Simultaneously, outside the Layer of three Ancients—at the very heart of the Celestial Realm, near an ancient temple resembling two towering spires—a bloody battle raged as many Rulers sought to kill a lone figure who wasn’t even as formidable as them.
The land surrounding the temple lay in ruins, the vast sky and earth drenched in blood, while mighty natural laws clashed and erupted in the air within moments.
Amidst the ruins, a low chuckle echoed—laden with amusement, and maybe even a trace of mirth. Hearing it, a Ruler cursed, abandoning any pretense of dignity. His breath came in gasps, his garments torn.
"Why the hell won’t he die?! He’s just one damned person who hasn’t even reached the final stage of the Celestial rank yet!"
His frustration and anger were shared by every Ruler around him as they tried their best to capture the Celestial who had just chuckled. Yet, despite all their efforts, they could only watch helplessly as their target vanished every single time they drew near, convinced the man was finally cornered.
One of them—an old man draped in dark, intricately styled robes—gritted his teeth.
"This seemingly 6th-stage Celestial is too fast, too slippery! It must be due to the icy Celestial symbol between his collarbones!"
His eyes secretly gleamed with a hint of greed as he proclaimed very righteously.
"He has broken multiple rules of this vast realm! He has broken its peace and order! We must capture this person at all costs!"
Almost all the Rulers around him caught the true meaning behind his subtle words.
After all, each one of them was itching to claim a share of the majestic, icy power of the Celestial symbol this man possessed.
They all echoed similar words.
"We must capture him!"
"We must kill him!"
"Use all your power!"
"Don’t hold back!"
Unlike them, the sole recipient of the threats appeared perfectly composed.
Kyle wiped the blood from his lips.
Although his clothes were torn in several places, he still stood tall, the familiar cold and majestic pressure radiating from him.
His gaze fixed on the numerous Rulers—both old and young—surrounding him, yet still unable to capture him. He brushed off his clothes, ridding them of the dust, blood, and sweat that had gathered from fighting and running around so long, and scoffed.
"So this is the power of the Rulers?"
A playful smile tugged at his lips.
After Azazeal was abruptly pulled into the gate of the Layer of Ancients, Kyle became the sole outlet for the Rulers’ anger—those who had quitely stayed behind to guard it.
Having failed to stop or kill Azazeal—the one who had faced so many of them and still survived—they redirected all their rage and fury toward the only target left—Kyle.
Moreover, they all pursued him to uncover the secret of how he, a 6th-stage Celestial, had obtained a Celestial Symbol—or to see if they could snatch it from him. How could they possibly let go of such an opportunity?
While following him, the number of Rulers chasing him grew with each day, as those drawn in by the commotion joined in. Now, more than twenty Rulers surrounded him!
Yet, even after so many days, they still couldn’t capture him—let alone kill him!
All the Rulers managed to do was turn themselves into a spectacle across the Celestial Realm, spreading humiliating rumors that all its mighty figures were chasing a sole 6th-stage Celestial, yet couldn’t even manage to catch him!
The weaker Celestials had even begun whispering that a new force was rising—one that would soon become the sole supreme Ruler of the Celestial Realm!
And it was the formidable silver-haired Celestial who had been leaving his mark across the lands for the past two years!
Truly infuriating!
Kyle noticed their powerful attacks.
Yet, his smile didn’t fade.
In truth, he knew that his ’fake body’ was near the gate of the Layer of Ancients with Ares and Cassian. So, he deliberately lured the Rulers guarding the gate away to give them a chance to enter the ancient realm.
Originally, he had planned to shake off the Rulers and enter the ancient realm too. But he had underestimated the Rulers’ greed!
He never imagined these Celestials would be so relentless, chasing him for this long!
He continued fleeing, knowing that if he faced them all head-on, he was done for.
So, he kept escaping and evading while occasionally striking back. However, he couldn’t completely shake them off—his instant teleportation skill was just enough to dodge their attacks, but not enough to fully lose them or erase his tracks. Like pesky flies, they always caught up!
He still had plenty of natural energy left in his body, even after struggling for so many days. As a Celestial capable of controlling numerous natural laws, he wasn’t weak, but he knew he couldn’t hold out forever. It was time to devise a plan to escape this pursuit.
Otherwise, who knew when his body might give out from exhaustion? He had no desire to lose his body and create a new one—the resources required were immense! Also, his physique was on the verge of breaking the limits of the 6th-stage Celestial rank and entering the boundary of the final stage!
All his hard work would be wasted!
Therefore, he decided to provoke them, drawing out his mocking, amused words.
"If yes, I must say, I’m disappointed."
His words successfully irked and provoked the already seething Rulers. He intended to use their anger to his advantage and flee at the right moment. Yet the one who replied was not among those surrounding him.
The cold, emotionless voice of a man echoed from the temple behind him—a place everyone had so far ignored.
"Indeed. But who gave you the courage to speak such arrogant words? Young man."
Kyle’s ears twitched. He wanted to snort in response, but the pressure that descended on him nearly forced him to his knees. The faint cracking of his bones under the strain echoed crisply in his ears. Still, he clenched his jaw and vanished just before the figure who had just spoken could grab his neck.