By now it was common knowledge that Michael was significantly stronger than other cultivators in his realm.

After all, he had been able to go toe-to-toe against Generals while still being in the Expert realm. A monumental achievement considering that very few Masters could hope to match his deeds.

The normal soldiers found it fitting to call him a genius amongst geniuses. Or, in simpler terms, a monster. One that was caring towards his allies and merciless towards his foes.

Now that this monster had finally ascended to the Master realm, it was only given that his prowess would skyrocket.

"Killing… a Lord?" Richard arched an eyebrow, momentarily stunned by the proclamation.

Regardless of how delusional an individual might be, no one would ever dare claim they could kill a Lord. The gap between mortal soldiers and such powerful beings was so vast that no amount of luck or preparation would be enough to overcome the difference.

Yet, when Michael spoke those words, Richard found himself believing his Boss. Despite how unrealistic it sounded, the implication felt strangely plausible.

"Hehehe." An amused chuckle escaped Richard's maw. Undoubtedly, the Master was anticipating a grand show in the future.

Guessing that this could lead to misunderstanding in the future, Michael made sure to clear things up. "Not in a fair confrontation, of course."

Waving his hand, he elaborated. "In theory I should be able to deal the finished blow if they are exhausted and distracted. Otherwise, I won't really stand a chance."

"If you say so…" Richard's smile didn't falter, widening instead. The fact that Michael could speak so casually about killing a Lord either spoke to his immense prowess or his madness. Either way, Richard was glad to be following him.

After all, even the mighty Grandmasters didn't speak with such confidence about eliminating a Lord.

"And just when I thought that I caught up to you!" Ava pouted cutely, seeing that Michael had reached the next realm before her.

With a chuckle, Michael patted her on the head. "Relax, you will get there in due time."

Enzo paled slightly before clearing his throat.

"The gap between us is only widening… If I don't catch up, I soon won't be able to call myself his rival!" The man mumbled in desperation.

[Master has become… A Master?]

Cyberfang tilted its head to the side.

[Perhaps I should call Master, double Master? Or maybe Superior Master?]

"Don't do that." Michael instantly rejected the idea, inwardly surprised by the amount of consciousness the mecha tiger was showing.

[Then Master will remain Master.]

As Michael's crew congratulated him on his ascension to the next realm, the Grandmasters observed from the side.

"Am I imagining it?" Grandmaster Evelyn mumbled in bewilderment. "When I look at him, I can't tell who would win if we were to fight."

"..."

Alice and Noah remained silent. Even though Evelyn was just at the Early stage, she was still a Grandmaster. The two Late Grandmasters made a mental note to pay even more attention to the man.

Of course, there was merit to Evelyn's words considering that Michael's current status was as follows:

Name: Michael

Soul Realm: Early Master

Cybernetics: Indomitable System, Warlock, Dash, Perfect Vision, Spirit Surge, Blink, Bypasser, Parallel Sight, Fade

• Strength: 2,650

• Agility: 2,650

• Stamina: 3,200

• Spirit: 250,000

• Mind: 30,000

Skill Points: 0

By a single enlightenment, his base attributes had increased by a whopping 500 points. Having already spent the 400 skill points he'd been holding in reserve, and after consuming a portion of the Ro'trah queen's corpse, his attributes got enhanced even further. As a result, his stamina now exceeded 3,000 points!

These stats were already akin to a Master in the Late to Peak stage. And this was without Michael using Warlock and Dash to boost his power even more.

Given his unmatched experience in warfare. It was only natural that an Early Grandmaster would feel threatened by his presence alone.

After the surviving soldiers had mended their wounds, they decided to hold a funeral for their fallen brethren. Sadly, the raging swarm had consumed the fallen warriors, making the ceremony a symbolic act rather than a true funeral, with no bodies to be buried.

"Are we going to keep pushing forward?" One of the soldiers asked timidly. The man was still in the Expert realm, explaining his anxious state.

Half of their unit had been wiped out in the name of liberating the settlement. Even though Michael had ascended to a new realm and some had reached the next stage, the soldiers feared that their overall strength had been greatly diminished.

"We are." Victoria replied calmly. "According to the Lord's instructions, the funnel is progressing smoothly. Soon, we'll break through Neptune's dark side, giving humanity the opportunity to strike back and eliminate the greatest threat."

Neptune was a massive planet, many times larger than Earth. However, if humanity succeeded in eliminating the central Ro'trah queen governing the swarm, it would cripple them in the process, allowing their forces to focus on sealing the remaining portals.

After that, it would only be a matter of time before the entire planet was liberated.

The soldiers' spirits noticeably lifted, renewed with determination by her brief speech. Without delay, they pressed onward into Neptune's dark side.

Regardless of what troubles awaited them, they weren't planning on stopping.

As they pressed on toward the heart of Neptune's dark side, trouble was slowly starting to bloom at their final destination.

"..."

Two figures of unparalleled power came to a halt before a hive of staggering size.

"Are we really doing this?"

"We don't have a choice. More than two weeks have passed since its disappearance. From now on, it's better if we pursue onward as if our ally is already dead."

Fortunately, no humans were nearby, as just being near these creatures would cause them to descend into insanity.

Despite the figures' human-like appearances, their auras would send any mortal into a spiral.

These two aliens were Overlords, members of the Etrox species. Like the one that had seized control of Celestia, wreaking havoc across Neptune.

"Let's just get this over with… The less time we spend with these gruesome creatures, the better."

Without uttering another word, they stepped forward.

The billions of creatures that guarded the area didn't challenge the Overlords, granting them access to the heart of the swarm.

"Great ruler, we have come to negotiate…"

Gone was the Overlords' arrogance, as for the first time in their lives, they were forced to show respect, driven by the fear of death.

Since before them stood the strongest alien sent by the Ro'trah species to represent their might.

A queen with absolute authority over the entire swarm that lingered on the planet, including the lesser queens scattered through Neptune's surface.

Existence so far above anything else stationed on the planet, positioned at the end of the solar system. That her complete domination over Neptune wasn't a matter of if, but when.

For she was a Monarch...

"...!"

In recognition, the queen released a small part of her aura. Not enough to extinguish the lives of the Overlords, just enough to force them on their knees.

Satisfied by their lowered heads, her form morphed into various shapes and sizes. Her swarm, consisting of countless minions, moved like an extension of her will, aiding her in assuming a new form.

It didn't take her long to acquire the ability to communicate with the Overlords.

"You may speak."

Managing to get its bearing under control, one of the Overlords found the courage to open its maw.

"It's about the pesky humans. We propose a truce until we exterminate their kind."

Suffocating silence stretched. The queen observed the Overlords in amusement.

Then she replied, her lips curving into a gruesome smile.

"How particular…"

She didn't reject the offer…

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