Yizhe stared at the group of people surrounding him with an ugly expression.
Although he was somewhat afraid, he was still stronger than everyone present. As long as he wished, he could escape at any moment. He could also call for reinforcements and other Rulers for assistance without anyone knowing.
But instead of disappearing immediately, he decided to endure for a little while, hoping to learn what these people were planning next. When he saw Jian charging toward him, a powerful golden glow gathered in the palm of his hand, radiating immense power.
Enough was enough!
This group had truly pushed him too far!
However, just as Yizhe was about to strike Jian, Mirabel’s voice suddenly rang out in his mind. It was the second time she had contacted him, and the unexpected message made him freeze, his eyes flashing with shock for the briefest moment. No one around him noticed the subtle change.
Because of that single moment of hesitation, the glow in his hand faded away.
Jian’s fist slammed squarely into his face, snapping his head violently to the side. A sharp sting spread across his cheek as his eyes turned red with fury. He slowly straightened his head, an icy killing intent rising from his body.
After Jian had finally vented his anger, Alec pulled out a tracking device similar to the one Yue had and turned toward the prison exit.
"We don’t have time for this."
He said grimly.
"We still don’t know if Yue and the kids are safe."
Everyone agreed with him. Jian, who had been looking forward to watching Yizhe die at the hands of the good Rulers, paused and turned to Alec with a slight frown.
"Let’s watch these people kill this guy first. It’s better that way. He’s a threat. Wasn’t he the one who wanted to execute all of us? Then let him be the one who’s executed instead. After that, we will go—"
He never got the chance to finish.
Right before everyone’s eyes, Yizhe vanished without the slightest warning.
Draevor, whose hand had been firmly gripping Yizhe only an instant ago, froze. His fingers instinctively tightened in the space, grasping nothing but empty air.
The entire area fell deathly silent.
Everyone stared blankly at the empty space where Yizhe had been standing moments earlier, their expressions filled with disbelief.
Nine was the first to break the silence.
"Where did he go?"
Cassian studied the faint distortion lingering in the space where Yizhe had vanished, his eyes darkening with a dangerous glint.
"He just used the natural law of time to stop time, then used the law of space to flee. He’s far stronger than us. Escaping before we could even react was easy for him."
His gaze remained fixed on the slowly fading ripple in space.
"We underestimated him."
Sinon looked slightly confused. His brows furrowed as he glanced at Draevor before asking skeptically.
"But you and your people are Rulers too. How could Yizhe just escape so easily? Aren’t you all at the peak of the Celestial rank? What’s the difference between you and Yizhe besides the number of natural laws you have comprehended?"
He added, frustration evident in his voice.
"Besides, he was only one person!"
Alec and the others also turned toward Draevor, curiosity evident on their faces. It was a question that had been lingering in all of their minds.
Before Draevor could speak, Clan Leader Ares, who had been rubbing his sore wrist after finally being released, let out a quiet chuckle from behind, drawing everyone’s attention before shaking his head.
"It’s not that simple."
His gaze drifted to the spatial distortion that still lingered where Yizhe had vanished.
"There are... many other factors that determine whether one Celestial is stronger than another. Comprehending more natural laws certainly increases your strength, but that’s only the foundation. Once you’ve reached the peak of the Celestial Rank, the gap between individuals can no longer be measured by how many natural laws they can control alone. You must make those laws submit to you completely, not merely comprehend them, so that their color is reflected within your Celestial Lake."
He paused before continuing.
"As I said, no one had attained the true Crown of a Ruler before Kyle and Azazeal appeared. That alone is enough to determine who is stronger. After all, those who possess one stand on an entirely different level."
"Then there is the Celestial Symbol. Although no one in the Celestial Realm possesses a complete Celestial Symbol, some of the Rulers have fragments of these symbols etched onto their bodies. Those fragments alone grant those Rulers far greater power than those who do not possess them."
Ares’ face turned slightly gloomy.
"And Yizhe, the owner of the Ancient Temple, is one such Ruler. That’s why escaping from all of us, even while surrounded, was easy for him."
Silence settled over the prison once more as everyone processed his words.
Hearing the words Celestial Symbol, Cassian almost subconsciously reached for the space between his collarbones, where a golden clock symbol had once rested. Now, there was nothing. His hand froze halfway before slowly falling back to his side. His blood-red eyes flickered with complicated emotions. In a low voice, barely above a whisper, he muttered.
"A Celestial Symbol..."
"Kyle had it."
Carcel’s eyebrow twitched when he heard Cassian’s quiet words. Well, he wouldn’t expect anything less from Kyle. That guy possessed the Crown of a Ruler, so why wouldn’t he also have a Celestial Symbol?
Alec silently digested Ares’ words. At the same time, the system residing within his mind space reminded him in a resigned voice that not even the faintest sign of a Celestial Symbol had appeared on his body yet. If he truly wanted to stand against the Rulers, he still had a long way to go.
Taking a deep breath, he looked at his companions before speaking.
"We will go check on the kids first. As for Yizhe and his people... we’ll figure out how to fight and eliminate them later. Right now, we simply don’t have the strength."
Jian let out an irritated groan.
"I know. But it still stings. Back in our universe, we were the strongest. Here, it’s like we’re starting from scratch all over again."
Nine shot him a look.
"So... are you scared?"
Jian immediately bristled.
"Scared? Who’s scared?! I’m already thinking about becoming the strongest Ruler! Don’t blame me when all of you get left behind. Hmph!"
Watching the group bicker among themselves before suddenly vanishing without even asking for help, both Draevor’s group and Zami’s group were left stunned.
Ares stared blankly at the empty spots where they had all been standing just moments ago, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Wait... they just left?"
He blinked several times before throwing his hands into the air in exasperation.
"What about my offer? Weren’t they supposed to join my clan?! They didn’t even say thank you! Hah... what a bunch of ungrateful people!"
At that moment, the sound of someone clearing their throat echoed from behind them.
Everyone turned toward the source of the noise.
To their surprise, an old-looking dwarf who seemed to be from Alec’s group was still standing in the prison. Having remained silent the entire time, he had seemingly been forgotten. Zron raised a hand, a kind, polite smile on his old face.
"...I’m still here."
Zron stepped toward Ares.
The warm smile on his face never faded.
"I would like to accept your offer, Clan Leader Ares. Please allow me to join your clan."
No one noticed him secretly rubbing his hands together, his mind already racing with countless thoughts and calculations.
Ares’ face immediately lit up with delight. Without wasting a second, he instructed Guardian Zami to register Zron’s name under his clan.
After patting the old dwarf on the shoulder, Ares declared with a hearty laugh.
"From this moment on, you’re one of us!"
Zron bowed politely.
"It is an honor."
With that settled, Ares’ cheerful expression disappeared, replaced by a grave one as he turned to Draevor.
"Where do you think Yizhe went? Is there anything I should be aware of?"
Draevor’s expression hardened.
"As I told you earlier, we arrived late because something happened on Mirabel’s side, and we caught wind of it."
Ares’ eyes narrowed.
"What happened?"
Draevor briefly glanced at Zron before deciding not to speak aloud. Instead, he transmitted his voice directly into Ares’ mind, ensuring the news wouldn’t reach the Celestials connected to Kyle too soon and cause them to recklessly rush into danger.
’I heard that a very powerful natural treasure has appeared at the place where Kyle’s soul scattered. The Rulers under Mirabel were the first to sense it after an unknown woman appeared within the area they had sealed for the test they were overseeing, displaying a teleportation ability similar to Kyle’s. She is most likely the Yue...’
He glanced at Zron.
’...that his companions were discussing.’
’In the end, those Rulers entered the testing ground without hesitation. Sensing that something was wrong, Mirabel followed them. Even she detected the presence of the treasure.’
’I believe Yizhe went there.’
Clan Leader Ares’ expression fell, his heart growing restless as he processed Draevor’s words. After a moment, he blurted out.
"Why now, after so long? That place has remained silent all this time, with only a few weak treasures appearing every now and then..."
Draevor shook his head.
"I have no idea."
Unable to calm the unease in his heart, Ares immediately turned to Guardian Zami.
"Handle things here. We will leave first."
The moment he finished speaking, he vanished. Draevor and the Rulers accompanying him quickly followed suit, with the exception of one Ruler who stayed behind to help Zami.
Cassian muttered.
"I will join them."
With that, he disappeared as well.
In the end, only Zami, Gvette, and their people remained in the prison, along with one Ruler and the old dwarf, who was itching to leave and explore the Rulers’ territory.