Outside the God Realms, far beyond those known lands, lay a place where countless stars swirled around the Milky Way, forming a breathtaking expanse of blue-black void—a realm where time and space seemed to converge. In this celestial domain, two figures sat in meditation, as if they were the center of the universe itself. Their presence exuded an aura of absolute authority, as though they owned the very cosmos.
One was a middle-aged man, clad in an ordinary robe, his white beard lending him an air of wisdom and depth. Beside him sat a broad-shouldered young man, his black hair flowing over his immaculate white robe. His features were sharp, exuding an innate celestial majesty, as though he were born to rule the heavens.
As they cultivated, a sudden fluctuation rippled through the void. The young man sensed something and, without hesitation, opened his storage bracelet. A platinum plaque emerged, radiating profound energy. His expression shifted as his grip on the plaque tightened.
"Hm? Could it be that Venerable God Spear has grown stronger again? Impossible."
He shook his head, unwilling to believe what he was seeing. The middle-aged man, though aware of the change in his disciple's demeanor, showed little interest. With his eyes still closed, he continued meditating.
However, the young man's face froze in shock the moment he checked the ranking on the platinum plaque. His breath hitched. His pupils contracted. Then—
"WHAT!?"
His voice boomed across the void, causing the middle-aged man to frown. Irritated by the disturbance, he spoke in a displeased tone.
"Why are your emotions fluctuating? What has shocked you so much?"
The young man hesitated for a moment before silently handing over the platinum plaque. The middle-aged man's gaze swept across the rankings—then stopped. His eyes narrowed.
Two unfamiliar names had appeared in the top ten.
"What?! Impossible! Who are these people? Queen? Lovejoy? What kind of uneducated names are these!?"
His voice, though steady, carried a trace of disbelief.
However, a moment later, his interest waned. He shook his head and cast his disciple a disapproving look.
"Do not concern yourself. As your master, I will ensure that you surpass them soon. They are merely fleeting stars—nothing more. Only the geniuses of the 90th Heaven are worthy to be your rivals. Your karma is far superior to theirs."
His words were meant to reassure, but they barely reached Emperor Von, who stood motionless, his expression unreadable. He remained fixated on the ranking, his fingers trembling slightly.
11th place.
He had been surpassed.
It shouldn't have mattered. Yet it did.
A flicker of frustration burned in his eyes. Seeing this, the middle-aged man's frown deepened. His voice turned sharp.
"What is this? You, my disciple, are already shaken? Over mere names?"
Disappointment flashed in his gaze.
"I chose you for your unwavering will—yet you falter at something so insignificant? Have I made a mistake?"
For a moment, silence reigned. But then, in a voice barely above a whisper, Emperor Von spoke.
"One month and two weeks old...
Middle stage of Inferno Realm...
Talent—unknown..."
His voice trembled.
It was as if a thunderbolt had struck him.
The middle-aged man's pupils contracted sharply.
"What did you just say?"
His tone was no longer dismissive.
He reread the plaque. His breath stilled.
"Inferno Realm—at the top ten?"
His mind reeled.
It was impossible.
The top ten of the Primordial Youth Rankings were all Horizon Realm Gods. Even among them, vast differences in strength existed.
For an Inferno Realm cultivator to be placed among them—this defied logic.
His fingers clenched. Was the ranking system broken?
"Could it be that their strength already matches Horizon Realm Gods...? No, perhaps... they can kill them?"
A deep unease crept into his heart.
Emperor Von stood there, silent. His will—his belief in his own absolute superiority—wavered.
The middle-aged man exhaled, steadying himself. His gaze turned sharp.
"No need to panic. As your master, I will uncover the truth. I will deduce their fate and see if they are bound to your karma."
He raised his hand. The vast cosmic energy around them surged, condensing into his gaze of fate. With absolute precision, he pierced into the threads of karma, seeking the truth behind these two names.
But the moment his consciousness made contact—
A terrifying presence awakened.
His face paled instantly.
He ripped his soul back, staggering as if he had just brushed against death itself.
"Shit... that was close."
Sweat dripped from his forehead.
Emperor Von's eyes widened. His master—an entity feared across realms—was shaken?
"M-Master? What happened?"
His voice was laced with concern.
The middle-aged man exhaled slowly, as if trying to calm his racing heart.
"They possess little karma—barely any ties to the God Realm itself. However, they are... protected. By something unfathomable. If I had probed any deeper... I might have perished."
His expression darkened.
What kind of force could shield them from his sight?
A chilling thought surfaced—one he did not dare voice aloud.
Emperor Von's brows twitched.
"Master... could they be reincarnations of ancient experts? Or geniuses from the 99th Heaven?"
But his master immediately shook his head.
"No. They are neither from the 90th Heaven nor reincarnated souls."
His voice was firm.
He took a deep breath, drawing in the surrounding cosmic energy to stabilize himself.
Emperor Von fell silent.
His mind churned with countless possibilities, but none could explain what he had just witnessed.
Meanwhile, at the 30th Heaven Domain, countless young elites had also noticed the ranking update.
Among them was Mara.
Her long eyelashes flickered as she stared at the list, her heart unable to remain calm.
"This doesn't make sense... Inferno Realm cultivators in the top ten?"
Her voice carried a trace of confusion.
Suddenly, a soft chuckle echoed beside her.
"It's likely that their strength already rivals Horizon Realm Gods."
A white-clad woman materialized—a figure ethereal, as if untouched by mortal constraints. Her beauty was otherworldly, her presence carrying an ancient authority.
Mara turned, her gaze solemn.
"Ancestor... are you certain?"
The woman's smile deepened.
"If my guess is correct, they are indeed that strong."
Mara inhaled sharply, astonishment flickering in her eyes.
But instead of jealousy, there was only admiration.
Her expression remained calm, but excitement surged beneath the surface.
Seeing this, her ancestor smiled warmly.
"Good. With such a temperament, you will reach the peak without issue."
But Mara only shook her head.
"I should focus on my breakthrough. Althea already advanced last night. Ancestor, teach me a method to avoid backlash—I want to live a few more years."
Hearing this, her ancestor chuckled.
"Don't worry. With my method, reaching Inferno Realm will be seamless."
Her voice was filled with absolute confidence.