Soon, time began to speed up as thousands of years passed.
With the power granted to them, the Etherium Council managed the Etherium Realm orderly without missing a beat.
No matter the power or identity, people began to live peacefully, concentrating on their interests.
However, instead of rejoicing, the rulers enforcing the peace began to panic.
"Are we going a bit over the top, Lord Wanderer?" an Elder from the Etherium Council asked nervously.
Although they had the power to suppress others, they still feared those tier 11 powerhouses.
Their power was merely an external force meant to be used for justice.
However, once outside the Etherium Realm—or if they were in the wrong—they would be nothing more than chickens on a chopping block.
Despite their dazzling lives, after offending many people, they lived in constant fear.
Unfortunately, with the stand-in leader before them, they had no choice but to obey orders.
"No, you're doing well! Under our Master's rule, even gods and emperors must kneel!" Wanderer declared forcefully.
To aid the four spirit goddesses, his Master had appointed him as the temporary council leader, replacing Liam.
Under his ruthless knife, all those unruly people who used strength or wealth to oppress others now knelt before the absolute rules.
"Lord, can't we be a little more accommodating?"
Among those being punished were distant family members, friends, partners, and acquaintances of the council members.
Having lived for hundreds of thousands of years, most powerhouses had connections to each other in one way or another.
"Enough! One more word and I'll convict you as an accomplice!"
Hearing such a threat, they quickly fell silent.
Though they were loyal, in the political world, those with clean hands had long since been swept away by the winds.
Once Wanderer investigated their dirt, they would be done.
"Hmph! Get to work. As a newly established tier 12 dimension, there is still much to be done."
"Yes, Lord Wanderer!"
As the council members left, Wanderer remained expressionless, reviewing the Etherium Realm's affairs.
Suddenly, a spirit barged into his room.
"Voyager? What are you doing here?"
"You detained my academy's dean. How could I stay silent?" Eternal Voyager said, rolling her eyes.
Upon advancing to tier 11, spirits could form bodies indistinguishable from real humans.
Unfortunately, as spirits, they couldn't forge a path of law, cutting off their chances of further advancement.
Tier 11 was originally their limit.
However, after the Etherium Realm's breakthrough, not only were the four spirit goddesses blessed, but even they also benefited.
By linking with the Etherium Realm, their once-stagnant strength began to grow.
At their current rate of advancement, they estimated they would reach the level of an absolute after absorbing all the benefits provided by the Etherium Realm.
As for reaching tier 12, the same as the Etherium Realm, it was highly unlikely.
They still have common sense.
Being able to advance at all was already a massive benefit granted by the dimension's evolution.
But reaching the same tier? Impossible.
Unless a miracle occurred, their final limit would be a strength comparable to an absolute.
Meanwhile, hearing Voyager's words, Wanderer remained indifferent.
"What's wrong? Favoritism, forceful poaching, destruction of private property, disregard for the rules…"
"He's lucky I only jailed him for a few thousand years and a fine!" Wanderer listed every crime of the current dean of the Etherium Academy.
"Can't you be more lenient? Just let him pay the fine, no jail time," Voyager pleaded.
"Why are you so anxious? He's just an academy dean."
Deans were usually appointed every ten thousand years.
With plenty of candidates, they could easily change deans every year if needed.
"This situation is different. That guy is a bit of a genius."
"In the past hundred years since his term began, the Academy's overall performance has increased by 300%."
"Because of this, many faculty members have asked me to bail him out."
Wanting to compete with Wanderer, Eternal Voyager couldn't afford to lose her most valuable chess piece.
Reasoning out, she hoped Wanderer would give him some leeway.
"How could he not improve the Academy's performance? With all his illegal actions, it would be a miracle if things didn't change."
Although the dean's actions didn't constitute severe crimes, their sheer quantity made Wanderer's sentence of thousands of years already light.
"Can't you let him off this time? Please~" Eternal Voyager said seductively, grabbing Wanderer's arm.
"Where did you learn such tricks? It's too obvious! Besides, as spirits, how can we even have such emotions?" Wanderer hurriedly pulled away, scolding her.
With the advancement of their strength, their emotional range had also expanded.
Aside from their loyalty to their Master, they were beginning to rediscover their own emotions.
"Tsk, boring!" Seeing her attempt fail, Eternal Voyager was not disappointed.
Their emotions had not developed enough for them to feel embarrassment.
Seeing Wanderer had some reaction, Voyager continued to play different tricks.
Soon, unable to focus on his work, Wanderer began to feel tired.
"Fine, fine! I'll pardon that dean of yours. However, tell him not to use those underhanded methods again. If I catch him one more time, I'll detain him until he can't even recognize himself."
"I knew I could count on you! Thank you, Wanderer~"
Meanwhile, the four goddesses were holding a meeting, bragging about the administrative continents under their jurisdiction.
After advancing to the tier 11 realm, their intelligence and processing abilities had improved by leaps and bounds.
Wanting to prove who was the greatest, they set up various categories to compete in.
From the top hundred in each profession, the strongest in overall power, the most talented prodigies, the most innovative inventions, the highest average strength per population, the most profitable organizations, the most popular destinations—every category they could think of.
And in almost all of them, the Astral Continent dominated.
"This is too unfair! Tintin shouldn't be allowed to compete with us!" The Divine Goddess couldn't help but complain.
"That's right! How can we compare with the Astral Continent? It's our Master's land!" The Beast Goddess nodded in agreement.
"Hahaha! You're just jealous of me!" Tintin, the Astral Goddess, laughed heartily.
Being a land of paradise, the Astral Continent excelled in every category.
Aside from each continent's specific specialty, none could surpass it in anything.
"Don't get complacent! We'll reclaim our top position no matter what!" The Arcane Goddess retorted, unwilling to accept defeat.
As the land of the arcane, where most pursued the path of knowledge, it was only a matter of time before her continent became the new holy land.
"Whatever~" Tintin rolled her eyes, unfazed.
If the Astral Continent could be surpassed while their Master resided in it, then that would be the true end of the Etherium Realm.
Suddenly, as they continued their playful boasting, a massive commotion erupted across the Astral Continent.
"Hmm? It seems our Master's family is about to advance to absolute!"
"Hahaha! See? I told you—I, the Astral Goddess, am the greatest!"
"Tsk, enough bragging. Let's go calm the incoming mess…"