Kyle gave Cassian a sidelong glance, then ignored the sparkling crimson eyes staring straight at him with giddy, grateful laughter.
’Tsk, tsk, what are you smiling for? I said I came back to help, so I’m doing just that.’
Muttering inwardly, he waved his hand.
In the next moment, the glowing golden symbols within the abyss shimmered and slithered like snakes toward the struggling Celestials, wrapping around them to steady their bodies in the air. Many let out breaths of relief and looked at Kyle in gratitude—at last, they were saved from the winds and the numerous menacing crimson maws.
Kyle gave only a slight nod when several Celestials thanked him, his gaze calm. He hadn’t helped them out of goodwill—it was to prevent the Rulers from openly targeting him again, like Nathaniel had done before, just because the man saw him as a threat.
He was still far from powerful enough to face them... not to mention, this was only his fake body. It would likely combust if a Ruler so much as flicked him on the head.
Ares eyed the golden array, a low grunt escaping him as he cast Kyle a look.
"So, you’re not completely heartless."
Kyle gave him a soft smile, and Ares was completely stunned. Kyle was handsome, and when paired with that smile, the aura around him rivaled that of a sage. Having just helped so many when even the Rulers hadn’t, the Celestials who were staring at him were all left momentarily dazed... but that daze quickly turned to reverence. His Celestial aura was working at full swing.
"Naturally. I’m good. I do good deeds."
Ares snapped out of the trance he had fallen into, a shiver racing down his spine as goosebumps prickled his skin. Damn... he had almost fallen under that bastard’s control! And he was a 6th stage Celestial!
How terrifying! The power radiating from Kyle was even stronger than his own!
"Hmph!"
He tore his gaze away at once, unwilling to take any chances. Zami, Cassian, and some others likewise didn’t dare glance directly at Kyle. The kid’s aura was just too enthralling!
As the chaos in the abyss subsided, Kyle’s calm eyes met the piercing cyan gaze fixed on him, sharp enough to bore holes through him. He cupped his hands with respect.
"Greetings."
Several Rulers flinched when his smiling gaze settled on them, an unsettling sense of déjà vu washing over them. How weird.
Nathaniel was the first to react, a bright smile instantly spreading across his face. His smile, dazzling and confident, was far brighter than Kyle’s smile—whose lips only curved slightly at the corners, as though he wasn’t accustomed to smiling very often.
Nathaniel rubbed the space between his collarbones, where the clock symbol had finally eased. His voice rang out, loud and commanding, carrying vast authority, while a glint of superiority flickered in his gaze.
"Who are you?"
Kyle blinked and scratched his chin.
"Is that really necessary? How about we focus on advancing instead? This place is quite dangerous. I created an array to help your people, but it won’t last long... once the energy runs out, the array will fade."
He stressed the words ’your people’ with deliberate precision, making sure they all understood that he had just helped them.
His tone carried a subtle edge—a quiet reminder that the Rulers owed him.
Nathaniel’s eyes darkened at the edges. Was this person really implying that if he attacked him, his reputation would suffer?
When in his life had anyone ever dared to so blatantly threaten him? The urge to kill this silver-haired man and torture both his soul and consciousness surged within him.
The fact that the clock symbol resonated with him made the urge even stronger. But as his gaze swept over the many Celestials watching him, he forced down his anger.
Sooner or later, this man with a thousand guts would meet his demise by his hand.
Nathaniel’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, cold and sharp.
"Indeed, you are right."
He turned away, his smiling gaze turning chilling the moment no one could see.
"Everyone, let’s us hurry forward. Staying here any longer really benefits no one."
No one dared to point out that he hadn’t thanked Kyle for helping their people. Just as Nathaniel began leaping forward again, the cyan-purple petals bloomed once more under his command, seamlessly forming a path for him and the Rulers around him.
Valance sensed his foul mood and wisely stayed silent. As the Rulers advanced, they failed to notice how Kyle’s smile had fallen. Unlike Nathaniel, whose gaze chilled when no one was looking, Kyle’s calm eyes held nothing—no hatred, no anger, no emotion.
Let alone anger, he refused to waste even hatred on Nathaniel; people like him didn’t deserve that. Yet the emptiness in his calm gaze was far more terrifying than any fury.
He watched the Rulers for a few seconds before stepping forward, as if walking on air. Instantly, the symbols that stabilized him mid-air surged downward, forming a solid footing beneath him. The shadows trailing behind flickered like snowflakes.
Those who watched him advance tried to follow and were thrilled to find that they could walk midair just like him!
They instantly began running toward the other side of the abyss, remembering the warning that the array wouldn’t last long.
Clan Leader Ares hurried to catch up with Kyle, still bewildered at how crossing the abyss now seemed like a casual stroll.
He could see that a lot of Celestials were dazed by the turn of events, but their focus remained on finding an exit from the abyss.
Ares patted Kyle on the back.
"You were already powerful, and now you are a once-in-a-lifetime array genius too?"
Zami, Silver, Gvette, alongside Cassian, and his teammates soom caught up to the duo.
Kyle touched his nose with a chuckle.
"Thanks for the compliment, Clan Leader. How about, in recognition of all the good I have done today, you forgive me for past mistakes? After all, everyone deserves a little leniency now and then, don’t they?"
Ares’s brow twitched, but he said nothing as they continued walking in silence. The Rulers were already far ahead. Those with Kyle couldn’t help but glance at him since he was moving so leisurely. Still, they didn’t rush like the other Celestials and stayed close to him. Suddenly, Kyle veered to the left, forcing those around him to halt.
Silver hesitated but spoke up.
"Umm, wasn’t the bridge leading straight? Why are you going in another direction?"
Kyle’s answer left them all speechless.
"Because I want to."
Unlike the others, who froze in disbelief, Gvette hurriedly trailed after him, smiling.
"Hmm, can I follow you?"
Ares was taken aback by his words. Was this man really one of his clan members?!
How could he be so willing to follow Kyle, as if he were his clan leader and not Ares?!
Kyle glanced at Gvette, whose eyes were completely filled with admiration and awe.
This sudden display of loyalty and trust momentarily left Kyle taken aback.
Could this be the work of his aura...?
No—that couldn’t be; this wasn’t his real body, so Kyle’s Celestial aura wasn’t that strong. Also, Gvette wasn’t weak either.
Does that mean he willingly wanted to become his follower? That was a first.
Kyle’s brows furrowed slightly—he had never faced such an unusual situation before and wasn’t sure how to respond.
Still, he didn’t mind it too much.
He noticed Gvette was injured and waved his hand, healing him, then nodded calmly.
"Sure, you can."
Gvette’s eyes brightened even more as he followed after him. Behind the two, Ares’s face was completely blank—it was hard to tell whether it was from disbelief or shock.
One of his clan members had switched sides... without even glancing back. When Cassian and his teammates followed Kyle, Ares trailed after them with his clanmates, silently vowing that Gvette would receive a beating once they returned to the clan.