. Among the ships, severalrge vessels belonging to the alliance stood out, particrly the gship of the World Market Trade, gleaming majestically. At the front of the ship, a lounge area had been set up. A few core members of the organization satfortably on luxurious sofas, enjoying the view of the newnd slowlying into clearer view. "Master Lein is truly extraordinary. Where did he getnd this massive?" eximed Gusti, as enthusiastic as ever. His eyes sparkled with admiration, unable to hide his awe. Hana, seated not far from him, folded her arms and responded in a serious tone. "If Brother Lein possesses items capable of elevating us to the Grandmaster level with just a single breath, it''s no surprise that he can create andmass this vast." Gusti turned, raising an eyebrow. "Create?" he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. Nearby, Haikal Emanuel chuckled softly. "Gusti, you seem to underestimate young master Lein. He''s far stronger than you can imagine." Arya, with his striking green hair, joined in with an amused smile. "That''s right. Lein is more than just strong; he''s a phenomenon." Gusti raised his hands as if surrendering. "Alright, alright. I''m not underestimating him. It''s just¡­ all of this is too incredible." Laras, seated elegantly beside Nita, interrupted their conversation. "Whatever it is, this will further strengthen our realm. So, there''s no need to debate it." Her calm words were quickly agreed upon by everyone. "We''re getting close," said Haikal Emanuel, his voice soft yet clear. All the core members could feel it too. With their abilities as Guardians, their senses extended far beyond human limits. "Alright, let''s move," ordered Hana. Without much discussion, they all stood and moved to the side of the ship. One by one, they leapt down using their respective transportation abilities, vanishing toward the newnd below. Far from the core members'' ship, other alliance ships followed suit, eager to explore the newly emergednd. Onboard a Chinese alliance ship, in the main room, a woman in a long, elegant gown sat with her legs crossed on a sofa. In front of her stood several high-ranking officials of the Chinese alliance¡ªtrusted individuals of Bai Qi. "Princess Bai, has the World Market Trade alliance provided any information?" asked an old man standing among the group. Bai Qi did not respond to the foolish question. She simply sat still with an expressionless face, asionally pursing her lips as if imagining something absurd. "They have the privilege to be arrogant," Bai Qi remarked with a faint smirk. She wanted to act but found herself unable to. "Do not worry, Princess. So far, they haven''t caused us any trouble," said a young man from the group. The position of the Chinese alliance, and even other alliances, had dimmed since Lein became the Guardian. His strength had revealed itself more and more with each passing day. Chapter 309: Bai Qi and other alliances The first event that astonished everyone regarding Lein''s power was the emergence of the Tree of Life. That colossal tree struck awe into the hearts of all who saw it, without exception. Now, the appearance of an endlessndmass only solidified Lein''s standing in everyone''s hearts. It would not be an exaggeration to call him a god. "Princess Bai, the World Market Trade alliance ship has arrived," said a crew member not far from the main table in the room. Bai Qi''s head turned slightly toward the crew member. Her gaze lingered briefly before she nodded momentster. Silence enveloped the main room. No one dared to speak. Bai Qi''s mood was hard to read, and no one wanted to risk saying something inappropriate at this moment. Simr situations urred on nearly every other alliance ship, all equally eager to directly explore the newly emerged, endlessndmass. ___ Far below the vast newnd, the core members of the World Market Trade alliance had arrived. They stood on untouched ground, each disying expressions of excitement and enthusiasm. "Whoa¡­ Somehow, this feels different from standing on ind soil," eximed Efan, bouncing lightly on his feet. His face lit up, his eyes studying the ground beneath him as though examining every grain of sand, entirely new to him. Nita, standing not far from him, smiled as she touched the ground''s surface with her fingertips. "Hahaha, I feel the same. The soil here seems to have more energy," she said. Her words prompted nods of agreement from several other members who felt the same way. Haikal Emanuel stepped forward, gazing at the team with eyes full of responsibility. "Everyone, let''s spread out and conduct a quick inspection," he said in a firm yet calm voice. Their task was to ensure thisnd was safe and free of threats before others began exploring the area. With their powers as Grandmasters, they were the best candidates to carry out this critical mission. Without hesitation, the core members responded enthusiastically. "I''m ready!" "So am I!" They activated various pieces of equipment, ranging from advanced weaponry to exploration tools specially designed to detect danger. The faint glow of energy from the equipment added a futuristic aura to the scene around them. "All right, spread out!" Haikal Emanuelmanded. At his order, the core members took off at incredible speed, leaving trails of energy in the air. They scattered in all directions, ensuring that every corner of this newnd would be thoroughly inspected. Haikal Emanuel flew gracefully, shrouded in a dark energy aura emanating from his body. Beside him, the figure of a grim reaper floated calmly, exuding a chilling atmosphere that made the air around them feel eerie. The reaper, with its dark wings gently fluttering, required no verbalmands. It simply gave a brief nod before flying in the opposite direction to expand their exploration area. Haikal observed thendscape below him. Thisnd was not only vast but also full of unique features he had never seen before. Small hills glowed faintly as if they were alive, while narrow rivers flowed with silvery water that reflected the starlight. He asionally sharpened his senses, scanning for any suspicious energy. Elsewhere, Laras glided through the air with remarkable elegance. Her seven holy angels surrounded her in perfect formation, each emitting a soft golden light. Their glowing eyes gazed at her with reverence, awaiting hermand. "Move. Inspect any areas you pass through," Laras ordered firmly. Without hesitation, the angels dispersed at high speed, each heading to different points on the horizon. Laras herself soared forward, crossing forests and small mountains with sharp eyes observing every detail. The energy of thisnd felt unique to her, brimming with potential that was hard to define. As she flew over a valley filled with glowing nts, one of her angels approached with a calm expression. The gentle light radiating from the angel''s form blended with the twinkling luminescence of the nts below. Its voice was soft yet firm as it reported, "Madam, no threats detected in this area." "Good. Continue," Laras replied briefly, her eyes remaining focused on the horizon ahead, searching for anything that might be hidden beyond the thin mist. With a small nod, the angel flew away, resuming its inspection of the surrounding areas. --- Meanwhile, at the initialnding site, two figures remained standing firmly. Nita was busy examining her spatial ring, while Elen stood not far from her. The girl nced at Nita hesitantly before gathering the courage to ask, her voice soft yet full of curiosity. "Sister Nita, where are we going?" she asked shyly, fidgeting with the hem of her robe. "We''ll build a portal first," Nita replied calmly, taking out several items that immediately hovered in the air. The light from the items reflected on their faces, giving a mysterious impression. Building a portal was considered essential to expedite the movement of their scattered team across the ind to the still unfamiliar newnd. The surrounding atmosphere felt quiet, broken only asionally by the sound of the wind carrying the scent of damp trees. "All right, Sister. Should we deploy search robots here too?" Elen asked, her eyes sparkling with hope. "Ah, yes, that''s a great idea. We need to map thisnd to make creating a map easierter," Nita nodded in agreement, her smile widening. Her hands moved swiftly, pulling out an advanced portal blueprint. [Do you want to build (High-Level Space Portal: blueprint) yes/no] Nita looked at the confirmation prompt for using the portal blueprint and casually chose yes. [Building (High-Level Space Portal: blueprint), required materials:] - Energy Crystals 1m - Astral Pearls 100 - Dimensional Beast Hearts 10 - Aetherium Metal 1k - ... A long list of required materials for the high-level portal construction appeared before Nita, but she didn''t blink. With ease, she moved her hand to confirm. As soon as she agreed, the blueprint''s blue light red brightly, enveloping the area around them. Instantly, arge circle with a ten-meter diameter appeared on the ground, hovering with impressive intricate patterns. The portal began forming, a circr frame towering five meters high, resembling a gateway to another dimension. Chapter 310: Robot A-Zero#4X1 A glowing blue aura surrounded the temporal circle, signaling the construction process was underway. Nita nced at the descriptive screen in front of her, ensuring all materials were ounted for without hesitation. (High-Level Space Portal) A space portal crafted by a master cksmith. The High-Level Space Portal has the capability to connect two points in space up to 1 million kilometers apart. Designed with pure energy extracted from the universe''s core, this portal is the result of profound knowledge about dimensions and energy flow. - Range: 1 million km - Energy Consumption: 1000 - Space Stability: High [Building (High-Level Space Portal: blueprint), process: 1 day 3 hours 1 minute] While waiting for the portal construction to finish, which would take more than a day, Nita shifted her attention to Elen, who appeared busy near a row of robots. The robots stood neatly in formation, each resembling a human body about two meters tall. Their sleek ck metallic surfaces gleamed under the portal''s light. "How about you, Elen?" Nita asked, her voice warm yet firm. There she saw Elen standing in front of the neatly lined robots. These robots were one of Origin Laboratory''s products. The robots were already capable of handling light tasks and simplemands. What made them superior to human operators was their tireless work capacity and meticulous precision. "All set, Sister. I''llmand them to explore the entire area," Elen replied excitedly. She seemed to have a special fondness for these robots. [Robot A-Zero#4X1] A product of Origin Laboratory, capable of handling simplemands and basic tasks. - Energy: 1 month - Body: 95% functional Elen observed one of the robots in front of her with a look full of curiosity. She summoned the system interface, disying detailed descriptions of each robot. Each unit had a unique code disyed on a holographic screen, indicating their identity. The faint blue light from the interface contrasted with the shiny ck metal design of the robots. "All units, explore within a 100-kilometer radius from here," Elenmanded in a firm yet gentle voice. "Executing." "Executing." The mechanical voices of the robots responded in unison, producing a low echo that reverberated among the glowing trees. Without dy, the robots began moving. Their steps, although appearing rigid, were agile enough to traverse various terrains. They dispersed, heading in different directions like perfectly programmed worker bees. Nita observed Elen for a moment, a faint smile forming on her face. "Good. Now, help me set up the portal at another location," she said. Elen nodded eagerly, and the two soared into the sky using flight devices. The cold wind brushed against their faces as the expansivend filled with glowing nts spread out below them. In the distance, severalrge ships began deploying hunters and explorers. The ships appeared like stars slowly moving across the night sky, a testament to the vastness of this Divine Sky realm. *** Beyond the Divine Sky, a colossal realm floated in the void. The realm was protected by a translucent, bluish barrier that reflected the faint light of nearby stars. Its beauty and immense size were hard to describe in words, with massive inds suspended within it like jewels set in a giant crown. At the center of this realm stood the main ind, where a magnificent pce towered high. The pce was a symbol of grandeur, with every corner adorned with gold-ted ornaments reflecting the light of the artificial sun above. Surrounding it were smaller cities, arranged in perfect order and inhabited by nobles and the elite. The Royal Pce ¨C The Grand Hall Inside the pce''s grand hall, the white marble floor reflected the shadows of walls carved with tales of past heroes. At the far end of the hall, on an elevated throne, sat a handsome man with sleek ck hair, crowned with gold. His sharp, authoritative gaze scanned a group of men standing before him, their postures bowed in submission. "My Lord, these are the most renowned ve traders in the kingdom. I personally gathered them at your request," said an elderly man with silver hair who stood beside the throne. His voice carried authority, reflecting his confidence in the ruler. The man on the throne, Hanes, raised one hand, signaling the elder to stop speaking. He cast only a brief nce at the ve traders before him. In his eyes, they were mere tools to achieve his goals. Hanes had promised Lein to provide a massive number of ves from various races. Despite his immense power and wealth, amassing such a vast number of ves was no simple task. "Exin to me, what races do you possess?" Hanes asked coldly, his voice resonating with undeniable authority. The first ve trader, a rotund man in extravagant clothing, stepped forward. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, though he tried to appear confident. "I am Jamal, my Lord, a ve trader from the Zepan Empire, Kingdom of Logu. I have dedicated my life to acquiring ves from various races across the Zepan Empire and its surrounding regions for over 2,000 years," Jamal said, his tone filled with reverence, trying to capture Hanes'' attention. His appearance was striking, with hisrge frame wrapped in gold-embroidered luxurious attire. His round face bore a confident smile, but his eyes asionally darted nervously toward Hanes. He was acutely aware of the man before him¡ªnot merely a king or emperor, but the ruler of this entire universe. Every living being in this realm was subject to Hanes, and Jamal''s presence here felt small and insignificant. "To meet the Guardian''s request, I have brought the finest ve races in my possession. They are all waiting at the main harbor of the Empire," Jamal continued, puffing out his chest as if to disy his pride. His voice grew louder as he began listing the numbers of ves he had brought. "I have brought 500 million of the Orb race, 200 million dragon race, 900 million spider humans¡­" With enthusiasm and detail, he enumerated his inventory, as if these fantastical figures could impress Hanes. Hanes listened without showing much expression. His gaze remained steady and authoritative, though a flicker of evaluation shone in his eyes. Behind hisposed demeanor, he was calcting and weighing¡ªhe had promised Lein to supply six races of ves in immense quantities, including the dragon and elf races, with each numbering at least 10 billion individuals. Chapter 311: lein disguise : Rusty Hoe "Darling, do you wish to grant another race?" A soft yet firm voice came from Lyra, Hanes''s wife, who sat on the throne beside her husband. Her elegant gown, adorned with diamonds, radiated an aura of strength that rivaled her husband''s. She gazed at Hanes with an understanding look, despite the fact they had discussed this matter before. Hanes turned to her, and his stern expression softened immediately. "Yes, my love. I have already discussed this with the ancestors. They, too, agree with my n," he replied gently, his tone warmer than when he spoke to others. Lyra nodded, and no further questions escaped her lips. She nced at the long scroll in her hand, reviewing the list of ve traders'' identities along with detailed information about the ves they offered. The scroll was filled with names, numbers, and races, reducing humans, dragons, and other beings to meremodities. "Enough." Hanes raised his hand, signaling Jamal to stop speaking. His voice did not rise, but the sudden silence that filled the hall made it clear that hismand was absolute. "Next, you," he said, pointing to the man beside Jamal. The man who was pointed at swallowed hard. His face turned slightly pale as he stepped forward. His feet felt heavy, and his hands trembled as he tried topose himself in the tense situation. Yet, he had no choice but to introduce himself as Jamal had. "I... I am Lurion, a ve trader from the Talos Empire," he said, his voice trembling slightly. Lurion took a deep breath before beginning to exin the list of ves he had to Hanes and Lyra. Like Jamal, he tried to sound confident and capable, but the aura of the two throne upants rendered his words hollow. Thus, Hanes and his wife spent their precious time selecting ves as a gift for Lein. Not just a mere gift, they considered it a symbol of goodwill, intending to forge a friendship with Lein. *** Divine Sky Realm - The Vast Void. Lein stood tall atop the emptiness of the Divine Sky Realm. His eyes swept across the endless horizon, gazing at the vastnd that had now be part of his dominion. In the distance, he could see the expanse ofnd he had constructed¡ªvast, magnificent, and nearly unimaginable. It all originated from Hanes: a hundred realms given to him as the foundation for the Divine Sky Realm. He gazed at it with awe, coupled with the weight of responsibility. "So vast," he murmured softly, his eyes gleaming with amazement. Never had it crossed his mind that one day he would be the ruler of a realm. Even now, his thoughts often drifted back to the past¡ªto his life before everything had drastically changed. From his vantage point, the inds of dominion on thend below were almost imperceptible, hidden amidst the vast expanse like tiny stars scattered across the universe. Lein closed his eyes for a moment, trying to envision the order he would establish for this realm. He knew that without a clear structure, the vastness of thend could be a challenge rather than a blessing. "I must start organizing this realm to make it more orderly," he dered firmly, a decision forming resolutely in his mind. Then, he smiled faintly. The thought of building a world simr to his old Earth crossed his mind. With his current power, creating Earth-like details would not be difficult. "It''s easy," he thought to himself. However, he realized that many humans in the Divine Sky Realm did not utilize the systems within their bodies. Housewives, elderly people, and even most women never essed their status panels after activating them for the first time. "Thirty percent, quite a significant number," he murmured, recalling the human poption statistics he had. The idea of a centralized government system began to surface. To him, this was the best solution to ensure the smooth administration of the Divine Sky Realm. "I need a centralized government," Lein said to himself, his eyes gleaming with determination. As a Guardian, he possessed both the power and resolve to make it happen. Finishing his contemtion, Lein opened his eyes again. "Alright, for now, let''s see what''s happening on the maind," he said with a curious tone. He could sense that some people had already reached the newnds he had recently created. However, before heading there, Lein picked up a multicolored mask and put it on. As the mask melded with his face, Lein''s body quivered like a living liquid, gradually transforming into an entirely different figure. Where Lein once stood, now appeared a shirtless young man with a well-proportioned body. His taut muscles radiated an undeniable aura of strength. He wore nothing but in ck trousers, and his short hair swayed with the cosmic winds. On his head, a batik-patterned headband stood out, adding a unique touch to his simple yetmanding appearance. "Do I look like a real Indonesian now?" Lein joked, a small smile curling on his lips. He had almost forgotten that he was Indonesian. Since moving to the Divine Sky Realm, the concept of national boundaries had be irrelevant. In his own alliance, most of its members came from different countries, races, and cultures. They had been rulers scattered across the world before the great event that transported them to this realm. Lein fell silent for a moment, his thoughts drifting to the past. "It might be interesting to revive activities from Earth¡ªlike the Olympics, ser, or something else," he murmured casually. His eyes gazed into the distance, as if imagining the bustling atmosphere of a stadium or the global celebration of sports once symbolizing human unity. But he knew the time for that had not yete. "Wait for the right moment," he said with a tone full of conviction. With a casual wave of his hand, Lein summoned an object from thin air. A rusty hoe materialized and fell into his hand. [Rusty Hoe] - Attribute: STR 1 - Ability: (Break soil) With a sharp edge, capable of splitting soft ground to create trenches. Lein raised an eyebrow, staring at the hoe with a mix of confusion and amusement. "Isn''t this a bit much?" he said mockingly. He shook his head slightly, trying to hold backughter. Lein had intended to carry out this mission as inconspicuously as possible. But seeing the pitiful tool in his hand made him reconsider. "Never mind, the lower the profile, the better," he thought, exhaling deeply. "This way, there''s no chance anyone will recognize me." After that, Lein stretched out his hand into the empty air. A crack appeared before him, like a mirror shattering into tiny fragments. With a gentle motion, he widened the crack as if opening a door to another dimension. Without hesitation, he stepped into it. His movements were rxed, like someone casually strolling to enjoy an evening. Chapter 312: The hunters arrive That evening, the ind spanning 100 realms grew lively with the arrival of ships from various alliances. The scene became vibrant with different types of vesselsnding one by one on the vastnd. There were massive transport ships, warships with thick steel ting, and small ships with aerodynamic designs. The rumble of engines and the ocean breeze mingled, creating an atmosphere full of energy. In one area where the alliances of the world market trade docked, arge port had already been established. Each time a shipnded, they would make their way toward the temporary harbor. At the Temporary Harbor, several simple buildings had already been constructed. These buildings served as administrative centers to record and manage the activities of neers. Nearby, there was arge parking area for public ships, though many private ship owners preferred to store their vessels inside their spatial rings. Of course, those who owned private ships could store them in their spatial rings, but most Hunters and some rulers used public ships, making them the preferred mode of transportation. Among the ships thatnded, a small vessel stopped and unloaded its passengers. From the ship, a group led by an old man named Zega disembarked swiftly. Zega appeared calm, with hair mostly white and eyes that radiated wisdom and decisiveness. Behind him, a team member spoke with a curious tone. "Mr. Zega, why are we going to the administrative building? Can''t we just head out and start exploring?" Zega turned slightly, his voice soft yet clear, disying the patience of an experienced leader. "We need to register first," he replied. "Thisnd isn''t necessarily safe. By registering, the alliance can more easily search for or record us if something happens." It didn''t take long for them to arrive in front of the administrative building. Upon reaching the entrance, the group found the ce bustling with activity. The building was spacious, with a main hall capable of amodating hundreds of people at once. Rulers, Hunters, and adventurers from various alliances were busy queuing or talking to staff. However, the most striking feature was the hundreds of service robots moving around inside the room. These robots had sleek designs with shiny metallic bodies. Some carried glowing holographic panels, while others appeared to be conversing with neers. "Over there, that service robot is idle," pointed one of Zega''s team members. "Let''s go there," Zega replied, leading his team toward the indicated robot. As they approached the service robot, a holographic panel appeared, floating in the air before them. The blue light from the hologram illuminated the faces of Zega''s group. [E-BOT #Ezi#24] "Wee, Ruler. How may I assist you?" "We''d like to register," Zega answered casually. For him, robots like this were nothing out of the ordinary. In almost every ce he visited, service robots like this were part of the infrastructure. "Very well, please fill out the following form," the robot replied in a t yet polite tone. In an instant, the holographic panel shifted to disy a form filled with various information fields. [Enter your data] - Name - Alliance - Level - Rank - Ruler ID ... Zega observed the form, which included numerous fields: name, alliance, level, rank, and Ruler ID. However, at the bottom of the form, there was a far more practical option¡ªa scanning feature. Without hesitation, Zega pressed the scan button. A blue light emerged from the service robot''s chest, resembling a fan of light moving from top to bottom, scanning Zega''s body thoroughly. The beam felt soft yet bright enough to cast a faint shadow on the floor beneath them. [Scan sessful, please confirm] - Name: Zega Hia - Alliance: World Market Trade - Level: 27 (Tier-2) - Rank: tinum-tier Hunter - Ruler ID: 7261361 - ... [Confirm] Zega carefully reviewed the information disyed by the service robot. After ensuring that all the data was correct, he nodded slightly. [Congrattions, registration sessful] The service robot then returned to standby mode, disying its main holographic menu to assist the next ruler. Without wasting time, Zega turned to his team. "Quickly, all of you. Register yourselves," hemanded briefly but clearly. His team members moved promptly. One by one, five people¡ªfour men and one womanpleted the scanning process. They opted for this method because it was faster, avoiding time wasted on manual procedures. The blue light from the robot enveloped each person, identifying them within seconds. Not long after, the process wasplete. Thest member reported, "All done, Mr. Zega." Zega gave a small nod, smiling. "Alright then, let''s get going." Leaving the administrative building, Zega''s team walked toward the western side of the temporary harbor. Along the way, they were treated to a scene bustling with activity. Rulers and exploration teams moved about. Some appeared eager as they headed toward the administrative building to register, while others were already venturing out onto the newnd. Zega observed his surroundings, murmuring to himself almost inaudibly. "It seems like everyone came with a team..." His aged eyes scanned each group. There was hardly a ruler traveling alone. This was entirely reasonable, given that thisnd had never been explored before. It was much safer to navigate with a group and form a team. After walking for several minutes, they finally arrived at the edge of the harbor area. This was where thend journey began, and with such vast terrain, traveling on foot was clearly not a wise option. Zega paused for a moment, looking at his team. "Summon your mounts. We''ll need speed to reach our destination." "Yes, Sir," replied one of his team members. Each team member began summoning their contracted beasts using summoning seals. A magical sight unfolded as radiant lights emerged from their rings or talismans, gradually forming the shapes of powerful creatures. Zega was no exception. With a faint smile, he raised his right hand, revealing a simple ring that glowed blue. "Come forth," he murmured softly. The light radiated from his ring, expanding in the air, until it formed a majestic Wind Lion. Its mane was pure white, resembling the morning mist, while its blue eyes exuded calmness and power. Standing at about 1.5 meters tall, its body was sturdy yet elegant. Chapter 313 The ferocious gorilla Standing at about 1.5 meters tall, its body was sturdy yet elegant. [Wind Lion] King of the Wind Forest, possessing formidablebat strength and exceptional speed. - Level: 18 - Attributes: STR 187, INT 155, AGI 276, RES 177 - (Skills): (Swift Run), (Roar of Morale) Zega approached and affectionately stroked the lion''s head. The lion responded by shaking its head and brushing its body against Zega''s shoulder. Their bond was clearly more than just a soul contract¡ªthere was genuine trust and warmth between them. "Ah, truly magnificent," murmured one of Zega''s team members, admiring their leader''s mount. Meanwhile, the other team members had finished summoning their respective mounts. Three of them had powerful ck Stallions, while another summoned arge ck Bear. The sole woman on the team, Intan, summoned a sleek Silver Wolf that radiated a fierce aura. "Intan, your wolf keeps getting bigger," quipped one of the team members in a tone of envy. Intan chuckled lightly. "You wouldn''t be able to handle it," she replied, stroking her wolf''s head. "Yeah, that''s right," chimed in another member. "With yourzy habits, you wouldn''t even be able to afford its tail." The joke was met withughter from the other team members, while the man being teased could onlyugh awkwardly. "You''re right," he admitted. "There''s no point denying it." However, theirughter quickly ceased when Zega gave a firmmand, "Enough joking. It''s time to move out." Within seconds, the entire team was mounted on their respective beasts. Zega led the way, riding his Wind Lion, which ran gracefully yet swiftly. Dust kicked up as they left the harbor, heading westward. Along the road, they weren''t the only team on the move. Many other teams were also racing their mounts toward the distant forest on the horizon. The sounds of animal footsteps, the rumble of wagon wheels, and the buzz of chatter filled the air, creating an atmosphere that was both lively andpetitive. *** The area far from the World Market Trade harbor had turned into a fierce battleground. A giant gori, towering at four meters tall with bulging muscles covering its body, was rampaging through the forest. Surrounding it, a group of seven hunters moved in unison, wielding equipment that glowed green, signifying elite-grade gear with +5 enhancements. Every strike from the gori caused the ground to tremble violently, creating shockwaves that swept through the surrounding foliage. Boom... Thud... The gori''s massive arm mmed into the ground with enough force to create small cracks beneath it. The sound of the impact echoed deep into the forest, resonating like war drums. The hunters moved swiftly, circling the gori while positioning themselves strategically. Though their bodies were drenched in sweat and their breaths came in ragged gasps, none of them backed down. Their eyes burned with sharp focus¡ªthey knew that even a single mistake could mean death. A man wielding a long sword coated in a red aura suddenly dashed forward from the right. He ran in a straight line, each step leaving small clouds of dust in his wake. "David, cover me!" he shouted as he charged without slowing down. Behind him, David, a slim mage holding a glowing staff, quickly chanted a spell. "Air Barrier!" he yelled. A pale blue light enveloped the swordsman''s body, forming a transparent shield that moved in sync with him. The swordsman leapt high, pushing off the ground with full force, causing leaves to scatter below him. In an instant, he was directly above the gori''s back. "Death sh!" he roared, his voice echoing with determination. The red aura around his sword red brighter, radiating heat that almost resembled tongues of me. From below, the rest of the team held their breath. They paused their attacks, their eyes fixed on the man. "Come on¡­ make it work¡­" one hunter muttered, his voice filled with hope. Everyone was watching this critical moment, knowing that a sessful strike could determine their fate. sh! The sword struck the gori''s neck, producing a sharp sound as metal sliced through thick flesh. Blood gushed from the deep wound, staining the creature''s dark fur. The gori let out an ear-splitting roar that shook the air, before staggering and dropping to its knees, its massive body mming into the ground. "We did it!" one hunter shouted triumphantly. The others joined in the cheer, their faces lighting up with renewed energy. "Great! Let''s finish it off!" another hunter yelled, raising his weapon high. But their celebration was abruptly cut short as the gori''s massive arms began to move. Both of its hands, which had been limp at its sides, suddenly swung upward with rming speed, aiming to crush the man who had just struck its back. "Captain, look out below!" "Captain¡­ run!" Panicked shouts erupted from all directions. They watched in horror as the gori''s giant hands formed a pping motion¡ªa deadly blow that would pulverize anyone caught in it. Find exclusive stories on empire "Damn it..." the captain muttered under his breath, feeling a cold chill run down his spine. His body felt stiff, his energy drained from the previous sh. His mind raced for a solution, but the gori''s movement was too fast. Thud! The gori''s enormous hands came together, sttering fresh blood into the air before it dripped onto the trembling ground. The body of the man who had been the team''s beacon of hope was now utterly crushed, lifeless. The aftermath of the devastating attack brought a sudden silence, broken only by the low, gutturalughter of the gori as it pounded its chest in triumph. Argh... The gori thumped its chest repeatedly, each blow producing a resounding boom that echoed throughout the area. The ground trembled beneath the hunters'' feet, as if responding to the creature''s immense power. The air was thick with tension, forcing some of the hunters to clutch their chests, their hearts pounding wildly with fear. "No¡­ Captain!" one team member cried out, his voice filled with horror and despair. Their faces turned pale, some beginning to tremble. But in others, their eyes burned with rage. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 314 Run for your life "I''ll kill you!" screamed a hunter with sharp ws on both hands. His body radiated battle aura, and his eyes burned with vengeance. He stepped forward with heavy strides, ready tounch a counterattack regardless of the risks. "Calm down! Don''t be reckless!" The voice of an old man among them broke the tension. With a hoarse yet authoritative tone, he tookmand of the team. "Activate the formation!" he ordered firmly, cutting through the hunters'' wild ambitions. They moved immediately. Within seconds, some of them pulled hexagonal-shaped stones from their gear, running away from the gori to ce the stones in predetermined positions. The stones emitted a faint glow, as if ready to unleash hidden energy. "Eight-point formation, activate!" the old man shouted. Bright light shot out from the hexagonal stones, forming an energy barrier connected at eight points. A massive protective field enclosed the gori and the hunters within. The energy buzzed softly, exuding both a sense of protection and pressure. "Now, attack with your strongest moves!" The old man swung his long staff, unleashing a sh of red mes. "Sea of Lava!" he roared, his voice echoing powerfully. From the ground around the gori, scorching red liquid began to seep out, forming streams ofva that flowed rapidly toward the massive monster. Hot steam rose, enveloping the air around them. The giant gori sensed the heat from the approachingva. It growled angrily, stepping back to avoid the glowing red liquid. But before it could move further, the ground beneath its feet suddenly shook violently. With a rumbling sound, the earth caved in, creating a massive pit that trapped the creature inside. "My turn!" A hunter with arge bow stepped forward. His steps were steady, his sharp eyes fixed on the pit where the gori was trapped. He drew his longbow, gathering shimmering energy at the tip of his arrow. "Poison Arrow Rain!" he shouted, his voice filled with vengeance and determination. Hundreds of gleaming arrows shot into the sky, creating a spectacle like falling stars. But these arrows had slick green tips, carrying lethal poison that could incapacitate anything they struck. The rain of arrows poured into the pit, striking the gori with ruthless precision. The other team members didn''t stop there. They unleashed their ultimate attacks as well. Each technique was executed with full power, taking advantage of the moment when the gori couldn''t move freely. The sounds of explosions, the trembling ground, and shes of light filled the battlefield, turning it into a scene from hell. Argh¡­ The massive gori roared in pain. It swung its powerful arms, trying to fend off the barrage of arrows andva continuously assaulting its body. Some arrows embedded deeply into its skin, whileva began seeping into the pit, touching the giant creature and producing a hissing sound like hot iron plunged into water. Argh¡­ "Take that! You''re going to die!" one of the team members shouted with high spirits. Their fear slowly turned into confidence that this enormous monster would finally fall. They saw no signs of the gori escaping the pit. Hot steam continued to rise, obscuring their vision. "Stop! Be quiet," said the man holding therge bow. He raised one hand, signaling everyone to remain silent. His eyes narrowed, focusing on something unseen, while his sharp ears caught faint sounds from a distance. A cold wind blew, carrying a sound that grew clearer. Dum... dum... dum... Heavy thuds shook the ground, like the footsteps of a giant. The man turned sharply toward the source of the sound, his expression turning serious. "Another gori?" muttered the old man leading the team, his voice trembling with both doubt and fear. From behind the distant mist, a massive figure slowly emerged. Its robust form and heavy steps were unmistakable. It was the same gori. The creature''s body glowed faintly red, and it looked utterly furious. "RUN!" the old man shouted without hesitation. His voice was so loud it triggered the survival instincts of every team member. He didn''t wait for anyone''s response. In an instant, his feet were already running away from the scene, his long coat billowing as he desperately tried to save himself. An rm of danger rang in the hearts of every team member. Their faces turned pale, and their bodies began to move reflexively. They exchanged brief nces, searching for rity, but the sound of the gori''s heavy steps grew closer. Without a second thought, they followed the old leader''s example, fleeing the battlefield in a hurried panic. Their breaths grew heavy, blending with the thunderous footsteps of the gori chasing them from behind. Panic took over their minds. Even though there were seven of them, their courage crumbled when they realized the enemy''s overwhelming strength was far beyond what they could handle alone. The ground trembled beneath their feet, as if emphasizing the lurking danger. Some of them nced back in fear, their eyes catching sight of the massive figure closing in, its body a dark shadow dominating the horizon. "Run toward the harbor!" shouted the leader to everyone. They hoped to encounter other hunters along the way who were also exploring the area. "Damn it, it''s still chasing us!" yelled one of the members as he stole a nce backward. ___ From the opposite direction, Zega''s group was moving swiftly on their mounts¡ªwind lions and silver-gray wolves, navigating the rocky terrain with agility. They had been exploring the area for over an hour, passing through a forest with towering trees and dense foliage filtering thete afternoon sunlight. "I think this area is far enough, Mr. Zega. How about we hunt here?" said one of the team members, holding the reins of his mount. Zega, an old man with neatlybed silver hair, surveyed the surroundings from atop his mount. His sharp eyes scanned every corner of the dense forest. The unfamiliar roars and chirping of birds added to the wild atmosphere of the ce. He nodded slowly and then said, "Alright, we''ll hunt in this area." Chapter 315 Shameless praise lein With a firm wave of his hand, he signaled the team to stop. They quickly gathered, preparing their gear and discussing their hunting strategy. "We should set up camp first. We might need to stay the night here," suggested a man armed with a bow standing at the back of the group. "Agreed. Better to be prepared than rushed," replied another. The team members got to work immediately. One by one, they took camping equipment out of their dimensional bags. Large tents, folding chairs, grills, and even kitchen supplies appeared. Some started assembling the tents, while others set up a small campfire in the center of the campsite. On the other side, Zega sat leisurely on arge rock, slightly away from the group''s hustle. He opened a holographic status panel in front of him, checking the glowing blue numbers disyed. "Three more levels," he muttered, staring at his level, which showed the number 27. "Once I reach level 30, I''ll be a Legendary-tier Hunter." He smiled faintly. That status wasn''t just a number but a marker of strength that was difficult to achieve. In the Realm of the Divine Sky, only a handful of people had managed to break into Tier-3, let alone be legendary-tier masters. To date, their number was less than a thousand. The Hunter Association had established this as the highest standard, but Zega knew it could change in the future. "Well¡­ with my current position, it''s already more than enough," he said softly, exhaling lightly. Unbeknownst to him, someone was approaching. The footsteps were so light they didn''t draw anyone''s attention. Even the team members busy setting up tents didn''t notice the presence. "Excuse me¡­" A calm voice broke the silence. Zega jolted, his heart momentarily stopping, and his body tingled with unease. He slowly looked up to see a young man standing before him. The young man smiled warmly, but something about his aura triggered every instinct in Zega to scream caution. In an instant, Zega reacted. With lightning speed, he activated his agility technique. His body shot to the side, creating distance between himself and the young man in mere seconds. Leaves scattered around, driven by the gust of wind he generated. Everything happened too quickly for the other team members to process. They turned their heads in confusion, still unaware of what was happening. Lein gazed at Zega, who looked utterly terrified. Lein''s heart was filled with joy as he observed Zega''s awkward expression. A small smile yed on his lips, as though he was savoring every moment. During his journey a few hours earlier, he had encountered many human leaders. Whenever Lein approached them while concealing his presence, they all showed the same fearful expression. "Hahaha¡­ so this is how it feels to be a ruler with hidden power. It''s quite enjoyable," Lein thought to himself, suppressing augh. For Lein, interactions like this were a form of personal entertainment. He felt as though the dreams and ns of his youth hade true. No, they had even surpassed what he had ever imagined. "Who are you?" a firm voice shattered his reverie. Zega''s team members had gathered beside their leader, theirbat equipment fully activated. Each of them exuded an aura of readiness, their weapons gleaming under the sunlight that pierced through the forest canopy. "Calm down¡­ I''m not an enemy. Let''s talk peacefully," said Lein, raising one hand as a gesture of goodwill. His steps were rxed and confident, like someone who felt no sense of danger. However, this only heightened the tension among Zega''s group. A man with arge bow stepped forward, drawing it back to full tension. "Stop!" the man shouted. His eyes were locked onto Lein, and his hands did not waver despite the palpable shift in the atmosphere around them. The arrow, glowing with a blue aura, began to shimmer at the tip of the bowstring, ready to be released at any moment. Lein paid no heed to the threat. He simply gave a faint smile and continued walking calmly, as though nothing was amiss. Sii¡­! The blue arrow shot forward at an incredible speed, slicing through the air directly toward Lein''s head. But just as it was about to hit its target, the arrow stopped. There was no loud ng or spark. It simply halted mid-air, as though it had struck an invisible wall. The blue aura enveloping the arrow began to fade until it fell to the ground, powerless. "What?" The archer was stunned, his eyes widening. Terror crept across his face, and the steady hands he had before now trembled slightly. The other team members exchanged nces, equally shocked. Unlike them, Zega appeared calmer. He had anticipated this oue. With a casual motion, he deactivated hisbat mode and stood upright. "Vio, stop your attack!" Zega shouted toward the archer. His voice was firm, making it clear that he didn''t want any reckless actions. After ensuring his team obeyed, he stepped forward to approach Lein without a hint of fear. "Hello, Sir. My name is Zega. We are hunters from the Hunter Association, and I am also a member of the World Market Trade alliance," Zega introduced himself confidently, listing the prominent names he represented. Lein furrowed his brows, trying to suppress theughter threatening to escape. "Do I look like an HR manager recruiting employees?" Lein thought to himself. To him, Zega''s overly formal and slightly excessive introduction felt out of ce for the situation. Still, Lein restrained himself frommenting directly. He decided to y along. "Ah, so you''re from the famous World Market Trade alliance?" Lein asked in a serious tone. His face deliberately showed a hint of surprise, though deep down he found the moment more amusing than shocking. Zega noticed the sudden change in Lein''s expression and nodded firmly, trying to assert his position. "Yes, that''s correct. We are under the direct supervision of the alliance," Zega added, deliberately emphasizing their connection to a major power to lend more weight to his statement. Chapter 316 Future plans Zega couldn''t sense the power level of the person in front of him. Even his status panel showed nothing. However, this didn''t surprise him too much. Many high-level rulers used special artifacts to conceal their presence and obscure their status information. Even so, facing someone entirely undetectable by the status panel made Zega feel a bit uneasy. "Impressive¡­" Lein said sincerely, a small smile forming on his face. As the leader of the alliance himself, he didn''t mind indirectly praising his own organization. "I just happened to be passing by," Lein continued in a friendly tone. "You were simply in my path, so I have no ill intentions." Lein had deliberately concealed himself to observe more closely how human rulers lived their daily lives. His busy schedule had kept him from directly interacting with lower-tier rulers, so he felt it necessary to better understand their circumstances. "If you have no ill intentions, then why sneak up on us?" A woman''s voice from among Zega''s team interrupted the conversation. Her tone was firm, but her narrowed eyes scrutinized Lein warily. Lein shifted his gaze toward the woman, his eyes quickly scanning her. Her face caught his attention. "Hmm¡­ a beautiful girl," Lein thought briefly before remembering the situation and regaining hisposure. "I wasn''t sneaking," Lein replied with a slight smile. "You just weren''t paying enough attention to your surroundings." His words sounded like a casual taunt. Lein''s remark left the woman speechless. Embarrassment mixed with irritation appeared on her face. What Lein said was true; as Hunters, they had failed in their basic duty to detect the presence of others nearby. If Lein had been an enemy, the group might have been in danger from the start. "Alright¡­" Zega finally spoke, attempting to diffuse the rising tension. "It''s ufortable talking here. Let''s continue the conversation at the tent area." Lein nodded, epting the invitation without protest. "Alright," he said, ncing around. His stomach had started to feel empty after hours of walking. A morefortable ce sounded like a good idea. They then walked toward the tent area. There, the team members had prepared several chairs, a small table, and a simple butfortable tarp for resting. *** Far from the harbor area, the core members of the World Market Trade Alliance had been exploring hundreds of thousands of kilometers. With the capabilities of a Grandmaster, surveying newnds was a rtively easy task, though it still took time to ensure no detail was overlooked. Every inch of thend was scanned with precision, as if they were redrawing a new map of the world. At the edge of a forest, two women could be seen busypleting their tasks. Nita and Elen stood before a glowing structure¡ªa portal that had just beenpleted. The soft light from the portal shimmered faintly, reflecting the sess of their work. "Done¡­" Nita said, exhaling in relief. This portal was the 100th in a series of portals they had built during the expedition. Nita let herself fall onto the ground, allowing the coolness to seep through her clothes as her eyes gazed at the sky, which was beginning to darken with the approaching evening. "Elen, are you tired?" she asked casually, still lying on her back with her arms stretched out on the ground. Her voice sounded light, almost teasing. "No, Sis," Elen quickly replied, her tone full of enthusiasm, like someone who had just gained a surge of energy. Nita chuckled softly at the response. "What a silly question," she thought with a smile. As a Grandmaster, they rarely felt exhaustion. Even if they didn''t eat or sleep for an entire month, their bodies would remain unaffected. "Yosshhh¡­" Nita eximed cheerfully, taking a deep breath. With a graceful and confident motion, she pushed herself off the ground in a single, fluid movement. The motion resembled a small dance¡ªelegant yet simple. "Shall we head back?" she asked, ncing at Elen, her words carrying a warmth despite their brevity. "Let''s go!" Elen replied enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling. Though her body was strong as a Grandmaster, her thoughts remained tethered to her home. She knew her mother was waiting for her there, and that alone made her steps feel lighter. Discover stories at empire Without saying much else, Nita and Elen grabbed their Vortex tes. With one smooth motion, they leapt onto the devices. In an instant, the sound of rushing wind apanied them as they soared far into the distance, vanishing into the darkness of the night. Just like that, everyone continued their exploration of the vastnds spanning 100 realms that Lein had unveiled. Even though it was already night, the brightness of the stars and celestial objects illuminated the activities that continued as usual. However, most ordinary people had returned to their homes to rest. Night had fallen, but the glittering light of the stars and celestial objects was bright enough to illuminate the bustling activities across the City in the Divine Sky Realm. The atmosphere remained lively, even though most of the inhabitants had chosen to retreat to their homes, enjoying rest after a long day. Still, some continued their routines as usual¡ªHunters and rulers pursuing power. *** City of Life ¨C Town Hall Inside the grand town hall, Lein and Nita were enjoying dinner together. They sat across from each other at a long table filled with an array of delicious dishes. The atmosphere was warm, despite the deep conversation they were having. "Brother, thank you so much," Nita said gratefully, looking at Lein with a sincere smile. She began to talk about the extraordinary talent, Cosmic Gambler S, that she had acquired after using dozens of talent crystals. "I really didn''t expect to get this." Lein simply nodded while continuing his meal, then responded casually, "No need to thank me. If not for you, then who else would I give this to?" After a moment, Lein looked up from his te and asked, "By the way, what do you think is the best way to manage this realm?" Nita paused for a moment, staring at her te as she thought. The question seemed to touch on something that had been on her mind for a long time, but the current situation was vastly different from before. The world had changed¡ªalliances had dwindled as some chose to move to other realms, following their core crystals. The Divine Sky Realm was now fused with the Cosmos, and Lein had been chosen as the Guardian, a position that changed everything. "Brother, I think an imperial system would work well for us," Nita finally answered, her voice steady yet full of consideration. Lein gazed at her attentively, pausing mid-scoop. "An empire, huh?" he murmured softly. Given Lein''s position as the Guardian and his immense power, Nita thought that making Lein an emperor wasn''t such a crazy idea. "You can do it, Brother," she added confidently. Lein nodded slightly. "I''ve thought about that too," he said before giving a faint smile. "But I don''t want to be an emperor. Would you want to be one?" he asked, looking at Nita seriously. Nita''s eyes widened in surprise. "Me? An emperor?" she eximed incredulously. "Yes, why not?" Lein replied, as if the answer was the simplest thing in the world. "Why don''t you want to be an emperor?" Nita asked back, now curious. In her mind, Lein wouldn''t need to trouble himself with managing everything. Even as a mere symbol, Lein''s presence alone would be enough to inspire everyone. The imperial administrators could handle the rest. "For what?" Lein replied tly. "It''s pointless for me." Lein''s exnation sounded simple but was full of meaning. To him, bing a king or emperor didn''t provide any additional benefits from the system. As a Guardian, he already held the title and received buffs that were far more advantageous. *** Nita shook her head slowly, looking at Lein with a serious expression. "No, you must be the ultimate leader, Brother. Don''t hide," she said firmly. Lein gazed at her in silence, as if considering her words. "At the very least, you should be an absolute ruler known to everyone," Nita continued. "That way, the people of the Divine Sky Realm will feel more at ease. They need a clear figure of leadership to dispel their unease." "Alright, I''ll think about it again," Lein replied casually, leaning back in his chair. His eyes met Nita''s calmly, showing he wasn''t in a rush to make a significant decision. "Perhaps within the next week, we''ll make another major change. Inform the core members to prepare for an internal meeting," he added with a tone that was firm yet rxed. "Understood, Brother!" Nita replied enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling. She felt thrilled to contribute even more to Lein''s grand ns. They continued their dinner in a lighter atmosphere, chatting asionally before finally parting ways to rest. The next day, the Divine Sky Realm buzzed with activity from the early morning. Social media and television programs were filled with news of the major changes happening across the realm. Chapter 317 Enhanced Monster Drop Rewards The first change that drew attention was Lein''s order to relocate all the inds in the Divine Sky Realm to the outskirts of the "100 Realms Land." This name was given because thend was so vast¡ªequivalent to the size of one hundredbined realms. The inds, bothrge and small, began moving slowly, like giant ships gliding through the ocean, heading toward the outer boundaries of this newnd. Lein''s ind, however, remained in the center of the Divine Sky Realm, standing majestically like a lighthouse in the sea. This ind became a symbol of Lein''s absolute power, reminding everyone that he was the supreme leader who united them. No one dared to oppose this rule. Everyoneplied without resistance, including other human alliances. Even those who initially seemed reluctant eventually submitted to Lein''s undeniable strength and authority. The second change implemented was the requirement for all national alliances to register their poption. Lein nned to rebuild a system of governance resembling Earth''s culture, a step he believed was crucial to preserving human identity. The third change announced was the opening of the 100 Realms Land for free exploration over the next seven days. This announcement immediately attracted the attention of many, from adventurers to treasure hunters. These three major announcements were delivered by Nita on one of the most prominent social media tforms and television stations. Her position represented Lein as the leader of the World Market Trade alliance. Everyone followed the announcements without resistance. On the coastal outskirts, a tense scene was unfolding. A three-meter-tall turtle monster stood firmly, its steel-like skin reflecting the sunlight, showcasing its formidable strength. Ten people surrounded it, their weapons poised to unleash another round of attacks. Sweat dripped from their faces, reflecting their relentless efforts that had yet to seed. "Come on, attack again!" shouted a man wielding a ck sword, his voice echoing over the crashing waves. The man stepped forward, his sword glowing with a dark aura. With a swift motion, he swung his weapon toward the turtle''s neck, attempting to pierce the hardenedyer that protected the creature. At the same time, a woman in the back row stretched out her hand, ck lightning dancing around her fingers before shooting forward, striking the turtle''s body. "Come on, just a little more!" she shouted, her eyes sparkling with determination. Attack after attack continued to strike the turtle. Each time its skin cracked, the sound of shattering metal rang out, spurring the attackers'' spirits. After what felt like hours, the monster finally copsed onto the sand, its final breath leaving a low rumble in its wake. A notification appeared in front of all their eyes: Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire [Congrattions, you have sessfully killed the Iron Turtle]... [Congrattions, you have sessfully killed the Iron Turtle]... "Check what dropped!" shouted one of them, his voice full of curiosity and hope. A man walked toward the massive corpse lying on the sand. His steps were confident, though hispanions'' eyes remained on him warily. When his gaze fell on a glowing object near the turtle''s body, his breath caught. "A golden chest!" he eximed, his voice rising with excitement, causing everyone nearby to freeze for a moment. "A golden chest!" the man shouted again. The shout triggered chaos. The other adventurers immediately sprinted toward the man, their steps hurried, sand flying beneath their feet. "Amazing, a golden chest appeared! This is the first time I''ve seen one in person," shouted a man with sparkling eyes, his voice echoing with excitement. "True, the drop rewards from monsters on thisnd are much betterpared to the ones on the Floating Ind," replied another while nodding in agreement. They all seemed to share the same opinion, their expressions mixed with joy and awe. Since the unification of the cosmos, the drop rates from monsters on the Floating Ind had drastically decreased. Level 20 monsters now rarely yielded satisfying rewards, making discoveries like the golden chest an extremely rare and valuable event. On the other side of the now-dead turtle''s body, a man bent down and picked something up from the sand. His face immediately lit up when he realized what he had found. "Look! There''s a portal blueprint here too!" he shouted excitedly, his voice even louder than the man who had discovered the golden chest earlier. "What? A portal blueprint?" One of them immediately stood up, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Where? Let me see it!" shouted another, rushing toward the man. When the man revealed the blueprint, the crowd immediately shifted direction, abandoning the golden chest. They surged like turbulent waves, pushing and shoving their way toward the man holding the blueprint. An old man with firm steps pushed through the crowd, snatching the blueprint from the man''s hands without hesitation. "Damn, this is really a portal blueprint¡­ and a high-level one!" he muttered in a raspy voice, his eyes shining with greed. He gazed at the blueprint like a collector who had just discovered the most valuable treasure of his life. The old man lifted his gaze, observing his team still standing around the turtle''s corpse. "Everyone, clean up this corpse immediately. We''re moving to another location for the next hunt!" he ordered firmly. No one dared to disobey; they quickly moved to carry out hismand. It was clear that he was the leader of the ten-person group, his aura radiating an undeniable authority. Several people swiftly began skinning the turtle''s thick hide, while others extracted body parts such as its shell and meat. The sunlight reflecting off the des of their knives and tools created shes of light across the sandy beach. Extracting monster corpses had be a recent trend. The Hunter Association announced that they would buy any monster materials brought to them, no matter how much, at fair prices. Thanks to this trend, many lower-ranked hunters were able to make a living just by extracting and collecting materials from monster corpses. Situations simr to what the hunting group experienced were happening elsewhere. Across various locations on the vast newnd created by Lein, simr scenes unfolded. All the monsters on the divinend dropped valuable materials that enticed hunters. This was a stark contrast to the materials typically found on the Floating Ind, which had be increasingly unappealing. Chapter 318 Welcoming the New Core Member Nearly all hunters from different regions began relocating to the newnd to hunt. The portals previously built by Nita and Elen had beenpleted, providing easy ess for anyone who wished to reach thend. With such convenient ess, the newnd became the main destination for hunters looking to gain massive profits. *** The main hall of the alliance building was already upied by several people. In the main hall of the World Market Trade Alliance building, the atmosphere felt both grand and solemn. The vast room was filled with people seated neatly, waiting for the official event to begin. At the front of the hall, there was arge stage with 14 chairs arranged in a row. Twelve of the chairs were ced on either side of the stage, six on the left and six on the right, each with a simple yet elegant design. However, the two chairs in the center of the stage drew the most attention. These two chairs had a more striking design, specially reserved for Lein and Nita, the supreme leaders of the Alliance. In front of the stage, a sea of alliance members had gathered, with more than 10,000 people standing in orderly lines. They all wore clean white uniforms, creating a formal and organized atmosphere. Every gaze was directed forward, waiting with anticipation. Whispers began to echo among the alliance members. "I heard we''ll be weing new core members," said a man, his voice nearly drowned out by the low hum of chatter. "Yes, if I''m not mistaken, their names are Joy and Grace," his friend replied. "What? Grace? The owner of that famous manufacturingpany? She''s not only wealthy but also incredibly strong, isn''t she?" his voice carried a tone of surprise. Discussions about the two names quickly became the center of attention. Everyone knew Grace and Joy''s reputations, especially Grace, who was recognized not only for her wealth and influence but also for her extraordinary strength. "Well, no wonder. Both of them are from Star Academy," someone added. "Even so, it''s their talent that makes them stand out so much," anothermented, making the conversation even livelier. Rumors about the new core members had been circting for a while, but only today would they be officially introduced. Excitement among the alliance members reached its peak. The discussions suddenly ceased when the sound of light footsteps approached the stage. All heads turned toward the source of the sound, watching a little girl carefully walking toward the stage. She wore a pink dress adorned with small ribbons, while in her hands she clutched arge stuffed horse, nearly half her size. The girl was none other than Elen, known to many as "Princess Elen." "Let''s give a warm wee to Princess Elen¡­ apuse, please!" the moderator''s voice boomed, inviting everyone to wee the little girl. The hall was immediately filled with thunderous apuse as Elen nervously walked to the front of the stage. Herrge eyes nced at the crowd, and her face flushed red under the weight of so much attention. "Princess Elen¡­ as always, she''s so cute," whispered a male student in the back row, his eyes fixed on Elen''s figure. "Watch your words, she might hear you!" his friend warned seriously, shooting him a sharp look. However,ments like that were not umon. Elen seemed to have many admirers among the alliance members, not only from the male students but also from the female students who gazed at her with sparkling eyes. At the front of the stage, Elen had reached her seat. With a calm motion, she sat down, folded her hands on herp, and let her mind wander. Her eyes swept across the entire hall, scanning the rows of students seated neatly before her. No one escaped her gaze. "That person is staring at me," Elen muttered softly, observing one of the male students whose eyes were glued to her. "They''re not as scary as I expected," she continued, this time a little more confidently. All her life, Elen had always felt awkward looking at other people''s faces, especially in arge crowd like this. However, ever since she became a Grandmaster, that feeling of shyness had gradually faded. Even if just a little, courage had begun to grow within her. A loud voice calling her name startled Elen from her daydream. She turned and saw a young woman dressed formally walking casually toward her. "Elen, you''re so quick," the woman called out cheerfully. Hana approached and immediately sat in the seat next to Elen. Without hesitation, she hugged Elen tightly, as if trying to pour out all her affection. "Elen¡­ you smell so nice," Hana said softly, her face nearly buried in Elen''s shoulder. Her embrace was so tight that Elen struggled to breathe. "Sister Hana, I¡­ can''t breathe," Elen said in a broken voice, trying to inhale fresh air. "Ahaha¡­ sorry, sorry," Hana chuckled as she loosened her hug. She looked at Elen with a wide smile. "It''s just¡­ you''re too adorable," she said, pinching Elen''s cheeks fondly. "Let''s give a warm wee to Princess Hana¡­ apuse, please!" The moderator''s voice echoed through the hall, inviting enthusiastic apuse from the students. Many of them knew Hana well. She was one of the most active core members, famous for her dedication to the tasks assigned by Lein. "Princess Hana, as always, she''s so charming,"mented a male student, his eyes sparkling. However, his overly obvious admiration made his friends stifle theirughter, hiding their amused smiles. Stay tuned to empire "Ugh¡­" The male student who had just praised Hana suddenly grabbed his neck. His face turned pale, and his breathing becamebored. "Help¡­ I can''t breathe," he said hoarsely, his body trembling and nearly copsing to the floor. His hands reached out into the air, trying to find something to hold onto. "This is your first and final warning," a cold voice echoed in his mind. He recognized the voice¡ªit was Hana''s. The piercing pain in his head made it impossible to think clearly. "I''m sorry, Princess¡­ I won''t think bad thoughts about you again," he repeated over and over, fear etched across his face. Momentster, the pain slowly faded, but his body continued to tremble. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 319 Grace and Joy Arrive "Glen, you almost left us before your time, huh!" teased one of his friends, chuckling as he patted Glen on the shoulder. "Remember, core members are not ordinary people. They''re far scarier than we can imagine," another friend added seriously. The small discussion carried on among them. Many students, especially those who rarely encountered core members, had begun to forget their extraordinary power. Some assumed they were merely lucky to be chosen by Lein. However, the recent incident served as a stark reminder that their assumptions were gravely mistaken. Time continued to pass. One by one, the core members arrived at the hall, walking to their seats on the stage. Each arrival was greeted with warm apuse from the students. They sat casually, but their aura radiated an undeniable authority. *** On the bustling city streets, arge ck car cruised steadily, nked by several escort vehicles maintaining a disciplined formation. The car''s engine purred softly, yet its presence drew attention. Everyone who saw the convoy instinctively moved aside, making way with evident respect. Inside the car, a woman in formal attire sat in the front seat, right next to the driver. Her demeanor was calm, but every movement exuded strong professionalism. She nced briefly at her watch before turning to look behind her. "Mr. Joy, Miss Grace, we''ll arrive in three minutes," she said in a t yet confident tone. In the back seat, two teenagers dressed in the distinctive uniforms of Star Academy sat upright. Their uniforms were navy blue with silver emblems signifying their prestigious status. Their faces reflected pride, though there was a hint of tension they couldn''t quite hide. "Thank you, ma''am," Joy and Grace replied almost simultaneously, their tone polite yet slightly awkward. Stay tuned with empire Although the woman in front of them was merely an assistant, something about her made them hesitant to act casually. Her strong aura suggested she could handle both of them effortlessly if needed. Joy and Grace exchanged nces, realizing that while their talents promised a bright future, they were still far from her level.N?v(el)B\\jnn "Joy, do you think Master Lein wille?" Grace asked suddenly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Joy raised an eyebrow, pondering for a moment before answering. "I have a feeling Master Lein will definitely show up." "What makes you think so?" Grace pressed, tilting her head inquisitively. Joy leaned back against his seat and smiled casually. "Well, there''s no specific reason. It''s just¡­" He continued confidently, "there''s no longer any threat, so Master Lein might have more free time now." Grace nodded slowly, trying to digest the simple analysis. Over the past few months, their induction as core alliance members had been dyed due to significant external threats. But now, with those threats gone, there was no reason for Lein to keep postponing the ceremony. "That sounds reasonable," Grace murmured, though doubt lingered on her face. "But I think Master Lein is too lofty. It''s hard to imagine him caring about something trivial like this." Though her words sounded pessimistic, there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Grace recalled the moment she saw Lein in person, defeating the final assault in a duel with Joy. At that moment, she realized he was far stronger than she could ever imagine. Joy smirked slightly, noticing the change in Grace''s expression. "No need to worry. Soon enough, we''ll know the answer." The car passed through the alliance building''s main gate. Security at the gate was tight, with armed soldiers and magical formations enveloping the area. When the woman in the front presented an identification card, a glowing portal appeared, allowing them to enter without issue. Inside the allianceplex, the car made several turns, passing through heavily guarded corridors before finally stopping in front of the main hall. The hall was grand, with architecture blending luxury and strength. Massive pirs stood tall along the walls, adorned with intricate carvings of the alliance''s symbols. Around the hall, many people had already gathered. Most wore alliance uniforms that reflected their status, while others were dressed in formal attire. The sounds of conversations and footsteps created a lively atmosphere in the spacious room. The woman in the front seat turned to face the back, her expression still calm. "We''ve arrived. Please follow me." The female assistant stepped out of the car first, then turned toward Grace and Joy, who were now standing beside the vehicle. Her expression remained calm, but her aura exuded authority. "Follow me," she said briefly but with confidence. "Yes, ma''am," Grace and Joy replied in unison, their tone respectful. Without wasting any time, they walked behind the woman toward the entrance of the main hall. Along the way, they passed several uniformed guards standing by the doors. Each time a guard prepared to inspect them, the woman calmly presented her identification card. The card shimmered briefly, and with a respectful nod, the guards allowed them to pass without issue. As they entered the main hall, Grace couldn''t contain her amazement. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up, admiring the intricate ornaments adorning the hall''s ceiling. Elegant, bright lights hung above, casting a glow over every corner of the room. The floor gleamed, reflecting the grandeur of the hall, while several assistant robots glided smoothly, attending to guests in need of assistance. "It''s so beautiful¡­" she murmured unconsciously. Joy, walking beside her, took in the surroundings with equal awe. A small smile curved on his lips. "We''re truly lucky to have been chosen by Master Lein," he said with a tone of reverence. They had seen this hall before on television and in news reports, but witnessing it in person was an entirely different experience. A sense of insignificance slowly crept into their hearts. They felt small amidst the grandeur, as if there was little they could truly be proud of apart from their S-level talents. Yes, Lein had chosen them both because of their rare gifts. It was during a visit to the Star Academy Alliance that Lein encountered them while Grace and Joy were engaged in a friendly match. The match ended in a draw, but only because Lein had intervened to stop them. Chapter 320 The Inauguration Ceremony Grace possessed an SS-level talent known as the umtor. This ability allowed her to absorb and store vast amounts of energy, enabling explosive power during battles. Meanwhile, Joy had an S-level talent called the Blood King. This ability granted him control over blood, both his own and his opponents'', making him a formidable adversary. The assistant stopped in front of arge door made of gleaming metal, adorned with the Alliance''s emblem etched into its surface¡ªa symbol of strength and majesty. The door appeared solid, yet light radiated from its edges. Inside, the muffled hum of conversations hinted that the room was already packed. "We''ve arrived. Please go in," the woman said, her voice calm but firm. Grace and Joy exchanged nces before bowing slightly toward the woman. "Thank you, ma''am," they said in unison. Taking a deep breath topose themselves, they pushed open the massive door and stepped inside, deliberately keeping their steps casual despite the tension they felt.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The woman remained in ce for a moment, observing therge door as it closed behind them. "Good luck," she murmured softly, her eyes filled with hope. She raised her hand briefly, grasping at the air as if offering one final gesture of support for them. Shortly after, she lowered her gaze and opened her status panel. A holographic interface appeared before her, and her fingers deftly searched for something. [System Chat Messages: Private] - (Kunti) Reporting to Master Lein, Miss Grace and Mr. Joy have entered the room. The message was sent in a matter of seconds. Not even three secondster, the faint yet distinct sound of a portal crackling in the air echoed softly. The woman, initially focused on the panel in her hand, immediately lifted her head. Standing before her now was a young man in a neatly tailored blue robe. His gaze was calm, yet it carried a depth that was hard to describe. A faint smile graced his face, bncing the powerful aura of authority that surrounded him. It wasn''t an aura forced upon others, but one that arose naturally from his presence¡ªa blend of strength and sincerity. "Thank you," Lein said in a soft yetmanding tone. His eyes reflected genuine gratitude as he gave her a slight nod before turning away. His steps were light, but each carried an unshakable confidence, leaving the woman to simply watch him with deep respect. The woman offered a small smile and bowed her head slightly in response. At first, she often felt awkward receiving words of gratitude from Lein. Not because she didn''t appreciate it, but because, in her view, a leader like Lein didn''t need to be so kind. Over time, however, she had learned that rejecting his gratitude would only be disregarded. Eventually, she chose to ept his thanks wholeheartedly, feeling fortunate to work under a leader like him¡ªa leader known for his kindness toward subordinates, far different from the image of most powerful leaders who often cared only for themselves. "Well, I''ve gained two new pawns," Lein murmured as he gazed at the inauguration door ahead. His expression softened slightly, as if smiling to himself, before he stepped into the room. Inside the hall, the sound of apuse roared, echoing endlessly. Grace and Joy stood in the center of the grand stage, waving to the audience that filled the main hall. Spotlights illuminated them, casting elegant shadows on the floor. In the front row, their families could be seen waving enthusiastically. "Brother Joy¡­ you''re amazing!" a young boy shouted with overflowing excitement, jumping up and down as he waved his hand toward Joy. Behind him, several other family members joined in, cheering continuously. Pride was evident on their faces. On the other side, Grace''s family offered simr support. Some members shouted their congrattions, while others waved energetically. Grace''s face, initially tense, gradually softened as she saw them. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she held back, not wanting to show too much emotion. "Mr. Joy and Miss Grace, please proceed to your seats," the moderator''s voice echoed, drawing their attention away from the apuse and greetings. Grace and Joy exchanged nces, then gave each other a small nod before turning toward the row of seats prepared for them. Stay tuned for updates on empire The row consisted of 12 seats, all upied except for two on the left and one in the center. The central seat stood out the most, clearly designated for Lein, who had yet to take his ce. Grace and Joy walked toward their seats with steady steps, striving to remainposed even as their hearts raced faster than usual. As they passed by the seats of the core members, Grace took a moment to greet a few of them. "Hello, Princess Nita," she said with a polite smile. "Hello, Mr. Bagus," she added as she passed the next seat. Joy followed suit, offering greetings to each member they passed. The core members returned their salutations with nods or brief smiles, disying a friendly yet formal demeanor. There was no awkwardness between them; the core members understood that the two youths would soon join them as part of the elite group. "They''re the same age as us," Nita murmured, sitting in one of the seats on the right side of the stage. She turned toward Laras, who sat beside her in an elegant long white gown. "Yes," Laras replied, her voice soft but filled with curiosity. "I wonder what their talents are that Brother Lein chose them?" Her eyes narrowed slightly, observing Grace and Joy''s movements with keen interest. There was a natural sense of curiosity, but also a deep respect for Lein''s decision. "Of course, they must be wielders with S-rank talents," Nita answered with a tone of certainty. Her gaze lifted slightly, as if envisioning the greatness the two youths would showcase in the future. "Impressive¡­" Laras nodded slowly, her eyes gleaming with restrained curiosity. "By the way, do you think Brother Lein wille?" she asked as she shifted slightly, turning to look directly at Nita. Chapter 321 Lein speech Nita was about to respond, but the loud voice of the moderator suddenly filled the room. "Please give a warm wee to Guardia, Mr. Lein!" he announced with a clear andmanding tone, ensuring everyone in the room could hear him clearly. For a moment, the room fell silent, then a thunderous apuse and cheers erupted. All the attendees simultaneously turned toward the grand doors. Lein entered the room with a rxed stride, his charismatic aura captivating every eye in the room. He gave a slight nod as a gesture of respect, walking past the rows of guests toward his seat at the center of the hall. "Mr. Lein!" "Wow, incredible! Mr. Lein!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Cheers upon cheers echoed throughout the room, a testament to how much Lein was idolized by everyone present. In the hearts of all attendees, he was a perfect figure¡ªa strong leader, wealthy, handsome, and unshakable. It was no wonder his presence alwaysmanded attention. "Brother... wee," Nita said as she stood to greet Lein, then respectfully invited him to sit in the main chair. "Thank you," Lein replied briefly, apanied by a warm smile and a small nod full of authority. He then turned to the attendees, addressing all the core members with a voice that was gentle yet firm. "To everyone present here, thank you foring." All the core members who heard his greeting immediately stood up from their seats. Grace and Joy, though slightly nervous, followed suit. They bowed respectfully toward Lein along with the other core members and responded in unison. "Wee, Guardian!" "Wee, Guardian!" Lein raised his hand slowly, signaling them to stop. Calmly, he sat in his chair, his gaze sweeping across the room, ensuring everything was proceeding as nned. "Alright," the moderator''s voice broke the silence after Lein sat down. "Thank you to everyone who hase to this joyous event." The moderator smiled broadly, his voice brimming with enthusiasm as he continued, "On this happy asion, we will wee new core members of our proud alliance. But before that, let us enjoy a traditional dance performance." After the moderator''s final words, a group of dancers gracefully entered the room. Their movements were smooth and rhythmic, each step and wave of their hands bringing the atmosphere to life. Traditional music began to y, immersing the attendees in a captivating cultural harmony. Some guests were mesmerized, while others pped along to the rhythm. Everyone seemed very excited, dressed in beautiful and colorful traditional Indonesian attire. Glittering songket fabrics, intricately patterned batik, and elegant kebaya outfits adorned the scene. The attendees pped enthusiastically, adding to the festive atmosphere. Like formal events on Earth, this one unfolded in an orderly yet spirited manner. Performance after performance filled the stage, each with its unique charm. There were graceful regional dances apanied by traditional music, melodious songs that resonated through the hall, and even a brief academic session sharing insights. All of this created a rich and inspiring atmosphere, leaving the guests entertained and enlightened. Lein, seated in the center of the room, appeared to savor every moment of the event. As someone very busy on Earth, his time was almost always consumed by work, making rxing moments like this rare. He observed the dancers'' movements, listened attentively to the songs, and even asionally smiled faintly. During the opening event, Lein allowed himself to fully immerse in the warm and festive ambiance. Continue your adventure with empire After about thirty minutes, the moderator returned to the stage, taking control of the event. With a clear and energetic voice, he spoke, "Alright, esteemed guests. We will now move on to the main event of the evening¡ªthe inauguration of two new core members of our alliance. But before that, let us hear a weing speech from the Guardian himself, Mr. Lein." The moderator''s closing remarks were met with enthusiastic apuse. The room buzzed with warm excitement, showcasing the attendees'' eagerness. All eyes were on Lein, who slowly rose from his seat. They eagerly awaited the speech from the young man they admired. Lein stood calmly, adjusting a small crease on his robe before stepping toward the podium in the center of the stage. In his heart, there was a hint of nervousness. This was his first time delivering a speech in front of such arge audience. Yet, no one could detect that feeling. In their eyes, Lein was the perfect leader¡ªwith a wless charismatic aura, confident strides, and eyes that radiated authority. Every movement of his seemed graceful, as if he had done this a thousand times before. Upon reaching the podium, Lein stood tall, as though his very presence exuded an aura of calm and authority. His gaze gently swept over the audience before he began his speech. "Everyone, I thank you for being here," Lein said in a calm yet firm tone. After a brief pause, he continued, "I am truly delighted to see all of you remain loyal and part of the Divine Sky Realm." Lein''s words reminded everyone of the historic moment when the cosmos united. At that time, each individual had the significant opportunity to choose a new realm through the core crystal. The process was simple¡ªone only needed to ept the realm''s offer, and they would be instantly transported. Lein, though a Guardian, never sought to interfere with their choices. He understood that this decision was a natural way to filter those who truly felt a sense of belonging to the Divine Sky Realm. "I deeply hope that peace will continue to fill the Divine Sky Realm. You all are the future of this realm; keep growing..." Lein''s voice was filled with sincerity as he expressed his hopes to everyone present¡ªyoung and old, men and women alike. As a Guardian, Lein''s primary duty was not to guide them through every small step of life. He would not dictate how they walked, lived, or survived. His task was to ensure this realm remained peaceful, free from external threats that could destabilize it. "The World Market Trade Alliance has grown rapidly since its inception. Chapter 322 Joy enters the dream bubble I am confident that more talented individuals will emerge and be part of this alliance. That is why this inauguration is being held," Lein continued, steering his speech toward the main event. Lein revealed that he had personally chosen Joy and Grace to be core members. This decision was part of his vision to build a strongwork with many talented individuals. Although his position as Guardian now granted him absolute power, he remainedmitted to his mission of strengthening the World Market Trade Alliance. He nned to establish twelve core members as the pirs safeguarding the Divine Sky Realm. "Thank you, everyone. May you always be blessed by the Goddess of Blessings," Lein concluded his speech with a hopeful smile. A wave of apuse immediately filled the room. The speech not only touched hearts but also made the attendees realize something important. Lein''s message was clear: they could not rely entirely on him. Each individual had to grow and be strong to survive in this world. "Thank you, Mr. Lein, for such a heartfelt speech!" the moderator eximed enthusiastically. He gave a brief bow of respect before continuing, "Alright, we will now proceed to the main event, the inauguration of the new core members of the World Market Trade Alliance!" The moderator then introduced the figure who would lead the inauguration. "This event will be led by Princess Nita," he said excitedly, inviting Nita to take the stage. Nita had been prepared from the start. She rose gracefully from her seat and walked toward the center of the stage. Her presence exuded stunning confidence, momentarily silencing the entire room. "Princess Nita..." someone in the audience whispered. "So beautiful..." another murmured, unable to hide their admiration. A fewments from the attendees echoed throughout the hall. While they admired Lein as the ruler of the Divine Sky Realm, Nita, as Lein''s younger sister, held a special ce in their hearts. In this realm, Nita was the only family Lein had, making her an invaluable figure. With a genuine smile, Nita waved to the audience, responding to their enthusiasm. "Thank you, thank you..." she said in a soft voice that radiated joy. Her every movement exuded warmth, further enhancing thefortable atmosphere. "Alright, I ask everyone to settle down. We will now begin the event," Nita said. Her voice was calm but resonated throughout the hall,pelling everyone to stop their conversations. In an instant, the room fell silent. All attention was focused on the stage. Most of the attendees began ncing at Grace and Joy, who now sat with nervous expressions. They exchanged anxious looks, trying to calm each other.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Alright, let us begin," said Nita softly as she started the event. She looked directly at Grace and Joy, then added warmly, "Please..." Grace and Joy immediately stood from their seats. Their steps felt awkward as they walked toward the center of the stage, where Nita was waiting. The nervous expressions on their faces were unmistakable. "What''s wrong with me? I''ve never been this nervous before," Grace thought to herself. She noticed her trembling fingertips, with a fineyer of sweat beginning to coat her palms. Reflexively, her gaze shifted sideways, observing Joy, who appeared no better off than her. Joy was staring anxiously at the floor, his lips tightly shut. "Joy, are you alright?" Grace finally asked, trying to ensure his friend was okay. "Ah... yes, I''m fine," Joy replied, though his tone was uncertain. He looked at Grace briefly, then added, "It''s just... I feel like something is strange. It''s as if something has changed within me," He said while shaking his head slightly, confusion evident on his face. Unbeknownst to them, their steps had brought them into an invisible bubble surrounding the stage. The atmosphere subtly shifted, but neither Grace, Joy, nor anyone else in the vicinity noticed it. In the central seat on the stage, Lein sat calmly. A small smile graced his lips as he manipted the element of dreams to form invisible bubbles around Grace and Joy. The entire main hall was nowpletely enveloped in a massive dream bubble created by Lein. Lein carefully adjusted the bubble, ensuring that time outside the hall came to a halt. As Grace and Joy ventured deeper into the smaller bubbles, Lein separated them into two different spaces. ncing briefly toward the stage, he murmured with a curious tone, "Let''s see..." Inside one of the bubbles, Joy found herself standing atop a towering mountain peak. Strong winds whipped through his hair and clothing. HIs gaze turned forward, where a vast valley stretched below, adorned with a dense, mysterious forest. The surroundings were silent, with only the sound of the wind breaking the stillness. Far ahead, the blue sky stretched out in breathtaking beauty. Soft white clouds driftedzily, decorating the horizon like a living painting. The scene seemed to caress the soul of anyone who beheld it. "So beautiful..." Joy murmured, his eyes sparkling with awe. He was certain she had never seen a ce as magnificent as this before. The view was so extraordinary, it felt like it existed only in dreams. Suddenly, Joy felt a mild pain in his head. He massaged his temples, trying to recall something. "Wasn''t I at the inauguration ceremony?" he said, confused. His expression shifted, and his eyes began searching his surroundings for answers. "Where am I?" he whispered. He turned around, trying to gather more clues. However, as he turned, his gaze immediately locked onto the figure of a young man standing casually atop a flying sword. "Lord Lein?" Joy said in disbelief. He blinked several times as if to confirm what he was seeing. "Wasn''t I just in the inauguration hall?" he muttered again, now with a slightly cheerful tone upon recognizing the figure before him. Find more to read at empire "Yes, you are now in my dream," Lein replied calmly, making no effort to hide anything. "What?" Joy was startled, his voice echoing. "When did I enter your dream, Lord?" he asked again, his confusion evident on his face. Chapter 323 Entering Joys soul room Chapter 323 Entering Joy''s soul room "No need to be confused," Lein said in aposed tone, going straight to the point. "I just want to ask you a few things." "Alright, Lord, what is¡ª" Joy began to respond, but before she could finish, Lein''s dream energy began to envelop her. In an instant, Joy felt her body grow light, as if being pulled by something unseen. "Apologies, but I need to check your background for a moment," Lein said, still in his calm tone. The dream energy moved gently yet with absolute control. Joy soon fell into a deep sleep, though her mind and vital functions remained alert. Joy''s body floated in mid-air, appearing like an object under examination. Lein''s dream energy carefully supported her, much like a doctor about to perform surgery. Joy''s face looked peaceful in her slumber,pletely immersed in the dream Lein had created. "Let''s see," Lein murmured lightly. He focused his attention on Joy''s body, pratingyers of consciousness until he reached the deepest part of her heart. Within, Lein found a massive gate sealed shut, standing majestically in utter darkness. Lein was not surprised. He had encountered gates like this before. From his physical form, Lein separated a shadow of himself¡ªa translucent figure resembling a spirit that looked exactly like him. "Enter," Leinmanded the shadow. Without hesitation, the translucent figure stepped forward, slowly approaching the massive gate towering before it. Lein''s shadow stopped about 20 centimeters from the gate. It clenched its fist slowly, golden energy beginning to gather around it. Though the movement was deliberate, the aura radiating from it was immensely powerful, as if it could shake the very fabric of reality. "BOOM!" The sound of an explosion echoed, reverberating throughout the surroundings. The energy unleashed from the strike spread in all directions, causing the air around the gate to tremble violently. The impact felt like a tidal wave breaking the silence, touching every corner of the consciousness space. The massive gate began to creak, its rusty hinges producing a rumbling noise. Lein''s shadow pushed the gate open with both hands and stepped inside. As it passed through Joy''s gate of consciousness, Lein''s shadow found itself in a space resembling a deep ocean. However, this was no ordinary ocean. The gentle waves carried images of memories flickering in the distance, like ever-changing holographic projections. A memory appeared before Lein. Joy was seen walking toward the World Market Trade Alliance building with Grace. Her every step reflected on the gleaming marble floor until they entered the inauguration hall. Lein approached the memory calmly, his eyes examining every detail. Not far from that image, another memory appeared. This time, Joy was celebrating with her friends at a restaurant. Laughter and cheerful conversations filled the room as they talked excitedly about the uing inauguration. "Ah..." Lein murmured softly, as if recognizing a pattern in the fragments of memories. "The further I go, the older the events be," Lein thought, pondering. He realized that the deeper he delved into this space, the more ancient the information he might uncover. "By exploring further, I can see things even Joy herself might not be aware of," he added. Still, Lein remained cautious. "I hope this kid doesn''t have too dark or inhumane a past," he muttered. Lein knew that making someone like that a core member of the alliance could have severe consequences. Soon after, Lein''s shadow released his consciousness energy, spreading it in all directions. Memories began to surface, flowing into his mind. The real Lein, standing atop his flying sword in the dream realm, received this influx of information calmly. As he gazed at the valley below, he appreciated the beauty of his creation. The vast blue sky, the thin mist shrouding the mountain peaks, and the green valley stretching below resembled a living painting. "It would be wonderful if this were the real world," Lein murmured. This dream realm was his creation, a ce he retreated to when bored. The valley surrounded by towering mountains served as a delightful escape for him. However, his focus soon shifted. In one of Joy''s memories, he noticed something striking. Joy was involved in a physical altercation with one of her friends. The fight ended poorly, leaving her friend severely injured and requiring hospitalization. Lein observed the scene with a serious expression. "You put your friend in the hospital?" he asked in a t tone. Though calm, there was tension in his voice. Meanwhile, Lein''s shadow continued to explore the boundless space within Joy''s consciousness. Its speed and power allowed it toplete the exploration in mere seconds. Itbed through every corner of the memory space, ensuring no detail was overlooked. After finishing, Lein retracted his energy and carefully closed the massive gate. "Nothing suspicious. You pass," he said with a small smile. His tone was once again rxed. He then directed his energy to awaken Joy. The energy flowed like a gentle wave, gradually bringing Joy''s consciousness back. "Umm..." Joy groaned softly, her eyes slowly opening. She looked confused, like someone waking up from a long sleep. Her gaze swept around until itnded on Lein, who stood calmly, smiling at her. "Lord Lein?" Joy asked in a puzzled tone. There was confusion in her eyes but also respect and a hint of fear. Lein nodded slightly. "Rx, everything is fine," he said, offering reassurance with a tone full of confidence. "Congrattions, you''ve passed. Please drop your blood on this paper." Lein sent a white sheet of paper floating toward Joy. The paper hovered in the air, emitting a soft glow from the magical patterns shimmering on its surface. "What is this?" Joy thought, her eyes fixed on the paper. The strange, glimmering patterns seemed alive, dancing slowly under the light. She leaned in, trying to decipher the symbols. Before her thoughts wandered further, a notification from the system appeared, providing a clear description of the item. (Soul Paper) n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om An ancient soul paper crafted from mysterious materials, adorned with magical symbols that shimmer in the dim light. When touched, it feels warm, as if it channels the energy of the souls bound within. - Master: Lein - Bound: (unknown), (unknown), (unknown) - (Soul Contract): The bound soul will not and cannot harbor malicious intent toward the Master. Punishment: 99% status reduction and imprisonment in the soul prison. * Please drop your blood on the paper to agree. The bound soul limit is Master level & cannot exceed the Master''s soul. Chapter 324 Back to inauguration Chapter 324 Back to inauguration "Soul contract?" Joy''s body tensed. Goosebumps rose on her skin as she read the description. Something inside her whispered, warning her of the potential risks. She had never imagined that Lein, someone she had long admired from afar, would present something that sounded so absolute. "Unknown?" Her eyes lingered on the list of names marked as souls already bound to Lein. All were listed as "unknown," deepening the mystery and adding to her unease. Did this mean others were already tied to Lein before her? "Lord Lein, is this mandatory?" Joy finally mustered the courage to ask. She tried to steady her voice, though the pounding in her chest was loud in her ears. "Yes," Lein replied briefly, almost expressionless. He turned his gaze back to the stunning view of the valley surrounding them, as if the question were nothing more than a passing breeze. That single word¡ªyes¡ªfelt like a hammer striking down. Joy sensed there was no room for negotiation. Refusing meant rejecting the chance to be a core member of Lein''s alliance. Her mind raced, analyzing all possible oues. The system had rified that the contract only prohibited harboring ill intent toward Lein, not absolute obedience. Lein stood calmly, though his asional nces toward Joy conveyed an unspoken urgency. Time ticked on, and Lein felt he had waited long enough. He turned toward her, exerting subtle, invisible pressure, as if silently saying, Hurry up. Finally, with a pounding heart, Joy bit her fingertip until a drop of blood fell onto the paper. As her blood touched the surface, the patterns on the paper lit up brightly, moving wildly before eventually settling. A voice from the system echoed in her mind: [(Soul Paper): Sessfully connected with a new soul (Joy)] n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "It''s done, Lord Lein. It says it was sessful," Joy said, her voice trembling despite her efforts to remain calm. She looked at Lein with anticipation, worried there might be additional, harsher conditions. "Good¡­ good¡­" Lein smiled broadly, an expression he rarely showed. "I wee you." In his eyes, Joy was now a valuable subordinate, a talented individual with S-level potential who would strengthen his alliance. "Thank you, Lord Lein." Joy bowed deeply, trying to hide the wave of relief washing over her. However, she felt something different. Her body seemed lighter, as though a weight had been lifted. She looked at her hands, feeling a warmth emanating from within. Was this the effect of the soul contract? After waiting for a few minutes, Joy began to feel that something was wrong. Her gaze scanned the surrounding area, trying to find clues, until her eyesnded on Lein. In the distance, she saw Lein sitting casually, enjoying the breathtaking view of the towering mountains bathed in sunlight. Uncertainty started to creep into her thoughts. "Sir¡­ excuse me," Joy called softly, trying not to disturb the serene atmosphere around her. "What is it?" Lein replied briefly without even turning his head, still immersed in the beauty of the scenery before him. "What about the induction ceremony¡­?" Before Joy could finish her sentence, her body felt light. In an instant, she experienced a sudden shift, as if space and time had moved her without warning. She opened her eyes to find herself back in the induction room where she had been before. "This¡­ I''m back?" Joy muttered in confusion, her eyes darting around to take in her surroundings. Lein, who had been in the distance moments ago, was now sitting in front of her again, still in his rxed demeanor. But there was something odd¡ªJoy didn''t realize that the Lein in front of her was merely a clone. Elsewhere, on a beach illuminated by the soft light of the setting sun, the real Lein was examining Grace''s soul. "You''ve passed," Lein said casually to Grace, who stood before him with an expression full of anticipation. The girl looked at Lein with sparkling eyes, reflecting admiration and a happiness she could hardly contain. "Yes! Thank you, Lord Lein!" Grace said enthusiastically, her voice brimming with confidence. She loved the warm and secure feeling she experienced whenever she was near Lein. To her, it was an honor beyond measure. "Sign here." Lein handed Grace a soul paper, just as he had done with Joy earlier. The paper glowed softly under the light, emanating an undeniable magical aura. "What is this, Sir?" Grace asked curiously. She carefully read the description of the paper, then murmured softly, "A soul contract?" Her gaze shifted from the paper to Lein''s face, searching for answers. "Excuse me, Lord Lein. Did Joy and the other core members also sign this?" Grace asked cautiously, her tone respectful. "Yes," Lein answered sinctly, his eyes calm. There was no room for doubt in his voice. "Alright then, I''ll do it too," Grace said firmly. She no longer hesitated. If Joy and the others had done it, there was no reason for her to refuse. With unwavering resolve, she dropped a bead of her blood onto the paper. Instantly, a system notification appeared: Lein received the notification, and a small smile appeared on his face. "Alright, proceed with your induction," he said, waving his hand. In an instant, Grace was transported back to the induction stage, standing next to Joy, who had been waiting. Grace looked around, admiring the grandeur of the induction room adorned with glowing ornaments. She stood side by side with Joy. With a hint of curiosity, she nced at Joy, who seemed to be lost in thought. "Joy, did you experience the same thing earlier?" Grace asked, trying to confirm. "Yes," Joy replied briefly. Although still puzzled, she couldn''t hide the relief she felt after going through the process. "Alright, then there''s nothing to worry about," Grace said with a calm smile. She took a deep breath, trying to savor the induction process. A swelling sense of pride filled her chest¡ªbing part of the alliance led by Lein was a great honor. On the other side, Nita observed the interaction between Grace and Joy. She smiled faintly before speaking in a gentle tone, "You two, prepare yourselves." Her voice carried warmth and authority at the same time. Hearing Nita''smand, Grace and Joy immediately focused their attention on her. Nita stood gracefully, holding arge parchment containing the oath of the World Market Trade alliance members. With a loud voice, she began to read: "We are humans, and we will defend humanity forever with all our souls." "Repeat after me," Nitamanded, her voice firm yet understanding. She pointed at Joy to start first. "Yes, Princess." With a voice that trembled slightly but carried determination, Joy repeated the oath. Her words echoed throughout the room, enhancing the grandeur of the moment. Grace followed after, reciting the oath loudly. Her expression radiated unshakable spirit. When she finished, she looked at Nita with deep respect, feeling that she had truly be part of something far greater than herself. Chapter 325 Training Nita recited the oath of the alliance with a loud and confident voice, ensuring every word was etched into the minds of the new members. The oath was designed to instill love and responsibility towards the World Market Trade Alliance. Initially, this tradition did not exist, but as the alliance grew, some wise figures suggested the necessity of such a doctrine. They believed this oath was not merely a formality but a foundation for building true loyalty. While Nita delivered the oath with full conviction, she still kept her evaluations in mind. She pondered how much this tradition truly contributed to the alliance''s progress. If she saw great benefits, Lein''s opinion would undoubtedly be the final determinant before it became a permanent tradition. As the leader, Lein always had a far-sighted perspective, and his opinion was never disregarded. "Finished," Nita dered, her smile widening with joy as she gazed at Joy and Grace. Her voice echoed through the hall filled with attendees. "From today, you two are officially the 11th and 12th core members of the World Market Trade Alliance." There was a tone of pride in her voice, as if she was weing new hopes to strengthen the alliance. "Thank you, Princess," said Joy and Grace almost simultaneously. Their voices were filled with respect, yet they couldn''t hide the pride evident in their tones. They bowed their heads as a sign of respect, but their eyes sparkled with newfound enthusiasm. As Nita finished speaking, a thunderous apuse filled the room. The cheers of the attendees created an atmosphere of celebration that was hard to describe in words. Everyone felt proud and relieved, knowing that with the addition of new core members, the alliance''s strength and security grew even stronger. Each core member was known for their extraordinary abilities, pirs that ensured the alliance''s sustainability and safety. Gracefully, Nita stepped down from the center stage, concluding her part in the induction ceremony. Joy and Grace, their smiles barely concealed, followed her steps. Both were still feeling the euphoria, proud to have passed the tests and now officially part of the alliance''s core. "Let''s give them another round of apuse!" the moderator shouted loudly, adding to the lively atmosphere. The attendees responded with louder cheers and apuse, some even rising from their seats. The fact that the alliance''s core members now numbered twelve filled them with a pride that was hard to express. The name World Market Trade grew stronger, bing a symbol of power feared by many. The World Market Trade Alliance was more than just a name. It was a symbol of strength and authority, an entity that made anyone who heard it feel intimidated. With Lein as the leader¡ªa Guardian of Nature¡ªthis name became a real threat to their enemies and a beacon of hope for humanity. "Congrattions to Mr. Joy and Miss Grace¡­ may sess always apany you," the moderator continued, filling the time with words of congrattions and well wishes. He ensured the atmosphere remained under control and the event proceeded smoothly without interruption. Meanwhile, Lein, Nita, and the other core members had returned to their seats. They sat quietly, observing the ceremony that was still ongoing. Though the event was not yet over, there was a sense of relief on their faces, especially after the sessful induction. Far above a majestic mountain stood a small gazebo firmly rooted on lush green grass. Around it, the mountain breeze blew gently, carrying the natural aroma of leaves and wildflowers growing along the slopes. Inside the gazebo, a young man was engrossed in ying with transparent bubbles that floated slowly before him, glistening under the sunlight. Stay updated via empire "Like this..." Lein murmured, moving his hand as if sculpting the air. But he frowned, feeling dissatisfied with the result. "No, how about this?" he continued, trying to reshape the bubble with dream energy flowing from his body. Every time he created something¡ªa small mountain, arge rock, or even a fireball¡ªhe would pause to observe the result. His expression shifted constantly, sometimes smiling faintly with hope, sometimes sighing with furrowed brows. If unsatisfied, he would immediately erase the shape and start over, seeking the perfection he desired. The practice was not as easy as it seemed. Shaping realistic dreams proved to be much harder than he imagined. Lein felt like a painter struggling to create a masterpiece on canvas. He knew the more realistic and detailed the dream he created, the greater its power to influence enemies on the battlefield. Over the past few days, Lein had spent much time in his dream realm. It was his private space, the best result of dreams he had ever created. He chose this mountain for its beauty¡ªa garden full of colorful flowers, a valley towering in the distance, and a breathtaking sunrise view. These were things he had never enjoyed in his previous life on Earth. Back then, his days were spent in front of aputer screen, typing endless reports until his fingers felt stiff. The monotony of work made him feel exhausted and constrained. Now, within the bubble of his dream creation, Lein found freedom to create anything he desired, reflecting unfulfilled wishes.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Beautiful... truly beautiful," Lein murmured with a small smile, his eyes sparkling. He had just created a prototype of a mesmerizing beach. Its seawater shimmered with shades of blue and green, the breeze carried the fresh scent of sea salt. In the distance, coconut trees swayed in the wind, while the soft white sand stretched wide, adorned with footprints of small creatures wandering fearlessly. Sunlight beamed brightly, reflecting on the gently rippling waves. However, his gaze narrowed slightly as he noticed the unnatural curve of the waves. "The curve still looks odd," he muttered, examining the detail closely. His hand moved to make adjustments, but eventually, he nodded slightly. "It should suffice for now," he said, stretching his body. Lein felt his body grow weary after spending so much time on something that, for him,cked immediate practical value. He wasn''t sure how much his ability to create realistic dreams had improved. But for him, the journey was both practice and an escape from reality. He raised his hand, letting the bubbles he created slowly fade, as if swallowed by the air. "I''ll check the progress of the great tree''s growth," he said, shifting his focus to the life source tree he had been diligently nurturing. A few days ago, Lein left a nature crystal to be absorbed by the orb at the center of the resource tree. The absorption process took quite a while, so he decided to leave it for the time being and return a few dayster to check its progress. After saying so, Lein exited his dream bubble. At the moment, he was in the depths of a forest, walking leisurely under the canopy of towering trees while observing the activities of human hunters hunting monsters in the distance. The sound of crickets filled the forest''s stillness, their chirping echoing back and forth. Sunlight asionally pierced through the gaps in the leaves, creating shifting patterns of light on the ground. Lein intended to open a portal to head straight to the resource tree, but his movement halted when hurried footsteps and a scream for help came from another direction. "Help!" The loud scream sounded like it belonged to a woman. Lein immediately turned his gaze toward the sound and saw a woman staggering as she ran, her face filled with terror. Behind her, arge white tiger with prominent fangs was relentlessly chasing her. "No... I don''t want to die..." the woman cried out, clutching her blood-soaked arm tightly. Her bnce was unsteady, but she forced her body to keep running, as if her life depended on every step she took. From her attire, Lein could tell she was no ordinary person. Though her woolen clothing was torn in several ces, its quality indicated she came from a wealthy background. She also wore equipment that looked expensive, albeit now battered from the struggle. Lein squinted, watching the scene without expression. "Why does this always happen?" he muttered, recalling the stories he had read. In those tales, there was always someone inexplicably weak, running for their life, only to be saved by the main character. "Whatever," he thought to himself. "I''ll do what I want." Lein knew it was impossible to intervene in every human issue in the Divine Sky Realm. However, his mood was good after sessfully creating a satisfying dream image. Ultimately, he decided to help the woman. Drawing his sword, Lein leaped into the air, gliding among the tree branches. The wind whistled around him as he moved, his eyes fixed on the woman, who was now on the verge of copse. "Huff... Huff..." The woman''s breathing wasbored, as if her lungs could no longer function. Her body began to sway, nearly falling to the ground. Behind her, the white tiger leaped with immense power, smashing through any obstacles in its path. Its roar shook the air, sending shivers down anyone''s spine. "I''ll kill you in the next life... Emi!" the woman screamed, her eyes red with anger and fear. She had given up, abandoning her escape n and focusing her thoughts on the figure she had just called out to. Chapter 326 Help "Hello." Before the woman could close her eyes and resign herself to her fate, a sturdy arm suddenly caught her body gently. The touch felt strong, offering a sense of safety amidst her despair. At the same time, the white tiger''s roar echoed again, but this time it transformed into a final shriek that resonated in the air. After that, silence enveloped the forest. The woman tried to nce back to confirm what had happened, but her body waspletely drained of energy. Her vision blurred, and the overwhelming exhaustion left her no choice but to lean on the figure who had saved her. Her weak hands trembled slightly, but she allowed her body to be supported by arms that felt firm yet warm. "This woman..." Lein muttered softly, his eyes observing the pale face of the girl. His gaze reflected a hint of emotional fatigue, as if this wasn''t the first time he had found himself in such a situation.N?v(el)B\\jnn "Why are they always like this?" He sighed, letting his mind drift to memories of Elen, whom he had also saved in a simr condition from the threat of foreign creatures. Carefully, Lein lifted the woman and floated toward arge tree at the edge of the forest. His steps were steady, and his movements deliberate, as though afraid of causing the woman further harm. Upon reaching the tree, he gently set her down, leaning her against the sturdy trunk. Sunlight filtering through the leaves touched her face, bringing a faint warmth to her pale skin. Lein nced at the status panel that appeared before him. The translucent screen disyed a series of texts and numbers, providing brief information about the woman''s condition. [Status] - Name: Nima - Race: Blue Human - Power Core: System (Level 11) - Rank: Tier-1 Images of rulers who chose to reincarnate into other realms surfaced in his mind. "At least she''s more respectable than them," Lein thought as he closed the panel. He quickly opened hismunication panel and sent a brief message to someone he trusted to pick up the woman. It didn''t take long for a response to arrive, confirming they would be there in a few minutes. Lein shifted his gaze to the girl onest time. He let out a light sigh and tossed the golden sword hanging at his waist to her side. The sword transformed into a rusted ck de that would seem ordinary to anyone unaware of its uniqueness. "This is your luck," he said casually before opening a portal and stepping through, heading toward the Tree of Life. *** The spacious room, illuminated by sunlight, revealed fiverge orbs ced on a pentagonal pedestal. The orbs emitted a soft glow, radiating an alluring, transparent light. One of the orbs was directly connected to a nature crystal that pulsed faintly, like the heartbeat of life gradually seeping into the orb. The energy absorption process was still ongoing, filling the room with a magical aura. Suddenly, a teleportation rift appeared near the center of the room, creating a sh of blue light that briefly dazzled the surroundings. From the rift, Lein stepped out calmly. His long blue robe swayed gently, following the graceful movements of his body. He paused for a moment, surveying his surroundings with a cold yet vignt gaze. Lein''s attention immediately fell on the orb and the pentagonal pedestal connected to the nature crystal. He approached one of the pedestals, his steps unhurried yet steady. Seeing the significant amount of nature crystal remaining, his brows furrowed slightly. "Still so much?!" he said with a hint of frustration, reflecting his impatience. Lein extended his hand, touching the guardian panel on the crystal ball, and examined the energy absorption status. Lein stood before the Guardian panel, glowing softly with rainbow hues reflecting off the surrounding crystals. His eyes scanned the life branches disyed neatly. [Guardian Panel] - Life Branches: (Upgrade Branch), (Resource Branch), (Protection Branch), (Energy Quality Branch), (Luck Branch) - Nature Crystals: 78 "78 crystals," Lein muttered, observing the number. His voice was low, almost as if speaking to himself. He looked at the panel with a mix of satisfaction and curiosity. As Lein examined further, something caught his attention. A small plus-shaped icon appeared beside one of the branches, the Enhancement Branch. His eyes narrowed as he tried to discern the purpose of this new feature. "Seems like a new feature," he said quietly, then tapped the icon with his index finger. A notification window immediately popped up, disying a question: [You are about to enhance the branch (Enhancement Branch). Are you sure? Yes/No] Without hesitation, Lein selected Yes. The panel provided a brief confirmation: [Congrattions, enhancement sessful! The Enhancement Branch has been upgraded.] Lein stared at the screen, now disying the upgrade results. His eyes caught the additional information that appeared below the description: Find more to read at empire - Entry Ticket +1. "Entry ticket?" Lein repeated, his tone puzzled, a subtle frown forming on his face. "What does that mean?" He double-checked the panel, ensuring he hadn''t missed any details. Although he didn''t fully understand the meaning of the upgrade, he decided to observe the changes in the Enhancement Orb directly. Turning, Lein approached the orb connected to the Enhancement Branch. The orb emitted a bright green light with an upward arrow symbol that now appeared more prominent than before. [Branch : Enhancement] - Level: 2 - Entry Tickets: 11 - Bubble Realm Limit : Tier D Lein nodded slightly, noting that the previous level, which had been at Tier 1, had now increased. The number of entry tickets also rose from 10 to 11. "It seems there''s indeed an enhancement," he murmured, tilting his head slightly, trying to grasp the meaning of the term "Bubble Realm" that appeared in the description. "What is the Bubble Realm?" Lein thought, his eyes fixed on the orb. He had never heard of this term before. Even so, he spected that the entry tickets might be used to ess the realm. "But where is this realm located?" he muttered softly. During his time in the Divine Sky Realm, he had never encountered anything resembling a realm with such a name, except for his own dream bubble. "Could it be outside this realm?" he continued, his voice lowering as though speaking to himself. His brows furrowed, but he chose not to dwell too long in spection. Chapter 327 Upgrade Lein sighed, setting aside his thoughts about the Bubble Realm for the time being. He turned back to the Guardian panel. This time, he chose to upgrade another branch: the Resource Branch. His finger tapped the plus icon next to the branch''s name. Discover stories with empire [You are about to upgrade the branch (Resource Branch). Are you sure? Yes/No] Without hesitation, he selected Yes. Just like before, a notification appeared with a soft chime: [Congrattions, upgrade sessful! Resource Branch has been upgraded.] Lein waited for a moment, letting the panel load thetest information. After a few seconds, he read the upgrade details: - Spawn Rate +1K. "Hmm, an interesting upgrade," Lein thought. He turned again and walked toward the Resource Orb to confirm the changes. The Resource Orb emitted a bright blue glow, exuding a calming and peaceful aura. Thetest description of the branch was now disyed clearly: [Resource Branch] - Level: 2 - Spawn Rate: 11K/hour - Monster Level Cap: 30 - Chest Cap: Gold Chest - Monster Race Cap: Low-Tier Race Lein carefully read the information, noting the increased spawn rate, which had previously been at 10K/hour. "A higher spawn rate," he murmured, touching his chin. "This will significantly impact the flow of resources." Lein stood still for a moment, letting his mind process the new information. He understood that each upgrade to the branches of life was not just about numbers but also about the vast potential they could unlock in the future. "The next step is to delve deeper into the function of each branch," Lein thought, his eyes gleaming with determination. "And perhaps¡­ find that Bubble Realm." Indeed, the spawn rate had increased to 11K/hour. Lein observed the number with a slight frown. "It''s so little," he muttered, a hint ofint in his voice. He had upgraded two branches using nature crystals, but the results felt far from satisfying. Despite the upgrades, the benefits seemed disproportionate to the effort required. Gathering 78 nature crystals alone had taken Lein nearly two full days. The process was slow, and the results felt insignificant. "If this is the pace, upgrading all the branches will take forever," Lein thought as He gazed at the crystal orb before him. Yet, he knew thatining wouldn''t change anything. Lein took a deep breath before deciding to continue his experiments. He reopened the Guardian panel, his gaze immediately locking onto the next option: the Protection Branch. Without hesitation, Lein pressed the "plus" icon. As before, the confirmation panel appeared, offering a simple choice: [Are you sure you want to upgrade the branch (Protection Branch)? Yes/No] "Yes," he answered firmly. He waited in silence. Momentster, the familiar notification popped up, announcing the upgrade results. [Congrattions, upgrade sessful! (Protection Branch) has been upgraded.] - Defense Energy +10K. Lein turned to inspect the crystal orb representing the Protection Branch. Its figure resembled a softly glowing shield, radiating an aura of protection. A description panel appeared, disying the updated details. Defense energy now reached 110K, with an energy regeneration rate of 1K per second. [Protection Branch] - Level: 2 - Defense Energy: 110k - Energy Regeneration: 1000/second - Energy Reflection: 1k + 1% "As expected, the increase is minimal," Lein muttered in a t tone. Even so, he wasn''t disappointed. Slowly but surely, the upgrades would still prove useful. "No need to rush," he thought, calming himself. Lein returned to the Guardian panel toplete the upgrades on the two remaining branches: the Energy Quality Branch and the Luck Branch. He pressed the "plus" button for each option without hesitation. Notifications appeared almost simultaneously: [Congrattions, upgrade sessful! (Luck Branch) has been upgraded.] - Upgrade: Luck Energy +10. [Congrattions, upgrade sessful! (Energy Quality Branch) has been upgraded.] - Upgrade: Nature Energy +10. Lein paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the small numbers disyed on the screen. "Only ten? Seriously?" heined, his tone tinged with disbelief. He had expected modest results, but numbers this small were beyond his expectations. To confirm, Lein turned to examine the orbs of each branch. [Luck Branch] - Level: 2 - Luck Energy: 11,510 [Energy Quality Branch] - Level: 2 - Nature Energy: 1,010 - Talent Limit: Tier D The Luck Branch now had a total luck energy of 11,510, while the Energy Quality Branch disyed a nature energy value of 1,010. Lein noticed an intriguing detail in the description of the Energy Quality Branch: the talent cap was limited to Tier D. "What does this talent cap mean?" he asked himself. "What is this branch connected to? Could it be important to someone''s strength?" Questions swirled in his mind, but no answers emerged. As always, the mysteries of the Celestial Sky Realm seemed too vast toprehend quickly. "Take it easy, no need to rush," he thought, trying to ease his confusion. Finally, he decided to focus on something more tangible: resource power. Lein shifted his attention back to the Guardian panel. Of all the branches he had upgraded, the Resource Branch felt the most beneficial for now. In his view, the Celestial Sky Realm desperately needed a steady resource supply to support the development of lower-tier rulers.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Alright," Lein said with a determined tone. "Let''s upgrade it again." *** In an elegant hospital room, a young womany weakly on a bed, a white nket covering her body. The air in the room was quiet, broken only by the soft footsteps of a male doctor approaching the bed. Carefully, he ced a stethoscope on her chest, checking the rhythm of her heartbeat. "Your heartbeat is normal," the doctor said calmly as he removed the stethoscope. "You''ll recover in a few days." At the bedside, a young man stood with a face full of concern. His gaze never left the doctor. "How is she, Doc? Is my sister really going to be okay?" he asked in a soft yet hopeful voice. Across the room, a middle-aged woman sat clutching the feet of the woman lying down. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she murmured, "Nima, how did this happen to you?" Her voice was hoarse, filled with sadness. Seeing the family''s overwhelming worry, the doctor finished his analysis. He turned and looked at them with a small, reassuring smile. "Ma''am, there''s no need to worry. Your daughter is going to be fine," he said gently, his voice like a calming breeze in a storm of anxiety. The young man''s eyes brightened slightly, though he still sought assurance. "Doctor, who brought her here?" he asked again. The doctor nodded slowly before answering, "Captain Haze himself brought her. So, you don''t need to worry." At the mention of that name, everyone in the room fell silent for a moment. The young man was startled. "Captain Haze? You mean¡­ the tinum-tier captain?" he asked, his tone incredulous. "That''s correct," the doctor replied with a faint smile. "Captain Haze even personally came to see me, asking me to take care of your sister and ensure her full recovery. I''m honored." Their mother wiped her tears and nodded slowly. "Thank you, Doctor. Hearing this makes us feel much calmer." The doctor bowed politely and then said, "Well, I''ll take my leave. If anything happens, just call me." He left the room with measured steps, leaving the family to continue their conversation. Inside the room, silence enveloped the four remaining individuals: the young man, his mother, a little girl sitting quietly in the corner, and Nima, who remained weak on the bed. Chapter 328 Guardian panel duplication "Mother, Nima will be fine. You don''t need to worry too much," said the young man, trying to reassure his mother. However, the worry on the middle-aged woman''s face hadn''tpletely disappeared. "Yes, Son, I know. But she has never gone through something like this before," she replied softly, though the unease in her tone was still evident. The young man clenched his fists, guilt weighing heavily on his mind. "This is all my fault. If only I had gone with her when she went exploring, this wouldn''t have happened." He paused for a moment, recalling when Nima had asked him toe along, but he had declined because of an important task from his team. Upon hearing the news that his sister had an ident, he abandoned the mission without a second thought and rushed to the hospital. "It''s not your fault."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om A deep and calm voice suddenly came from behind the door. They both turned simultaneously, and a man in pristine white attire entered the room. On his chest gleamed a tinum badge, a symbol of honor and strength. The man stepped closer to the bed, his sharp yet caring eyes examining Nima''s condition. His face was kind, but a strong aura of leadership surrounded him. "You?" Nima''s mother and brother said almost in unison. They looked surprised but quickly exchanged nces, confirming they hadn''t mistaken the man''s identity. Their gazes fell on the badge on his chest, and it took only a moment to connect the dots. There was no doubt¡ªthe man standing before them was Captain Haze, a legendary figure revered throughout the nation. "Captain Haze," the young man said, his voice filled with excitement, respect clearly visible on his face. Haze, the man in white with the shining tinum badge on his chest, stood beside the hospital bed. His attentive gaze swept over Nima, the young woman lying weakly on the bed. His eyes scanned her from head to toe as if ensuring no injuries or symptoms were overlooked. His breathing was steady, but his movements showed a profound sense of caution. After finishing his examination, he turned to face the three anxious family members across the bed. "You don''t need to worry," Haze said in a calm yet confident tone. "She will be fine." As he spoke, Haze followed up with surprising information. "Her treatment will be fully covered by the alliance. Additionally, your family will receivepensation." The room fell silent for a moment. Nima''s brother, his brow furrowed in confusion, finally spoke, "Is that true, Captain? How is something like this even possible?" As far as he knew, the alliance never provided suchpensation, even in cases of idents. Usually, personal risks were borne individually. Haze, still with his neutral expression, replied, "I don''t know the exact details either. But this is a direct order from above. I''m simply carrying out what''s been instructed." Read new adventures at empire The family fell silent again, this time in relief. A small smile began to form on Nima''s mother''s face, while her brother looked as though he wanted to ensure this wasn''t a dream. However, what they didn''t know was that behind all of this was Lein, who had given direct orders to the alliance to ensure Nima''s safety and provide appropriatepensation to her family. *** The Tree of Life Source ¨C Inside the Tree Trunk Amid the profound silence, Lein stood in a room filled with glowing panels. The panels radiated a calming energy, but beneath Lein''s sharp gaze, frustration simmered. Before him, an orb floating in the air shone with varying intensities. "What is this?! A hundred nature crystals?!" Lein shouted inwardly, resisting the urge to smash the panel in front of him. Moments earlier, Lein had just upgraded the branch orb on the Guardian panel. The process had been smooth up to level nine, with each upgrade requiring a number of nature crystals corresponding to the level being reached. Two crystals for level two, three for level three, and so on. But everything changed when Lein attempted to elevate the orb to level ten. The number disyed on the screen made his eyes widen. "A hundred nature crystals?" he muttered this time in a more controlled voice, though the anger was still evident in the furrow of his brow. Lein stared at the panel again. His mind raced for a solution. On one hand, he knew that this upgrade would significantly impact defense and resource management. However, the enormous consumption made him hesitate. Nature crystals were not easy to obtain, even with his unique talents. [Resource Trunk] -Level: 10 -Production Rate: 20k/hour -Monster Level Cap: 30 -Chest Cap: Gold Chest -Monster Race Cap: Low-tier races *Note: The next upgrade requires 100 nature crystals and unlocks new features. Lein stared at the panel with a face full of frustration. "Damn it, what kind of cursed system is this?" he muttered irritably. His remaining nature crystals were down to just 29¡ªa number far from sufficient. Earlier, he had 78 crystals, but 55 were consumed to upgrade the Resource Branch Orb to level 10. The rest, 4 crystals, were used to upgrade 4 other branch orbs to level 2. He took a deep breath and crossed his arms. Lein''s gaze shifted toward a pile of glimmering nature crystals in the distance. There were over 10,000 crystals, but they felt utterly useless. "I have more than 10,000 crystals here," he said bitterly, "but I can''t upgrade this orb without them being absorbed by the Guardian Panel." His mind raced. For the first time, Lein felt that the talent he had always relied on was not very effective against this resource tree system. Hmmm Lein paused for a moment. An idea slowly began to take shape in his mind. He raised a finger in the air, a small smile forming on his lips. "Hmmm..." he muttered as he turned toward a pentagonal pir in the center of the room¡ªthe Guardian Panel. He stood before the pir, examining its details. The soft glow of the orb at the top of the pir reflected his face. Without hesitation, Lein activated the duplication talent panel he possessed. A notification appeared. [You are about to duplicate the Guardian Panel 10k times. Are you sure? Yes/No.] Without hesitation, he selected "Yes." Out of nowhere, pentagonal panels began appearing in the air. In an instant, the tree trunk floor was filled with sturdy pentagonal pirs, each topped with a transparent floating orb. Several orbs began to shine brightly. The light pulsed like a heartbeat, spreading slowly to every corner of the room. Lein watched the phenomenon with glowing eyes. "Amazing... This can actually happen?" he whispered to himself. He observed further. The nature crystals near the panels began to glow as if connected to the nearest panels. The absorption process of the nature crystals was proceeding at an incredible speed, leaving Lein in awe. Chapter 329 Resources for Joy and Grace "What about the others?" he asked curiously. He pulled out more nature crystals from his spatial ring. With a slight smile on his face, Lein started scattering the crystals across the entire tree trunk area. Lein floated gracefully on his flying sword, moving above the panels he had just duplicated. With swift movements, he randomly threw the nature crystals, ensuring every corner of the tree trunk floor was covered with crystals. The Guardian Panels began absorbing the crystals simultaneously. Bright light radiated from each orb atop the panels, creating a beautiful disy resembling an aurora within the giant tree trunk. Lein watched everything with a satisfied expression. "The process is truly extraordinary," he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. The room was now filled with the energy of nature crystals being absorbed by thousands of Guardian Panels. Lein, driven by high curiosity, continued to observe the progress, thinking about the next steps to harness this energy. Your next journey awaits at empire "Amazing... simply amazing..." Lein said with great satisfaction. His eyes sparkled with pride that was hard to conceal. "How could I not think of this method earlier? Hhh..." He shook his head, feeling foolish. For more than two days, he had managed to gather only 78 nature crystals¡ªa painstaking effort that now felt pointless. But after discovering this method, everything changed drastically. "At this rate, I can collect 10,000 nature crystals in 30 minutes... Hahaha!" Leinughed heartily, his voice echoing in therge resource tree chamber.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om There was euphoria in every note of hisughter. He knew that in no time, he would be able to elevate the Tree of Life Source to a much higher level. Lein stood tall on his flying sword, his arms crossed behind his back. His eyes looked down at the thousands of Guardian Panels absorbing the nature crystals. White light radiated from each panel, flowing like rivers of energy moving endlessly. The sight was so breathtaking, it felt as if the universe itself was witnessing the birth of a new power. "I must elerate the development of this realm," Lein thought to himself. To him, this resource tree was not merely a tool to strengthen himself but a path for the world under his protection. With the tree''s level increasing, even ordinary humans withoutbat power would be able to ess new energy sources to survive. In a spacious room, a young man stood by the window with a worried expression. His slightly messy short hair contrasted with his dark eyes, reflecting the turmoil in his thoughts. In his hand, he held two small bottles containing a blue liquid. Within the liquid, tiny crystals shimmered softly as sunlight streamed through the window. "God''s Promotion Elixir..." he whispered bitterly. His voice was almost a murmur, but it carried deep emotion. His hand trembled slightly as he recalled how this item had ended up in his grasp. Not long ago, Joy was merely a level 23 Tier-2 ruler, far from the pinnacle of power. However, after his official induction as a core member of the alliance, everything changed. He and Grace were summoned by Nita to the town hall. At that time, the town hall looked magnificent, radiating an aura of formal tension. Its high ceiling was adorned with carvings depicting the alliance''s history, while its white marble floor reflected every footstep, creating an echo that filled the space. In the center of the main hall, Nita stood waiting for them, her expression calm yet authoritative. With a faint smile, Nita handed each of them a small ck pouch. "As core members, your strength must not be weak," she said firmly. "You must be the backbone of the alliance." Inside the pouch, Joy found treasures he had never dreamed of. High-grade energy crystals, rare materials, and astonishing artifacts¡ªall provided to enhance their strength. However, the most significant items of all were the two small bottles containing blue liquid. [God''s Promotion Elixir] An elixir crafted from the blood of gods. Whoever drinks it will gain extraordinary benefits. - Ability: Consuming this elixir will help anyone below the Emperor level advance by one full tier. Joy looked at the bottles again. The blue liquid inside seemed to emit a cold aura, as if it possessed a life of its own. He knew this was something extraordinary. "God''s Promotion Elixir," he whispered, trying to grasp the significance of the item. The information about the elixir echoed in his mind. This elixir, made from the blood of gods, had the ability to elevate anyone below the Emperor level by a full tier. But then, a wild idea began to shake his thoughts. "What if I had four?" He gripped the bottles tighter, his eyes narrowing as if formting a possible n. Scenarios began to form in his mind, each one presenting both great opportunities and significant risks. Not long after that thought crossed his mind, a chilling sensation crept into his heart. Joy shivered momentarily, then quickly dispelled the thought. He knew clearly that such thoughts were poison¡ªnot even worth entertaining. "A fleeting thought is natural," he told himself. The God''s Promotion Elixir indeed had incredible effects, but he couldn''t let its temptation poison his loyalty. "I will remain loyal to this alliance until death," he dered firmly. His voice was steady, as if he were convincing himself while simultaneously making a vow to something greater. Although briefly tempted by a moment of greed, Joy realized how fortunate he was. The World Market Trade Alliance was an extraordinary ce¡ªnot just because of its wealth but also because of its generosity in providing resources of such magnitude without additional demands. "Hmm¡­ I''ll use it after a shower," Joy said, gazing out the window. His eyes fell on the beautiful garden below. Several gardeners were busy trimming the grass, while others carefully tended to the blooming flowers. It wasn''t just the resources that impressed him but also the other benefits he gained as a core member. The spacious andfortable house, with its calming view, was something he had never imagined before. Joy took a deep breath, letting himself enjoy the tranquil afternoon. It was his first day as a core member of the World Market Trade Alliance, and he felt like he was entering a new chapter in his life. ¡ª Elsewhere, a different atmosphere enveloped a bathroom. The shower water was still running, creating a rhythmic sound that mingled with the gentle sshing of water in the bathtub. A woman with wet hair sat soaking, her body nearly submerged in the abundant soap bubbles. In her hand, Grace held two small bottles containing blue liquid. The dim light in the bathroom reflected the soft glow from the bottles, making them appear even more striking. Chapter 330 Other anomalies appear "They gave it to me, and to Joy, so easily..." Grace murmured softly, her voice nearly drowned by the sound of bubbles popping on the water''s surface. A faint fear was visible on her face, though she tried to hide it. Deep down, Grace still felt a bit of doubt. This elixir was a blessing, but she couldn''t ignore the shadow lingering in her thoughts. If it hadn''t been Nita¡ªsomeone she fully trusted as a fellow woman¡ªwho gave it to her, she might not have epted this item so willingly. Grace took a deep breath, letting the warm steam soothe her mind. "I hope joining this alliance was the right decision," she said with a tone full of hope. Her words sounded light, but they carried a lot of uncertainty. Discover more content at empire She knew very well that great power always came with great threats. Thatw applied everywhere, across the entire universe. A powerful alliance was bound to have equally powerful enemies. *** Life in the Divine Sky Realm continued as usual. Hunters were busy exploring the maind, a vast region that served as the center of resource wealth. While the floating inds might yield valuable materials, nothing couldpare to the bounty from the maind. That was why most hunters chose to hunt there. However, their time was limited. Lein had set a rule that they only had seven days before new regtions would be implemented on the maind. Currently, they were on the fifth day, leaving only two days for the hunters to maximize their harvests. Far above the maind, thousands of floating inds continued to move slowly but surely, following Lein''s orders. The inds were directed toward the edge of the maind, where they would settle permanently. Lein had decreed that the maind would be the primary base, and no floating inds were allowed to cross its boundaries. Among these inds, onerge ind moved at a significantly higher speed than the others. This ind was a symbol of power¡ªa majestic and formidable fortress. Towering structures rose above it, apanied by sturdy defensive towers and massive walls exuding an aura of menace. Despite the ind''s high speed, its inhabitants went about their daily lives undisturbed. From a distance, the dominant ck color of the ind gave it a somber impression, but its beauty was undeniable. Vast forests, neatly arranged settlements, and smaller surrounding inds serving as defensiveyers added to its grandeur and unmatched presence. In one part of the ind, a grand town hall stood prominently, serving as themand center surrounded by defensive towers on all sides. The building upied a vast area, underscoring its crucial role in the ind''s operations. Inside the main chamber, an elderly man satfortably in arge chair behind an imposing desk. The man, Haikal Emanuel, was reading a report disyed on a holographic screen in front of him. The figures and data captured his attention, causing him to nod slightly from time to time. Behind him, a formally dressed woman stood silently, observing Haikal with focused attention. Her calm demeanor reflected a high level of professionalism. "Where are we now?" Haikal asked casually, without looking away from the hologram in front of him. His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable authority. The woman behind him, his personal assistant, responded quickly, "Mr. Haikal, we are currently 450,000 kilometers away from the center of the maind. It will take another 52 days to reach the outermost area." Haikal nodded thoughtfully. "Hmmm... at this rate, the journey will take quite some time. At least another two months," he muttered lightly, almost as if speaking to himself. He recalled Lein''s orders¡ªthat they, the core members, must spread out across all corners of the Divine Sky Realm. They would be the main pirs supporting the stability of this region.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "What about the portal construction?" Haikal asked again, this time with a slightly more serious tone. He remembered the task he had assigned a few days ago and wanted to ensure everything was progressing smoothly. "Everything has been initiated, Sir," his assistant replied. "However, it will still take some time in the more remote areas." Haikal nodded again, then said calmly, "Don''t push them too hard. Provide substantialpensation to those relocating to more strategic locations." He understood that efficiency was key, but he also didn''t want to overburden the workers. The quiet atmosphere of the office was suddenly disrupted by a ringing sound. The blue holographic disy in front of Haikal turned bright red, casting a glowing light across the room. Large text appeared on the screen, immediately changing the mood to one of tension: "Anomaly detected. Seek shelter immediately." The holographic panel in front of Haikal disyed a ring red warning, while themunication device held by his assistant emitted a simr notification. The female assistant looked panicked, her eyes shifting from the device to Haikal. "Sir, unidentified objects have appeared just above the ind. Not just one, but many!" she said anxiously, reading the information disyed on her device. Haikal Emanuel, who was usually calm, furrowed his brows. "What is happening?" he murmured softly, his voice tinged with a rare tone of concern. He could feel the presence of a massive energy pulsating in the air, even before the hologram issued the warning. A sense of foreboding began to grow within him. Without much thought, Haikal stood up from his chair. His steps were firm as he headed toward therge window in the main room. With a swift movement, he leaped through the window, his body hovering in the air as if defying gravity. The cold night air brushed against his face, but his mind was solely focused on the source of the mysterious energy. From the empty space in the air, arge sword suddenly appeared. Haikalnded on it steadily. In an instant, the sword shot forward, carrying him through the skies toward the threatening energy source. From above, Haikal surveyed the scene below. The Disaster Ind, usually calm, was now in chaos. Residents were running aimlessly, their faces filled with fear. An old man stood in the middle of the crowd, his voice rising above themotion, "Quick, take shelter! Another war like before ising!" On the other side of the street, a woman clutched her husband''s hand, her face full of worry. "Honey, let''s go back home... The kids are still there!" she said, almost in tears, as they hurried into their car. However, this chaos was not limited to Disaster Ind. Other inds owned by the rulers experienced simr turmoil. Elsewhere, Laras, one of the core members, was exploring the empty skies above the Divine Sky Realm to hone her hunting skills. However, an urgent message appeared on hermunication device. "Anomaly detected on the main ind," the brief message read. Laras immediately changed direction, abandoning her training and elerating her journey back to her ind. Her face was serious, reflecting the gravity of the situation she was now facing. *** - Main City of the Chinese Alliance Ind - In the Main City of the Chinese Alliance Ind, amotion erupted on the main streets surrounding the town hall. Residents pushed and shoved, trying to escape in panic. Several security officers attempted to calm the situation, giving instructions through megaphones to evacuate residents to the nearest shelters. Not far from the town hall, a mysterious object stood tall. Shaped like a massive cylindrical tower, the structure was approximately 40 meters high with an astonishing diameter of nearly 100 meters. Its appearance resembled an ancient building, with walls covered in dry moss and creeping wild grass. The object seemed to have just emerged from the ground, like a long-hidden secret finally revealed. Around it, the earth rippled as if shaken. Police lines were set up to cordon off the area, while a number of officers and scientists gathered, cautiously observing and setting up detection devices. A crowd of residents tried to watch from a distance, despite police orders to stay away. Children cried, the elderly tried tofort their families, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense as more personnel arrived to secure the site. Among the group observing the scene, a graceful woman in a red gown stood withmanding presence. Her sharp eyes fixed intently on the tower before her. A curious expression was evident on her face, especially as she examined the tower''s door. Her gaze seemed to prate the tower''s surface, hoping to glean whaty beyond the door. Behind the woman, several guards stood alert in a defensive stance. One of them, a female assistant, stepped forward respectfully to report thetest developments. "Madam Bai Qi, these sky towers have appeared in several locations across our ind," she reported in a firm yet polite tone. "Additionally, simr phenomena have urred on other alliance inds, including the World Market Trade Alliance Ind." Bai Qi nodded slowly at the report. Her previously tense face began to show signs of slight rxation. Although she had never witnessed such phenomena before, the fact that simr events were urring elsewhere gave her some relief. At least she wasn''t facing this situation alone. Yet her mind remained filled with various spections. Chapter 331 Sky Tower Her gaze returned to the tower. Briefly, a description appeared before her, providing additional information: [Sky Tower] Blessing of the Realm''s Guardian, granting fortune to the brave and strong. Conquer the tower and be a hero. Read new chapters at empire - Floors: 10 - Cost: - - Entry: [Team], [Solo] "Can this tower truly be entered? And if so, will it provide valuable resources?" Bai Qi wondered to herself. Nevertheless, without prior experience, she understood that every action must be taken cautiously. She did not want to act recklessly. Recognizing the importance of the first step, Bai Qi turned and looked at the people under hermand. In a firm voice, she asked, "Is there anyone among you willing to try entering this tower?" A bald, muscr man stepped forward. His face exuded confidence, showing no trace of fear. In a loud voice, he responded, "I will, Madam." "Enter," Bai Qi ordered curtly, pointing toward the tower''s door with a decisive gesture. The bald man walked forward calmly, an aura of confidence radiating from every movement. The advanced equipment he wore emitted a shimmering blue light, indicating that he was no ordinary individual. As one of Bai Qi''s trusted overseers, he had been equipped with the best gear. "When you enter, immediately report anything you find, whether through themunication device or the system chat," Bai Qi instructed from behind, her voice clear despite its calm tone. "Yes, Madam," the man replied firmly. He then stood before the tower''s door, took a deep breath, and prepared himself for whatever awaited inside. The bald man approached the tower''s door and examined it closely. The door appeared massive and made of an incredibly strange, solid material. "How could a tower this size emerge from the ground?" the bald man muttered in curiosity. He then selected the [Solo] option on the sky tower''s panel and entered. The moment he pressed the confirmation option, his vision flickered rapidly, then returned to normal. "A cave?" he murmured softly. [You have sessfully entered the Sky Tower - Floor 1] [Death inside the tower is not real] "Not real? Does that mean I''ll respawn like in a game?" the man muttered, trying to deduce how the tower worked. "I wonder if I''ll meet others here?" He carefully observed his surroundings. The cave he was in felt vast, with rough, gray walls riddled with cracks. The ceiling loomed high above, adorned with sharp stctites that seemed ready to fall at any moment. A dim light emanated from small blue crystals embedded in the walls, enough to illuminate the area but still leaving dark shadows lurking in the corners of the cave. The air felt cold, damp, and carried a faint metallic scent mixed with the smell of wet earth. In the distance, the sound of dripping water echoed, mingling with the faint sound of small footsteps, as if something was moving. "This ce¡­ feels like the bowels of the earth. But it''s strange¡ªit''s definitely not just an ordinary cave," the bald man muttered as he touched one of the walls. The cold, rough texture of the stone sent a slight shiver through him. He scanned his surroundings, his sharp eyes catching a shadow moving swiftly in the distance. "Hmm¡­ I''m not alone here." He grinned, gripping therge green-glowing staff he held. His steps slowly brought him to an open area within the cave, arge chamber with an uneven floor. There, he saw a group of small creatures¡ªgoblins. Their bodies were dull green, with small fangs protruding from their mouths. Their red eyes glowed under the crystal light, filled with hatred and cunning. There were five goblins there, each holding a worn sword that looked blunt but still dangerous. [Cave Goblin] - Level: 3 - HP: 1,000 - Attributes: STR 7, AGI 3, RES 4, INT 1 - Skill: (Goblin''s Rage) (Goblin''s Rage) The fewer goblins in the group, the more they awaken (Goblin''s Rage), increasing attributes by 10% for one minute. The bald man grinned wider. "First opponents, huh? Low-level goblins like you should make for a good warm-up." He stepped forward, the sound of his boots echoing off the cave walls. With his tier-1 strength, these goblins posed no threat to him at all. The goblins quickly noticed him and let out low growls, preparing to attack. "All right, let''s get started."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om One goblin, seemingly the leader of the group, let out a sharp cry, signaling the others. They charged together, their swords swinging wildly, aiming for any gaps in the bald man''s defense. But the bald man remained calm. With one hand, he swung his massive staff at the first goblin that approached. BOOM! A loud impact echoed through the cave. The goblin was flung far away, its body mming into the wall and remaining motionless. [Dealt 12,000 damage to goblin] [You have sessfully killed a goblin, gaining 100 EXP] ... "What? 100 EXP?" the bald man shouted in disbelief. "Shouldn''t low-level monsters like this give me no EXP?" he continued, pausing in thought for a moment. But the goblins gave him no time to reflect. One of them rushed forward fearlessly. "Hard Strike," the man said, activating his staff''s skill against the goblin. Thud! The goblin was sent flying into the wall. With a single strike, ity lifeless and unmoving. "Weak," the bald man sneered, spinning his staff, swinging it with speed that seemed impossible for its size. Two more goblins tried to attack him from the left and right. He leaped into the air with incredible speed, dodging their attacks. From above, he mmed his staff into the ground. A wave of green energy radiated from the impact point, shaking the cave floor and causing the two goblins to lose their bnce. In an instant, the bald man lunged at them. He struck the goblin on the left with the tip of his staff, sending it flying like a rag doll, while the goblin on the right was hit with the middle of the staff, shattering its worn sword and leaving it unconscious. Thest two goblins hesitated. They stepped back, their red eyes now filled with fear. But the bald man gave them no chance to escape. "Not so fast," he said, swinging his staff with both hands. A bright green circle of light appeared at the tip of the weapon, radiating energy that made the air vibrate. With a single sweeping motion, he unleashed the wave of energy toward the remaining two goblins. ZRAK! The energy struck them in an instant, leaving their bodies sprawled lifeless on the floor. [Dealt 17,000 damage to goblin] [You have sessfully killed a goblin, gaining 100 EXP] ... [Dealt 14,000 damage to goblin] [You have sessfully killed a goblin, gaining 100 EXP] ... Chapter 332 Sky Tower resources The man finished off all the goblins that had appeared before him. Each time he killed one, the same notification appeared in his system, breaking the cave''s silence. Though satisfied with the results, his mind was still clouded with confusion. His gaze shifted to the goblin corpses lying not far from him, prompting him to approach. After walking a few steps, he noticed that the goblin bodies had disappeared, vanishing without a trace. However, on the ground where the goblins had fallen, there were several transparent orbs shimmering under the cave''s dim light. His curiosity drove him to crouch down and examine the contents of the orbs. When his hand touched the first orb, information appeared before him: - (Energy Crystal x2) - (Iron Sword x1) - (Goblin Blood 100ml) "Energy crystals?" he muttered softly, but his voice soon exploded in shock. Enjoy new chapters from empire "Damn! Two energy crystals?!" he shouted loudly. His voice echoed throughout the cave, shaking the silence that had previously dominated. The man''s face turned red with disbelief. "Just by killing goblins, I can get energy crystals? This feels like a dream!" he eximed again, this time in a calmer tone, though his eyes still radiated disbelief. "I need to tell Miss Bai about this." Without wasting time, he opened the chat system on his holographic interface. His fingers moved swiftly, searching for Bai Qi''s name in his contact list. Once he found it, he quickly typed a message containing all the information he had just discovered: the description of the cave, the fact that killing goblins provided experience points and energy crystals, and the details about the low-level goblins he had defeated. After sending the message, the man let out a sigh of relief. He scanned the cave surroundings, ensuring there were no other threats nearby. However, his gaze soon locked onto a group of creatures gathered in a dark corner. Sevenrge spiders stood there, their glossy ck bodies reflecting the dim cave light. Without a hint of fear, the man smiled slightly. His curiosity consumed him entirely. "Alright, your turn now," he muttered. He grabbed his iron club, stepped forward, andunched an attack toward the group of spiders. *** Outside the tower, Bai Qi and several of her officers were still patiently waiting for news from the bald man who had entered earlier. Bai Qi''s sharp gaze remained fixed on the tower. Curiosity filled her. She wanted to know what was truly happening inside the mysterious structure. While staring at the towering building, she asked the officers around her, "Have we received any messages from him yet?" Before one of the officers could answer, the system notification suddenly chimed. The distinctive sound broke the silence, prompting Bai Qi to immediately open her holographic panel. A new message had arrived. She quickly read its contents, frowning briefly before a smile spread across her face. "Hmm..." she murmured softly. After finishing the message, her expression turned radiant. "Everyone, prepare yourselves! We''re going in now!" Bai Qi ordered firmly. Her voice carried authority, prompting the officers around her to act immediately. Based on the bald man''s information, the tower was a source of abundant resources. Bai Qi knew she had to move faster than any other parties who might have simr intentions. The officers promptly carried out her orders. Some began contacting other alliance members to share thetest information, while others started preparing equipment for entering the tower. The speed and coordination of Bai Qi''s team reflected their efficiency in handling critical situations. The same scene was not limited to the Chinese alliance. Other alliances around the world experienced simr events. In another location, a simr tower had appeared, attracting the attention of alliances from various nations. On arge ind surrounded by vast sands, a towering structure stood at the center of a settlement. Armed soldiers guarded the area around the tower, ensuring no civilians approached. Not far from the tower, a group stood in a circle. One of the soldiers delivered a report to a middle-aged man with a thick beard. "Yes, Sir, all the monsters inside the tower provide very abundant rewards," he said respectfully. The man was Sayid Rafiq, the leader of the Arab alliance. Hearing the report, he gave a slight nod. "Hmm¡­ Ever since the unification of the cosmos, many strange things have been happening," he murmured. His gaze reflected both concern and caution. He fell silent for a moment, appearing to piece together the series of unexpected events that had unfolded recently. "I hope all of this is still within that young man''s control," Sayid finally said, full of hope. He then instructed his officers to prepare to enter the tower. Despite hearing the reports, he wanted to see for himself whaty inside.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Far from the Arab region, Japan''s magnificent ind appeared to float toward the outer edges of the maind. In one area of the ind, a newly emerged Sky Tower drew the attention of the residents. Around the tower, officials were on high alert, ensuring the situation remained under control. "Alright, you may go," Ayumi replied casually. She shifted her gaze to the side, looking at a young girl with a shy, delicate face. Her simple appearance might make many underestimate her, but Ayumi knew better. Her eyes held deep respect for the girl. "Elen, what about you? Do you want to enter as well?" Ayumi asked gently. Elen nodded lightly, agreeing. She wasn''t overly concerned about the emergence of the Sky Tower, as she had already received information from Lein. Yes, all of this was caused by Lein. Some time earlier, Elen had actually been in Japan just to watch her favorite anime live. She hadn''t nned on meeting Ayumi, but as an honored guest, Ayumi felt obligated to wee her warmly. They had even visited several anime studios together before the chaos erupted due to the anomaly of the Sky Tower''s appearance. When the tower emerged, Elen received information directly from Lein. Although the details were sparse, it was enough to keep Elen and the other core members confident. After all, they knew that Lein always had a well-thought-out n behind every action. Chapter 333 Upgrading to level 100 Inside the trunk of the Tree of Life Source, towering like a majestic tower in the middle of the divine sky realm, Lein appeared busy inspecting and carefully leveling up each branch. His sharp eyes observed every detail, while his fingers deftly tapped on the system panel before him. The air around him was filled with magical energy flowing intensely, seemingly merging with his concentration. "So this is what that officer meant," Lein muttered, his voice almost drowned by the flow of energy surrounding him. The memory of a previous meeting shed in his mind¡ªwhen he visited another realm during an inter-race war event. At that time, a shopkeeper told him how to obtain an Insight Stone, a rare item capable of significantly enhancing skill levels. The shopkeeper exined that the stone could only be acquired bypleting towers that appeared for seven days a year.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Now, before Lein, the description of the Resource Orb appeared on his system panel. "Resource Branch," he whispered, reading the data disyed on his system screen. Each detail on the screen provided him with aplex overview of the branch''s capabilities¡ªincluding its new feature, the "Sky Tower." [Resource Branch] - Level: 11 - Spawn rate: 30k/hour - Monster level cap: 31 - Chest limit: Gold chest - Monster race cap: Low-tier races - Feature: (Sky Tower) (Sky Tower) Summons a Sky Tower in the Guardian realm. This tower will summon chaos monsters from across the universe. With the realm''s power, death within the tower is not real. - Duration: 7 days - Deposit resources: - - Resource value: Low - Crystal consumption: 1,000 high-tier crystals/day - Entry fee: - - Total floors: 10 - Cooldown: 1 year [Activate Tower] Lein paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes as he examined the cost and duration of summoning the tower. "Isn''t this too long?" he muttered softly, sounding dissatisfied. The summoning cost of one thousand high-tier crystals per day felt like a significant burden, even for him, despite his crystal duplication skill. He shook his head, trying to justify the expense. Some time earlier, Lein had activated the Sky Tower, and its effects were immediately noticeable. Media across the Divine Sky Realm began reporting the tower''s appearance enthusiastically. Many inhabitants from various alliances showed great interest, preparing to enter the tower for valuable resources and battle experience. Lein had also set no entry fee for the tower. Aside from it being his first time activating it, he considered this as a grand opening event. "Deposit resources?" Lein asked curiously, then without hesitation, he examined the description of the feature. (Deposit resources) Guardians can deposit any item to be randomly dropped by the corresponding bosses within the tower. Guardian items will be fairly mapped by the tower system. The exnation disyed on the system panel brought a small smile to his face. This system allowed Guardians like him to deposit any items, which would then be distributed randomly to the tower bosses. With a fair mechanism, those items would serve as rewards for the fighters who seeded. "Ah... so I can provide extra rewards for them," Lein murmured softly, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. As a Guardian, he felt a great responsibility to support the growth of everyone in the Divine Sky Realm. This feeling grew stronger along with his desire to help others be stronger and more resilient. Without hesitation, Lein began pulling out various items from his spatial ring. Bright lights appeared every time he brought out wooden, silver, and gold chests, as well as high-tier artifacts and equipment. Each item seemed to have its own story, but to Lein, they were merely tools for a greater purpose. "May you all grow stronger quickly," he said with a tone full of hope, as he input all the items into the tower system. System notification sounds echoed repeatedly, confirming each item he submitted. [Deposited silver chest, sess.] [Deposited iron armor, sess.] [Deposited basic healing potion, sess.] [Deposited gold chest, sess.] ¡­ It didn''t take long for Lein to finish depositing the items he owned. Although what he entered into the tower system was only a small fraction of his wealth, Lein felt it was enough for a start. He smiled with satisfaction as he looked at the system panel screen in front of him, contemting the great potential this tower could achieve. "Let''s enhance it further," Lein muttered, shifting his focus back to the resource branch. His gaze returned to the status panel disying the branch upgrade option. [Are you sure you want to upgrade the branch (Resource Branch)? "Yes/No"] "Yes," Lein replied without hesitation, immediately confirming the choice. Instantly, notification sounds filled the room: [Congrattions, upgrade sessful! (Resource Branch) has been upgraded.] - Upgrade: Spawn rate +2k. "Not bad, an increase of 2k per level," Lein remarked with a tone of satisfaction. Without wasting time, he immediately continued upgrading the resource branch, one step at a time. In the past few hours, he had duplicated realm crystals more than six times, so he faced no obstacles regarding the quantity of resources. [Congrattions, upgrade sessful! (Resource Branch) has been upgraded.] - Upgrade: Spawn rate +2k. ¡­ - Upgrade: Spawn rate +2k. ... Upgrade after upgrade continued, filling the room with shes of green light emanating from the resource branch orb. Each time the numbers on the panel increased, Lein felt a unique sense of aplishment. Finally, when reaching level 20, the screen disyed a greater crystal requirement: 200 realm crystals. [Congrattions, upgrade sessful! (Resource Branch) has been upgraded.] - Upgrade: Spawn rate +10k. - Sky Tower floor count +10. "Hmm, a significant change," Leinmented with fiery enthusiasm. However, he decided not to get distracted, continuing to upgrade the branch to its limit. With seemingly unlimited realm crystal resources, Lein advanced through level after level swiftly. From level 30 to 40, until finally reaching level 99 in no time. Upon reaching the final upgrade to level 100, he spent 1,000 realm crystals in one go. [Congrattions, upgrade sessful! (Resource Branch) has been upgraded.] - Upgrade: Spawn rate +10k. - Upgrade: Monster level cap +20. - Upgrade: Monster race cap raised to mid-tier. - Sky Tower: Floor count +10. - Sky Tower: Duration +23 days. - Sky Tower: Resource value upgraded to mid-tier. Chapter 334 Protection Branch Sky Satellite "Perfect!" Lein eximed with excitement. As he expected, the upgrade to level 100 brought significant changes. Crack¡­ Suddenly, a cracking sound echoed throughout the room. Lein, who was observing the status panel, looked up. The resource branch orb before him began to crack, withrge fissures appearing across its surface. From within the cracks, a small sprout emerged, lifting the orb into the air. The sprout grew rapidly, transforming into a towering root resembling a massive tree trunk. The root extended upward, reaching the bright light at the ceiling of the tree''s interior. The resource branch orb remained at its tip, seemingly on purpose.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Wait, is the resource orb being carried away?" Lein murmured, narrowing his eyes as he tried toprehend what was happening. The orb floated at the tip of therge root, moving slowly as if pointing the way. Tang¡­ A golden sword appeared out of thin air, shimmering under the green light of the tree root. Without hesitation, Lein leaped onto the sword, gripping its hilt firmly. The sword hovered, following the root''s path toward the crystal orb at its tip. Far above the tree''s center, arge hole opened, providing an exit for the tree root carrying the resource orb. Lein floated in the air, observing the root as it continued to extend upward through the opening. Outside, people began gathering, staring at the unusual phenomenon. Some shouted, trying to make sense of what was happening. "Guardian? What is the Guardian doing?" one of them shouted, their voice tinged with worry. "Quick, move away from that hole! The tree root will keep growing!" another warned their group. The area around the hole happened to have dense foliage forming a natural canopy, offering a clear view to those near the tree trunk. They watched in awe and slight fear. Lein, still hovering in the air, could see the ongoing transformation. The root, initially the size of a wrist, had now grown to the size of a truck wheel, and it continued to expand at an astonishing rate. "Is this root going to form a sub-main branch?" he mused lightly, his voice nearly drowned by themotion below. He directed his gaze to the main trunk of the Tree of Life Source, towering majestically with a diameter of 500 meters. Until now, the tree had only onerge trunk, but if this new sub-branch formed, the Tree of Life Source would be evenrger and sturdier. Lein waited patiently, but the root''s growth seemed to take longer than he had anticipated. "How much longer will this take?" he muttered, though his tone remained calm. After a while without significant changes, Lein finally decided not to just wait. "Alright, I''ll upgrade another branch," he said as he descended. He still had four other orbs to upgrade, and curiosity led him back to the tree''s base, where the protection orb was located. With a simple motion, he summoned the status panel. [Protection Branch] - Level: 2 - Defense Energy: 110k -Energy Regeneration: 1000/second - Energy Reflection: 1k + 1% A transparent panel appeared before him, disying information about the Protection Orb. "I''m really curious about this branch''s abilities," he said while reading the details listed. Remembering his previous experiences, he hoped there would be exciting new features unlocked at certain levels. Without hesitation, Lein began upgrading the Protection Branch. The upgrades progressed smoothly until level 10. However, upon reaching level 11, the number of crystals required skyrocketed to 100 realm crystals. Even so, he didn''t hesitate to continue. [Congrattions, upgrade sessful! (Protection Branch) has been upgraded.] - Defense Energy +10k - New Feature Unlocked: Sky Satellite (Sky Satellite) An automatic satellite orbits the Guardian''s realm, aiding in realm protection from enemy attacks and conducting surveince and reconnaissance. - Power: Basic Destroyer - Range: 100,000 km - Durability: Low - Crystal Consumption: 10 high-tier crystals/day - Modes: (Surveince) (Combat) Lein''s eyes widened as he read the feature''s description. "No way, a satellite?" he eximed, his expression a mix of surprise and amazement. This new feature was far beyond his expectations, reminding him of the image of the moon on Earth. The feature enabled an automatic satellite to orbit around his realm, equipped with two main modes: surveince andbat. The satellite''s capabilities included basic destructive attacks and a wide range of up to 100,000 kilometers, although its durability was rtively low. Lein suppressed his curiosity to test the feature. "Not now," he muttered, closing the panel. He decided to stay focused on his original goal¡ªmaximizing the levels of the other four orbs. Once everything wasplete, he would leave the Guardian''s chamber to witness the final results. *** Lein Ind - Meanwhile, on Lein Ind, the area around the Sky Tower buzzed with activity. Next to the massive tower, several hunter teams gathered, preparing to venture inside. One of the teams consisted of three members: two men and one woman. They stood with their heads tilted back, staring at the towering structure, now appearingrger and more majestic than ever before. "Hey, look!" one of the men eximed, pointing toward the top of the tower. "Wasn''t this tower just ten floors tall before? Why does it seem endless now?" Hispanion, a taller man, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you''re right. When it first appeared, it was only ten floors. But now..." His words trailed off, captivated by the immense transformation. The woman in the team, her hair neatly tied back and her expression serious, broke the silence. "Hey, have you prepared the potions?" she asked in a firm tone. However, the two men exchanged nces and smiled slightly. "Why bother?" one of them replied casually. "Deaths in this tower aren''t real. So, there''s nothing to worry about!" "Exactly," his friend chimed in with a nod. "Besides, there''s no entry fee, right? Rx." Seeing her teammates'' indifferent attitudes, the woman let out a long sigh. Though concerned, she chose not to argue further. "Alright," she said finally, casting a half-annoyed nce at the two of them. "So, what are we waiting for? Let''s go in." Chapter 335 Hunter association In a spacious room exuding authority and luxury, a muscr man in a formal suit was busy reviewing reports.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Holographic disys floated above hisvish desk, projecting critical data. Across from him, a female assistant sat with a graceful yet professional posture, her eyes focused on a tablet she was scrolling through. She seemed busy, her fingers moving swiftly across the screen as she recorded information. The desk itself radiated opulence, with a namete that read "Association Leader - Herman" in golden letters. The namete served as a mark of the man''s importance, reflecting his high status. Other luxurious ornaments adorned the room, from golden statues on the back wall to the neon blue lighting encircling the ceiling, creating a futuristic yet elegant ambiance. "The monster inds have reappeared as before, Sir. The upper limit of monster levels has also increased, with some reaching level 45," his assistant reported. Her voice was clear and firm, matching her professional demeanor. She was rying thetest statistics received by the association, based on direct observations from agents stationed in the Divine Sky Realm. Herman listened intently, taking a deep breath as he leaned back in his chair. The furrow in his brow deepened, reflecting the weight of his thoughts. "What''s happening? Has the cause been identified?" he finally asked, his voice heavy. The assistant shook her head slightly before responding. "Not yet, Sir. The World Market Trade Alliance hasn''t provided any official information. This phenomenon is urring across all regions. The data we''ve received shows a consistent pattern: an increase in the number and levels of monster inds." Herman tapped his fingers on the desk, his expression contemtive. "And what is Guardia doing? Why hasn''t the main alliance released any official information?" he muttered, more to himself than expecting an answer. Frustration was evident in his tone. As the leader of the Hunter Association, he felt overwhelmed by the rapidly changing situation. The dy in receiving information made it difficult for him to make decisions. He understood the association''s role in maintaining bnce, but without clear data, any action felt like a gamble. "Sir, there''s an update," his assistant suddenly said, her eyes fixed on the tablet in her hand. Her tone carried urgency. "The Sky Tower has grown taller. It now has 50 floors. Just moments ago, the highest floor was sessfully cleared by Miss Bai Qi." Hearing this, Herman fell silent again, his brow furrowing even deeper. Not long ago, the tower had appeared with just ten floors, but now another major change had urred. "This tower¡­ it seems to keep evolving," he murmured softly. Enjoy new adventures from empire "Alright," he finally said, his voice weary. "Keep monitoring for thetest developments. For now, suspend all long-term ns." His tone carried firm authority, though a hint of pessimism was hard to miss. The rapid changes had left the association struggling to find solid ground for future strategies. The assistant nodded obediently, quickly jotting down Herman''s instructions. Her job was to act as Herman''s extension, ensuring that his orders reached the rest of the team wlessly. After issuing his directives, Herman swiveled his chair to face therge window behind him. From there, he gazed out at the magnificent cityscape. Towering skyscrapers stood firm and orderly, piercing the clear blue sky. Thousands of flying vehicles moved in a synchronized flow, crisscrossing each other in an unending rhythm that created a sense of busy yet harmonious life. "Thank goodness, I can still enjoy this beauty," he murmured softly. His tone carried deep gratitude, tinged with a trace of weariness. To him, this view was a reminder of humanity''s long struggle to achieve a better life, far removed from the destruction and chaos of the Earth they had once left behind. This city, he thought, was the paradise they had managed to create amidst the relentless threats that continued to loom. *** "Elen, behind you!" Ayumi''s weak voice broke the air. Her frail bodyy limp on the cold ground, her eyes filled with worry as she watched Elen. The girl was running toward her, her face full of concern. But behind Elen, a terrifying figure cloaked in ck floated ominously. Its glowing red eyes radiated a tangible threat. The creature raised its hand, gathering arge pulsating orb of dark energy, ready to unleash it. Ayumi''s shout made Elen stop abruptly. She turned around, her gaze locking onto the creature. The menacing figure was still in the process of preparing its attack, the dark energy orb in its hand growingrger, emitting a pressure that made the surrounding air feel heavy. Elen calmly raised her hand. From the void, a glowing white staff slowly materialized, descending gently into her grasp, as if answering her call. "You, stop!" Elen''s voice was soft but full of authority. The tip of her white staff glowed, summoning a small transparent orb that floated forward. Strange, rune-like symbols spun around the orb, like a spell moving in a steady rhythm. The orb''s aura radiated a unique power that made the air around it feel frozen. "Pause Orb," Elen said softly, as if issuing a simplemand. The transparent orb suddenly shot forward at an incredible speed, cutting through the air and striking the ghostly creature directly. In an instant, the once-small orb expanded, enveloping the creature entirely. The spinning runes halted, forming a dome that trapped the creature inplete silence. [You have sessfully applied a debuff to the Legless Soul, entering the Time Orb for 1 minute.] Elen gave a faint smile as the system notification confirmed the sess of her skill. Without wasting time, she turned and ran toward Ayumi, who was lying weakly on the ground. Ayumi''s face was pale, her breathingbored, prompting Elen to quicken her pace. "So strong," Ayumi thought to herself, unable to believe what she had just witnessed. Throughout their journey to this floor, Elen had always been an observer. She had never taken part in any battle, choosing instead to watch from a distance and follow Ayumi''s lead. But now, Ayumi realized just how extraordinary Elen''s power truly was. She had always known Elen was a skilled fighter, but she hadn''t expected her strength to be this overwhelming. From afar, she watched as the ghostly creature remained motionless,pletely trapped within the Time Orb. With her sharp vision, Ayumi could sense the creature''s life energy slowly fading, like a candle nearing the end of its wick. "Sis, are you alright?" Elen''s voice was gentle yet full of concern. Ayumi was startled to find Elen already crouching in front of her, carefully checking her condition. Elen reached out and retrieved a small bottle filled with red liquid from her spatial ring. "Sis, drink this first," Elen said softly, offering the potion to Ayumi. Too weak to refuse, Ayumi epted the bottle. With thest of her strength, she lifted herself slightly and drank the red liquid. Slowly, a warm sensation spread through her body, dispelling the exhaustion that had bound her. Chapter 336 Ayumis situation "Thank you, Elen," Ayumi said with a weak but grateful smile. Her body, which had felt so heavy before, now felt much lighter. The severe internal damage she had suffered had healed, thanks to Elen''s magical potion. "You''re wee, Sis," Elen replied with a wide smile. Yet behind her smile, there was a hint of guilt. She knew she should have acted faster instead of waiting until the situation became critical. When they had entered the Sky Tower, Ayumi had said, "You just stay back and watch from afar. I want to train my strength on my own. Don''t worry too much about me." Elen had nodded in agreement at the time, though her heart was filled with doubt. Now, seeing Ayumi barely recovered, she asked with concern, "How are you feeling, Sis? Can you keep going, or should we stop here?" Ayumi looked at Elen and firmly shook her head. "Yes, we''ll stop for now," she replied. Although her wounds had healed, she knew her body still needed time to fully recover. Experience more content on empire The 35th floor of the Sky Tower had already provided them with many valuable materials. Even so, Ayumi understood there was no point in pushing herself too hard. The tower wasn''t going anywhere for the next few hours. Elen let out a deep breath, relieved by Ayumi''s decision. "Alright, Sis. Before we leave, we should gather all the dropped items." Even though Elen had the power of a Grandmaster, strong enough to easily obliterate all the monsters on this floor, she chose to hold back. Ayumi wanted to fight with her own strength, and Elen respected that wish. For her, it wasn''t right to constantly step in and help Ayumi every single time. As they prepared to collect the remaining loot from the monsters'' corpses, Elen noticed movement in the distance. Several figures dressed in ck military uniforms appeared at the end of the corridor. There were about twenty of them, moving in a precise formation. These people were members of the Japanese Alliance military, tasked with securing the area and ensuring all loot was gathered. Since Ayumi and Elen had much higher abilities, they had advanced deeper into the floor, leaving the team behind. It didn''t take long for the military team to reach Elen and Ayumi''s position. Upon seeing Ayumi''s pale and fatigued appearance, concern immediately spread across their faces. "Miss, what happened?" the captain asked with a tone of genuine care. He reached into his spatial ring and pulled out a potion bottle to offer to Ayumi. But Ayumi simply raised her hand, declining the potion. "No need, I''m already feeling better," she said firmly, ncing at therge corpse not far from them. "We''re leaving now. Gather the loot from the boss''s corpse," she continued, pointing to the massive lifeless ghostly figure.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Without hesitation, the soldiers sprang into action. They spread out in all directions, collecting every valuable piece from the monster''s remains that Ayumi and Elen had defeated. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the corridors of the 35th floor, mingling with the clinking of weapons and the creak of their equipment. Meanwhile, Ayumi and Elen slowly made their way toward the glowing portal at the far end of the room. The portal emitted a soft light, offering two choices: leave the tower or proceed to the next floor. Ayumi''s decision was firm. For today, they had gone far enough. *** Inside the trunk of the Tree of Life, Lein stood calmly. Before him floated a blue holographic screen, its soft glow reflecting his face. A satisfied smile curved on his lips as his eyes scanned the numbers disyed on the screen. [Protection Branch] - Level: 100 - Defense Energy: 1,200 k - Energy Regeneration: 1.4k/second - Energy Reflection: 1.4k + 1% - Feature: (Sky Satellite) "Hahaha... finally, level 100," Lein said, his voice brimming with pride. He took a deep breath, as if savoring the moment. The status panel of the Protection Branch brought him indescribable relief. "It wasn''t a waste to spend over 8,000 natural crystals," he continued, recalling how much of his resources he had invested. His thoughts drifted to the other Guardians. If they knew about his achievement, Lein was certain they would be envious¡ªperhaps even furious. But a question lingered in his mind. "How do those Guardians manage to acquire so many natural crystals?" he muttered. If one branch required 8,000 natural crystals to reach level 100, then five branches would need 40,000. He suspected the other Guardians must have a secret method to gather such a vast amount. Lein shifted his attention back to the screen. His gaze fell on the new feature that had appeared in the Protection Branch panel. The feature had technically been active since the branch reached level 11, but with each level increase, it had evolved, unlocking greater potential. Curiosity welled up inside him as he decided to open the description of thetest feature: Sky Satellite. With a flick of his hand, Lein essed the details of the feature. Lein''s eyes widened slightly as he read the feature''s description. The Sky Satellite now boasted incredible capabilities: an automated satellite orbiting the Guardian''s realm, designed to protect against enemy attacks while conducting surveince and reconnaissance. (Sky Satellite) An automatic satellite orbits the Guardian''s realm, aiding in realm protection from enemy attacks and conducting surveince and reconnaissance. - Power: Basic Destroyer - Range: 250,000 km - Durability: Middle - Crystal Consumption: 10 high-tier crystals/day - Modes: (Surveince) (Combat) (Stealth) "Whoa... its range has increased 2.5 times!" he eximed in awe. His eyes scanned other parts of the description, and he discovered a new mode called Stealth. This mode offered the ability to conceal the satellite''s presence, making it nearly undetectable by enemies. A small smile yed on his lips. "I wonder if I can duplicate this satellite too," he mused. He recalled his Duplication Tank, a tool that had never let him down, and he was confident it could assist him again. Satisfied with the satellite''s features, Lein closed the description panel. He turned his attention to another screen disying the status of the next branch: Enhancement Branch. [Branch: Enhancement] - Level: 2 - Entry Tickets: 11 - Bubble Realm Limit: Tier D Chapter 337 New features: Ascension Ladder Lein nodded slowly, carefully examining the branch''s statistics. Its level was still low, but he knew its potential was immense. He immediately opened the Guardian Panel to level up the branch. His fingers moved swiftly, confirming each upgrade. As usual, Lein selected "Yes" for every confirmation prompt that appeared on the system panel. His fingers moved automatically, as if memorizing the sequence by heart. This had be routine for him¡ªhaving done it nearly 200 times, the process felt like a reflex. Even with his eyes closed, Lein was confident he could level up the Enhancement Branch to level 100 in just a few minutes. Inside the trunk of the Tree of Life, Lein stood firmly in front of a towering pentagonal pir in the center of the room. The Guardian Panel glowed brightly before him, emitting shes of white light each time he pressed a button. The light illuminated the room, casting dancing reflections across the smooth surfaces of the tree trunk. Time seemed to fly by. Lein continued upgrading without pause until the system notification sounded, announcing that the Enhancement Branch had reached level 100. Lein turned without hesitation and immediately checked the branch''s new status. [Branch: Enhancement] - Level: 100 - Entry Tickets: 100 - Bubble Realm Limit: Tier B - Feature: (Ascension Ladder) "Straight to Tier B?" Lein murmured, his voice filled with disbelief. He stared at the holographic screen with slightly widened eyes. Typically, attribute upgrades in other branches only increased by one tier, but this branch had leaped from Tier D directly to Tier B. This drastic jump ignited a spark of curiosity within him. Lein''s gaze shifted to the new feature disyed on the screen: the Ascension Ladder. He carefully read the description, paying attention to every detail. His mind began analyzing the possible workings of this feature. (Ascension Ladder) A stairway to the heavens, granting the blessings of the gods. The higher you climb, the greater the blessings you will receive. - Blessing duration: 7 days - Crystal consumption: 10 high-tier crystals per blessing - Total steps: 100 Blessing: 1 additional ticket to enter (resource realm), attribute +5%. [Activate Ascension Ladder] Lein furrowed his brows, trying to connect the description to his understanding of the Guardian system. After a few seconds, he decided to stop specting.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "There''s only one way to find out," he thought, then pressed the [Activate Ascension Ladder] option without hesitation. After pressing the button, Lein stood still. He focused his consciousness, expanding his awareness to epass the entire Divine Sky Realm. His energy moved like waves, spreading to every corner of the universe. In the distance, he sensed the presence of the sky satellite¡ªa massive object moving at incredible speed, orbiting the Guardian''s territory. But that wasn''t what he was searching for. Lein waited, focusing his spiritual senses to detect something new. Silence enveloped the room until, a few secondster, a significant and unusual presence began to emerge in the center of the Maind Realm. Lein felt a massive, unfamiliar movement. In the heart of the Main Land, not far from the temporary administration building, the ground began to tremble. Large cracks formed, splitting the earth''s surface with a sound that echoed in all directions. People in the area quickly moved away, keeping a 50-meter distance from the center of the fissure. Some pulled outmunication devices to record the event. Others shouted, while some broadcasted the phenomenon live through holographicworks. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of unease and curiosity. Continue reading on empire "Look! Something''s starting to appear!" someone shouted, pointing toward the fissure. From the ground, four pirs slowly emerged. Each had a diameter of about one meter, forming a perfect square configuration. The distance between the pirs was 50 meters, creating a boundary that felt like the framework of a giant gate under construction. The pirs continued to rise from the earth with a slow yet steady movement. A faint glow surrounded them, giving the structure a magical impression. Their height now reached 20 meters, casting long shadows under the sunlight. The crowd could only stand in awe, watching the spectacle with unblinking eyes. It didn''t take long for the four pirs to stop rising at a height of 30 meters. Between the pirs, the ground began to transform. A magnificent altar slowly took shape, adorned with stunning ornaments. Vibrant flowers bloomed around it as if they had grown magically. Elegant statues with intricate details decorated the corners of the altar, while golden fences surrounded the entire area with striking grace, creating a captivating sacred aura. "What is that? Is this another sky tower?" someone in the crowd eximed. The shout triggered murmurs among the onlookers. Many began recalling the emergence of sky towers some time ago. Like this phenomenon, the sky towers had also risen from the ground. However, the differencey in the structure''s design, which bore no resemnce to a tower. As the altar''s ornamentspleted their formation, something even more astonishing urred. From beneath the altar, steps began to appear one by one, stretching upward with extraordinary beauty. The steps were made of a luminous material resembling a blend of marble and crystal, emitting a soft shimmer when touched by sunlight. The staircase continued to grow longer, extending high into the blue sky without pause. "I''m currently on the eastern side of the temporary administration building. Behind me, you can see a phenomenon very simr to the sky towers. Look at this¡ªthe staircase keeps growing taller without showing any signs of stopping," reported a female journalist, broadcasting live. She directed her camera toward the staircase, which continued to ascend at an incredible pace. The crowd watching the event grew increasingly mesmerized. Some engaged in discussions, while others busied themselves recording the phenomenon with their devices. The staircase continued to soar higher and higher until, finally, after ten minutes, its movement ceased. The staircase''s peak disappeared into the clouds, too high to be seen from the ground. "Wow, it''s so tall! Can you see the end of it?" asked a young man standing near the reporter. "How many meters long is it?" another replied in awe. Some braver individuals approached the staircase, trying to get a closer look. They read the description disyed on a glowing panel at the base of the stairs. (Ascension Ladder) Thedder to heaven and the blessings of the gods. The higher you go, the greater the blessings you will receive. - 30 steps: +2% Attribute (1 week) - 50 steps: +4% Attribute (1 week) - 100 steps: +5% Attribute & 1 admission ticket (1 week) [Ascend] Chapter 338 Ascension Stairs Protector Meanwhile, a young man dressed in luxurious attire stood at the edge of the crowd. His face radiated deep curiosity, with sharp eyes fixed on the stairs. Behind him stood an older man with a stern expression, dressed simply yet exuding authority. "Master Zai, do you know what this is?" the young man asked as he turned to the older man behind him. The man addressed as Master Zai shook his head slightly. "I''m sorry, Young Master, I don''t know anything about this object," he replied in a t tone, yet full of respect. The young man let out a small scoff, as if already expecting the answer. He returned his gaze to the towering stairs and pondered deeply. "Can I climb it?" he thought, slowly stepping closer to the stairs. Carefully, he reached out and touched the glowing panel at the base of the stairs. However, a notification appeared before him: [Unable to ascend. The staircase guardian is not yet avable. Please wait for further arrangements.] The young man''s face showed a hint of disappointment, but he said nothing. He nced back at the crowd, realizing that others were experiencing the same thing. Every time someone tried to ascend the stairs, they were met with a simr notification, indicating that the stairs could not yet be used. As curiosity enveloped the area around the Ascension Stairs, conversations among the people grew heated. Various spections arose as they questioned one another, trying to make sense of the unusual situation. Find more to read at empire "Hey, did you get the same failure notification?" asked a young man, his toneced with confusion and frustration. "Yeah, it said the guardian isn''t avable yet," another man replied with a frown, his gaze fixed on the transparent screen before him, as if hoping for a different answer. The people around them began exchanging nces. Faces filled with questions and impatience were evident. However, their attention was soon drawn to a figure appearing not far from the stairs. A woman with a formal appearance, dressed in a crisp white shirt, approached with confident strides. "Miss Hana?" a hesitant voice from the crowd called out, loud enough to catch everyone''s attention. "Will she open it?" someone else whispered, their voice full of hope. Everyone seemed to recognize the woman. Hana was one of the 12 core members of the alliance, known as a strong and capable figure. She had been assigned by Lein to serve as the temporary guardian of the Ascension Stairs. Her arrival via teleportation added an aura of authority that heightened the tension in the air. However, Hana''s teleportation differed significantly from Lein''s. Hana''s teleportation was a standard skill obtained through a skill book. Lein, on the other hand, having reached the rank of King, possessed an innate and far more powerful teleportation ability derived from his spirit body. This fact further underscored the vast power gap between them. Hana stopped in front of the golden fence surrounding the Ascension Stairs. Her eyes scanned every corner, searching for something. Yet, the fence appeared solid and without any openings. "Hmm, where''s the entrance?" she muttered, more to herself, but loud enough for those nearby to hear. The crowd watched Hana with curiosity. She scratched her temple briefly, then let out a small sigh. A faint smile crossed her lips, a sign that she had found a solution. "Well then, I''ll just jump over it, heheh," she thought, bending her knees slightly in preparation to leap.N?v(el)B\\jnn However, before she could do so, the golden fence suddenly disyed a small crack. Within seconds, the crack spread, breaking apart a section of the fence and forming an elegant entrance. Golden light radiated around the newly created opening, as if weing her. Hana smiled faintly. "Thank you, Brother Lein," she said casually, confident that Lein had acted from afar. She stepped into the center of the Ascension Stairs. As her feet touched the floor within the area, a system notification appeared before her. [You have received an invitation to guard the Ascension Stairs for 7 days. Would you like to ept?] Hana read the message calmly. Without the slightest hesitation, she nodded and replied, "Yes." [Congrattions, you have sessfully be the guardian of the Ascension Stairs.] [Good luck with your duties...] After the notification disappeared, Hana gained ess to a special panel. The panel appeared with a dim light, disying basic information about the Ascension Stairs. [Ascension Stairs Protector] - Protector: Hana - Rank: - - Climber List: - Hana examined the panel closely, her eyes following every detail written on it. However, not long after, a series of new notifications began to appear, recing the previous silence with a more intense dynamic. [Someone is climbing the stairs. (Juba) has started ascending.] [Someone is climbing the stairs. (Satria Baja Hitam) has started ascending.] The list of names kept growing. Dozens of people were seen rushing toward the Ascension Stairs with heightened enthusiasm. They appeared eager, almost frantic,peting to be the first to ascend, as if a grand prize awaited them at the top. Amid themotion, Hana''s presence standing in the middle of the structure seemed to go unnoticed. Hana let out a long sigh, observing the crowd with a neutral gaze. But upon closer inspection, the corners of her lips curved slightly into a faint smile that was hard to interpret¡ªwas it a sign of amusement, mockery, or a warning? "Hmmm," she murmured, apanied by a soft chuckle. However, the atmosphere changed drastically in an instant. The heat that had filled the air from the sunlight suddenly vanished, reced by a piercing cold. A gust of wind carried tiny ice crystals, and the temperature around them plummeted rapidly. One of the climbers who had reached the first step screamed, his voice piercing through the frigid air. "What''s happening? It''s so cold!" He hugged himself, trying to fend off the cold that seeped deep into his bones. "Help, I can''t move my body..." another whimpered. His body began to shiver violently, and the tips of his toes were already visibly frozen. Chapter 339 Hanas anger "Stay away! That ice will freeze you!" someone from the crowd shouted, warning the others. But panic had already overtaken them, causing their steps to be chaotic and aimless. The ground around the Ascension Stairs was now covered in ayer of slick, hard ice. Frost began to coat the steps one by one, until the entire staircase resembled a shimmering ss sculpture. Light snow fell slowly from the sky, covering the area in a beauty that felt ironic amidst the chaos. To those present, the scene was more like a frozen hell than a winter wondend. In a short time, barely a minute, the entire area within a 50-meter radius of the Ascension Stairs had transformed into an icyndscape. The people trapped within the radius could not resist; their bodies froze like statues, their faces locked in expressions of fear or confusion. From a distance, those standing more than 50 meters away could only watch the scene in horror. In their eyes, a woman stood floating, surrounded by glimmering ice. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest, and her sharp gaze surveyed everyone now frozen. "Unbelievable... how did these people manage to anger Miss Hana? What did they do?" a middle-aged man asked in disbelief. His face was filled with fear as he hugged himself, as if the cold could reach him as well. "Be quiet, lower your voice!" someone nearby whispered. His eyes were fixed on Hana''s figure, full of caution and respect. They dared not make a move that might draw the woman''s attention. Meanwhile, an old man named Zai stood trembling, staring at the Ascension Stairs now enveloped in ice. His face was pale, and his eyes were filled with fear. He was both a servant and bodyguard to the young man who now appeared frozen on the second step. His mind raced. If Hana decided to kill everyone in the area, what could he do? Nothing. "Lady Hana, please release them..." Zai prayed silently, his dim eyes full of hope fixed on the figure of the woman floating in the cold air. His prayer was so intense, as if relying on everyst shred of luck he possessed. Yet he knew, even with the influence of the powerful family behind the young man, their strength was nothingpared to Hana''s. As a core member of the World Market Trade Alliance, Hana was like an unshakable deity. Before her, that wealthy family was nothing more than a speck of dust easily swept away by the wind. "Attention!" One word escaped Hana''s lips, sharp and cold, piercing to the bone. Hermanding gaze shifted to those still standing outside the frozen radius. Their faces were pale, their eyes wide, but none dared to look away from her. "Have you forgotten where you are?" she asked, her voiceced with restrained anger. She waited for their answer, as if testing their courage. "No, Lady! We are in the Divine Sky Realm!" one of them shouted hastily. "We are in the realm of the gods, Miss Hana!" added another, his voice trembling. One by one, they answered, racing to speak first. None dared to remain silent. With the power Hana had disyed, they knew silence would be a foolish decision. Hana looked at them sharply, allowing a moment of silence before speaking again. "Remember," she said firmly, "you must conduct yourselves properly. Never forget to continue growing stronger." She nced at them one by one, ensuring every eye was fixed on her. These people, she thought, did not see her as the guardian of the Ascension Stairs. They were simply rushing in because the system had granted them ess. They were too careless, too arrogant, as if this world belonged to them. "If this had happened elsewhere, in the realm of other beings, you would all be dead on the spot for such trivial negligence," she continued. Her words carried a subtle threat but also a sincere warning. Hana''s voice deepened as she continued. "Remember, this is not Earth. In this world, there are nows to protect you if trouble arises. Here, strength is thew itself." She paused, letting her words sink in. The atmosphere around them grew heavier. Light snow continued to fall, but no one dared to move. In her heart, Hana wasn''t just giving a lecture. She had learned much from her experiences, especially in tasks assigned by Lein. She was often sent on missions outside the Divine Sky Realm, to ces where injustice was the norm and the strong always oppressed the weak. Continue reading at empiren/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om She didn''t want the people of Earth to be like those weaklings¡ªor worse, to be a source of trouble simply due to theirck of respect for the strong. "Do you understand?" Hana ended her lecture with a sharp shout, her voice echoing through the frosty air. "Yes, Miss!" "Yes, Lady!" Their responses were unanimous, like a choir formed out of fear and respect. To ordinary ears, it might sound like empty cries. But Hana could see beyond that. In their eyes, she saw sparks of determination, tiny mes beginning to ignite. Perhaps, just perhaps, they could be better than she feared. Hana nodded in satisfaction. Of course, she wouldn''t kill these people with her ice element over such a trivial matter. After ensuring her moral lesson was received, she waved her hand, dispelling the ice that immobilized them. In an instant, all the ice vanished. Thin white mist swirled before being absorbed into the immense power surrounding Hana. The people who had been frozen copsed to the ground, helpless, their bodies shivering, some writhing slowly as they tried to move stiffened limbs. Their pale faces showed relief, though the pain in their bodies was still very real. Being frozen for a few minutes by Hana''s ice element was enough to cause physical damage. The extreme cold attacked their body tissues, and pain surged as blood slowly began to flow again. Yet they were all still breathing, a miracle in such a dire situation. "Sister Hana..." Chapter 340 Budis healing powers, trying the ascension ladder Hana, still hovering in the air slightly above the Ascension Stairs, shifted her gaze as a dimensional rift appeared beside her. From within the rift, a young man with green hair and a long green robe emerged slowly. He appeared calm, his smile friendly, but there was an aura of strength about him thatmanded respect from anyone below. The young man stood tall, his eyes scanning the scene below. The fallen people, the eerie silence¡ªhe took it all in with extraordinaryposure. With a light step, he approached Hana and spoke, his voice as gentle as a flowing stream. "Sister, why did you call me?" He nced at the ground, his expression remaining neutral despite the scene that might shock ordinary people. "Budi, help me heal them and restore their strength to normal," Hana said casually, though her tone clearly carried an instruction. Budi nodded obediently. Without hesitation, he extended his right hand, summoning his healing magic. The environment around Budi began to change. Green energy emerged like a gentle breeze, swirling and forming a faint pattern resembling a great tree. The tree appeared as though it were alive, though it was clearly just a manifestation of aura. The shimmering green leaves and roots stretched toward the ground as if searching for the wounded souls. Budi moved his hands, and the tree''s aura gently extended toward the bodies lying on the ground. One by one, color returned to their faces, their stiff limbs began to move, and their shallow breaths grew steady. Those standing beyond the 50-meter radius watched the entire process with faces full of awe. They couldn''t take their eyes off the glowing green tree, as if they were witnessing a miracle from another world. "Thank goodness Lord Budi arrived," said the old man Zai, tears streaming down his face. His earlier prayers had been answered, and now he witnessed the victims being revived thanks to the young man''s presence. "Take pictures quickly!" a reporter shouted to their colleague. "It''s so rare to see two core members in one ce." With urgency, they captured photos and videos, striving to immortalize this extraordinary moment. shes from cameras danced in the air, as though trying to capture every detail of Budi''s healing aura. Budi directed the green tree''s aura toward a man whose body appeared extremely pale. His skin was almost translucent, his eyes tightly shut, and his grayish lips showed how dire his condition was. The green aura moved slowly, as if searching for a way to save the man''s life. The glowing green leaves fell from the tree''s aura branches, drifting softly like feathers in the wind. As soon as they touched the man''s body, their green hue brightened, emitting a sparkle like gemstones. The green light from the leaves enveloped the pale man''s body, gradually restoring his natural skin tone. The leaves eventually disappeared after emitting their final brilliant glow, as if absorbed by the man''s body. Momentster, his body trembled slightly, and his eyes opened slowly, revealing a gaze that was confused yet full of life. With a small effort, he tried to rise, though his movements were still weak. "Where am I?" he asked in a soft but clear voice. His body felt energized, but his mind was still foggy, trying to make sense of his surroundings. He turned toward the green tree aura, which was now moving toward other bodies lying on the ground. The man then looked up, his eyes focusing on a woman in a formal shirt hovering in the air. Beside her stood a young man with green hair, surrounded by an aura of green light radiating life energy. "Lady Hana? Lord Budi?" the man murmured, his voice tinged with confusion. He tried to piece together what was happening, but everything felt like fragments of an iplete puzzle. "Eren... you''re awake!" A soft voice filled with emotion broke through the man''s confusion. From behind, a woman suddenly embraced him tightly, her body trembling with uncontroble sobs. The embrace was warm, but there was a lingering sense of desperation in her grip. The woman, Mia, poured her emotions into the hug without words, her tears falling onto Eren''s shoulder. Her muffled sobs filled the air with a heavy tension, as though releasing all the burdens of worry that had finally been lifted. Explore new worlds at empiren/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Mia, what''s wrong?" Eren asked, his confusion deepening. He tried to recall what had happened before, but all he could remember was climbing the Ascension Stairs. Everything after that was nk. "No¡­ it''s nothing. I''m just so d you''re awake," Mia replied, her voice hoarse yet filled with gratitude. She didn''t borate further, simply continuing to give thanks within her embrace. "Eren, you should thank Lady Hana and Lord Budi. If not for them, you might not be here anymore," Mia said as she released him. Her voice was serious, but her gaze conveyed profound gratitude. Eren shifted his gaze around him. He saw the people who had been lying motionless now beginning to rise, their expressions relieved, and their bodies appearing stronger. The green tree aura continued to move, healing one person after another without pause, as though cradling each fading soul with renewed life. Realizing the situation, Eren followed the actions of the others. They turned to face Hana and Budi, then bowed deeply. Words of gratitude echoed one after another, filling the air with genuine appreciation. Eren might not fully understand what had transpired, but he knew one thing¡ªa miracle had just saved them all. Moved by the actions of those around him, Eren slowly stood up. He turned toward Hana and Budi, who still hovered in the air. Filled with gratitude, he bowed deeply, mirroring the gestures of the others. Mia stood beside him, copying his movement without hesitation. Her voice was soft yet firm as she spoke in unison with Eren, "Thank you for your kindness, Lady Hana, Lord Budi." Afterward, the two of them straightened up again. Without saying much, they walked toward the outer area, their steps calm but filled with relief. Eren decided to find a ce to rest for a while, trying to make sense of everything that had happened to him. "All done, Sis," Budi said from the air, his voice light yet carrying a sense of satisfaction. He hadpleted his work. Everyone who had been lying weak was now healed and standing, ready to continue their lives. "Thank you," Hana said, her voice soft but sincere. As fellow core members, they shared a close bond of cooperation. Helping each other was not just an obligation but something they did wholeheartedly. "You''re wee, Sis," Budi replied, turning his gaze toward the majestic Ascension Stairs in the distance. The structure rose high, as if trying to reach the sky. Budi fell silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the stairs. The cold wind blowing around them seemed to add to the air of mystery. The unseen peak of the stairs appeared to hold secrets that could only be reached by those brave enough to try. "Incredibly high," Budi murmured in awe. Even though he was a grandmaster with strength far above average, the stairs still left him in wonder. He knew he could reach the top in just a few breaths, but the sheer height still left a deep impression. "Sis, may I try it?" he asked Hana. There was a hint of curiosity in his voice. As a grandmaster, there were no restrictions preventing him from attempting to conquer the stairs, and he felt this was an intriguing opportunity. "Go ahead¡­ I''m curious too," Hana replied with a slight nod. Even she, usually calm andposed, felt drawn to the presence of these stairs. There was an inexplicable allure, as if the stairs were calling them to test their limits. Chapter 341 Blessing Hana stepped back into the Ascension Stairs area with calm strides, standing right next to the railing near the entrance. After a moment of reflection, she moved her hand, and from thin air, several objects began to appear one by one. First, a plush ck sofa materialized, followed by a simple table adorned with intricate, captivating carvings. Shortly after, a flower pot with a fresh fragrance, a teapotplete with several cups,pleted the scene. Hana skillfully arranged all the items, creating a cozy atmosphere for herself. Once everything was in order, Hana sat on the sofa. Her eyes observed the people approaching from a distance. Their steps were hesitant, their faces filled with caution. The previous incident had left a deep impression, revealing that Hana, usually seen as serious yet approachable, could disy such a terrifying side. The people whispered among themselves, asionally ncing at Hana. Fear was evident in their eyes, like children who had just been scolded harshly by a teacher they had always admired. They tried to mask their unease, but their overly careful movements betrayed them. "Haha, you''ve managed to scare them, Sis," said Budi, who had just entered the Ascension Stairs area. A faint smile graced his face. "It''s fine. Things like this are necessary so they can learn to understand how this world works," Hana replied without turning her head, her tone t but filled with conviction. "Well? Are you going to try?" Hana asked, breaking the silence. "Yes, I''ll give it a go," Budi replied briefly. Without waiting any longer, he walked toward the stairs. Standing before them, he carefully read the description panel engraved near the steps. (Ascension Stairs) Stairs to the heavens and the blessings of the gods. The higher you climb, the greater the blessings you will receive. - 30 steps: +2% attributes (1 week) - 50 steps: +4% attributes (1 week) - 100 steps: +5% attributes & 1 entry ticket (1 week) [Ascend] After reading the description, Budi nodded slightly. He lifted his foot and stepped onto the first step. "Thud!" The sound of his step echoed as his foot touched the first step. "One," he murmured softly as he counted. He paused for a moment, trying to feel any changes in his body. "There''s a slight pressure, but it''s barely noticeable," Budi muttered again, trying to identify the sensation enveloping his body. However, due to his strength as a grandmaster, the pressure had almost no effect on him. Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on it. With steady steps, he moved to the second step. "Thud." The sound of his step was heard again. Budi murmured lightly, "Hmmm." He still didn''t feel any significant pressure. Feeling the process was too slow, he decided to move faster toward the next steps. Step by step, Budi climbed the stairs with a steady rhythm. Within 30 seconds, he had reached the 10th step.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om When he paused for a moment and looked back, the view he saw was only an endless row of stairs. It seemed as though the stairs extended beyond human sight, trapping him in a boundless space. "Is this an illusion?" he murmured softly. He closed his eyes briefly, extending his awareness to the surroundings. Sure enough, he realized there was ayer of illusion enveloping the staircase area. Its effect made it seem like he was in an infinite world, a test for both his mind and body. Budi ignored it and continued his steps with unwavering confidence. Thud, thud... thud... His steps were steady, constant, like a leisurely walk in the park. There was no sign of hesitation or fatigue in each stride he took. When he reached the 20th step, the atmosphere around him suddenly changed. The air grew cold, and illusions of flying swords appeared, darting toward him from all directions. The swords looked sharp and radiated a menacing aura. However, as soon as Budi gazed at them with calm and unwavering confidence, the swords vanished like smoke blown away by the wind. "Mental attacks, huh?" he murmured with a faint smile, as though he understood the simplicity of the trick. With firm resolve, the illusion posed no significant challenge to him. Without hesitation, Budi continued climbing to the next step. Upon reaching the 30th step, the nature of the illusions shifted. This time, ferocious beasts appeared around him¡ªgiant wolves with sharp fangs, snakes coiling along the sides of the stairs, and a massive bird stalking from above. Yet, like the swords before, as soon as Budi focused his mind, all the visions faded, disappearing within seconds. After oveing that challenge, he proceeded to the 50th step. This time, the illusions were no longer physical threats. Emotions began to assault him: visions filled with sorrow, hatred, and guilt emerged one after another. Bitter memories attempted to drown his thoughts, but Budi remained unaffected. He climbed with extraordinaryposure, like a storm unable to shake a mighty tree. When he reached the 80th step, the atmosphere grew darker. The air felt heavy, and the illusion that appeared this time was different. Budi found himself in a dark room. His hands were tightly bound, and in front of him, a shadowy figure was torturing a woman he knew well¡ªhis wife. The woman''s cries echoed in the room, striking Budi''s heart like a hammer. Feelings of anger, sadness, and despair began to creep in, trying to seize his mind. "Release," Budi said in a t but resolute voice. In an instant, the illusion shattered like ss struck by a stone. The shadow disappeared, reced by the sight of the towering stairs. Budi now stood on the 81st step, the air feeling lighter, and his consciousness fully restored. He turned to look down, observing the people also attempting to climb the stairs. Some were visibly struggling on the lower steps. He gave a small smile, then shifted his gaze upward. "I wonder what reward awaits at the top," he murmured with enthusiasm before continuing his climb. His steps now moved faster, passing the 82nd, 83rd, and subsequent steps with ease. Meanwhile, on the 15th step, a young man was struggling hard to take another step. Sweat drenched his face, his breaths werebored, and his legs trembled violently. He tried to lift his right foot, but the pressure weighing down on his body felt like an invisible mountain. "Come on, you can do it!" he shouted, trying to motivate himself. The muscles in his legs bulged, his face turned red, but his foot remained unmoving. Beside him, a middle-aged man seemed to be struggling just as much. All his equipment was activated, glowing with a bright green light, but it wasn''t enough to reduce the pressure. Every step felt like pushing against an invisible, raging current. "I give up," the middle-aged man finally said, his voice full of regret before his body disappeared from the stairs. The young man turned his head, his eyes filled with exhaustion and doubt. "Am I... really this weak?" he whispered softly, as though questioning himself. Chapter 342 Ranking Several people on the steps between the 10th and 20th began toin about the same thing. The pressure they felt was bing heavier, making each step feel like lifting a multiplied burden. Their faces tightened, and their breaths grew morebored. "The pressure here... is incredible," murmured one climber, bending his body to stabilize his breathing. Meanwhile, a young woman was forced to stop for a moment, her hands gripping her knees as she struggled not to give up. Elsewhere, far below, Hana sat calmly in the monitoring room. She observed the progress of the climbers through her Protector panel, which emitted a soft blue light. [Protector of the Ascension Stairs] - Protector: Hana - Rank: - - Climber List: (Budi), (Bianka), (Cold-Blooded Assassin), (Eastern Prince), ¡­ "Already at the 98th step?" Hana murmured, her gaze fixed on Budi''s name on the climber list. The name stood at the top position, clearly disyed on the screen. Momentster, a notification appeared on the panel: [Congrattions, participant (Budi), for reaching the top of the stairs.] "Ah, it''s finally done," Hana said with a rxed smile. She had anticipated this oue. With the strength of a grandmaster, oveing the Ascension Stairs was clearly not a difficult challenge for Budi. Budi''s sess notification immediately appeared on all the panels of the participants still climbing the stairs. The atmosphere became lively in an instant. Some showed expressions of surprise before their faces shifted to admiration. "Mr. Budi is truly amazing! It hasn''t even been an hour since the Ascension Stairs appeared, and he''s already at the top," said a young man, his tone filled with awe. "Yes, you''re right. But I wonder, did he face any difficulties up there?" replied a woman, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Light conversations began to flow among the participants still struggling on the lower steps. While many were astonished, others found themselves inspired. Budi''s sess fueled their determination, as if they wanted to prove that they too could achieve the same. Meanwhile, Hana was still sitting leisurely on the soft ck sofa in her room. She picked up a wine ss from the table and took a slow sip. The sweet aroma of the wine mixed with the warmth of the room, widening her smile. "Delightful..." Hana murmured with a satisfied expression, letting herself sink momentarily into the rxing moment. However, the moment didn''tst long. The panel in front of her emitted a new notification sound. [Guardian, please proceed to the top of the stairs and grant a blessing to participant (Budi).] Hana stared at the panel with a slightly raised eyebrow. "Me? Giving a blessing?" she said, a little surprised. Without much thought, she ced the wine ss back on the table. She stood up and took a deep breath, then stepped out of her room. Her steps were steady, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Alright, let''s see what awaits at the top," she murmured as she walked toward her destination. It didn''t take long for Hana to reach the top of the stairs. The environment at the peak appeared simple, with nothing particrly striking except for the thick clouds surrounding the area and a grand altar standing in the center. In front of the altar, Hana saw Budi. The man stood tall, as if waiting for something. His face shifted to one of surprise upon realizing Hana''s presence.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Y-you... here?" he asked in a confused tone. He couldn''t fathom why Hana was in this ce. Had she climbed the Ascension Stairs like the other participants? Hana shrugged slightly, responding casually. "It''s nothing," she said as she walked closer to the altar. Her gaze was fixed on the altar and the clear water that filled the vessel atop it. She read the inscription engraved on the altar, exining how to use the water to bestow blessings upon participants who sessfully reached the summit. "Excuse me, I''m going to sprinkle this water on you," Hana said calmly to Budi. Her gaze was steady but gentle. She wanted to ensure the process went smoothly. "Alright, Ka," Budi replied, his posture straightening, his hands at his sides, ensuring he was ready to receive the blessing without w. Hana stepped closer to the altar. She extended her hand slowly, her fingers touching the cold surface of the water. She submerged her hand slightly into the water, creating small ripples before lifting it again. With a gentle motion, Hana sprinkled the water toward Budi. The droplets moved like sparkling crystals through the air,nding perfectly on Budi''s body. In Budi''s view, a notification suddenly appeared before his eyes. [You have received (Ascension Stairs Blessing)] 100 steps: Attribute +5% & 1 entrance ticket (1 week) "Five percent attribute increase? This is amazing," Budi murmured, his eyes widening in awe. Though it was just five percent, he understood how valuable such an enhancement was for his journey. However, his attention shifted to another detail in the notification. "An entrance ticket?" he said again, this time with a tone of confusion. He tilted his head, trying to understand its meaning. "Entrance to where? What kind of ticket is this?" His mind filled with various spections, but he couldn''t find a clear answer. Even the ticket itself didn''t have a physical form. "Ahhh..." Budi sighed as he observed his body. He noticed something different. His body was now enveloped in a special aura, like an invisible yet palpable energy. "This blessing... it seems to represent the entrance ticket," he said, looking at Hana. "But... to where?" Hana, who had calmly dried her hands, noticed the confusion evident on Budi''s face. "What''s wrong?" she asked, her voice t but attentive. Budi exined the benefits he had gained from the blessing, but both remained clueless about the actual purpose of the "entrance ticket." "Alright," Hana finally said. "Let''s head down first. Perhaps Brother Lein can exin." Without wasting time, the two left the summit and returned to the area below that Hana had prepared earlier. The ce was simple yetfortable,plete with a sofa and a small table. Chapter 343 Breath of Nature Tree While people were busy discussing the Ascension Stairs, Lein was inside the Life Source Tree chamber. The ce was filled with a gentle yet powerful natural aura, where every corner radiated life. With his extraordinarily sharp senses, Lein could feel everything happening outside, including at the Ascension Stairs. "Hana truly is a perfect fit to oversee the Ascension Stairs, just as I expected," Lein murmured with a slight smile. He could imagine how Hana was imparting valuable lessons to the rulers attempting to conquer the stairs. Lein shifted his gaze upward within the tree chamber. There, three new branches had grown, sprawling with strength and forming arge, sturdy, and magnificent structure. A soft green glow emanated from the branches, giving the impression that the flow of life energy was unending. "I still have two more orbs to upgrade to level 100," Lein said lightly before stepping toward the guardian panel column. The remaining two were the Energy Quality Branch and the Luck Branch. Calmly, Lein opened the guardian panel and selected the "upgrade" icon under the Energy Quality Branch. His movements were swift and confident. Without hesitation, he confirmed the system''s prompt to upgrade the branch to the next level. [Congrattions, upgrade sessful! (Energy Quality Branch) has been upgraded to Level 11.] - Upgrade: Nature Energy +100 - New Feature: (Breath of Nature Tree) Lein paused the upgrade process momentarily and directed his gaze toward the description of the new feature. Without dy, he walked toward the orb of the Energy Quality Branch, wanting to learn more details about the newly acquired feature. Lein carefully read the panel information: [Energy Quality Branch] - Level: 11 - Nature Energy: 1,210 - Talent Limit: Tier D - Feature: (Breath of Nature Tree) "Breath of Nature Tree?" Lein murmured, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. A glint of curiosity shone in his eyes. "Is this another giant tree?" he thought to himself. Lately, Lein had often acquired giant trees as a result of his upgrades. Each of these trees had extraordinary effects, such as enhancing the strength of an area or providing additional protection. His curiosity grew, imagining the impact this tree might bring. Without hesitation, he chose to view the feature details. The feature description appeared in detail: (Breath of Nature Tree) A mystical tree that exhales the pure breath of the universe, enveloping the surrounding area with a freshness that restores both soul and body. Its presence enhances the quality of life and energy in its vicinity.N?v(el)B\\jnn - Crystal consumption: 100 high-tier crystals/tree - Duration: 1 year - Total trees: 0 [Activate Tree] Lein read the description with a neutral expression. There didn''t seem to be any particrly extraordinary effects, just notes on the number of trees and their duration. Even so, his mind remained filled with questions. "Duration? What for?" Lein wondered, his brow slightly furrowed. "Does the tree die after one year?" He tried to guess, but no clear conclusion about the function of the duration came to mind. Without dwelling on it further, Lein immediately chose the option to activate the tree. As soon as he pressed "activate tree," the crystal energy within his body drastically decreased. A notification appeared on the panel, showing that the "Total Trees" count had changed to 1. "Damn, one tree costs 100 high-tier crystals," Lein muttered with a wry smile. He imagined that if he were just an ordinary human, losing that many crystals would surely be a lifelong heartbreak. *** City Hall - Life City In front of City Hall in Life City stretched a vast square surrounded by gardens filled with vibrant flowers of various colors. The fresh aroma mingled with a gentle breeze, creating a calming atmosphere. Not far from the gardeny arge pond reflecting the sunlight. Its clear water revealed beautiful fish swimming freely, their scales shimmering like jewels. At the edge of the pond, the green grass seemed slightly torn, as if something was pushing from beneath the ground. Slowly, a green sprout emerged, moving calmly yet steadily. Within seconds, the sprout grew rapidly, revealing its sturdy stem. It reached one meter in height, then continued to grow swiftly. A park guard standing at a nearby post noticed the unusual change. Narrowing his eyes, he observed something unusual near the pond. On high alert, he watched the sprout¡ªwhich had now grown to five meters tall, with a trunk as thick as an adult''s thigh. "Eagle, there''s a strange anomaly. Notify the center," the guard said seriously to his colleague standing a few meters away. "I''ll investigate," his colleague replied, walking quickly toward the pond to observe the phenomenon directly. A minute passed, and the sound of vehicles whirring began to fill the air. Several flying patrol carsnded in the City Hall garden, carrying a squad of guards. A slightlyrger vehiclended first, its door promptly opened by a uniformed officer. From the vehicle, a woman in a ck fur jacket stepped out gracefully yet firmly. She walked slowly, her sharp eyes scanning the garden before finally focusing on the majestic tree by the pond. By now, the tree had grown to twenty meters tall. Its trunk was massive, with a diameter of one meter, appearing robust enough to support the sky. The bark was adorned with green fibers that glimmered faintly under the sunlight, exuding an extraordinary sense of vitality. Its lush leaves swayed gently in the breeze. "How long has that tree been there?" Nita asked one of the guards standing beside her. Her voice was calm, yet carried an unmistakable authority. "About five minutes ago, Miss. Its growth is extremely fast, and the origin of its appearance is still unknown," the officer replied firmly but cautiously, providing all the information he had. Nita nodded slightly, then her body disappeared from where she was standing. In an instant, she reappeared right in front of the tree, which continued to grow at an extraordinary pace. (Breath of Nature Tree) A mystical tree that exhales the pure breath of the universe, enveloping its surroundings with a refreshing aura that restores the soul and body. Its existence is believed to significantly enhance the quality of life and energy in the area. "Breath of Nature Tree?" Nita murmured, her eyes studying the details of the tree. "Is this also a result of branch enhancement?" she thought, trying to connect the tree''s presence with the newly discovered features. She quickly opened her personalmunication system, typed a brief message, and sent it to Lein for confirmation. It didn''t take long for a reply from Lein to appear on the screen. "No need to worry, this is part of the enhancement of the Life Source Tree branch," Lein wrote in a rxed tone. Chapter 344 Luck Gate Nita read the message and then turned to the officer beside her. "This case will not be investigated further. Everything is clear," she said firmly. The officers quickly dispersed. Some returned to their vehicles, while others ensured all procedures werepleted before leaving the park. However, Nita remained in ce, her eyes still fixed on the towering tree by the pond. Nita approached the tree trunk, stretched out her hand, and touched its surface. She could feel a faint but soothing energy emanating from within the tree. The energy seemed to caress her senses, bringing a refreshing sensation that was hard to describe in words. "I can feel a refreshing energying from this tree," she murmured softly. She closed her eyes, trying to focus more on capturing the vibrations of the energy. There was something unique¡ªa power that was unusual, yet its presence felt natural. "What could its effects be?" Nita wondered. She recalled the two new features that had appeared from the enhancement of the Life Source Tree Branch. Both had significant impacts, but the tree before her didn''t provide immediate answers about its benefits. "Energy quality? And what else?" Nita tried to analyze but still couldn''t find any definitive clues. Watching the tree continue to grow, she decided to wait until the growth process wasplete. *** Meanwhile, elsewhere, Lein was also observing the tree''s development through his system. "It looks like it will take about an hour," Lein thought, letting out a small sigh. Although curious about the tree''s effects, he felt no need to wait directly. There were other, more pressing matters to attend to. "Upgrade to level 10 first," he said to himself, opting to enhance the Energy Quality Branch to level 100. In three minutes, Lein sessfullypleted the enhancement, spending eight thousand high-tier energy crystals. He watched the numbers change in his system with a neutral expression, though deep down, he recognized the massive resources that had been consumed. [Energy Quality Branch] - Level: 100 - Nature Energy: 1.4k - Talent Limit: Tier B - Feature: (Breath of Nature Tree) "Just like the Bubble Realm Limit, the Talent Limit also increases directly to Tier B," Lein murmured while observing thetest description of the Energy Quality Branch. "Talent Limit at Tier B?" Lein tilted his head, pondering the vast possibilities that came with this feature. He was confident that this branch would y a significant role in hisrger ns. "I hope this branch can be upgraded to reach Talent Limit at Tier S," Lein said with a hopeful tone. His eyes sparkled as he envisioned the extraordinary potential that could be achieved with further upgrades. "Alright, let''s move on to the final branch," he continued, refocusing on the task at hand. Lein had performed branch enhancements four times before, and now he was at the final stage, the fifth branch. [Luck Branch] - Level: 2 - Luck Energy: 11,510 Lein stared at the branch description screen with a neutral expression. This branch was the least appealing to him so far. To him, the luck energy of over 11k was just a number that felt hard toprehend. "What does 11k luck energy even represent?" he wondered silently, furrowing his brows. He shook his head slightly, as ifughing at his own doubts. It didn''t take long to upgrade the branch to level 10. Oncepleted, Lein immediately checked the new feature that had appeared. (Luck Gate) A sacred gate that serves as the main pathway to receive blessings from the gods. Only those who are brave and worthy canplete the divine trials within. The gate appears randomly during its active duration, bringing great opportunities to those who find it. - Crystal Consumption: 100 high-tier crystals/gate - Duration: 1 year - Total Gates: 0 [Activate Gate] "Another 100 crystals?" Lein stared at the description with disbelief in his eyes. He let out a long sigh, then leaned back in his chair. "I''ll curse you if the results aren''t worth it," he muttered under his breath, as if speaking directly to the system. "This gate resembles the portals to nature''s treasures from a novel I once read," Lein murmured to himself. Memories of the stories he had read surfaced in his mind, depicting worlds full of mystery and extraordinary opportunities. In those tales, it was said that the lucky ones could enter a realm of relics that offered immense fortune, capable of changing their lives forever. Lein sighed softly, his eyes gleaming with newfound hope. "Let''s try one," he said decisively. Without hesitation, Lein selected the "activate gate" option on his panel. His body tensed as he heightened his senses, activating his awareness to monitor the entire Divine Sky Realm. He tried to catch every small change, every trace of different energy, with meticulous focus. But... nothing happened. "Hmmm..." Lein took a deep breath, slightly disappointed. No anomalies were visible, no mysterious gate appeared before him. "Did it fail?" he wondered, his brows knitting slightly. He checked the description on the "Luck Gate" panel again. The total gate count on the screen had changed, now disying the number 1. "Did it appear instantly before someone else?" Lein mused aloud, mostly to himself. Typically, new features that were activated would immediately show results, even if they required time to reach full functionality. Lein decided not to dwell too much on this and chose to wait for the results. "Perhaps I''ll find out when someone lucky enough discovers the Luck Gate on their own," he murmured, calming himself. After ensuring everything was functioning properly, Lein shifted his focus to the next task. He decided to upgrade the Luck Branch to level 100. The process didn''t take long, only a few minutes. Lein swiftlypleted the steps, and eventually, all branches had reached their peak. Lein stood and observed his work. The five massive branches of the Life Source Tree now extended magnificently, towering toward the ceiling of the chamber. The energy radiating from these branches made the air around them feel alive and brimming with power. "Ha..." Lein let out a small yawn, his body feeling fatigued after spending so much timepleting everything. But the exhaustion was worth it. Seeing the results of his work, a small smile graced his face. "Worth the effort," he said, satisfied with all he had achieved. ************************* Happy New Year everyone, I hope you all stay healthy.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Thank you for apanying me until this chapter, you have helped me a lot. This month is myst month working, so I will have a lot of time to write. Your feedback is highly appreciated :) Chapter 345 One Month After finishing the enhancement of all the trunks of the Tree of Life Source, Lein stepped out from the heart of the tree. A gentle breeze brushed his face as he hovered in the air, his eyes fixed on the five massive trunks standing majestically. These trunks, the fruits of his hard work, now symbolized the new features that would bring significant changes to the Divine Sky realm. Lein couldn''t suppress a small smile as he imagined the potential hidden within them. The tree itself now appearedrger, having grown about 20% bigger than before. On its massive trunks and lush leaves, new activities began to emerge. Like on the maind, traffic of people could be seen along the tree''s surface. Some small buildings were even being constructed by the fortunate inhabitants. Lein observed this intently. He knew that gaining the privilege to build on this tree was an exceedingly expensive right. Lein''s gaze then shifted to therge bridge that had been nned for construction earlier. That structure now seemed useless because of the newly emerged mainndmass. The bridge, once intended to be a vital connector, was now only linked to Lein''s ind. Other inds were not allowed to hover above the sky of the mainndmass. "Can I move this tree?" Lein thought, his brows furrowing slightly as he weighed the possibility. [Yes, the host can move it], the system replied in a cold, monotonous voice. Lein was slightly surprised. It had been a long time since hest heard the system''s voice. However, he quickly regained hisposure. "I''ll move itter," he murmured lightly, as if speaking to himself. After that, his gaze shifted downward, toward the vast maind below, a gift from Hanes. That expanse ofnd was immense, asrge as 100 Realms, and full of potential. Yet, precisely because of its vastness, Lein let out a long sigh. "Hmmm¡­ there''s so much to do," he muttered softly, his hand reflexively rubbing his forehead. Considering all the tasks piling up, Lein felt slightly overwhelmed. In the past, he could manage everything on his ind by himself. But now, with such a vast maind, he knew it was impossible to work alone. "I''ll need to hold another meeting," Lein thought, his eyes gazing far into the horizon. This time, he needed more than just dedication. He required trusted subordinates, individuals he could rely on to manage thisnd. "Alright, I should start by moving this tree," Lein finally dered, his tone full of determination. He slowly raised both hands, and instantly, dream energy began to flow out of his body. The flow of energy wasn''t just a stream; it was like a powerful waterfall cascading with great force. The light from the energy illuminated the entire area, casting shadows on the tree''s leaves. Lein stood firm, despite the immense burden of energy he was releasing. The trunk of the Tree of Life Source began to tremble slightly. Its deeply rooted roots gradually lifted, detaching from the ground with a motion that was gentle yet powerful. Its leaves rustled, as if bidding a final farewell to the ce they had called home. With a deliberate motion, Lein moved the tree to the maind. When the massive tree finally nted its roots into the new soil, thend seemed toe alive again. Energy from the tree spread immediately, filling the air with warmth and strength. Lein observed it all, his breath slightlybored, but his face bore a profound satisfaction. ***n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om One Month Later Life in the Divine Sky Realm continued peacefully. Everyone carried on with their activities as usual. Human life was centered on the floating inds owned by major alliances and on the Main Landmass, which were interconnected through teleportation portals. Hunters were actively hunting monsters on floating inds designated as monster habitats, in the forests of the Main Landmass, or in the Sky Towers scattered across various regions. With his immense wealth, Lein had built thousands of 100-floor Sky Towers, distributed across the inds of fortunate alliances and certain areas of the Main Landmass. The process of relocating the floating inds owned by the Lords to the outskirts of the Main Landmass was still ongoing. Due to the vast distance, with an average speed of 1,000 km/second, it would take at least two months to reach the edge of the Main Landmass. The Main Landmass was bing increasingly vibrant. A modern environment simr to Earth had taken shape, with advanced architecture such as skyscrapers, aerial roads for flying vehicles, defense towers, military weapons, and various entertainment, educational, and recreational facilities. An education system was also being established, covering levels from elementary school, middle school, to high school. Universities were beginning to emerge and were being built more frequently. Additionally, the Divine Sky Realm had introduced a currency system using paper bills and coins called "Earth Dors," which made transactions easier for the general public. Major alliances had set up their bases on their respective floating inds, while their headquarters were located on the Main Landmass. However, the Main Landmass remained 100% under Lein''s ownership. No building could be owned by any other party without his permission. Lein allowed certain parties to leasend for a specific fee and duration. One significant change was the use of the term "Hunter" for those who chose to increase their power through the system. This term was adopted because dependence on the floating inds was decreasing. However, the status of Lords still existed. Lords were Hunters who owned their own floating inds. Even so, Hunters who only owned small inds without significant power were not entitled to the title of Lord. *** Main Landmass - Lein''s Residence Over the past month, Lein and Nita had decided to build their main home on the Main Landmass. The house was located right at the center of thendmass, surrounded by various central buildings that formed the core of the area. This strategic location allowed Lein to easily oversee the entirendmass. The main house they built was moderately sized¡ªnot toorge, but spacious enough for the two of them. In addition to two master bedrooms, the area around the house included various facilities such as a teleportation pad, a garden, a kitchen, and a soaking pool. Every element was designed with attention to detail, creating afortable and functional atmosphere. Lein chose a building style reminiscent of Earth''s architecture, evoking a sense of nostalgia amidst the advanced technology of the Divine Sky Realm. However, the materials used were vastly different, derived from divine nature that exuded elegance and strength. Despite its simple design, the house retained an undeniable aura of grandeur. In the front yard of the house, Lein and Nita were rxing, enjoying a bright morning. On a small table in front of them, some fresh bread and a ss of milk were served. Nita, with a gentle smile, offered a piece of bread to Lein. "Brother, would you like some more?" she asked, looking at Lein, who was focused on his gadget screen. Lein shifted his gaze from the tablet to Nita. With a slight nod, he replied, "Sure, just a little jam." Then he returned to his activity. Chapter 346 Infinity Duplicate, 14 times upgrade On the gadget screen Lein was holding, news from social media kept scrolling. He observed various posts with a calm expression, though asionally his eyes narrowed, indicating he was processing something. As a Guardian, he often forgot how the simple lives of ordinary people unfolded in the digital world. But this morning, he chose to enjoy the moment. "Here you go, Brother," Nita offered a piece of bread she had carefully spread with jam. "Thank you." Lein took it, biting the edge of the bread slowly. Under the warm morning sun, the two of them savored this moment of togetherness. There was no heavy conversation, only afortable silence. They were both used to starting their mornings this way, enjoying a brief respite before a busy day began. After rxing in the morning, Lein usually started his routine by patrolling the entire Divine Sky Realm. He ensured that all regions remained under control. His clones, scattered across various locations, acted as extensions of himself, allowing for more effective oversight. These clones were not just replicas of Lein but could also adapt to their surroundings. By utilizing transformation skills, Lein could disguise his clones in various forms, deceiving rulers below the King level. This skill allowed him to keep watch without drawing unnecessary attention. However, Lein still valued physical presence. His original body often conducted direct inspections, enjoying the breathtaking views around the Divine Sky Realm. Every step he took was apanied by gratitude for the world he now protected. It wasn''t umon for Lein to receive calls from the core members of his alliance. As a leader, he was often asked to help handle various administrative issues, especially those rted to governance. Though these tasks could sometimes feel burdensome, Lein always tried to give his full attention, ensuring every decision he made benefited his alliance. "Brother, the day after tomorrow, we''ll discuss the next stage of the realm''s development," Nita said, her eyes fixed on the gadget screen in her hands. Her tone was casual, but her gaze reflected seriousness about the uing ns. "Yes, that''s right. The next n is to establish an empire in this realm and then create other kingdoms," Lein replied briefly but with confidence. He leaned back in his terrace chair, holding his gadget with one hand. Nita paused for a moment, trying to grasp Lein''s intent. "Why create kingdoms if there''s already an empire, Brother?" she asked, frowning slightly in confusion. "Well, we''ll be the ones owning this empire," Lein replied, this time with a rxed tone. "Meanwhile, the kingdoms will be led by Earth''s surviving nations. They''ve struggled hard to endure in the Divine Sky Realm, so it''s only fair they''re given their own power to build their kingdoms." Nita nodded slowly, taking in every word Lein said. Over the past few months, she had undergone a significant transformation. She had be more mature, capable of strategic thinking, and was often trusted to represent Lein in governance matters on the Main Landmass. On several asions, she even chaired important meetings when Lein was upied with more urgent matters. "Alright, Brother. I just wanted to remind you, as you askedst week," Nita said with a friendly smile. Lein had asked her to remind him about the internal meeting, and now Nita was fulfilling that task. "Thank you," Lein replied briefly. Nita gave a small nod and continued eating. But suddenly, she seemed to recall something. "Oh, right, I''m heading out now. I have ns with Sister Laras to go to the beach." Nita quickly finished her meal, then tidied up the table. She hurriedly stood to prepare her things. "Alright, send my regards to Laras and the others," Lein said, his voice calm, while his gaze remained fixed on the gadget in his hand. "Okay, Brother," Nita replied before heading inside the house. The sound of her quick footsteps grew distant, leaving Lein alone on the terrace. Lein let out a deep sigh, gazing at the clear sky in front of him. "Huft... five days, and still no further progress?" he muttered softly, barely audible. His hand gripped his gadget tightly, while his mind drifted to the Talent Crystals he had been using for the past month. His efforts to enhance his duplication talent had yet to show significant results. (Talent Crystal) A rare item that grants the opportunity to acquire or enhance talents. If the user already has a talent, the existing talent will be upgraded. - Sess rate: 0.0010%. After sessfully enhancing his talent 14 times, the sess rate of the Talent Crystal had drastically dropped to 0.0010%, far lower than its initial rate of 25%. During this process, Lein always chose two additional paths for each enhancement option. Although the risks were higher, the end results made the effort incredibly worthwhile. Lein opened his talent panel, revealing his new ability. (Infinity Duplicate - Version 3) - Rank: SSS - Ability to duplicate 1 item into 1.5 million copies. - Chance to improve item quality: 19.35%. - Cooldown: 12.3 minutes. After thest four enhancements, Lein''s duplication ability had reached a level he could hardly believe. The total duplication count now stood at 1.5 million items in a single process. At first, he thought this figure was a system error, but his doubts vanished after testing it several times. Tens of billions of items now filled the storage space within his dimensional ring, serving as undeniable proof of his new power. The cooldown for this talent had also been significantly reduced, now requiring only 12.3 minutes for reuse. In a single day, Lein could utilize this ability over 100 times, producing more than 1,500 billion items if he chose to duplicate the same item. This potential not only made Lein nearly invincible in terms of resource supply but also gave him an extraordinary edge in strategic nning.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Additionally, the ability to enhance item quality made this talent even more remarkable. Although the enhancement chance was only 19.35%, its scale of effect was extraordinary. From the total 1.5 million duplicated items, about 300,000 items typically experienced quality improvement, yielding results far superior to the original items. This gave Lein an unparalleled advantage in terms of equipment, weapons, and other resources. Lein sat calmly in his room, staring at the system screen while tapping his fingers on the table. "I hope this doesn''t take more than a month," he murmured lightly, his eyes reflecting a calm yet calcted demeanor. He knew that the 0.0010% sess rate was a significant challenge, but he had a way to ovee it. The secret to his sessy in his countless clones. Each of his clones, scattered across various realms, simultaneously used the Talent Crystals. Lein had created millions of clones with the same capabilities, each tirelessly working to enhance their talents. This technique allowed the original Lein to reap the rewards of every sess achieved by his clones while maintaining full control over every major decision that needed to be made. Chapter 347 Get around the city by bicycle "It''s already 11," Lein murmured lightly as he nced at the clock on the wall. It had been a long time since hest wandered around the city. His busy daily life often kept him from enjoying the surroundings. Today, he decided to try something different. Rising from his chair, Lein walked casually toward the garage. His beloved bicycle, with its sleek ck frame and sturdy pedals, was waiting for him there. He smiled faintly. It had been a while since hest used it, but it still looked in perfect condition. It didn''t take long to get ready. Five minutester, he stepped out of his house gate, guiding his bicycle. The road in front of his home felt like a small oasis. Rows of green nts, shady trees, and colorful flowers lined the path, creating a soothing atmosphere. About 100 meters from his residence, the residential area transitioned into a multifunctional zone with warehouses, ponds, and sports fields. Everything was neatly arranged in a modern yet natural design. Lein began pedaling his bicycle leisurely. A gentle breeze brushed against his face, slightly ruffling his hair. His appearance was simple¡ªjust casual attire. Nothing stood out. If someone saw him now, they might think he was just an ordinary resident enjoying his morning. But beneath that simplicity, Lein remained a Guardian. He pondered for a moment, trying to decide on today''s destination. "I''ll visit the supermarket near Margo City Mall," he thought, nodding slightly. It would be a pleasant trip. As Lein''s bicycle passed the guard post portal, the guards stepped out of their post in unison. Their posture was upright, exuding respect in their movements. "Salute to the Guardian!" they shouted in unison, their right hands raised to their chests. Lein merely nodded slightly. To him, such gestures of respect had be routine. Without looking back, he continued pedaling, leaving the guards standing in ce, watching him until he disappeared from sight. Once he exited the residential area, he arrived at the main highway. Fivergenes stretched wide before him, as if offering boundless space. While most transportation now utilized flying technology, ground routes were still in use, though not as crowded as before. Alongside the highway, there was a perfectly designed bikene, just as wide andfortable as the motor vehiclenes in the middle of the main road. Lein pedaled slowly along the bikene, taking in the city''s atmosphere. asionally, ground vehicles like cars or motorcycles passed along the main road. There was no longer the noisy roar of engines or exhaust fumes polluting the air as before. All vehicles had transitioned to crystal technology as their energy source. The air felt fresh, as if newly cleansed after rain. "So quiet," he murmured as he pedaled. Memories of the past suddenly surfaced in his mind. He recalled his days on Earth, where traffic jams were a part of daily life. Roads were packed with vehicles, horns ring incessantly, and the air felt heavy with pollution. Now, this city seemed like a different world¡ªorderly, serene, and clean. Yet, something was missing. Lein stopped briefly under arge tree by the roadside. He gazed into the distance, letting his thoughts wander. "Hanes¡­ when will you fulfill your promise?" he asked silently. His voice was low, almost like a whisper. He remembered Hanes'' promise to return with a gift as an apology for his past mistakes. It had been over a month, yet there was no news at all. Lein sighed deeply, then resumed pedaling his bicycle. Lein had yet to decide to explore realms beyond the Divine Sky because he felt he hadn''t built a solid government across the entire territory. It wasn''t that he was incapable of leaving, but Lein wanted to manage everything in a structured and steady manner, ensuring every aspect of governance functioned well before moving forward. With the power he possessed, Lein was confident that very few in the universe could rival him. In fact, he felt there was almost no threat that truly concerned him at the moment. In the distance, Lein noticed a group of young people wearing trendy outfits standing by the roadside. They seemed excited, chatting among themselves while asionally pointing in his direction. "See? I told you it''s Lord Lein!" eximed a girl in the group excitedly, her voice nearly breaking the silence. Her eyes sparkled with conviction, while her friends still seemed hesitant. "Calm down, let''s just take a video. It''s so rare to see the Guardian in person," responded one of her friends, immediately raising her phone to record without taking her eyes off Lein. Lein observed them from afar, aware of their behavior but unfazed by it. He gave a faint smile, understanding their curiosity. If he were in their position, he might feel the same. On Earth, it would be impossible to see a president walking alone without security. But then again, who could act as Lein''s security? It would be merely for formality. Lein continued pedaling, and it didn''t take long for him to approach the group. As he drew near, the young people quickly hid their phones, pretending they weren''t doing anything. "Good afternoon, everyone," Lein greeted warmly. His voice was calm but carried a genuine warmth. The three girls in the group instantly blushed, unable to hide their nervousness. They exchanged nces before one of them finally mustered the courage to respond. "Good afternoon, Lord Guardian," they replied in unison, their broad smiles betraying their excitement.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om One of the young men in the group, dressed in luxurious attire that signified his noble lineage, took a step closer with a polite demeanor. "Good afternoon, Guardian. How are you?" he asked respectfully yet courteously. Lein looked at the young man with a friendly gaze. From his eyes and posture, Lein could easily tell that this young man had received good education and etiquette training. "Good," Lein replied briefly, smiling. "Are you all from a university?" "Yes, Sir. We''re from the University of Indonesia," the young man answered enthusiastically. He hesitated for a moment but then gathered the courage to ask another question. "May we take a photo with you?" "Of course," Lein replied without hesitation. Bright smiles instantly spread across their faces. They quickly arranged themselves, standing around Lein, who remained seated on his bicycle. The young man stood beside him, raising his phone high to take a selfie. Lein simply gave a faint smile, letting the moment unfold. "Thank you, Lord Guardian," they said gratefully after the photo was taken. "Thank you," added another, their smiles unwavering. Chapter 348 Uninvited guests "You''re wee. Keep up the good work in your studies," Lein said with a faint smile before preparing to continue his journey. "Absolutely, Sir! We''ll graduate and be scientists!" one of the young men replied with determination, apanied by enthusiastic nods from his friends. This group of youths was different from most people. They chose not to use their status panels as tools forbat but instead focused on science and technological innovation. It was a rare choice, but Lein deeply respected their dedication.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om To him, their efforts would be an essential part of the Divine Sky realm''s progress. He believed that no effort was ever wasted. Lein resumed pedaling his bike, and the journey didn''t take long. His residence was fairly close to the shopping center, which included arge mall called Margo City. "So massive," Lein murmured as he passed the front of Margo City. The building was grand, spanning more than ten meters in width, bustling with people eagerlying and going. Lein stayed on the designated bikene, his eyes scanning the crowd. Some people recognized him, but none dared to approach. In fact, those who tried seemed to be held back by an invisible force. It was Lein''s energy, subtly managed to maintain a respectful distance without causing fear. He didn''t want to create amotion, especially in a public ce like this. Lein continued his journey until he arrived at a supermarket not far from Margo City. The ce was lively, with numerous stalls and shelves packed with goods. He headed to the designated bike parking area and neatly parked his bicycle. Afterward, Lein walked past the guards and entered the supermarket. Inside, endless rows of shelves greeted his eyes. Futuristic technology was evident everywhere. Assistant robots stood by customers, helping them carry their shopping items. Not long after Lein stepped inside, a robot with a bald head and ck eyes disying digital text approached him. [Supermarket Assistant Robot] > I am an assistant robot ready to serve customers. May I assist you? The robot spoke in a monotone yet polite voice. "Yes," Lein replied with a slight nod. He walked toward the vegetable section, not far from where he stood. The shelves were filled with various types of vegetables that looked exceptionally fresh. Lein examined one of them closely. He couldn''t detect any chemical additives on the vegetables, a sign of their high quality. # Green Broli $20 / kg # De Co Broli $50 / kg *Note: $ refers to "Earth Dors," the currency used in the Divine Sky realm. "Is this expensive?" Lein murmured as he nced at the pricebel under the green broli. He had never bought vegetables himself before, so he wasn''t familiar with the actual market prices. As Lein stood in front of the shelf, contemting the price of broli, he suddenly sensed a tremendous energy approaching the Divine Sky realm. The power felt like a wave, pressing against the surrounding air with an intensity that only someone with extraordinary strength could perceive. Without warning, Lein, still holding the broli, vanished from the spot, leaving the neatly arranged vegetable shelves behind. *** - The Vast Emptiness - Amidst the vast emptiness, a giant white swan floated gracefully. Its pristine feathers glistened, reflecting light from an unseen source. On the swan''s back, six figures upied their respective ces. One of them was a shirtless young man with a sturdy build, while the other five were middle-aged men and women, their faces etched with expressions of vignce. "Elder Wen, are you certain that the young man who brought the blessing potion has already be a Guardian?" the shirtless young man asked. His voice was firm, though a hint of skepticism lingered at the edge of his words. He stared sharply at the middle-aged man seated before him. "Yes, Lord Guardian. I heard it directly from the Eternal Hanes. He said the young man''s power is extraordinary, almost impossible to predict," Elder Wen replied seriously, his voice softly echoing in the silence of the void. "Hanes? Why didn''t he tell me?" the young man muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. His eyes narrowed, revealing a trace of undisguised disappointment. He gazed far ahead, beyond the emptiness. In the distance, a massive realm came into view. A giant protective bubble encasing the realm shimmered, seemingly defying the surrounding void. "By the way, are you sure this is where his realm is located?" he asked, pointing toward the bubble. Elder Wen nodded confidently. "Yes, Lord. The information I obtained indicates this is the ce." The young man didn''t respond. Instead, his body vanished without warning, as if swept away by the wind. "Guardian...?" Elder Wen nced at the spot where the young man had stood moments before, his face clearly showing confusion. "Where did the Lord go? Has he arrived ahead of us?" one of the female elders asked, her voice filled with curiosity. Elder Wen let out a long sigh, trying to steady himself. "Yes, we''re almost there as well. Everyone, prepare yourselves," he said, turning his gaze back to the Divine Sky realm. His eyes glinted with determination as the faint sound of the protective bubble filled the emptiness. *** - Outside the Protective Bubble of the Divine Sky Realm - Beyond the boundaries of the protective bubble encasing the Divine Sky Realm, an object resembling a massive fighter jet moved slowly yet steadily. Its extraordinary size¡ªapproximately 300 meters in length and 50 meters in width¡ªadded an intimidating presence to its appearance. (Sky Satellite) An automatic satellite orbits the Guardian''s realm, aiding in realm protection from enemy attacks and conducting surveince and reconnaissance. - Power: Basic Destroyer - Range: 250,000 km - Durability: Middle - Crystal Consumption: 10 high-tier crystals/day - Modes: (Surveince : active) (Combat) (Rage) This Sky Satellite was a new feature Lein obtained after upgrading (Branch Protection) to level 10 and subsequently enhancing it to level 100. Equipped with a radar that continuously scans the space outside the Divine Sky Realm, every movement or environmental change is detected with precision. The information gathered is immediately transmitted to Lein, the ruler of the realm. Chapter 349 Aleron Zhen, Guardian of the Guandu Realm The satellite''s body was outfitted with various types of weapons, neatly arranged, ranging from small torge, suitable for both close and long-range engagements, making it appear like a floating armed fortress in the void. Amidst its steady movement, the main radar at the front suddenly stopped, locking onto a specific direction. Without hesitation, the satellite quickly altered its course, heading toward the marked anomaly as though it had detected something requiring immediate attention. Not far from the Divine Sky Realm''s protective bubble, a young man suddenly appeared. His face bore no exaggerated expression, but his sharp gaze was piercing. He was the same young man who had been with Elder Wen on the giant swan. Calmly, he observed the massive bubble that enveloped the realm. "So quiet," he murmured, his voice almost drowned in the emptiness. His gaze prated the void, trying to sense life behind the protection. Despite his sharp eyes, he could not see anything in detail. However, he could feel that the life within this realm was sparse, barely worthy of being called the poption of a full-fledged realm. A sudden movement caught his attention. The guardian satellite was now moving toward him, stopping with all its weapons aimed directly at him. Red lights on the satellite''s body began to glow, indicating maximum alert status. "Hmmm? A guardian satellite?" the young man muttered. He observed the massive object with keen interest, realizing that he was now considered a threat. From within the satellite, a cold mechanical voice resonated directly in his ears. [Sky Satellite] Please provide your identity and purpose within one minute. Failure toply will result in you being ssified as an enemy. The young man furrowed his brows, clearly not understanding the meaning of the words. However, such situations were not unfamiliar to him. He had often encountered high-tech protection systems when visiting realms managed by yers. Calmly, he raised his voice. "I am Aleron Zhen, from the Guandu realm. I havee to meet Guardian Lein and propose a coboration." Although he did not understand what the satellite had said, Aleron provided a brief exnation about himself. His experiences across various realms had ustomed him to such protocols. The satellite received the information from Aleron and processed it quickly. However, before the satellite could send a full report to Lein, a strange crack appeared in the air, directly in front of Aleron. The crack glowed, emitting shes of light like lightning, and then slowly opened. From within, Lein stepped out calmly. His body radiated a tranquil yet powerful aura, as if each of his steps carried an invisible pressure. His gaze immediately locked onto Aleron, who returned the look with a sharp yet cautious stare. In Lein''s view, a status window appeared before him, disying information about the figure now standing in front of him: [Panel status] - Name: Aleron Zhen, Guardian of the Guandu Realm - Level: 340 - Race: Cui Race - Power Core: Cultivator - Rank: Void Transformation (King stage Tier)n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Realm of Guandu?" Lein murmured softly, almost as if speaking to himself. Old memories shed through his mind. Lein recalled the first realm he visited during the inter-race war event. Back then, he was just a low-tier ruler, barely able to protect himself from even the smallest threats. His weakness made every step feel like gambling with his life. Yet, his luck¡ªand decisions that weren''t fatal¡ªallowed him to survive until now, reaching a power level he could hardly believe he had achieved. Meanwhile, Aleron continued observing the figure before him. A memory surfaced in his mind. This young man was the one who had given him the blessing potion back then¡ªa moment he cherished so much that he entrusted Elder Wen with a gift to deliver to Lein as a token of gratitude. Seeing Lein now, Aleron felt his heart tremble. There was something different, something hard to exin. Although Aleron knew Lein had only recently reached the King tier, he couldn''t gauge the depth of his power. The young man''s aura felt peculiar¡ªoppressive yet not aggressive. In the silence, Aleron realized that a subtle threat lurked beneath Lein''s calm demeanor. "Greetings, Sir Lein. My name is Aleron Zhen, Guardian of the Guandu Realm." Aleron introduced himself politely, bowing slightly as a sign of respect. Lein gave a small smile and responded in kind. "Greetings, Sir Aleron. I am Lein, Guardian of the Divine Sky Realm." Lein''s voice sounded friendly, showing no signs of hostility. To him, the young man before him was not a threat. In fact, in his mind, Aleron was more of a benefactor. After all, the blessing potion from Aleron was one of the additional rewards he received after helping Elder Wenplete his mission. "What brings you to my humble realm, Sir Aleron?" Lein asked directly, without preamble. Although he sensed no ill intent from Aleron, curiosity filled his thoughts. Aleron gave a faint smile, looking at Lein with a confident gaze. "Sir Lein, you''re quite straightforward. In that case, so will I." His tone was firm, like someone ustomed to direct conversations. There was no small talk in his words, only honesty and an intent to get straight to the point. "I came here to propose a coboration with you, Sir Lein," Aleron said casually. His gaze was sharp, trying to read Lein''s expression, searching for signs of eptance or rejection. Lein was slightly surprised by the direct statement. Only a few minutes had passed since they met, yet Aleron was already offering a partnership. Was this overconfidence, or a calcted move? Lein didn''t respond immediately, but a sense of suspicion began to grow in his heart. "What kind of coboration are you suggesting, Sir Aleron?" Lein asked in a neutral tone, masking his feelings behind a calm expression. Aleron gave a small smile, satisfied that Lein hadn''t outright refused. To him, that response was a positive sign. At the very least, he still had a chance to exin and convince Lein to agree to the coboration. "Here''s the thing, Sir Lein," Aleron said carefully. "I want to ask for your help in seizing a high-tier Aethris." Chapter 350 Aleron invitation His words were delivered slowly, with caution to ensure no detail was overlooked. "A high-tier Aethris?" Lein murmured, almost as if talking to himself. His eyes narrowed slightly, showing his curiosity. "What is that?" he asked, directing his full attention to Aleron. "In short," Aleron exined, "it''s simr to how your Divine Sky Realm unified with the cosmos. We aim to capture the newly born realm and integrate it as part of our race." Hearing this, Lein was silent for a moment. Aleron''s mention of unification with the cosmos stirred old memories¡ªbittersweet memories that, despite the challenges, had ultimately led to victory. Lein understood Aleron''s intent but continued to listen carefully, analyzing every nuance in the man''s words. "No problem," Lein said finally, with a faint smile. "But what''s in it for me?" Aleron''s smile widened. "Of course, I wouldn''t ask for your help without offeringpensation¡­" he began, but his sentence was abruptly cut off. Suddenly, Lein sensed movement in the distance. From the corner of his eye, he saw arge white swan approaching. The swan glided gracefully through the air, its feathers reflecting a soft, almost dazzling light. The swan continued its approach until it was only a few meters away from their position. Then, five figures in white robes leaped down from its back. As their feet touched the ground, the swan gradually shrank, transforming into a small bird that fluttered lightly toward Aleron before perching on his shoulder. "We''ve arrived, Sir," one of the five individuals said, their voice calm yet authoritative. The five figures turned their gaze toward Lein almost in unison. Then, one of them stepped forward and bowed slightly as a gesture of respect. "Greetings, Sir Lein. I am Wen Shu, an Elder of the Life Swan Sect." His voice was soft, but every word carried a weight of tradition and reverence. Following his introduction, the other four also bowed briefly, showing their respect to Lein. "Greetings," Lein nodded slightly, a small smile ying on his lips as he addressed them. His demeanor was friendly yet still exuded authority. He knew that the five neers were grandmasters¡ªrespected figures in many realms. However, as a ruler of king-level stature, he held a certain dignity of his own. Yet, as he observed the six individuals, including Aleron, Lein sensed something amiss. In his heart, he realized the situation was not in line with proper etiquette. As the host, he should have been more considerate of his guests''fort. How could they discuss such an important matter in an empty, open space? "Well then, Sir Lein¡­" Aleron began to continue their discussion, but before he could finish his sentence, Lein raised his hand, signaling him to stop. "Apologies for interrupting you, Sir Aleron," Lein said politely but firmly. His eyes softened as he looked at them, ensuring his good intentions were clear. "It seems this ce is not suitable for discussing something of such importance. Let us head inside and continue our conversation there." Lein gestured with his hand, pointing behind him. His actions conveyed not only hospitality but also the respect he extended to his guests. Inwardly, he felt a sense of relief, knowing that this small gesture could quickly rectify the situation. Immediately, Lein raised his hand, and a bright blue light began forming arge circle in the air. A massive portal appeared before them, radiating a gentle yet powerful energy. With his current strength, creating a portal like this was a trivial task for Lein. It was a testament to how deeply connected he was with the realm of the Divine Sky. "Please," Lein said, stepping aside to make way. His voice was firm but filled with warmth. Aleron gave a slight nod, casting a brief nce at the elders behind him. "Let''s go," he said, his low voice cutting through the silence.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The elders followed Aleron toward the portal, walking calmly yet with deliberate care, as though paying respect to Lein and the portal he had just created. The portal''s energy gently enveloped them, their figures disappearing one by one into the radiant light. Once everyone had entered, Lein stood still for a moment, gazing at the softly pulsating portal. He raised his hand once more, and a small glowing screen appeared before him. On the screen, he quickly typed a brief message to Haikal Emanuel, asking him to prepare a reception for the guests. "All done." Lein exhaled softly, then stepped into the portal. In an instant, his figure vanished, leaving silence hanging in the empty air. *** Haikal Emanuel''s Ind, Cmity City ¨C Library Room In a spacious room filled with wooden shelves brimming with old books, an elderly man sat quietly. The pristine white robe he wore reflected the gentle light of the chandelier above him. His steady, experienced hands slowly turned the pages of the book he was reading. His gaze was sharp, yet there was a softness in it, reflecting a deep thinker. On the corner of thest page he read, the words "The Power of Realms" were clearly etched, eliciting a small murmur from his lips. "The power of realms, huh?" Haikal muttered, his low voice resonating faintly in the quiet library. Continue your journey on empire However, the silence did notst long. Before his eyes, a glowing screen suddenly appeared, pulsing gently with a soft notification. Haikal straightened slightly, his focus sharpening. With a single wave of his hand, the screen opened, disying a new message. Realizing it was from Lein, Haikal quickly read its contents. "Guests?" he murmured, his brows furrowing slightly. Without wasting time, he closed the book in his hands with a soft, nearly inaudible sound. Never before had someone from the realme and paid a visit; he had to prepare many things at this moment. In an instant, the old man vanished from his spot, leaving behind a chair that still swayed slightly. In the room, only the ancient books remained as silent witnesses that someone had just been there. After his departure, the library was as quiet as ever, bright lights shining on hundreds of shelves full of books Chapter 351 Banquet plan Main Hall - World Market Trade Alliance The grand hall of the World Market Trade Alliance was filled with a serious atmosphere that hung in the air, though far from tense. Haikal Emanuel stood firmly at the podium, hismanding presence naturally drawing the attention of everyone in the room. His sharp eyes scanned the faces before him, making each person feel acknowledged. There was an unusual silence¡ªnot born of fear, but of respect.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om His posture spoke more than words. His broad shoulders, upright stance, and calm movements reflected a leader ustomed to bearing great responsibilities. When he spoke, his voice was low yet filled with authority, resonating throughout the room without the need to be raised. "In ten minutes, visitors from afar will arrive," he announced, his tone calm but carrying a weight that was impossible to ignore. "Master Lein has instructed us to prepare a proper banquet for them." His words echoed in the hall like ripples, touching everyone present. Haikal paused briefly, his gaze meeting each face before him, as if gauging their responses and ensuring his message was firmly embedded in their minds. At the front row sat the 12 core members of the alliance, including Laras, Nita, Elen, Bagus, and Dion. They listened intently, while in the back rows, senior officials responsible for the alliance''s daily operations maintained their serious expressions. There was no room for uncertainty. "Nita, has Lein contacted you about this?" Laras asked in a calm tone, though her eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity. "Not yet," Nita replied casually. "I only found out when Master Haikal mentioned it in the group." A faint smile appeared on her face, reflecting the confidence she had gainedpared to her younger self. If it had been her past self, she might have been upset for not being informed earlier by Lein. Laras nodded in understanding. "Perhaps it''s due to the importance of this event and the sudden timing. Master Haikal is indeed the right person for this task." Her voice was gentle, almost like an older sister offering reassurance. Laras understood Lein''s regard for Nita and recognized that every decision Lein made carried its own reasoning. Meanwhile, Elen appeared restless. She leaned slightly forward, her hands gripping her chair, her gaze directed at Laras. "Are they attackers like before?" she asked with concern in her voice. Memories of the fierce battle alongside Ayumi, leader of the Japanese Alliance, shed through her mind¡ªstill too fresh to forget. Laras, seated beside her, sensed her unease. Gently, she took Elen''s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "No, Elen. They are guests, not enemies," she said, her voice and gesture exuding a calming effect that was hard to resist. Elen nodded slowly, though traces of worry lingered on her face. Laras kept holding her hand for a moment longer, ensuring that the calmness settled. As the eldest among the three, Laras always took on the role of protector¡ªnot only through her strength but also through her warmth. Seeing that everyone appeared to have absorbed the information about the arrival of the visitors from afar, Haikal continued his speech with a firm yet calm tone. "I want us to immediately discuss and finalize three main aspects," he said, pausing briefly to add weight to his words. "Location, food, and artistic performances. We must ensure everything is ready before tomorrow." Haikal was about to raise his hand to continue, but his attention shifted to an alliance official who had raised his hand first. The man''s face showed a hint of confusion, though there was caution in his actions. "Excuse me, Master Haikal," the man said, his voice slightly hesitant but clear. "Didn''t you say earlier that they would arrive in ten minutes?" Haikal nodded slightly, acknowledging the correctness of the statement. "Yes, they will arrive in ten minutes," he rified, pausing briefly to ensure everyone''s focus. "However, that is not the time for the banquet. Today, they will stay at a hotel. The banquet will be held tomorrow." Haikal''s exnation immediately dispelled the confusion in the room. The man who had asked nodded slowly, seemingly satisfied with the rification. Several others also showed their understanding with subtle nods. In the front row, Laras raised her hand, drawing Haikal''s attention to her. "Yes, go ahead, Laras," Haikal said warmly, a small gesture signaling her to speak. "I propose that the banquet be held beside the Tree of Life Source," Laras suggested confidently. "The location is not only beautiful but also symbolic, reflecting the strength and harmony of our alliance." Haikal nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the suggestion. "A good idea," he finally said. "However, we need to ensure there is a temporary structure that canfortably amodate our guests. Is there anyone who can coordinate this on short notice?" Without hesitation, Laras responded immediately. "I will take responsibility for it, Master Haikal. My father has connections with a constructionpany experienced in buildingrge event venues. I will contact them right away." "Very well, Laras. Make sure everything ispleted without any issues," Haikal replied with a slight nod of approval. Then his gaze shifted to a burly man seated a few rows back. "Mr. Waruwu, assist Miss Laras in managing the venue." The man named Waruwu stood promptly, hisrge frame exuding amanding presence. He nodded respectfully and said sinctly, "I''m ready, Master Haikal." "Good. That concludes the discussion on the location," Haikal said, his tone signaling he was ready to move on to the next topic. Now, Haikal shifted his focus to the second point. "For food, I want us to serve dishes from various countries that once existed on Earth. This will highlight the diversity and cultural richness that we uphold in this alliance. Any suggestions?" Nita, seated in the front row, raised her chin slightly. Her eyes sparkled with barely contained enthusiasm. "We could serve sushi from Japan, pasta from Italy, rendang from Indonesia, and several other signature dishes," she said energetically. "I know some high-quality food suppliers who can help ensure everything is perfect." Haikal nodded with a satisfied expression. "Excellent, Nita. Contact them immediately and make sure the ingredients are avable on time." "Perfect," said Haikal as he typed the point into the small tablet in his hand. His face showed calmness, but the quick movement of his fingers reflected intense focus. "Next, for the artistic performances. I want something memorable. Any ideas?" Elen, who had been quiet in her seat, finally spoke. Her voice was soft yet filled with conviction. "We could showcase traditional dances from various Earth cultures, such as menco from Spain, kecak from Bali, and ssical opera from Europe. Additionally, I can arrange for musicians to perform a grand orchestra as the opening act." Haikal listened intently, his eyes fixed on Elen as if weighing every word she spoke. After a brief pause, he nodded slowly. "An excellent idea," he said, his tone reflecting satisfaction. "But this will require significant coordination. I will divide the tasks. Laras, handle the venue. Nita, manage the food. Elen, prepare the artistic performances. Bagus and Dion, ensure logistics and security run smoothly." Bagus and Dion exchanged nces before nodding in unison. "Understood, Master Haikal," they replied firmly, their voices filling the room with confidence. Chapter 352 Visit CCT 29th Floor Suddenly, one of the alliance officials, a man named Malik, raised his hand. His face, marked with fine lines, reflected experience and intelligence. "Master Haikal, what if we involve civilians from various alliance nations? They could actively participate in this event, either as servers, guides, or even additional performers. This way, our guests will see how engaged our people are in such a major event." Haikal gave a faint smile, a rare but meaningful expression. He looked at Malik with a gaze full of appreciation before responding. "An excellent suggestion, Malik. Make sure this is organized properly. We need to announce this immediately to recruit volunteers. Select them based on their abilities and enthusiasm, not just to fill quotas." Haikal then stepped forward to the podium. The sound of his footsteps lightly echoed in the room, drawing everyone''s attention. He swept his gaze across the room, ensuring every pair of eyes was fixed on him. "We have little time, but I am confident that with our cooperation, this can be a remarkable banquet. Remember, all of you represent the face of this alliance. Do not disappoint Master Lein," he said, his voice deep and resolute, like a leader who understood the weight of responsibility. After finishing his speech, Haikal nced at each member in the room, ensuring his message was understood. After a few moments of silence, he gave a small nod, signaling the meeting was over. The core members and officials immediately moved toward their respective tasks. They walked briskly, some already engaging in discussions about the steps to be taken.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Haikal remained standing at the podium, silent for a moment. He took a slow breath and then softly said, "Good," as if confirming to himself. Suddenly, a bright blue light surrounded his body, radiating with enough intensity to leave anyone watching in awe. In an instant, Haikal vanished. *** Floor 29 - Central Control Tower (CCT) The room was silent. Holographic panels glowed softly, disying vital information in the form of graphs, maps, and reports. The blue and white light from the holographic screens reflected off the clean metallic walls, creating a futuristic atmosphere that felt cold yet professional. At the center of the room, a man in a military uniform stood before arge table. His sharp eyes focused on the monitor above his desk, examining reports that were being updated in real-time. On the monitor, a vast map appeared with dozens of green dots scattered across it. Each dot represented an active surveince post. With precise finger movements, the middle-aged man tapped one of the green dots in the center of the map. Instantly, a video appeared in the corner of the screen, disying the biodata of the officer on duty at the post. Two guards were visible, standing alert, their gazes asionally scanning the surrounding area. On the other side of the video, a table of information appeared, listing personnel numbers, security statuses, and other sensitive data. The man nodded slightly and returned to the map screen. He tapped another dot, conducting a simr inspection. Despite the focus required for his task, his expression remained calm, reflecting his experience in managing such situations. Across the room, several officers were busy with their respective tasks. The distance between their desks was enough to ensure their activity didn''t create disruptive noise. Only the soft tapping of fingers on screens and the hum of electronic devices filled the room''s quiet. Amid the silence, the middle-aged man suddenly felt a presence beside him. The air grew slightly colder, as though a new energy had entered the room. "Master Haikal?" he eximed in surprise, his eyes widening. He even rubbed his eyes a few times, as if ensuring what he saw wasn''t an illusion. In front of him stood Haikal Emanuel, upright and imposing. The powerful aura emanating from the older man made the room feel smaller, as if the gravity around them had shifted. "Apologies, sir. Why have youe here directly? Is there something I can assist you with?" The man, Yosa, immediately rose from his chair, standing with utmost respect. Haikal Emanuel gave a slight nod, a faint smile gracing his face. "No need to worry, there''s nothing wrong," he replied in a rxed tone, yet still exuding authority. With a wave of his hand, a simple chair materialized from thin air. Calmly, Haikal sat down before Yosa, making the man feel even smaller in his presence. "Here''s the situation, Yosa," Haikal began, his tone bing more serious. "We''re expecting visitors from beyond..." Haikal exined in detail about the arrival of Aleron and the other guests. His voice remained calm, but every word carried a weight that made Yosa grasp the importance of the situation. Haikal also shared the ns previously discussed in the World Market Trade Alliance''s main hall. His eyes locked onto Yosa''s, emphasizing that these were direct orders from Lein, their supreme leader. "Understood, sir! We from the security division are ready to assist. What do you need us to do?" Yosa replied with confidence. Hearing that this task was a direct order from Lein, his spirit burned with determination. "Nothing new," Haikal replied calmly but firmly. "I just want you to secure the area around the event venue." Yosa nodded, but his eyes showed enthusiasm, as if conveying that he was ready to give his best. Haikal continued, "The event will take ce near the Tree of Life." "Understood, sir. We''ll form a special security team for this event," Yosa responded quickly, his tone resolute. "In addition, I want you to secure the entire route," Haikal said as he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and ced it on the table. Yosa picked up the paper and examined the map it disyed. The lines on the map marked the travel routes to be secured. The points began at the Teleportation Hub on Lein Ind and ended at the Wiyata Hotel, the ind''s finest hotel. Another line showed the route from Wiyata Hotel to the Tree of Life on the maind. After thoroughly studying the map, Yosa nodded with confidence. "Very well, sir. We will secure the entire area, and I''ll ensure smooth traffic along this route." His voice was steady, and his eyes reflected strong resolve. "Good. I trust you, Yosa. With that, I''ll take my leave," Haikal said briefly. Without further ado, Haikal disappeared in an instant, as did the chair he had summoned. The faint blue light surrounding him gradually faded, leaving Yosa alone in the room. "Huft..." Yosa let out a long breath, wiping the sweat that had started to form on his forehead. Truthfully, he had felt almost paralyzed with fear¡ªnot because Haikal was angry or threatening, but because the older man''s aura was so dominant and intense, creating a suffocating atmosphere. Fortunately, Yosa had been in serious mode while on duty. Otherwise, his position might have been taken over by someone else by now. Wasting no time, Yosa picked up the paper Haikal had given him and opened the holographic panel in front of him. His fingers moved swiftly, contacting the security division through the internalwork. "Emergency meeting," he ordered. His face returned to a serious expression. He knew this task wasn''t just about following orders but also about upholding the honor of Lein and the entire Alliance. Chapter 353 Dions choice, Aurora-9 Dion stood in the middle of a spacious flying car showroom, his eyes scanning the lineup of futuristic vehicles disyed like works of art. The soft light from the ceiling illuminated the aerodynamic curves and gleaming surfaces of the cars, creating the impression that they were ready to take off into the sky at any moment. The scent of metal and new leather blended with the faint aroma of advanced electronics, evoking a modern and exclusive atmosphere. "Wee, Mr. Dion," a middle-aged man in a perfectly tailored suit and a respectful smile approached him. "My name is Adrian, the owner of this showroom. It''s an honor to serve someone of your reputation. How can I assist you?" Adrian bowed his head slightly, his movements smooth yet full of deference. As a lower-ranking ruler, he was acutely aware of the immense power gap between himself and Dion, a grandmaster capable of obliterating him with a mere flick of a finger. His voice trembled slightly, but he made an effort to remainposed in the presence of such a dominant figure. Dion shook the man''s hand casually, but his eyes remained fixed on three cars in front of them. His task of selecting the perfect vehicle for an off-world guest felt moreplicated than he had anticipated. "I need a flying car that leaves an unforgettable impression. Can you tell me more about these three models?" Adrian nodded enthusiastically. "With pleasure, Mr. Dion. Allow me to show you." His hand gestured toward the first car, his movements deliberate yet cautious, as if every step had been carefully considered. "This is the Siro-7," Adrian said, pointing to a sleek vehicle with a metallic silver surface that reflected light like a mirror. "Our premium model. Its maic levitation technology ensures near-silent flight, offering an exceptionally smooth flying experience. With a maximum speed of 900 km/h and a range of 1,200 kilometers on a single charge, it''s designed for performance and luxury." Dion stepped closer, his finger brushing against the cold, smooth surface. The metallic sheen reflected his face with a slight distortion, as though he were glimpsing a future version of himself. "What about the interior?" he asked, his eyes ncing at the tightly shut gullwing doors.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Adrian pressed a button on his wristwatch. The car''s doors rose gracefully, revealing a spacious cabin with cream-colored leather seats that resembled business-ss sofas. Soft blue light from the ambient lighting system gently illuminated the interior, creating a calming atmosphere. "It seats four and includes top-tier entertainment features. Perfect for medium to long-distance travel. However, do keep in mind that its size might pose a challenge in confined spaces." Dion nodded, noting both the strengths and weaknesses. "Elegant, but the size could be an issue." Adrian smiled politely, relieved that hisment was well-received by the grandmaster. "Exactly, Mr. Dion. This option prioritizesfort above all else." They moved on to the second car, which appeared sleeker and sharper in design. Its ck metallic body absorbed light, exuding an aura of mystery and power. Dion could easily imagine this car zipping nimbly between towering skyscrapers. "Vento-X," Adrian introduced, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Designed for efficiency and flexibility. Controlled gravity technology enables it to take off andnd in tight spaces, while hidden nano-dynamo propellers keep the design aerodynamically sleek." "Speed?" Dion asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied the car''s sharp lines. "700 km/h. Slightly slower than the Siro-7, but this car excels in maneuverability. Its range reaches 800 kilometers. The interior is simpler yet stillfortable. Ergonomic seats and a modern entertainment system amodate three passengers." Dion opened the door and peeked inside. The space was smaller but felt intimate and practical. He could easily picture a VIP guest entering and exiting without much effort. "This is better suited for areas with limited ess," he murmured. Adrian nodded promptly. "Exactly, Mr. Dion. This is an excellent choice if flexibility is your top priority." Adrian led Dion to thest car. At first nce, the Aurora-9 looked like a private jet redesigned into a car. Its metallic surface shifted colors depending on the angle of the light, radiating a beautiful gradient from bluish-purple to silver. "This is our masterpiece," Adrian said proudly, though he maintained his humility. "The Aurora-9 is equipped with a turbocharged ion engine, allowing speeds of up to 1,200 km/h and a range of 1,800 kilometers. Its full automation system ensuresfort and safety, even in adverse weather conditions." Dion walked around the car, examining every detail. When Adrian opened the door, Dion was greeted by a cabin exuding luxury. The seats, made from adaptive materials, felt warm and soft, adjusting to body temperature upon touch. "What''s the capacity?" "Six passengers," Adrian replied. "And each seat has individual settings. An advanced AI system ensures a smooth flight without any manual intervention. If you want your guest to feel like royalty, this is the perfect choice." Dion sat down on a chair provided in the showroom, his mind racing. Each of the three cars had its own strengths. The Siro-7 impressed with itsfort and performance, but its size could be an issue. The Vento-X was highly flexible and practical, ideal for locations with limited space. Meanwhile, the Aurora-9 offered unmatched luxury and technology. "I''ll take the Aurora-9, Mr. Adrian. Please have it prepared as quickly as possible," Dion decided. "Right away, sir," Adrian replied enthusiastically. He was going to receive a significant bonus this month. Not long after Dionpleted the transaction, he vanished from the showroom without dy. Not wanting any mistakes, he had personally overseen the vehicle selection. Earlier, he had instructed others to handle the remaining logistics. *** Japanese Alliance Ind In front of the Japanese Alliance Building, Ayumi stood calmly. Her long purple hair swayed gently in the wind. Her eyes asionally nced at the watch on her left wrist. She was waiting for the arrival of someone very important. After a while, the air in front of her rippled. A glowing purple portal appeared, spinning slowly like a whirlpool. Chapter 354 Elen visits alliances From within, a young girl with a cute and beautiful face stepped out, wearing a simple yet elegant dress. "Wee, Elen!" Ayumi greeted her with a warm smile. Her voice was filled with friendliness, but there was a tone of respect within it. "Hello, Sister Ayumi," Elen replied as she stepped closer. Her voice was soft, yet there was a sense of confidence behind it. They had arranged to meet, so Ayumi had been waiting in front of the building. The two shook hands and shared a light hug, signaling their close rtionship despite their vastly different positions. "What''s the matter, Elen? What brings you here? Is there a new anime you want to watch?" Ayumi teased, though her excitement was hard to hide. Ayumi was indeed friendly with Elen. She always sought to build a closer rtionship with the girl. As the President of the Japanese Alliance, her position was already highly respected and prestigious, butpared to the girl standing before her, Ayumi felt like an ordinary citizen. Not only that, Elen''s extraordinary power often left Ayumi in awe. The girl looked small and cute, but her strength surpassed many people Ayumi knew. Elen gave a faint smile. "Well... we''re expecting guests, and we need to prepare a show for them." She began exining the results of her discussion with Mr. Haikal. Her voice was calm, but every word she spoke carried a sense of responsibility. "Alright, Elen. Don''t worry," Ayumi replied confidently. "We''ll discuss this internally first, then provide information on the performance we''ll present." "Yes, that''s fine, Sister. I won''t take up too much of your time," Elen said with a farewell smile. "There are still many other alliances I need to visit for the same purpose." Elen had deliberately arranged the meeting in front of the building rather than in the main hall. This meeting was brief, as she had many other alliances to visit. Like Dion, Elen didn''t rely solely on special members to deliver messages; she came herself to ensure everything went ording to n. "Alright, Elen. Take care, and I hope everything goes smoothly," Ayumi said with a warm smile. "See you, Sister," Elen said as she stepped back. She raised her hand, forming a purple portal in the air. In an instant, she stepped into it, and the light disappeared, leaving Ayumi alone at the spot. Ayumi stood still for a moment, gazing at where the portal had vanished. A cold breeze blew, carrying the scent of flowers from the gardens around the building. Her face turned serious, her mind immersed in the many ns she needed to arrange. Elen''s request was no small matter, and Ayumi understood the importance of the uing event.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om *** World Market Trade Alliance Headquarters Above Lein Ind, in front of the World Market Trade Alliance''s main building, arge portal opened with a soft hiss. From within, Aleron stepped out confidently, followed by six dignified elders. Finally, Lein appeared with a rxed stride, exudingplete control over the situation. "Wee to the Divine Sky Realm, Mr. Aleron," Lein said with a light smile, greeting them politely. "Thank you, Mr. Lein," Aleron replied, observing his surroundings. His gaze fell upon the expansive ind, with the grand main building at its center. He took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air filled with pure energy. "The aura of this realm is so pristine," he thought, "isn''t this realm newly formed?" He sensed the air here was only slightly weaker in energypared to the atmosphere of the Guandu Realm. His gaze then shifted to the defensive towers lining the area around the main building. Some smaller towers appeared simple, while therger ones, over a hundred meters tall, looked more imposing. "These towers are too numerous, but unfortunately, they''re quite weak," Aleron muttered softly. Of all the towers he observed, only the ones towering over 100 meters in the distance seemed capable of posing any threat. However, even those could only disrupt creatures of Tier-Master level. Lein, noticing Aleron''s gaze, sensed the disdain behind it. Yet, he chose not to respond. To him, the towers were sufficient for now. "It seems I need to begin external exploration soon," he mused internally. However, he knew there were important tasks toplete in this realm first. The governance of the Divine Sky Realm needed to be solidified before he could leave for a long journey. Lein felt relieved knowing that Nita, now much more mature, could be trusted to oversee the realm during his absence. Meanwhile, one of the elders approached Elder Wen and whispered curiously, "Elder Wen, how did youe to meet such an extraordinary young master?" Elder Wen smiled faintly. "Luck," he replied mysteriously. In his heart, he knew their first encounter had been a mere coincidence, but that coincidence had changed everything. He still remembered sensing the unique aura of the Blessing Elixir Lein had released at the Tou Pavilion. That was the moment that had brought them together. Lein stepped forward and gestured to Aleron and his entourage. "Let''s go inside," he invited in a rxed yet authoritative tone. The entrance to the main building was clear, providing a wide path for them. Several guards stood in neat rows, giving respectful salutes. Beside the door, an elegantly dressed female attendant was waiting. With a professional demeanor, she guided Lein, Aleron, and the others to the meeting room inside the building. Lein''s and Aleron''s group passed through several rooms with magnificent disys. Aleron and the elders behind him were visibly astonished several times by the design and technology utilized in the alliance''s building. It wasn''t because they had never seen such technology before, but rather due to their admiration for the wealth possessed by the Divine Sky Realm¡ªa realm only one year old in the vast Origin cosmos. Lein felt pleased with Aleron''s and the others'' reactions. Reflecting on it, he knew he could aplish all of this thanks to his limitless duplication talent. Few in the universe would be able to rival his wealth. Chapter 355 Dubai city painting In a bright, shadowless corridor, Lein''s group continued walking calmly. The female officer at the front led the way, moving with a polished and professional demeanor. The light in the corridor was so bright that every corner was clearly visible, giving a modern and sterile impression. Along the way, they passed several operational rooms of the Alliance. Inside these rooms, there was a flurry of activity; alliance staff were busy operating their devices, while some appeared engaged in serious discussions. asionally, an officer would step out of a room, pause briefly to offer a respectful greeting to Aleron and his group, then bow more deeply toward Lein. Lein acknowledged each greeting with a slight nod, exuding the friendliness and authority of a leader. After walking for a while, the female officer leading the way suddenly stopped in front of arge door with a shiny metallic frame. The door appeared sturdy, with a futuristic design that conveyed its importance. The officer stood straight and began a series of meticulous procedures. First, her body was scanned by a bright blue beam emanating from a panel above the door. The processsted only a few seconds but was enough to demonstrate the high security of the location. She then took a small ID card from her pocket and pressed it against the panel beside the door. A soft sound was heard, and therge door slowly opened, revealing the room behind it. "Mr. Lein, Mr. Aleron, we have arrived. Please,e in," said the officer politely, bowing slightly to show her respect. Lein nodded and gracefully gestured toward the door. "After you, Mr. Aleron," he said, inviting his guest to enter first. Aleron gave a faint smile before stepping past Lein withposure. The elders behind him followed in silence. Once everyone had entered, Lein followed suit, walking toward the door at his usual rxed pace. His gaze briefly fell on the small namete on the female officer''s chest. "Thank you, Lina," said Lein warmly. Lina, hearing his words, felt her heart race. Lein, the Guardian of this Realm, had just called her by name and thanked her. For a moment, her mind wandered, imagining the pride she would feel when sharing this story with her familyter. By the time she regained her senses, Lein was no longer in front of her, and therge door had closed. Inside the spacious meeting room, Lein began a brief introduction. "The front part of this room is designed forrge gatherings. The stage is equipped with various visual technologies to facilitate presentations," Lein exined, pointing toward the stage at the center of the room. Aleron and the elders listened attentively. While the technology wasn''t entirely unfamiliar to them, its presentation was intriguing. They had seen more advanced devices in other realms, but the programmed use of such technology remained relevant. This room, with its futuristic atmosphere, gave the impression that the Alliance under Leinbined efficiency with aesthetics. Not only was the technology impressive, but the room was also adorned with various pieces of art that inspired awe. Right at the entrance stood arge dragon statue, intricately carved with outspread wings and a majestic expression. Further inside, statues of humans in various poses adorned the walls, as if they were silent guardians of the bright light emanating from the room. Among the statues,rge paintings depicting scenes from Earth caught the guests'' attention. Each painting was carefully ced, creating harmony between art and the room''s design. One painting, portraying a nighttime view of Dubai with its glittering lights, made Aleron pause briefly. "Is this what your looked like before entering Aeitheris?" Aleron asked curiously, his eyes focused on the details of the tall buildings in the painting. "Yes, that''s correct, Mr. Aleron," Lein replied as he approached the painting. "This view depicts a night in a city called Dubai. It was one of the top ten most visited tourist destinations in the world." "From all over the world? A holy city?" Aleron asked with a tone ofparison, clearly trying to rte it to concepts familiar in the cosmos. Lein gave a small smile, suppressing augh. "Well, you could say that," he finally said. Inwardly, he couldn''t imagine the reaction of Earth''s inhabitants if they heard Dubai being referred to as a holy city. After the brief exnation, Lein guided the group to the center of the room. There stood a long table capable of seating up to a hundred people. The polished surface of the table reflected the light, creating a formal and elegant atmosphere. Lein took a seat at the head of the table, followed by Aleron, who sat to his left. The elders then took their seats in an orderly manner. "An elegant building, Mr. Lein. Your architectural style is truly unique," Aleron remarked,plimenting the overall design of the World Market Trade Alliance building.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Lein detected sincerity in Aleron''s tone. While he didn''t call it the best, the word "unique" was enough to express appreciation for the creativity in architecture that was rarely encountered in the universe. "Hahaha... yes, this building was designed by many skilled experts," Lein replied, nodding lightly. He himself had felt a simr sense of awe when he first saw the buildingpleted. "That''s quitemon, Mr. Lein," Aleron continued with a small smile. "With such rapid development, I''m confident that in less than a hundred thousand years, the Divine Sky Realm could be one of the higher-level realms." Lein smiled politely at thepliment. "You tter us, Mr. Aleron," he said humbly. However, curiosity began to arise in his mind about the concept of higher-level realms that Aleron mentioned. "No, my feelings are never wrong," Aleron replied with full confidence. His gaze carried a firm conviction, as if he could see a future yet to unfold. Lein decided not to delve further into the topic. For him, whether Aleron''s prediction was correct or not, time would provide the answer. In his heart, Lein didn''t want this journey to take that long. Hundreds of thousands of years felt like an almost unimaginable span of time, even with his current understanding of time''s concept. While he understood that significant progress required patience, the idea of waiting that long still weighed on his mind. Chapter 356 River of Life Lein and Aleron then engaged in light conversation about the Cosmos Origin. From Aleron''s exnations, Lein learned that the Cosmos Origin was the cosmos they currently resided in. This exnation introduced Lein to arger concept: a cosmos was a region of empty space beyond the River of Life. Aleron continued, "The River of Life is the path to ascend to higher realms. But the journey through that river is extremely challenging. Every traveler must be prepared to disce other realms in the process." These words were spoken with a heavy tone, as if they carried the burden of a long history condensed into simple phrases. "In a way, the cosmos is a peripheral region. A ce where realms that do not wish to take part in the struggle for ultimate power reside," Aleron said with a wry smile, his eyes briefly reflecting a sense of irony toward the reality he understood. "Peripheral region?" Lein repeated the words softly, with a foolish smile. However, in his mind, those words struck like a blow. All his efforts, all the processes he had gone through so far, had only brought him to a ce referred to as a peripheral region. What kind of joke is this, Lein thought, his fists unconsciously clenching. Lein''s thoughts spun wildly. "Then, how strong are those people?" he muttered internally. If this cosmos was merely a peripheral region, wouldn''t those within the River of Life be hundreds, even thousands of times stronger than him? The thought alone was enough to furrow his brows. Aleron seemed to notice the change in Lein''s expression. He realized there were too many questions swirling in the young man''s mind. So, with a calm voice, he continued his exnation.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "To enter the River of Life, there are no absolute requirements," Aleron said slowly, carefully choosing his words. "However, based on the experiences of billions of realms that have attempted it, at least a thousand Sovereigns are needed to survive. That is the minimum number." His tone was heavy, as if the number itself was a burden he carried. Lein remainedposed. His expression did not change in the slightest, even when the number a thousand was mentioned. He sat still, his eyes fixed on Aleron, without giving any indication that the words surprised him. Aleron felt the need to borate further, attempting to shake Lein''s calm demeanor. "In addition to that number, ten of them must be Peak-stage Sovereigns," he continued, emphasizing his words. There was a bitter undertone in his voice, like someone who fully understood the weight of what he was describing. However, Lein''s expression remained neutral, with only a slight raise of his eyebrows. It was the first time he had heard the term Peak-stage Sovereign. Lein''s mind began to analyze. "Does the Sovereign level have nine stages?" he wondered, trying to grasp the structure Aleron had just introduced. "You guessed it correctly, Mr. Lein," said Aleron, as if he could read Lein''s thoughts just by the questioning look in his eyes. "The Sovereign levels are distinguished by the number of spirit bodies a person possesses. Early-stage Sovereigns have 1-3 spirit bodies. Those with 4-6 spirit bodies fall into the mid-stage Sovereign category, whilete-stage Sovereigns possess 7-9 spirit bodies," Aleron exined patiently. Lein listened intently, his eyes narrowing slightly¡ªa sign that his mind was working hard to analyze the information. Aleron appeared unreserved, exining with remarkable openness and even sharing crucial information about the cosmos without hesitation. In his heart, he had already decided to build a good rtionship with Lein. With his thousands of years of life experience, Aleron was confident that Lein was no ordinary individual. He could see that this young man held immense potential to be a significant figure in the future. Their discussion continued for several hours. Most of the time was spent with Lein asking various questions, while Aleron answered them calmly and in detail. Lein wasn''t just listening but also mentally noting every key point. He knew that the information he gathered would be invaluable in the future. asionally, attendants entered the room to rece the food and drinks on the table. The dishes ranged from warm, aromatic soups to sweet snacks designed to tempt the pte. Yet neither Lein nor Aleron''s attention wavered; their conversation continued with the same intensity. Meanwhile, the elders of the Life Swan Sect sat silently. They neither attempted to intervene nor interrupted the discussion. To them, Lein and Aleron existed in a world far beyond their own level. *** While Lein was engrossed in his intense discussion with Aleron, the outside world was abuzz with a different matter. The inte was flooded with trending topics about guests from another realm. Spection and opinions spread quickly, filling every corner of cyberspace. One official post from the alliance announced that a grand event would be held near the Divine Sky Realm Tree. The event was scheduled tost an entire day, with rumors suggesting that the special guest would be a Guardian from another realm. Comment sections across various tforms were filled with diverse opinions fromizens. Some were excited, others skeptical, and a few even worried. "A Guardian from another realm? Are they like us humans?" one curious user wrote. "Of course! There''s no way Mr. Lein would coborate with a non-human race," another user replied confidently. "I''m worried they mightunch another attack like the previous one from an external realm," wrote someone else, their tone filled with concern. "Impossible! Do you think Mr. Lein would just sit idly by?" another responded defensively. Amid the discussions, Lein''s name was frequently mentioned, almost as if he had be a symbol of trust and hope. To most people, Lein was akin to a demigod. As the owner of the realm they inhabited, he was not only a leader but also an irreceable protector. In addition to the announcement, the inte was now flooded with videos showcasing the preparations for the grand event. These videos highlighted the extraordinary scale of the preparations, but what caught the most attention was the live broadcast from the World Market Alliance. The broadcast became a trending topic, disying every detail of the meticulous preparations being carried out on an astonishing scale. Chapter 357 Laras preparation At present, aboard a hovering airship floating at a moderate altitude, a live broadcast is underway. A reporter stood confidently, with the majestic view behind him forming an unavoidable backdrop. Dozens of flying cameras hovered in the air, capturing the best angles of every activity at the construction site. The sunlight reflecting off the massive tree''s surface added a visual brilliance, making the broadcast appear almost like a living masterpiece. "Ladies and gentlemen, the grand venue for weing guests from another realm is being constructed at an impressive pace. You can see the progress happening right behind me," the reporter announced with a professional tone, clear artiction, and a faint smile on his face. His voice was full of enthusiasm, reflecting awe at the scale of the ongoing construction. Behind him stretched a breathtaking view. The leaves of the Tree of Life Source, each spanning over 1,000 kilometers, formed the foundation of the event area. Hundreds of towering pirs, standing tens of meters tall, encircled the venue like giant sentinels. Thepleted area already extended over 500 meters, with work still ongoing. Hundreds of thousands of seats were being meticulously arranged, encircling the main stage, which served as the focal point. The stage, nearingpletion, exuded grandeur with a massive holographic screen mounted at the front. These screens were ready to disy every moment of tomorrow''s event with perfect rity. Workers could be seen testing advanced technology, while others adjusted the lighting to ensure perfection when night fell.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om The broadcast captured not only the bustling atmosphere of construction but also conveyed its energy. The thud of machines, the rapid exchanges among workers, and the gusts of wind blowing at high altitudes added to the vividness of the broadcast. Viewers at home could almost feel the adrenaline, as if they were on-site witnessing this marvel take shape with their own eyes. Upon closer inspection, a woman with long ck hair stood firmly above the busy construction area. The wind gently moved her hair, but her gaze remained focused, observing every detail of the work. Laras, who held full control over the preparations, ensured everything proceeded as nned. With a calm yetmanding demeanor, she exuded the aura of a respected leader. Although the event was scheduled for the next day, Laras would not tolerate any imperfections. For her, every element had to be ready by tonight. She scrutinized the area with sharp eyes, searching for anything that might have escaped others'' attention. "You¡­" Laras spoke softly to a worker standing near a loudspeaker. Her tone was calm, but there was an undeniable firmness within it. Her voice almost drowned amidst the noise, yet the worker immediately turned, as if drawn by an unseen force. The worker looked at Laras with a serious expression, then slightly tilted his head as if to ensure her instructions were clear. "Yes, Miss? What is it?" he asked respectfully. "Adjust the angle of the speaker inward," Laras instructed, this time transmitting hermand directly into the worker''s mind through her telepathic ability. There was no hesitation in the tone of her directive. "Understood, Miss," the worker replied firmly, his voice resonating with a sense of responsibility. He quickly raised a smallmunicator and ryed the instructions to his team to adjust the position of the main speaker. Their movements were swift, like the interconnected gears of a massive machine. Laras observed briefly, ensuring hermand was executed with precision. When everything aligned with her expectations, she exhaled slowly, feeling satisfied. With a graceful motion, her figure vanished from the spot. In an instant, she reappeared atop another leaf of the Tree of Life Source, overseeing a different area of the grand event preparations. The giant leaves of this tree rose like natural stages, each designated for various activities. From her new position, Laras resumed her careful observation of the work. From a distance, the sounds of machines and workers blended like a harmonious symphony¡ªa sign that preparations for this monumental event were proceeding ording to n. *** A yellow bus floated calmly amidst the bustling sky traffic. Its aerodynamic design allowed the bus to glide effortlessly, while a small g bearing a star-shaped logo fluttered gracefully at the front, swaying with the rhythm of the wind. Sunlight reflected a soft sheen off the bus''s surface, a testament to its regr maintenance. Inside the bus, the atmosphere was lively with the presence of many young passengers dressed in blue uniforms featuring the same star emblem as on the g. Twenty-two students sat in their seats, some engaged in animated conversations while others gazed out therge windows beside them. Two supervisors in purple uniforms sat at the front near the driver, speaking in hushed tones. Their expressions were calm but attentive. At the back of the bus, the energy was different. The students there were enthusiastically discussing their uing journey to the Sky Tower. A great challenge awaited them, and anticipation filled the air. "We''re only going to tackle floors one through five," said a short-haired student seated at the front of their group. His voice was steady, filled with fiery enthusiasm. "But that''s already challenging enough, right? The Sky Tower is famous for its difficulty." "At least we don''t have to worry about dying there," quipped a bespectacled girl, her tone half-joking but confident. "Death inside the Sky Tower is just a simtion. But still, the pain must feel real." Some students chuckled at the remark, but others nodded with serious expressions. Their eyes reflected an understanding of the dangers ahead. Even so, their spirits remained undeterred. The allure of the Sky Tower wasn''t just in its challenges but also in the rewards it promised. If they managed to defeat many monsters, valuable materials awaited them, including the possibility of upgrading theirbat equipment. Furthermore, the Star Academy had promised special rewards for the team with the highest points. "Just imagine," said a young man with long ck hair, his eyes gleaming with hope. "Rare materials from the third or fourth floor could make our weapons much stronger. And if our team wins, it''ll be a huge honor for the Academy." Chapter 358 Star Academy Bus However, the cheerful atmosphere gradually shifted to a more serious tone when another student, seated in the middle, began to speak. His expression was calm, but his eyes radiated vignce. "You all know, don''t you, that we''re not the only ones heading to the Sky Tower? The Earth Paradise Academy will be there too." A moment of silence filled the room. The mention of Earth Paradise Academy brought back memories of fiercepetition. While they weren''t as renowned as the Star Academy, their capabilities couldn''t be underestimated. "They might not be our equals," he continued after a brief pause, "but don''t underestimate them. They have a few talented students. If we get too arrogant, we might lose our chance to prove our greatness." His words prompted deep reflection among some of the students. Though this journey was a significant opportunity, they knew arrogance could backfire. As the discussion continued, their expressions gradually shifted, reflecting a growing determination to face the challenges ahead. Nova, sitting by the window, listened intently to the conversations around her. Her left hand asionally tapped her knee, reflecting a nervousness she hid behind a serious expression. Her gaze was fixed outside, but her mind drifted to the past. In silence, she repeated her own words, a promise she held tightly: to follow in Grace''s footsteps and be a core member of the World Market Trade Alliance. For her, that dream wasn''t just a lofty ambition but a life goal etched in her heart. To some, that ambition might seem excessive, but Nova firmly believed she could achieve it. "You seem tense, Nova," said a young man with a gentle voice, breaking her reverie. He sat beside her, his smile calming. "Eh?" Nova jolted slightly, looking at her friend in confusion. Her face turned a little red, though she didn''t know why. "Am I making a weird face?" she muttered, touching her face as if to ensure nothing was wrong. The young man chuckled softly, his voice light but full of warmth. "Haha, no need to be embarrassed. I''m sure you can do it." He patted Nova''s shoulder casually, as if offering invisible encouragement. He could sense Nova''s determination, something so strong it was evident in her speech and demeanor. He understood that feeling himself. He, too, admired their two seniors from Star Academy¡ªGrace and Joy. The names of these two core members of the World Market Trade Alliance had be legendary among the students. No one at the academy didn''t know them. With their ster achievements, it was only natural for every student to aspire to follow in their footsteps. At the front of the bus, the supervisors quietly observed the atmosphere. A woman with neatly trimmed short hair nced back, a faint smile gracing her face. Her eyes reflected a mix of pride and curiosity. "These kids have such high spirits," she murmured softly. "Let''s see if they can prove themselves in the Sky Tower." Her colleague, a bearded man with a sturdy posture, nodded in agreement. "The Sky Tower will test more than just their strength," he said in a heavy tone. "Discipline, teamwork, and courage. Those are what will truly be tested there." His eyes narrowed briefly, as if envisioning the challenges awaiting the students. Meanwhile, the chatter inside the bus grew louder. Nova and her friends were engrossed in lively conversations, though asional nervousness crept in between theirughter. The bus continued to move at a steady pace, slicing through the cold air apanying their journey through the skies. Outside the window, a magnificent view began to unfold. The Sky Tower finally came into view in the distance. The towering structure loomed majestically, its peak piercing through theyers of clouds. As the bus drew closer, the tower''s shadow grewrger, as if it were trying to swallow the horizon. The atmosphere inside the bus gradually shifted. Laughter began to fade, reced by a silence filled with anticipation and awe. The Sky Tower finally appeared on the horizon, standing tall and majestic like a boundary marker between earth and sky. Its peak pierced through theyers of clouds, merging with the blue expanse. The morning sunlight swept across its smooth surface, reflecting a golden glow that was almost blinding. As the bus approached, the tower''s shadow grewrger, giving the impression that it was not just a structure but a living entity, watching all who dared to approach. Inside the bus, the atmosphere slowly changed. The once lively chatter began to quiet down. One by one, the students fell silent, captivated by the view outside the window. Some took deep breaths, while others exchanged nces without words, as if their awe could be conveyed through their eyes alone. The bus shifted to therge vehiclene, adjusting its route to prepare fornding. As the bus moved into the newne, some students noticed a convoy of simr vehicles around them. "Look, the Paradise Academy bus," said a student from Star Academy, breaking the silence. He pointed out the window at a dark blue bus gliding gracefully in a parallelne. "Yeah, you''re right. They arrived at the same time as us," his friend replied. Their eyes followed the bus, observing the Paradise Academy logo emzoned on its side. There was an unspoken sense ofpetition in their gazes, though their mouths said no more. However, the atmosphere quickly shifted as one of the supervisors at the front of the bus stood up. She was a woman with a firm posture and neatly styled short hair. In a calm yetmanding voice, she said, "Everyone, please stay calm and prepare yourselves. Don''t pay attention to the other academies." Her authoritative tone immediately drew the students'' focus to the front. She continued with a firmer voice, "Make sure none of your equipment is left behind. And most importantly, don''t stray from your teams." The students obediently checked their gear, some loosening the bags on theirps, while others busied themselves inspecting themunication devices on their wrists. The supervisor walked slowly down the aisle, ensuring all the students were ready. Her gaze was sharp but attentive, like a captain unwilling to see any soldier left behind before a battle began.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "The Sky Tower is no ce for carelessness," she added. "Remember this well: teamwork is key. Don''t forget the reason you came here." Chapter 359 All involved It didn''t take long for the bus to reach the designated parking area. The expansive grounds, specifically designed forrge vehicles, were built to amodate dozens of buses at once, providing ample space for students to disembark and gather without haste. The bus engine slowly died down, and the sound of the automatic doors opening filled the air, signaling the students it was time to move. "All students, line up. Follow Mr. Dedi," instructed the female supervisor standing near the bus door. Her voice was firm yet patient, ensuring no student was left behind or went off track. The students, some still mesmerized by their surroundings, began disembarking one by one, following the supervisor''s directions in an orderly manner. In front of the Sky Tower''s entrance, rows of students from various academies were already lined up neatly. Normally, this tower was used by people from all walks of life for personal purposes, but today was different. The Divine Sky Tower had been reserved exclusively by the academies for educational activities. The spacious courtyard, usually filled with visitors, was now upied by lines of students in academy uniforms. The Sky Tower, standing majestically like a guardian of the heavens, radiated an aura of power and grandeur. Around the courtyard, students from Paradise Academy, Star Academy, and several other academies stood in alert postures, waiting for further instructions. Although the atmosphere was orderly, a sense ofpetition lingered in the air, reflected in the determined gazes of the students. This exclusive reservation was certainly not cheap. However, because Lein prioritized education, he offered a significant discount as long as the tower was used for meaningful purposes. Thanks to his generosity, the academies only had to pay a small amount of energy crystals, even though the value of the facilities they were using was far higher. At the front of the student lines, supervisors from various academies exchanged greetings. A middle-aged man in a ck supervisor uniform stepped forward, greeting his colleague with a warm smile. "Hello, Mr. Yeri, how are you?" he said, extending his hand. Another man, who appeared to be around the same age, returned the greeting. "Quite well, Mr. Nifa," Yeri replied, shaking his colleague''s hand. "So, did your Paradise Academy also receive the same directive?" Nifa asked, his smile remaining friendly, though his eyes hinted at genuine curiosity. Yeri nodded slightly, releasing the handshake. "Yes, we were given a quota of ten students for tomorrow''s showcase," he replied with a heavy tone. A faint furrow appeared on his brow, a sign of the burden he felt from the announcement. A few hours earlier, the academy head had announced a directive from the central government. Tomorrow, there would be a grand event¡ªa duel showcase between students from various academies. Each academy was given a specific quota to send their representatives. Paradise Academy had been allotted a quota of ten students. "Our leader immediately tasked us with conducting a rapid selection," Yeri continued seriously. "There''s no option to refuse this order, so we must act quickly. Today, we''ll select the ten best students to participate." Nifa nodded as he listened. "I understand. We''re facing the same situation," he said, his tone conveying empathy. Around them, other supervisors were busy inspecting the student lines, ensuring everything was in order.N?v(el)B\\jnn "Yes¡­ despite the challenges, the rewards offered must be significant, right?" said the ck-uniformed supervisor, frowning slightly, his expression reflecting deep curiosity. "I hope so too," Yeri replied, gazing into the distance. "I heard from my nephew, who works in the government, that the guesting tomorrow is a Guardian from another realm." Hearing this, the ck-uniformed supervisor''s eyes widened in amazement, his face clearly showing awe. "Really?" he asked enthusiastically, almost like a child hearing a hero''s tale for the first time. "I can''t wait to meet an alien race from beyond," he muttered softly, though the spirited gleam in his eyes showed just how fascinated he was by the possibility. The brief discussion between Yeri and the ck-uniformed supervisor was interrupted when a staff member from the Sky Tower suddenly appeared. His steps were firm, and his presence immediately drew the attention of everyone in the courtyard. "Everyone, prepare yourselves. The tower will open shortly," announced the staff member in a loud voice, echoing across the crowd. His casual appearance initially made some students mistake him for an ordinary civilian. However, that assumption quickly disappeared when they noticed the tinum badge gleaming on his chest pocket. The badge''s glow seemed to cement his status as one of the high-ranking captains within Lein''s governmental structure. A tinum captain, with power equivalent to tier-3, was an important figure capable of leading an ind or holding significant responsibilities within the alliance. "Pele, do you think we''ll be chosen?" Nova asked in a soft voice, though her anxious tone was hard to hide. Pele, the young man beside her, shifted his gaze from the towering Sky Tower to Nova. His brown eyes radiated unwavering confidence. "Of course. I''m sure of it," Pele replied firmly. However, after a brief pause, his expression turned slightly worried. "Don''t worry, Nova. We''ll definitely score high," he said, this time with a gentler tone, as if trying to reassure himself as well. The sincerity and care in his gaze made it hard for him to conceal his feelings for Nova. "The Sky Tower has been opened. Please enter." The firm voice of the tinum captain echoed, bringing a momentary silence among the students. Without waiting for further reaction, the captain turned around, his steps steady and authoritative. Within seconds, his figure disappeared, leaving the crowd still captivated by hismanding aura. All the students began moving toward the entrance of the Sky Tower. Their faces were filled with enthusiasm and hope to be the best. With determined steps, they walked fearlessly. Danger had not been mentioned, and the opportunity to be the top-scoring student was too precious to miss. "Nova, let''s go in too," Pele urged, his voice sounding casual yet confident. "Let''s go," Nova replied briefly, a faint smile appearing on her face. Pele and Nova walked side by side, their steps slow and full of confidence. Unlike the other students who seemed to rush, the two appeared to savor every second of this journey. Pele nced at the other students with a meaningful look, almost as if dismissing them. His gaze asionally shifted to the panel in front of him, where the letter "S" was prominently disyed. The S-rank talent he possessed was the source of his confidence. Pele believed no one could rival his potential. Nova simply gave a small smile at her friend''s attitude, as if already ustomed to his arrogance. They stepped into the Sky Tower, joining the other equally eager students. *** Above the emptiness of the Divine Sky Realm, a floating ind moved swiftly across the vast, silent expanse. The wind roared, creating a soft sound that added a magical nuance to the surroundings. "Master Bao, is this still not enough?" a young man asked in a weary tone. His face was drenched in sweat, his breath slightlybored. At the edge of the ind stood a stout man wearing a chef''s uniform. Despite hisrge size, his posture was firm, and his sharp eyes scanned the distance as if searching for something very important. "No, it''s still not enough," the man replied firmly. He turned, casting a sharp gaze at the young man who had spoken and at a group of other youths standing not far from him. "Remember, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said slowly, but his voice was so resolute that it left everyone there frozen. "As chefs, we must give our all in creating the best dishes. One part of that is hunting for the highest quality ingredients." Some of the youths exchanged nces, their expressions showing difort. Some wanted to voice objections, but the stout man quickly raised his hand, stopping any words before they could be spoken. "No buts¡­ everyone must participate," he dered with an undeniable tone. He stepped forward, about to continue his motivational speech, when suddenly his body stiffened. His eagle-sharp eyes stared into the distance. The youths followed his gaze but saw nothing on the horizon. "What is it, Master Bao?" one of the youths finally asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Look over there!" another youth eximed, pointing ahead. In the distance, a green ind as mentioned by Master Bao came into view. The ind was farrger than theirs, its sides stretching over 200 meters. There were no buildings on it, only vast expanses of green grass. However, something on the ind caught their attention. Several six-legged cow-like creatures were grazing. Their fur was as white as snow, reflecting the sunlight beautifully. "Cloud Cows!" Master Bao eximed excitedly, his voice booming. The stout man''s eyes sparkled like a child discovering his favorite toy. "Everyone, prepare the binding ropes and smoke bombs!" hemanded loudly. In his hands was a pitch-ck pan that looked unusual¡ªmore like a weapon than a cooking tool. The ind where Master Bao and the youths stood moved closer to the Cloud Cow Ind. The two inds glided quickly through the air, and within moments, they met in the middle of the empty sky. [System Notification: You have discovered (Cloud Cow Ind). Danger level: None.] The message appeared on Master Bao''s status panel, informing him that the ind was safe. However, the stout man paid it no mind. His thoughts were entirely focused on the white cows before him. Without hesitation, Master Bao leapt forward, hisrge body soaring through the air beforending with a thud on Cloud Cow Ind. The green grass swayed beneath his feet. "You, follow me!" he shouted, moving quickly toward the group of Cloud Cows. The youths who witnessed his actions were momentarily stunned before finally running to follow the chef who had already set foot on the ind ahead of them. Chapter 360 Catching cloud cows Far ahead, Master Bao stood observing a Cloud Cow grazing peacefully. It stood over five meters tall, with two sharp horns protruding from its head. Its thick, cotton-like fur made its body appear extraordinarilyrge, resembling a sturdy moving house. The cow moved slowly, its steps shaking the ground as the wind brushed through its dense white fur. "Its level is quite high," Master Bao muttered quietly. He squinted, reading the Cloud Cow''s status disyed on his panel.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om He turned to check on his team''s readiness. Two people held arge rope about five centimeters thick, while the rest carried smoke bombs. Their faces were tense, but their determination was evident. With their current capabilities, taking down one Cloud Cow was a major challenge. Even if they seeded, they might only manage to capture one cow¡ªnot enough to prepare for tomorrow''s grand event. "Are you ready?" Master Bao shouted, his voice echoing across the green grasnd. "Ready!" The youths raised their thumbs in unison. Yet behind their brave expressions, unease lingered in their hearts. They knew the risks, but as Master Bao had said, this was a golden opportunity to reap great rewards. Master Bao nodded firmly. He began activating his equipment, which started glowing with a bright green light, emanating an aura of power around him. The pan in his hand emitted a blue glow, capturing everyone''s attention. "Here Ie!" Master Bao''s shout pierced the air. His body shot high into the sky, soaring above the massive Cloud Cow. Mid-air, his hand hurled the ck pan toward the creature. "Fire Grave!" he roared. The ck pan suddenly expanded, its diameter now exceeding ten meters. From its surface, zing mes erupted, licking the air with searing heat. The fire glowed red and orange, creating a terrifying spectacle in the midst of the serene green ind. "He''s doing it again," one of the youths whispered, his eyes fixed on the giant pan. "Don''t move recklessly," added another, his tone filled with caution. "Or we''ll end up as charred ashes too." They stood still, holding their breath, watching Master Bao''s actions with intense vignce. One wrong move, and they knew the consequences could be dire. In the air, the fiery pan sped swiftly, carrying a deadly threat. The Cloud Cow, engrossed in its grazing, remained unaware of the impending danger. A tense silence enveloped the youths behind. Their eyes were glued to the mes now mere moments away from the giant creature''s back. As a herbivorous monster, the Cloud Cowcked abat instinct. Only when the pan was ten meters away did a faint sense of danger register. Its movements halted. Itsrge jaw slowly stopped chewing the grass. Its usually calm eyes blinked nervously, sensing something amiss. But it was already toote. The pan struck with tremendous speed, hitting the Cloud Cow squarely on its head. Boom! Continue your adventure with empire A massive explosion shook the area. The Cloud Cow, which had stood as solid as a hill, copsed sideways with a resounding crash. The ground where it fell was scorched. The air was filled with a sharp aroma, a mix of burnt meat and thick smoke rising into the sky. Notifications immediately appeared on Master Bao''s panel: [ Inflicted 1400 damage on (Cloud Cow) ] [ Applied burn effect on (Cloud Cow) ] [ (Cloud Cow) stunned for 5 seconds ] "Throw the smoke bombs! Tie up that Cloud Cow!" Master Bao shouted loudly. Hearing themand, the youths rushed forward. They deftly tossed smoke bombs around the Cloud Cow. White smoke began to envelop the area, creating an effective visual barrier to prevent other Cloud Cows from noticing what was happening. If the other cows saw, they would undoubtedly rampage, rolling uncontrobly and destroying everything in their path. "Throw the rope!" one of the youths yelled, tossing one end of the rope to his partner across. Another youth caught it hastily, though his movements were still clumsy. Master Bao, observing from nearby, shook his head in frustration. "Too slow!" he shouted, running toward them. He grabbed the rope from one of the youths and began tying the Cloud Cow''s hind legs with decisive and experienced movements. "Tie its legs first! Otherwise, it''ll get up!" Master Bao instructed as he reinforced the knots. But as he tried to pull the cow''s legs together, the massive creature began to stir. Grgrgrgr... A rough rumble echoed. The Cloud Cow opened its eyes. Its gaze was sharp, filled with anger. Its enormous body trembled, followed by a loud roar that shook the air. "Mo!" "Watch out! Run! It''s going to roll!" Master Bao warned. Upon hearing this, the youths scattered, fleeing in all directions. Meanwhile, the still-prone Cloud Cow began rolling its massive body with terrifying speed. Its unpredictable movements ttened the grass, leaving a trail of bare earth stretching dozens of meters. The remaining smoke swirled with its motion. Master Bao exhaled deeply, his hands resting on his knees. "Huff... I knew this wouldn''t be easy," he muttered, half-frustrated, half-impressed by the Cloud Cow''s strength. He turned to the youths, who were still catching their breath in the distance. "Why are you all so slow?" he asked coldly, but there was no reply. The youths'' faces were filled with guilt. This was their first time hunting a Cloud Cow, and their inexperience was evident. "It''s fine," Master Bao finally said, his tone softening. "Let''s get ready again." They nodded in unison, trying to hide their embarrassment. However, seeing Master Bao''s unwavering determination despite the challenges, their spirits slowly reignited. Everyone was working extra hard today. Whether they were core members, internal members of the World Market Trade Alliance, or government officials, each person carried out their responsibilities with full dedication. Their activities aligned with the oues of the discussions held between Haikal and the other core members. In every corner of the city, there was a constant bustle¡ªreports being delivered, defensive formations being inspected, and lines of workers moving like interconnected gears, reinforcing one another. Back in the internal chamber of the World Market Trade Alliance, Lein and Aleron had finally reached the end of their discussion. Chapter 361 Current panel status "Well, let''s wrap it up for now, Mr. Lein," Aleron said in a rxed tone. His face bore a satisfied smile, as if he had gained a certain fulfillment from exchanging thoughts with the young man. Beneath his calm demeanor, he found himself increasingly intrigued by Lein''s character, especially his decisiveness and intriguing ideas. "Very well, Mr. Aleron. You may stay at one of the inns in the city. Let''s meet again at tomorrow morning''s event," Lein replied with a friendly smile. His expression reflected his satisfaction from their lengthy discussion. Deep down, he felt pleased to have gained new insights from Aleron, particrly about the concept of cosmic voids. For a moment, Lein''s thoughts drifted to his past memories. He recalled the Su Yiling family in Guandu Realm, whom he had once helped. Additionally, Lein had long wanted to visit realms belonging to non-human races. He also remembered giving a blessing potion to an elf girl during the inter-race war event. Those moments only fueled his desire to journey beyond. "Thank you, Mr. Lein. We will not hesitate to take advantage of this opportunity," Aleron replied, bowing politely. "See you tomorrow," Lein said with a light nod. Aleron and the elders of his sect immediately followed him toward the exit. There, a female attendant who had previously served as their guide was already waiting with a friendly smile. "Please, Mr. Aleron," she said softly. "Thank you," Aleron replied briefly, ncing at the attendant before stepping out. However, that brief moment left the elders behind him silent. Fearful and confused expressions shed across their faces, as though they had just witnessed something inexplicable. They exchanged nces, but no one dared to speak. Ultimately, they chose to ignore the oddity, deciding that discussing Aleron''s behavior would only add to their confusion. In the now-empty meeting room, Lein remained seatedfortably in his chair. His fingers tapped lightly on the surface of the long table, creating a faint rhythm. "Basic-tier king? Mid-tier king?" he muttered in a tone filled with curiosity. After much discussion with Aleron, Lein''s thoughts about the power levels within the king tier were stirred. After pondering for a moment, Lein opened his status panel. His eyes narrowed as he analyzed the data disyed before him. [STATUS] - Name: Lein - Tier King (King of Humanity) - Level: 250 (0%) - Titles: (Leader of The Sovereign 3), (Holy Pir of the Universe), (Ancestral Pathway), (King of Humanity) - Attributes: STR 1,350k, AGI 1,080k, INT 980k, RES 990k - ss: Swordsman - Altar: (Soul Altar - Universe) - Element: (Dream Element - Star 1) - Skills: (Divine sh Shadow), (Sky Shattering sh), (Area of Light), (Sword Heaven Prison), (Sacred Heart Sword), (Sky Sword Rain), (Soul Sense), (Soul Annihtion), (Astral Soul Maniption), (Celestial Soul Rend), (Heavenly de Mirror), (Soul Constetion Dance) - Sub Skills: (Double sh), (Sword Aura), 103 more¡­ - Equipment: (Divine Sword +15), (Sword of Celestial Light +15), (Lightstride Greaves +15), (Sanctified Aegis +15), (Luminous Grasp +15), (Radiant Crown +15) - Artifact: (Time Ring - pure), (Vortex te - heaven), 84 more¡­ [System Chat Message: (Human Race of Earth), (Alliance), (Staff),...] [Market: Divine Sky Realm] [Friend: Cute Cat, Laras, ...] [Orb Ind] Seeing the status panel open before him, Lein couldn''t hold back his smile. The rows of information disyed on the panel were like a reminder of how far he hade. With this level of power, he was nothing short of a god to ordinary humans. Killing a regr creature in the Divine Sky Realm required little effort¡ªperhaps even just the intent alone. Enjoy new adventures from empire However, that wasn''t what upied his mind at the moment. His gaze was fixed on a specific detail on the screen. "Level 250?" Lein muttered, his eyebrows slightly raised. After reaching the King tier, Lein had stopped paying much attention to leveling up. In his view, the power he possessed now was more than enough to face any challenge. To him, the need for levels only became relevant when something truly urgent arose. But his earlier discussion with Aleron had opened up a new perspective. Aleron''s exnation about the potential and threats beyond the Divine Sky Realm made him reconsider his stance. From Aleron''s exnation, Lein learned that to gain experience at his current level, he needed to hunt cosmic creatures. The cosmic energy within these creatures was far stronger than the mana energy found in the bodies of monsters living within a realm. "Should I take a quick look around?" Lein muttered lightly. He wanted to explore the cosmic surroundings for a brief moment. If anything happened to the Divine Sky Realm, he still had his core members and millions of clones spread across the area. Thinking about his clone ability, Lein recalled his divine weapon, Golden Master. Yes, he called his Divine Sword Part 1 "Golden Master" because of its golden color. He quickly retrieved it from his spatial ring. The elegant golden sword floated calmly in front of Lein. The golden sword before him was the original. Divine Sword - Part 1 - Level: 250 (Growth) - Attributes: STR +122K, INT +118K, AGI +112K, RES +112K - Enhancement: +15 (Bonus attribute increase by 15% & +15% attack power) - (Holy Blessing): Heals all body wounds, increases base attributes by 20%, and boosts damage by 20% for 1 minute. Cooldown: 10 minutes. - Binding Skills: (Echo Phantom: Clone with 50% attributes), (dewarp: Teleport to sword location), (Phantom Exchange: Swap position with sword), (Phantom Assault: Sword passively auto-attacks nearby enemies). Lein moved his hand to grasp the de, then swung it gently. Sashh... To ordinary people, the sword swung lightly. But in Lein''s eyes, this sword could split the smallest particles in the air. A faint smile appeared on Lein''s face. "Hahaha... where exactly do youe from?" Lein murmured softly, as if asking the sword in front of him.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om He had obtained this sword during his promotion to Tier-1 when he entered a special tform. A middle-aged man wearing a nine-star crown had gifted it to him in recognition of his talent, which had reached the immortal level. From their discussion, Lein also learned that the old man who had tested him was a Grandmaster. Thus, it could be inferred that the man with the crown was someone above the Grandmaster level, most likely a King tier or a Guardian of a realm. "How can I meet them again? I must thank him," Lein said sincerely. This divine sword was incredibly powerful, even boasting four attributes¡ªwhereas ordinary weapons typically only granted two. Chapter 362 Sightseeing on the Mainland While Lein was lost in thought, Aleron and his team were traveling in a flying car that glided smoothly through the air. The car was designed with a luxurious interior; its seats were upholstered in soft cream-colored material,plemented by a lighting system that created afortable atmosphere. They were on their way to explore the natural beauty of the Divine Sky Realm before finally resting at the hotel prepared for them. Inside the car were six members of Aleron''s team, a driver, and the female staff member who had previously guided them at the Alliance building. The woman served as their personal guide, ready to answer any questions or cater to any needs that might arise during the journey. She appeared calm and confident, though her eyes reflected the alertness of a professional. "Elder Wei," Aleron broke the silence with a voice that was calm yetmanding. "I heard Mr. Lein''s alliance has already opened a branch in the Guandu Realm?" Elder Wei, who was seated in the back, looked slightly startled by the question. After a brief pause topose himself, he replied, "Yes, that''s correct, sir. Mr. Lein''s store is called the Seed Store. In a short time, it has grown remarkably fast," he responded. Elder Wei continued in a more rxed tone, exining to Aleron how the Seed Store had be a phenomenon. At its opening, the store sold goods at slightly lower prices than the market¡ªenough to attract attention but not so much as to raise suspicion. However, the main draw of the storey in its seemingly endless stock. No matter how high the demand, the inventory was always avable. "If someone needs something and other stores don''t have it, they''re usually advised to visit the Seed Store," Elder Wei added with a slight smile, looking proud yet cautious. Aleron nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "Cheap prices and an endless supply... quite intriguing," he murmured, more to himself than to Elder Wei. However, his expression betrayed a sense of admiration he didn''t bother to conceal. Elder Wei, noticing Aleron''s impressed demeanor, quickly continued, "In addition, the Seed Store is also known for its excellent security. At the very least, they have guards at the Golden Core stage (Tier-3) to maintain the store''s safety." Aleron listened with a surprised expression. He had known before that the store was stable, but he had never imagined its security level was this high for a shop selling basic goods. "Why didn''t you tell me about this sooner?" Aleron asked, his tone light though his gaze was sharp. Elder Wei lowered his head slightly, feeling a bit guilty. "Well... although the Seed Store has grown very quickly, it doesn''t stand out too much, sir. This is because they only sell basic items for cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage (Tier-2)," he replied with a stiff smile. Aleron was silent for a moment, pondering the exnation. Indeed, renowned stores usually sold high-level items, such as materials for cultivators at the Golden Core stage and above. But there was something about the simplicity and strategy of the Seed Store that set it apart. Instead ofpeting in the luxury goods market, they dominated the consistent demand for basic necessities. That strategy, he thought, was the hidden strength that had allowed the store to thrive. Seated in the front, Aleron nodded slightly, indicating that he epted Elder Wei''s exnation. He decided not to pursue the matter further. As long as Elder Wei didn''t create problems with the Seed Store, their rtionship with Lein could remain harmonious. His gaze then shifted to the car window. His eyes observed the bustling scenery outside. In the sky, various flying vehicles moved alongside them. Not only cars like the one they were riding in but also t floating tforms, small futuristic aircraft, and several spherical vehicles traveling at constant speeds. All these vehicles created a well-organized air traffic system, as if managed by an invisible yet highly efficient system. The car they were in began descending gradually. In the distance, Aleron could see the grand sight of the Main Land, the central hub of activity in the Divine Sky Realm.N?v(el)B\\jnn The Tree of Life Source was also located here, having been relocated by Leinst month. "We''ve reached the Main Land, Mr. Aleron," said Ike, the female staff member seated in the front, her voice soft yet professional. The car continued to descend, and now Aleron could see the tops of the colossal towers standing tall. Skyscrapers of extraordinary height¡ªsome even reaching 1,000 kilometers¡ªbecame clearly visible. These buildings were properties of major alliances that had leased special areas on the Main Land. They were therge alliances that remained loyal to Earth during the selection process involving the Rebirth Stone. "Were these buildings also constructed a few months ago?" Aleron asked while continuing to admire the view outside. There was a hint of amazement in his voice, though he tried to sound casual. "Yes, sir," Ike replied. Aleron let out a light sigh. "Miss Ike, I still find it hard to believe that this realm was only built a few months ago," he said, expressing his deep admiration. Ike gave a small smile at the remark. "All of this is thanks to Mr. Lein''s resources and power, sir. Everything waspleted in a very short time," she responded. Ike''s eyes sparkled slightly as she began reminiscing about the early days of construction. She vividly remembered how thousands of buildings were erected in a matter of days, one after another, without pause. Having worked for Lein since the establishment of the World Market Trade Alliance, she had witnessed firsthand the rapid development that felt almost like a miracle. Experience exclusive tales on empire It wasn''t just about wealth and power. All the workers under the alliance carried out their duties exceptionally well. During her time working there, she had never heard of any major problems among employees or any bad incidents. "Sometimes I think Mr. Lein has the ability to create buildings out of thin air," she said, half-joking. Aleron listened intently, though he did notment further. He merely nodded lightly, indicating that he understood. His attention shifted back to the window, where the view of life on the Main Land became increasingly vivid. The wide streets filled with bustling crowds provided a striking contrast to the busy skies above. Their faces glowed with joy, full of energy, their smiles never fading. People carried out their activities with an infectious enthusiasm, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere. There were families walking together, while a pair of lovers rode bicycles,ughter gracing their faces. Aleron noticed these little details and took a deep breath, as if soaking in the peaceful atmosphere that filled the air. "Is this a holy city?" Aleron wondered to himself. Even the holy cities in the highest realms didn''t have citizens who appeared as happy as this. "Amazing," Aleron murmured softly, almost as if speaking to himself. Looking around, Aleron marveled at the diversity of building designs on the Main Land. Not all the buildings adopted advanced technology; some used traditional materials like high-quality wood often favored by cultivators. Every building seemed to blend harmoniously with its surroundings, creating a captivating view. As he continued to observe the city, his gazended on a massive tree in the distance. From this range, the trunk of the tree looked enormous, with a diameter of at least five hundred meters. Aleron tried to follow the tree upward, but its top was obscured by ayer of clouds. "The Tree of Life Source," he murmured again, recognizing the towering tree that pierced the sky. The car carrying Aleron continued to move slowly, traversing the main streets. Although he could have requested an escort, Aleron deliberately chose to travel without protection to fully enjoy the city''s scenery. However, his eyes were drawn to a towering structure in the distance. "The Sky Tower?" Aleron murmured, this time louder. The elders with him followed his gaze. Before them stood a tower that stretched straight into the sky, gracefully piercing the clouds. The structure appeared to connect the earth and the heavens. "A hundred floors?" Elder Wei spoke in amazement, his mouth agape. "The tallest Sky Tower I''ve ever seen only had 170 floors, and that was thirty thousand years ago." "You''re right," another elder replied, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "This tower will make Mr. Lein''s realm famous in the future." Aleron nodded slightly, his mind busy analyzing the tower. He tried topare it with the information he already knew. After a moment, he finally confirmed his suspicion, and an expression of astonishment appeared on his face. "Miss Ike, I just want to confirm. Is death within the tower not real?" Aleron asked Ike, the woman sitting in the front seat. "Yes, that''s correct, sir," Ike replied firmly. "This tower only appeared about a month ago." "What?" Aleron was shocked but kept it to himself. "Where did this young man get so many Realm Crystals?" he thought, his curiosity mounting. He knew from a Guardian with a Power System that increasing the number of floors in a Sky Tower required an extraordinary amount of Realm Crystals. Aleron''s mind began to race, searching for opportunities. "I hope Mr. Lein still has some left. I want to trade with him," he muttered hopefully. "Excuse me, Miss Ike," Aleron said politely. "May we visit the Sky Tower first?" "Of course, sir," Ike replied without hesitation. Her duty was to introduce the Divine Sky Realm to Aleron, and she was ready toply with the request. With that, Aleron''s car changed direction, heading toward the Sky Tower, leaving the city''s sights behind for the time being. Chapter 363 Kings talent It didn''t take long for the car carrying Aleron and his entourage to reach the Sky Tower. With perfect speed and agility, the vehiclended smoothly in the designated parking area. From there, they walked slowly toward the entrance gate of the Sky Tower. The location of the Sky Tower they were visiting was ideal. It had appeared in an uninhabited area, making it easier to manage. The ess road to the tower had already been paved with asphalt, and other supporting facilities like parking lots, shops, and teleportation points were avable. It would have been a different story if the Sky Tower had appeared in a city area; extra caution would have been required to manage the space, and security would have to be heightened due to the constant flow of ordinary citizens. "Please, Sir," Ike said, gesturing politely toward the gate of the Sky Tower. She stepped forward, leading Aleron and the elders inside. Around them, a scene full of activity greeted them. Hunters of various ranks and curious power users crowded the area, each busy preparing themselves or waiting for their team members to enter. Even though Ike''s power level wasn''t particrly high¡ªonly Tier-2¡ªher presence with Aleron and his entourage drew attention. Many curious and cautious gazes were directed their way. Some attempted to use their status panels to analyze the strength of Aleron''s group, but all they got were rows of question marks, indicating just how powerful Aleron and hispanions were. The atmosphere grew tense. Some people even showed clear signs of fear. Although Aleron and his group physically resembled humans, their aura exuded something alien and intimidating. Those around them understood that they were not humans from Earth. "Look, are they the guests everyone''s been talking about?" whispered an old man to hispanion beside him. The magic staff slung across his back indicated that he was a hunter. His voice trembled, a mix of curiosity and anxiety. "Indeed, their strength isparable to Mr. Lein and the core members of the alliance," his friend replied, his face filled with dread. As Tier-1 hunters, they fully understood thatpared to legendary figures like them, they were nothing more than insignificant specks of dust. "Of course. The shirtless young man in front is a Guardian," the old man continued. His eyes glowed with admiration and a hint of envy. At his advanced age, witnessing a young man with such immense power stirred conflicting emotions within him. However, hispanion scoffed skeptically. "What are you thinking? That youthful body of his could just be the result of some drug or artifact. He might already be thousands of years old." The old man paused for a moment, then nodded slightly. "You might be right," he muttered, though the envy still burned in his heart. The two old men continued watching Aleron''s group as they slowly approached the Sky Tower. Their gazes were filled with curiosity and admiration, tinged with a hint of tension. "Sir, over there," whispered one of the elders walking behind Aleron. His voice was almost drowned out by the sound of footsteps but was clear enough for Aleron to hear. He pointed toward a young woman standing not far from the tower''s entrance. The woman appeared to be sitting on a chair near the resting area, her hands busy with a phone. asionally, she typed quickly, then paused, as if contemting something before continuing. Her expression seemed serious, but there was a subtle gentleness in her demeanor that was hard to describe. Aleron followed the elder''s gaze. In his view, the girl looked ordinary, with no striking features. But as he tried to see deeper, as if piercing through her essence, he found something strange. The girl seemed to have a protectiveyer that prevented her from being seen in detail. "Are you certain? Does she possess the King''s talent?" Aleron asked telepathically, his tone t but filled with curiosity. "Certain, Sir. The Eternal Compass of Yun is vibrating strongly," the elder replied. He took out a smallpass, its needle trembling wildly, as if issuing a powerful warning. "Miss Ike, excuse me, could we stop for a moment?" Aleron said, turning to Ike, who was walking beside him. Ike seemed a little puzzled by the request, but with a light smile, she nodded. "Of course, Sir. Is there something I can assist with?" "No, I just want to speak briefly with the girl over there," Aleron said, pointing toward the woman sitting on the chair earlier. Ike followed the direction of Aleron''s gesture. Her gaze fell on the girl, and she immediately recognized her. In a casual tone, Ike called out, "Abigail." Abigail was one of the internal students of the World Market Trade Alliance. As a government officer, Ike naturally knew all the internal members of the alliance, whose numbers were fewer than 1,000. Their power levels were at least Tier-3, with some already reaching beyond Tier-3. Your next chapter awaits on empire Hearing her name called, the woman turned her head. Her eyes lit up when she saw Ike and the others. With quick movements, she rose from her chair and jogged toward them. "Sis Ike, wait!" she called out, her voice full of enthusiasm. A wide smile adorned her face, radiating cheerfulness that contrasted with her initially quiet appearance. Abigail stopped not far from Aleron''s group, slightly out of breath from running. "Hello, Sis Ike! What''s up?" she asked, still wearing the same bright smile. Aleron and his entourage were momentarily surprised by the girl''s demeanor. They had initially assumed Abigail was a sullen girl because she was sitting alone. However, her cheerful and enthusiastic attitude left a different impression. "Nothing much. Let me introduce you to Mr. Aleron, our esteemed guest," Ike said, introducing Aleron and his group.N?v(el)B\\jnn Abigail turned her gaze to Aleron. For a moment, she was startled by the young man''s appearance, especially since Aleron was shirtless. But she quickly adjusted her emotions, realizing that the man before her was the important guest everyone had been talking about. "Hello, Mr. Aleron. My name is Abigail. It''s a pleasure to meet you," Abigail said, bowing slightly as a sign of respect. "A good girl," Aleron murmured softly, loud enough for Abigail to hear. He nodded lightly, conveying the same respect. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!