The 'guardian journey' ended.
The audience came back to reality.
The non-existent illusion started breaking for those with more information,
And it stayed the same for those who didn't know anything about Guardian Mortal.
Many people felt weird.
Like the old manager, the wise turtle, and the white tiger.
The three of them saw the 'world invasion' happening with their own eyes.
And those with a guardian token saw it later at the start of the ceremony...
When Little Mortal arrived,
It was as if the king of a country was there to visit,
And these scary creatures were like his peasants!
What sacrificing life?
What even were those creatures?
The pressure from every single one was like a superior being to them while they were taking the scenes!
The Empress regretted her decision from that day when she asked her little 'big brother' to give her a role in the 'guardian journey'.
She saw how easy it was for the followers when they were recording the scenes of 'cleansing the world',
So she thought it would be fun,
And little mortal even changed the scene of the Emperor's fight so she could join him with her staff and go together for the last scene and defend the planet.
But how was she supposed to know there would be millions of enemies, every single one of them stronger than them, and the scene was for them to die 'heroically'...?
The experience on that day was indeed horrifying,
Especially because little mortal couldn't control the invaders because he said they aren't from this universe...
Nonetheless, it was fascinating for all of them to see how every scene that was recorded turned out like this in the end by the magical crystal, which added so many special effects to their battles.
No invaders were cut in half or beheaded in reality,
It was all the crystal that made it like that!
The old manager and wise turtle chuckled to themselves and looked at Little Mortal, who was sleeping at that moment.
The rest of the crowd was whispering to each other or writing sentences in the air.
With little mortal sleeping, and spiritual message off, they could only communicate like this.
At this moment, a 'booming' sound echoed through the whole world once again!
And the image of Little Mortal appeared for everyone to see.
[Congratulations to Guardian Mortal, the Frontline Guardian.
You are now the guardian of the Cultivation planet.
May The Fate be with you.]
From the loud voice, Little mortal jolted awake and looked around in panic,
"Who is shouting so loudly !"
And attacked the old manager,
"Who else can be louder than you!
I'll break your leg, old man !"
The old manager was speechless!
I am the planet manager, and I can be louder than anyone, but can't you hear the difference ...
Little mortal, who was massaging the old manager with his attacks, heard the loud voice sound again,
[Congratulations to Frontline Guardian, Mortal,
For winning the bet with the immortal planet,
And becoming the guardian of both planets !]
And his image appeared in the sky once more.
If the immortals from the immortal planet were on their own planet at this moment, they could see his image appear there, too.
Little mortal's hand froze in the air,
He gulped down, smiled apologetically at the old manager, and went back to his seat.
"Rivine technique, time reversal, to before I attacked the old manager."
Then he pretended he was sleeping again.
The crowd,
"..."
The 'booming' sound,
[Congratulations to Frontline Guardian, Mortal,
For becoming the solar system guardian.]
And once again, his image appeared,
But this time, in every corner of the whole solar system.
Now the immortal manager, too, felt her trust in him reach its maximum level all of a sudden!
And some memories, like the old manager, started revealing themselves to her.
The guardian, the conditions to become one, how to bet between planets, everything...
'So there is really a guardian position for each planet with life, and even the 'world law' supporting it! '
Little mortal indeed did everything that a candidate should do to become one.
Little mortal pretended to be slowly waking up.
He 'yawned' and said,
"What time is it?
Oh, you are done watching the Guardian journey?"
The crowd,
"..."
The 'booming' sound of the 'world law',
[The solar system is incomplete.
Frontline Guardian, Mortal, can't continue his journey temporarily, until the solar system is complete .]
Little mortal looked around and saw the speechless people looking at him with faces full of questions, and said,
"Everyone, it was a long journey...
So many died on this path...
Many friends left us...
Many...
Ah, forget about it, I'm too tired to give a speech.
Let's have a Q&A session.
I know you guys have many questions.
Write them down, and choose one person to ask them while my community manager answers ."
After that, he turned around and went inside his backpack.
The immortal manager asked in confusion,
"What is Q&A?"
Charm goddess raised her hand,
"Your Excellency, it means Question and Answer."
The immortal manager nodded,
"Oh, what are we waiting for then?"
The crowd started writing every question they thought of, or had asked before, but little mortal said he would answer them when he was the guardian.
Little mortal came out of the backpack not long after.
He was in his black suit, with his black-framed glasses on his eyes, and with his small notebook in hand.
He came back to his seat, and as he sat, a table appeared in front of him.
He put a placard with the name 'community manager' on the table and sat down waiting for them.
The group from the restricted area saw him like this once before, when he was going to recruit them.
But they didn't know he was the 'community manager'.
The crowd wrote all the important questions and wondered who should be the one asking them.
At first, they thought the scholar was the best option, but the old manager laughed at them,
"Don't be silly, our best choice is Rose."
They didn't know why, but those who knew about Little Mortal's different way of treatment,
All agreed!
Rose didn't mind either; if they weren't her seniors,
She would have volunteered to ask the questions herself.
The Q&A session finally began, with the crowd sitting behind, and Rose in front.
The little community manager, who seemed a little tired, said,
"We can start."
Rose cleared her throat and started,
"This is everyone's question.
Please introduce yourself to us."
Little mortal,
"Mortal."
Rose was speechless,
"Boss, in detail, please!
For example, I'm Rose, born in the Demoness Sect,
My mother is the Snow Goddess, my father is the Sword God, and my grandmother is Lady Butterfly."
The crowd nodded to themselves.
Rose was indeed the only one who didn't fear this little monster and could speak to him like this.
If it were anyone else, they would go to the next question.
Little mortal scratched his head,
"I'm Mortal.
Don't have parents.
I was born in... Classified information for now."
The crowd furrowed.
First question hit the 'classified information' wall!
But how does he not have parents?
Rose asked the following question.
"Please explain the guardian position, and why you chose our planet to be its guardian."
"Guardian position is a title that comes with some privileges, and in return, you should protect the creatures of that planet.
If you fail to do so, you lose your position as guardian, along with the privileges.
There are different ways to become a planet guardian.
I am a 'Frontline Guardian'.
There are two more ways, which are 'Secret Guardian' and 'Normal Guardian'.
Each way has its own advantages and disadvantages.
And why I came here is because in the 'Mainland', the guardian position is like a 'sin' and a 'secret'.
The guardian law is hidden, mixed, and under influence, so while the world itself wants to have a guardian for each planet with life, the Higher beings don't.
So I came here, because it was separated from its territory, and no one could stop me from becoming guardian here."
Just this explanation, while answering many questions, creates more questions.
Rose started adding questions to the paper in her hand.
The crowd nodded again.
Who else would dare to do that in front of this little monster?
"Boss, please explain the Frontline Guardian.
We heard it a couple of times, but we don't know how it is."
Little Mortal smiled arrogantly,
"The advantage is 'this'."
The crowd looked in confusion.
What is 'this'?
But the sky turned dark all of a sudden!
And then became bright again!
"I can move the planet freely, or spin it faster or slower.
I have complete authority over the planet's movement, and I can lock it or limit its entry or exit level.
All of it will be supported by 'world law'.
Other guardians need permission for that, and it takes time every time they want to do something like this."
The crowd's jaw almost dropped!
Rose asked in shock,
"What is the disadvantage then?"
Little mortal answered,
"I am at the 'Frontline'.
If anyone tries to harm any creature on this planet, or the immortal planet, the effect of it will be sent to me first; if I can resist it, then fine, if I can't, I die."
The crowd thought it was the most stupid way to become guardian without knowing how the other two ways work!
Rose asked worriedly,
"Boss, you told me about this before,
Isn't that dangerous for you?
Should we keep it a secret?"
Little mortal snorted arrogantly,
"Those who know about my weakness and can use it to harm me don't know I'm the guardian, and even if they come here, they can't enter my guardian territory to find out about me and my activities here.
As I said, a 'Frontline Guardian' can lock down the territory or place certain limits on it for entering or leaving.
And for your information, I already locked the guardian territory, and there is a limit for those who can enter.
But you should be careful about three things:
Inside the guardian territory, no one can harm you.
Outside of the territory, but in the same universe,
Only the higher beings can harm you.
Anywhere except our territory, creatures from other universes can harm you.
For example, Princess Xena over there,
She can't kill anyone here, even if she tries with all her might,
But if you go to her home planet, she can slap you into the afterlife."
Little Fred mumbled to himself,
"As expected of great uncle!"
The crowd didn't know if they could believe him!
But because he said you lose the position if you fail to protect the creatures on the planet,
If it were true, that was the best way for him to keep his guardian position!
He only needed to keep the beings he is guarding inside his territory.
Rose, with max trust, nodded,
"Understood."
Third sister, who was dragged into the conversation, stayed silent.
The crowd tried not to look at this sweet grandma of the Cultivation world, so her image stayed the same in their mind.
However, according to what the little guardian said, she is stronger than everyone else here...
"Next question,
How do the other two ways of becoming a guardian work?"
"'Normal Guardian' is basically nonsense.
You and your teammates, which includes followers and special force members, work with each other to protect your planet.
There are lots of votes for this and votes for that involved if you are going to do something that affects the planet.
And 'Secret Guardian' is for cowards.
You become a guardian without anyone noticing, and only the world law knows about it."
Rose wrote it down,
"Alright, now tell us about higher beings."
"The highest level of beings is called a higher being.
They are level 6.
In each universe, there is only one of them.
And that one will be born with the universe, alongside a treasure that they think belongs to them.
And they call it a birth treasure as if they are the owners."
Little mortal shook his head and looked at his big backpack,
"They are ignorant, aren't they?"
The big backpack and the treasures hanging on it were speechless.
They could betray or go against their masters, but that never happened; they only heard that Evil birth treasures would do that...
Rose asked with interest while pointing at the backpack,
"Boss, those are birth treasures?"
Little mortal nodded proudly,
"Yes!
For example,
My backpack is the birth treasure of an old adventurer called Marco Polo!
He gave it to me as a birthday gift!"
This time, no one, not even Rose, believed him!
Cold sweat slowly covered their foreheads!
So that's a treasure from a higher being?
An entity that was born with a universe?
"Boss, how strong are they?
I mean, the higher beings?
What's the difference between Level 6 and Level 1?"
The crowd nodded; Rose asked the question they were thinking about!
The highest level is a higher being, and there is a little thief who probably stole treasures from them.
So are they in trouble, too, or not?
Little mortal waved his hand,
"Don't worry about them, they are just a bunch of weaklings.
And let me tell you.
The 'world law' has a restriction on different levels of beings.
They can't just do whatever they want.
We have levels 1 to 6 creatures.
And every creature has a birth level, a potential level, and a max level that is always one level higher than your potential level.
For example,
You guys are level 1 at birth, and level 1 as your potential, but you can go up by one level, it means level 2 at max.
Where Princess Xena comes from is like everywhere else; they are born as level 1, but their potential level isn't 1 like you, but level 2, which means their max level is?"
He paused so Rose answer,
"3!"
Little mortal started clapping,
"My assistant is so smart!"
The crowd, who didn't react in time, lost control over their bodies and started clapping too!
Rose blushed and lowered her head...
It was so easy...
The crowd noted to themselves,
'If he starts clapping, we'd better start clapping with him...'
Little Mortal continued,
"Now, the Planet Manager.
They are born at the max level of the beings on
their planet +1.
For example, our cultivation planet's max level is 2, which means the old manager was born at what level?"
He pointed at Fred, who answered,
"3!"
Little Mortal started clapping,
"My nephew is so smart!
With sister-in-law as his mother, it's only natural!"
He then smiled and nodded at the Empress like a senior who was satisfied with his junior.
The Empress blushed too and started clapping alongside everyone else.
This time, they acted fast and started clapping by themselves while noting another fact,
'We'd better listen carefully; next time he might ask us a question!'
Little Mortal continued,
"And each solar system might have a manager, too.
The solar system manager is always 1 level higher than the highest level of planet manager in his/her solar system."
He pointed at the passage to the incomplete corpse of the middle-aged guy that was still open, and said,
"It means that guy is level 4, because the highest level of manager is this young lady, Immortal Manager, at level 3."
Now it was the Immortal Manager's turn to blush!
Hearing praise from this current little boy was different for everyone.
He was now the guardian, with a max favorable impression!
"After that, we have galaxy manager, which you don't need to calculate anything.
They are level 5, and there aren't many of them in each universe,
maybe 1 or 2, and the reason for them being so rare, even though each universe has billions of galaxies... Well, let's leave it for another time.
And the strongest creature in each universe is the level 6 higher being, of which only one exists, and I already told you about."
He waited for them to digest the information and continued again,
"And how strong is a level 6?
I can only give you numbers to compare.
Level 1 starts with 0.1 all the way up to 89.9
Level 2 is 90 to 9,999
Level 3 is 10,000 to 99,999
Level 4 is 100,000 to 999,999
Level 5 is 1,000,000 to 9,999,999
And level 6 starts with 100 billion power and goes up to 'I don't know' what level of power."
Now they understood why he never used names when it comes to how powerful they are,
but instead used numbers.
It was a lot more straightforward, and they could see how much stronger the other party is.
For example, the higher beings at level 6 were
10 thousand times stronger than level 5!
But why did he say they are weaklings?
"Now let me tell you about the restrictions that World Law is applying to different levels of beings.
You might just think of levels of power now,
But in reality, the effect of levels is another key factor.
So let me explain; listen carefully now and forget about the numbers."
Even Third Sister, who could slap these people to the afterlife, was curious now!
"First, no creature with a level higher than the manager can enter the manager's territory.
For example, the solar system manager can't come here; he can only stay outside the planet.
That's why I left a chair for him out there, but he never showed up."
He then looked at the corpse and snorted in dissatisfaction.
The crowd looked at the sky at a loss for words!
'There was a chair in the void outside for him?
So polite?'
Little Mortal chuckled,
"So, those higher beings can't come here at all.
They can only get close to the galaxies.
But!
There are two exceptions!
First, the level 6 being of a universe that they are born into.
They can go anywhere at any time.
There is no limit or restriction on them.
And second, if the universe is an incomplete one."
Rose asked,
"What universe are we from?"
"We aren't in any universe currently, but this place was part of the galaxy ETC2361 before it was kicked away.
And that galaxy is in the universe with the 'sneaky guy' as its boss, and this solar system is still part of that universe.
The universe itself is 'Complete'."
Some of them heard him mention this name before,
And it seems he was always vigilant about him finding what he was doing here!
So that sneaky guy is actually a higher being?
Rose asked,
"And what is the difference between a complete and incomplete universe?"
"A universe without any kind of energy that allows the living beings inside to connect with World Law is incomplete.
Magic power, spiritual power, and other kinds of energy are all used for the same purpose:
To connect with different laws of the universe and help its creatures to advance.
If the universe can't connect to World Law, its creatures can't advance to a higher level, and they get stuck at level 1; at the same time, any random guy can go in there and make a mess, while the higher being of that place can't defend it if the invader is another higher being.
And if the universe can connect to World Law, like yours, that does it through spiritual energy, it is 'Complete,' and no other Higher Beings can enter it without permission."
At the last part, Little Mortal gritted his teeth!
Why does he seem angry all of a sudden?
Rose, who saw him angry, changed the subject,
"Boss, can you tell us about the effect of higher-level creatures on lower-level ones?"
Little Mortal nodded,
"If a creature is one level higher, he or she can beat up one level lower."
Everyone nodded.
That was easy to understand.
"2 levels higher, can change the decisions of those with two levels lower, and they can learn what you have a hard time learning in a moment.
That's why in my guardian journey, only Pipe Realm cultivators could face the invaders and not be affected too much, because you were level 2, and they were level 3 with sealed power."
The crowd nodded, so that's why!
But why is he calling them Pipe?
"3 levels higher, can make you obey and believe any nonsense they throw at you, and if you stay around them for 1 or 2 days, you will be their slave.
They can read and speak any language of the universe they live in.
They mostly act as 'apostles' for higher beings because of this ability."
The crowd's hair stood on end!
But they remembered that those higher levels can't enter the cultivation planet because the max level was the old manager with level 3, so it should be fine if they themselves don't look for them...
"4 levels higher, can't meet with you, but in special cases, they might descend to different places even though you can't see them,
However, you can always see the signs of them before they descend.
There will be unusual changes, like plants growing at a speed visible to your eyes,
or someone sick suddenly becoming healthy...
The things that people call miracles.
They are mostly messengers of important news
between higher beings, and those changes are like saying 'hey, knock knock, I'm coming in!'.
But you don't need to be worried about them because, as I said, there is only 1 or 2 of them in each universe, or in some universes, none."
Rose remembered the day blind and deaf followers started seeing, hearing, and talking again after one time being controlled by her boss!
When Little Mortal heard the 'miracle' that day, he hid inside his backpack immediately.
So he was worried that a messenger was on the way, and he tried to hide from the other party so as not to get exposed.
"And five levels higher, which is level 6, the category of Higher Beings—if they don't belong to your universe, then you don't need to worry about them, because they can't enter.
And if your universe is incomplete, then they can enter, and there is no point thinking about it.
But if the other party is your universe's Higher Being, then they are the most disgusting, hateful creatures to you!"
Little Mortal's emotion suddenly flared up!
"Let me tell you,
You don't have any privacy when it comes to them!
You call their name? They know immediately!
You try to harm them? They feel it instantly!
They don't like how you think? They change it!
They don't like how you live? They change that, too!
They don't like you for whatever reason? They make your life miserable!
They can appear beside you at any time; it doesn't matter how far you are!
You go to the toilet? They listen to your fart!
You tell a joke? They laugh at it before you are done telling it!
You think level 4 or 5 creatures can't enter your planet? They just give them 'permission' to enter!"
Then he got too emotional at the end and slammed the table, which shattered into pieces,
"These disgusting rule-breakers even have the audacity to call themselves Gods!
Can you believe it? A bunch of weaklings call themselves God? The sheer audacity!"
Little Mortal shook his head at the end and, while huffing and puffing, sat back down on his little chair weakly...
They could clearly tell,
He was so disappointed in them that there was no end to it.
Another table replaced the old one.
The crowd got the answer to many questions!
So this little guardian was forced to be so secretive because there were eyes and ears everywhere!
And probably that was why the guardian position was under their influence?
Even the Planet Manager couldn't remember it?
Because from what he said, they were basically like Gods in the universe they were born in!
Forget about those numbers for power level.
These Higher Beings were at the top of the food chain, alone, with no one even close to them.
What even were they, some level 1 or 2 creatures,
In their eyes?
Rose asked,
"So, guardians are like rebels in the eyes of a Higher Being?"
Little Mortal nodded,
"Exactly!
When someone becomes guardian, none of the effects from Higher Beings work on the creatures inside the territory of the guardian!
They can see and feel some changes, but they can't affect anyone.
That's why I tried to take over this place in secret,
and even started the bet with Immortal Manager immediately after that, so that we have a safe territory.
And guess what?
If that sneaky guy comes, he can only stay at the door now, which is outside the solar system!"
And he started laughing hysterically at this sneaky guy who seems to be a Higher Being, and their former 'God'!
Immortal Manager now understood why this little guardian acted as if he was going to kill everyone!
Because the real owner of this place could come here at any time and clean up the mess!
He already knew someone had taken over his place!
Rose asked,
"So, because we aren't in his universe currently,
He couldn't feel the changes here?"
Little Mortal nodded again and raised his chin proudly,
"Yes, that was another layer of protection in my plan!
Smart, huh?"
The crowd thought the sneaky guy was destined to lose from the start with such an opponent!
Rose asked a question that suddenly came to her mind,
"What's your level, boss?
You seem to be a Higher Being, but how can you be here in the first place?
And there isn't much effect on us from you.
Even from the first day we met, you were like us, and we are all fine being around you."
The crowd suddenly held its breath!
They all had this question in mind, but didn't know if it was fine to ask!
Good job, Rose!
Little Mortal puffed his chest, raised his chin,
and said proudly,
"I am level 85!"
The crowd became shocked!
"What!?"
Rose asked in surprise,
"Boss, didn't you say level 6 is the highest?
How are you level 85?
That's 79 levels higher!"
A rough voice from inside the backpack shouted,
"Impossible!
There is no such thing as level 85!"
Then he jumped out of the backpack and landed on Rose's shoulder while shouting,
"Don't listen to him!
I swear to my master's name!
Divine Doctor!
He is lying!"
But the little white rat suddenly covered its mouth with its two small paws and looked at Little Mortal in fear!
Little Mortal snorted and smiled confidently,
"Swear to whoever you want.
Swearing in my neighborhood is no longer effective!"
The crowd knew what this rat just did!
It tried to swear to the name of its owner, and as a level 6, he or she would know where this rat is!
However, it seems that someone else has already blocked that path of communication.
The eyes of the white lab rat widened,
"I swear to Adventure God!
I swear to my master, Divine Doctor, again!
Come and save your pitiful lab rat!"
The crowd looked at the white rat and felt a heavy pressure from its body, but at the same time, it didn't affect them at all.
Little Mortal caught the rat, who was running around and shouting weird names, by his tail and slammed it onto the table,
"Be quiet!"
The white rat, while nothing happened to it, nodded obediently.
It acted in this manner to inform its master of its location, but for unknown reasons, it didn't work.
Little Mortal said,
"As you can see, even though Little White is a birth treasure, it is a special kind.
Unlike other birth treasures, it emits level 4 effects, but none of you feel any problem with it being around.
Now let me tell you the reason."
The crowd was in shock again!
This rat was level 4!
The white rat was shocked too!
It was level 4 even without itself knowing?
And it suddenly found out the candy in its mouth was completely melted now!
It was stuck at level 3 at first and became level 4 the moment Little Mortal became the guardian!?
The white rat asked in surprise,
"How could I be on this planet if I'm level 4 and the manager is only 3?"
That was indeed everyone's question!
What happened to those limits and restrictions that the so-called World Law applied to the world?
And Little Mortal answered,
"The reason is me, the guardian.
Planets with a guardian can allow anyone weaker than them to enter or grow in level if they have the potential.
And more importantly, it doesn't matter how high or how low the levels are; no one can affect anyone in the guardian's territory if there is a Frontline Guardian on the planet."
Then he looked at the old manager,
"For example, the old manager can't affect your decisions anymore.
Or Little Peanut and my nephew, with three levels lower than Little White, are still fine, and there is no effect on them.
Any negative effect first should pass through me; if it can affect me and I can't handle it, then it comes back to you."
The white rat was dumbfounded,
"This guardian scam was real?"
Little Mortal rolled his eyes at it,
"The only scam is your master's prescription!"
The white rat felt offended by his talking behind its master's back and attacked!
"How dare you insult my master!"
Little Mortal knocked its head, and it fell on the table, not moving again.
It seems this scary little rat died, or fell unconscious...
The crowd thought to themselves,
'A level 4 being was knocked out in one hit!
And he even talks behind a level 6 being!
He himself is a Higher Being?
But wait, how is he here again?'
Charm Goddess suddenly asked,
"Boss, if a higher-level being can't go to any planet that isn't from their universe, how did you come here to begin with?"
Little Mortal suddenly became angry and slammed the table,
"I said I'm level 85, not 6!
And who let you ask questions?"
Everyone's heart jumped to their throat!
The new table smashed to pieces too!
Another table appeared in its place.
Rose was going to laugh because the white rat was sent flying just now, but stopped herself in time.
Charm Goddess was already hiding behind the old manager!
The crowd approved of her move!
That was indeed the safest place, not because the old manager was strong, but because Little Mortal preferred to attack him for any random excuse!
Rose was going to ask the next question, but everyone's guardian token suddenly jumped up, and a mechanical voice sounded from it while floating,
[The solar system is under invasion.
Please be prepared to defend your territory.]
The crowd,
"O_O"
Little Mortal,
"-_-"