He looked at Erevan with those cold, cold eyes."If I had come to the Council and complained that a Universe Lord's family had tried to kill me, what do you think would have happened? Do you think you would have sided with a Star Realm child against one of your own? Do you think you would have sacrificed a powerful clan for the sake of a boy with no connections and no value?"Erevan opened his mouth, but no words came out."I didn't think so," David said. "So I didn't ask. I survived on my own. I grew strong on my own. And now I am here, not as a supplicant seeking justice, but as someone who no longer needs it."He rose from his seat. The movement was fluid, effortless the motion of a predator who had grown tired of sitting still."I don't want to make the human race my enemy," he said, addressing the entire Council. "I don't want to interfere with your territory or your politics. But whether we remain at peace depends on your response. Treat me as a threat, and I will respond accord

David filed the information away for later. There was no point in pressing Kael further. He had been cooperative so far, but everyone had their limits."Tell me more about the inner zone," David said, resuming his walk. "How does the Council recruit young talents? How do they decide who gets to train here?"Kael fell into step beside him, visibly relieved to be back on safer ground. "The recruitment system is extensive. Every territory in the human race holds local competitions, tournaments, trials, tests of skill and potential. The winners are sent to regional competitions. The winners of those are sent to sector competitions. And the winners of those are invited to the Holy Land.""A pyramid," David observed. "The best of the best rise to the top.""Exactly. The Council believes in meritocracy. Talent, hard work, and determination are supposed to be the only things that matter. In theory, anyone can rise to the inner zone if they're good enough.""In theory," David repeated, his vo

David was silent for a moment. Then he spoke, his voice quieter than before. "I have my own journey. And I don't trust you or anyone in this Holy Land. You people can sell anyone for a benefit. I know how power works. I know how politics works. I know that if my value for your guy decreases,then I'm sure you won't even take a second thought before selling my information to the highest bidder without a second thought."Matilda stared at him. "The human race isn't what you think. Our seniors worked very hard to make a powerhouse in this world. You can't demean them and their hard work.""Yes, they worked hard. But it doesn't mean you people get a free pass to do anything to the weak. As for their work, I am not neglecting their sacrifice. But if the human race goes on like this, sooner or later you will face destruction. You might have powerful Universe Lords. You might even have a few God realm powerhouses hidden away in your fourth zone, whatever that is. But the universe is cruel, an

The inner council chamber was smaller than the grand hall where David had been received, but it was far more significant. This was where the true decisions were made not the public performances, but the quiet conversations that shaped the fate of the human race. The room was circular, its walls lined with dark wood and ancient tapestries. A single table dominated the center, surrounded by chairs that were simpler than the thrones in the main hall but somehow more imposing.There were more than a hundred chairs. The outside world believed the human race had fifty-five Universe Lords. The truth, as it often was, was more complicated.Five Universe Lords sat in the chamber now. Lord Erevan was among them, his old eyes thoughtful. The others were different from those who had attended David's reception; these were the true power houses, the ones who operated behind the scenes. A woman with silver hair and a face like carved ice sat at Erevan's right hand. A man with the bearing of a milit

"No. You didn't. That's what makes you remarkable." Erevan leaned back on the bench. "The Council has been debating your status for five years. Some want to give you an official position. Some want to keep you at arm's length. A few and I won't name names want to find a way to neutralize you before you become a threat.""And what do you want?"Erevan was silent for a moment. "I want to understand you. Not your power. Not your cultivation. You. What do you want, David? What are you planning for your future?"David considered the question. It was not one he had expected. "I don't know," he admitted. "All my life, I've been chasing strength. First, to prove myself to my mother. Then, to survive the battlefield. Then, to fulfill the legacy I am bound to. I've never thought about what comes after. I've never thought about settling anywhere. I don't even know what that would look like.""You've spent your whole life fighting. It's not surprising that peace feels uncomfortable.""Peace feels