"The Enlightened One?"

Meylin tilted her head as she heard the name. The Enlightened One was one of the most enigmatic and formidable figures of the Second Realm. Cain had never met him directly. He did, however, interact with the Enlightened One's disciples back in the First Realm. Those encounters had been peaceful, even friendly—marked by calmness and mutual respect —as the group assisted the forces of the Scarlet Crusade with the matter of the Dark Trees.

Still, if Cain wished to meet him now, Meylin saw no reason to object. She gave a gentle nod.

"Very well. Let's not waste time."

There were no enemies nearby, and with the defenses of their Divine Kingdom still intact, the two exchanged a final glance before vanishing into the sky in streaks of power, leaving the Void Beyond the Realm.

It did not take long before Cain frowned. The carnage he had witnessed in the void did not end there—it spilled across the mainland as well. Cities smoldered, entire landscapes scarred by clashing armies. Just as he expected, the ideological war between the Path of Life and the Path of Freedom was not contained to the void; it had engulfed every corner of the mainland.

"By the way," Cain said suddenly, his tone edged with suspicion, "the Enlightened One did not, by chance, join the side of the Ancient One… correct?"

Meylin immediately shook her head. "No. The Enlightened One and his people are seekers of harmony. They would never embrace the idea of breaking the world apart in pursuit of ascension. He refused outright."

Cain sighed as soon as she answered. Disappointment flickered in his eyes.

Meylin noticed, curiosity glinting in her gaze. Why would that answer leave him disheartened?

Cain caught her look but said nothing. The truth was not noble. A scheming and ruthless part of him had hoped the Enlightened One had joined the Ancient One, for then Cain could face him as an enemy, defeat him, seal his body within the Third Astral Black Hole, and extract the answers he sought. But if the Enlightened One stood with the Demon King… then Cain could not simply kill a powerful ally without consequence.

He shook the thought away. If the Enlightened One was the type of person Cain thought, to meet him while harboring such intent would be foolish.

Despite their speed, it still took time before the duo saw the Eternal Kingdom rise on the horizon. Their eyes immediately shifted, however, to the massive figures marching upon it.

They were giants—colossal beings so vast they dwarfed cities and blotted out the sun with their shadows. There were five of them in total: three Early Archdeities and two at the Middle Rank. The ground quaked beneath their steps, and even from a distance their power radiated like an approaching cataclysm.

Cain and Meylin's eyes widened at the sight. Such a force made their intent clear: the Ancient One's followers sought not merely to challenge the Enlightened One, but to obliterate him. Perhaps even more than Cain and Meylin, he seemed to stand high on their kill list.

There was no time to dwell on speculation. Whatever Cain's reasons for seeking the Enlightened One, in times of war an ally in danger had to be defended. Both he and Meylin pushed their speed to the utmost.

Yet even at their limit, they would not reach the Eternal Kingdom before the enemy.

The five Archdeities surged forward like living mountains, their battle auras exploding skyward. Cain and Meylin could feel the waves of killing intent from miles away, like storms crashing upon their skin. The enemy was moments away from striking.

And then—

A figure rose from within the Eternal Kingdom.

He was a paradox of serenity and overwhelming might.

His appearance radiated both monk-like peace and warrior-god ferocity. White hair gleamed like the light of dawn. His eyes carried the calm of infinite compassion, yet beneath it burned judgment heavy enough to crush stars. His body was clad in simple robes adorned with prayer beads and sacred sigils, but his frame was built like that of a destroyer, muscles corded with divine strength. Around his arms swirled glowing bindings etched with runes of balance, channeling energy into radiant turquoise circles of power that floated about his fists.

The very air trembled at his presence.

The five Archdeities of the Path of Freedom halted their march the instant he appeared. Though his aura placed him at the Middle Rank, by all calculation they should have been confident of victory. Five against one—even with the advantage of his Divine Kingdom—ought to have left no doubt.

And yet, unease gnawed at their instincts. Their stances tightened, their eyes wary. Something about this man radiated danger far beyond simple cultivation rank.

The Enlightened One regarded them quietly, his expression unreadable. Then he sighed—a long, heavy breath, as though weary of the path laid before him.

"I do not wish to spill blood today," he said softly. His voice was calm but resonant, carrying across the battlefield like a temple bell. "Leave now, and I shall pretend I did not see you."

For a moment, the offer almost touched their hearts. They felt the weight of peace behind his words, the sincerity of one who truly preferred harmony over violence. But then their eyes hardened. The promises of the Ancient One outweighed all hesitation.

Killing intent surged in unison. Their bodies grew larger still, divine power erupting skyward until their shadows engulfed the Eternal Kingdom itself. The land beneath them groaned as if it could barely withstand their power.

The Enlightened One sighed again, but this time the sound was colder. His eyes, once filled with compassion, sharpened until they became colder than the killing intent of the five combined.

"So be it," he whispered.

He extended his right hand. A staff materialized—nearly five times his own height, vast enough to look absurd in any lesser hands. Yet the moment it settled into his grip, it was as if the weapon had always belonged there, forged for him and him alone.

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