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, contemplating something.
A while ago, on the alliance world market trade island, Lein watched his clone enter the portal.
While Lein's clone entered the portal, far from Lein's island, 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—a clear sign that they came from various competing races.
Upon closer inspection, the ships were filled with hundreds of thousands of soldiers. On every deck, the soldiers stood tall, clad 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—their eyes were cold, their movements calculated. The scent of the impending battle hung in the air.
From afar, each fleet group had one ship dominating the formation, larger, more majestic, and surrounded by an aura of authority. These ships clearly belonged to their leaders, terrifying command 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 had come 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 flagship 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 porcelain shining under the starlight.
The man was bare-chested, wearing only a thin and transparent shawl that fluttered in the wind, displaying 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 flat, but his deep eyes showed how frightening his power was.
Beside him, a beautiful woman stood gracefully. Her attire was slightly revealing, showcasing her flawless curves, but her gaze remained lowered in respect, serving the beautiful man faithfully.
Each time the man emptied his wine glass, 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 clasped 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 any command without hesitation.
"Lord Thalor, how is the progress of the opening attack?" The beautiful man's voice flowed softly, yet there was a commanding 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 a large round sphere floating in front of the fleet. It looked like a giant soap bubble, but the inside was obscured by thick black smoke swirling around, concealing whatever lay within.
"Interesting…" One word slipped from the man's lips, accompanied 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 explanation, 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 glass 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 calculations, 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 glass 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."