Upon returning to the Invictus Sect, Lein immediately began preparing for his journey. He had no intention of disappearing like a thief in the night. This wasn't a retreat, nor was it a resignation from the Invictus Sect. On a cosmic scale, vanishing from a dominion for hundreds of years was nothing out of the ordinary.
As a final gesture of respect, Lein made his way to the Main Hall to meet Luxador. But the hall was empty. Instead, he was greeted by the Sect's Vice Leader, who relayed a short message from Luxador: "Wait one more week. There's something important I must speak to him about."
Although mildly disappointed, Lein didn't mind. Luxador was the one who had gifted him the Void Essence and opened the path for him to join the Invictus Sect—a favor that went far beyond a simple thank-you.
The days passed quietly.
Lein spent most of his time in the meditation chamber, absorbing law essences. Now that his Law Seed had reached level seven, his absorption speed had skyrocketed—he could now refine a single law essence in just four minutes.
In that time, he managed to absorb over a thousand law essences. His progress with the Law of Space had now reached 27%.
Inside the Manifestation Zone, a transparent dome separated him from the outside world. Lein slowly opened his eyes. Across from him, Laras and Efan sat in lotus position, deep in their own meditations. He gave them a slight nod before turning his focus inward—sensing the flow of power in his body, now far denser and more stable than before.
As his thoughts dove deeper into the concept of spatial law, his vision suddenly blurred. Reality trembled faintly before him—like the surface of water disturbed by a gentle breeze.
"Ugh..." Lein held his head. The effect was still overwhelming. It felt like someone with perfect vision trying to peer through glasses with an extreme prescription.
"Only 27%... and it's already ," he muttered under his breath, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. There was tension in his chest—but also anticipation. He couldn't wait for the day he would finally break through to Second-Tier King.
His thoughts drifted again.
That crowned man... The mysterious figure he'd met when he ascended to Tier-1.
Who was he, really? How powerful was he... or rather, how far above all other rulers did he stand?
He wasn't an enemy, nor an ally. And perhaps not even the strongest being Lein had ever encountered. But something about his presence—his sheer aura—was unforgettable. Regal. Majestic. A true king atop a throne of void. Even more awe-inspiring than Mharzan, the man who had nearly killed him.
And that man—he was the one who gave Lein the Holy Human Core Crystal. Not a gift, but a symbol. Perhaps even... a silent promise.
Lein paused for a moment, his mind wandering back to a memory still etched clearly in his heart: standing atop the white platform during his very first aptitude test, guided by an old man in gray robes. That moment... so simple, yet it had changed everything.
Then came the crowned man—majestic, unpredictable, overwhelming. And his gift... too generous to be considered ordinary. A crystal core from a sacred human.
"I'll meet him again… once I'm strong enough," the thought echoed in his mind. "Let's just hope the Sacred Human race isn't too far from Origin Cosmos."
Drawing in a deep breath, Lein shifted his focus back to his surroundings. Inside the transparent dome of the Manifestation Zone, he noticed that Laras and Efan had finished their meditations.
Efan stood up at once, his face alight with excitement.
"Brother Lein! I've made another breakthrough!" he exclaimed. Though still at the Grandmaster level and not yet able to absorb law essences directly, his body was beginning to harmonize with the vibrations of law. It was a vital foundation for his future path toward becoming a King.
Lein gave a small nod. He knew exactly how hard Efan had worked. Many cultivators relied on artifacts and shortcuts, but Efan had chosen the tougher road—tempering himself from within.
The same could be said for Zanthor—the middle-aged Grandmaster he'd once met in the Law Zone. Though the cost had been steep, Zanthor's entry into the Invictus Sect—one of the Four Supreme Sects of Solareon City—had opened a path once deemed impossible for practitioners at his level.
Lein turned to look at Laras.
She stood quietly, draped in a soft white robe, a flowered headband resting in her long, flowing black hair that cascaded down her back. Her gaze was calm as it met his.
"Brother Lein," she said gently, taking a slow step toward him.
Lein gave a faint smile. For some reason, Laras felt different ever since her breakthrough into Second-Tier Grandmaster. A new serenity lingered in her aura, a newfound confidence that hadn't been there before. She reminded him of Hana… but Laras was gentler, more soothing. Like calm flowing water—refreshing and still.
"Good. You both did well," he said sincerely, a warm smile spreading across his face. He truly admired their diligence. Wealth and resources meant little without effort, and neither of them had ever taken the easy path.
"It's all thanks to you, Brother Lein. You gave us this chance," Efan said, his tone firm with sincerity. His voice carried more than gratitude—it was the earnest respect of a younger brother toward his elder.
Laras only smiled softly before speaking again.
"Everything I've done… it's all for you, Brother Lein," she whispered. Her cheeks flushed pink, her voice delicate, yet she didn't take her words back.
Lein fell silent. His heart felt warm. Efan had shown him respect. And Laras… affection.
But he knew. It was Laras' answer that came closest to the truth.
Everything he'd given… everything he'd taught them…
It was so they could one day protect themselves.
Thanks to his abnormal talents, only Lein could progress unhindered. But the other twelve core members—they had no choice but to depend on him. And Lein hated that.