A vast crowd had gathered to watch the projected visions unfolding within the Secret Realm.
Influential figures from many factions observed the unfolding events with intense focus, their gazes fixed upon the shifting images displayed before them.
At this moment, it appeared that the group of individuals who had vanished earlier had now fully emerged within the Secret Realm.
Whispers of curiosity rippled through the spectators as they wondered about the identities of each participant. The projected scene shifted once more, revealing a quiet location somewhere deep within the realm.
Beneath the shade of a broad tree sat a young man whose appearance seemed unfamiliar to most of the viewers.
He was seated cross-legged in silent meditation.
The spectators immediately erupted into murmurs and speculation, each offering their own interpretation of what they were witnessing.
One man voiced his opinion with clear bewilderment.
"This place is meant for survival-where danger lurks everywhere and cultivators compete against one another. Yet he still has the leisure to sit there meditating so calmly? That seems rather strange, does it not?"
Jun Yi's expression darkened slightly as he pondered the scene with deep contemplation.
"It would appear that this young man has grasped something of the tranquil essence of nature itself," he said slowly. "He stands on the verge of achieving a mind that is truly steadfast. His composure is not merely superficial calm. Beneath that still exterior lies a spirit firm and unwavering. Every part of his body remains under perfect control."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"This level of inner stability is extremely difficult to achieve for ordinary cultivators. Even among geniuses, few possess a mind as immovable as solid stone."
As he finished speaking, Jun Yi glanced toward Xuan Yue, curious to see how she would respond to the situation.
Yet what he saw surprised him.
Her expression remained utterly indifferent-cold and detached, as though the scene before her held no particular significance.
Unable to restrain his curiosity, he asked,
"Miss Xuan Yue, what do you think of this young man? Does he possess the qualities worthy of catching your attention?"
Xuan Yue responded without the slightest hesitation.
"Not particularly. Hurry and change the view to another participant. I did not come here to sit and watch something so dull."
Hearing her blunt reply, many of the others nodded in agreement.
Inside the Secret Realm-
"Achoo!"
Wu Ming rubbed his nose in confusion.
"What in the world...? Why have I been sneezing so often lately? Could someone be cursing me or something?"
Wu Ming murmured softly to himself.
It seemed he was on the verge of reaching a new boundary of the spirit.
His mind had become extraordinarily tranquil, so calm that even he could feel the change taking place within. That serenity caused the strength of his soul to grow rapidly, pushing it closer and closer to the threshold of the next realm.
Without hesitation, he began absorbing the resources he had prepared beforehand-hundred-year and thousand-year ginseng that he had purchased from the Sovereign Pavilion during his first negotiation there.
Those ginseng roots were no ordinary herbs. Each one had grown while drawing upon the vitality of heaven and earth, nourished for centuries within dense spiritual aura. As their essence was refined within his body, it flowed into his dantian, strengthened his foundations, and tempered his soul. The energy gradually stabilized his inner world, bringing him ever closer to breaking through the current boundary of his spiritual cultivation.
A full day passed in silent meditation.
At last, the awaited moment arrived.
Morning light poured through the forest canopy when a sudden shout burst from beneath the ancient tree, its echo ringing across the woodland.
"Break through!"
At that instant, spiritual energy surged violently from the surrounding heaven and earth. The vast currents of power rushed toward Wu Ming's soul and dantian like a storm. He continuously refined the incoming energy, guiding it through his meridians while compressing and purifying it within his spiritual core.
The torrent lasted for several breaths before finally stabilizing.
Wu Ming slowly opened his eyes.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"At last... my spirit has reached the Peak of the Condensed Soul Core Realm."
Even he found it difficult to believe.
"Who would have thought that the path of quiet contemplation-the discipline of observing the mind and stilling the spirit-could allow my soul to leap from the stage of Condensed Consciousness directly into the pinnacle of the Condensed Soul Core Realm?"
He had effectively crossed an entire realm in a single breakthrough.
Wu Ming could not help but smile with genuine delight. In his previous life, he had studied many teachings about the nature of the mind-ideas that spoke of clarity, detachment, and the quiet observation of one's own thoughts. At the time, he had treated them merely as philosophies.
Yet now, within the path of cultivation, he finally began to glimpse their deeper meaning.
Throughout his life, Wu Ming had been a seeker of knowledge above all else. Although he devoted most of his efforts to the orthodox path of cultivation, he had also studied countless strange doctrines and forbidden techniques. Many of them he had learned only superficially, never truly grasping their essence.
But now he felt that those scattered teachings were slowly beginning to connect.
"The path of the Dao tempers the body and refines the flow of spiritual energy," he murmured thoughtfully. "Yet there exists another way-one that does not rely solely on absorbing the power of heaven and earth."
He closed his eyes briefly, recalling fragments of ancient teachings.
"In that path, strength is not measured by how much energy one gathers, but by how clearly one understands the movements of one's own mind. When the mind grows tranquil, the spirit becomes firm. When the spirit becomes firm, the sea of consciousness expands naturally."
Wu Ming slowly exhaled.
"If the Dao refines the external flow of power, then this other path refines the internal stillness of the spirit."
He opened his eyes again, determination burning within them.
"I must cultivate both."
"The Dao will allow me to comprehend the laws of heaven and earth... while the path of inner awakening will temper the clarity of my spirit."
"If I can walk these two roads simultaneously, perhaps one day I will reach the true boundary where understanding and power become one."
His hands clenched tightly.
Even he knew that attempting to pursue two profound paths at the same time was nearly impossible.
Yet the determination in his heart only grew stronger.
....
...
.....
Two hours had passed.
Across the vast expanse of the Secret Realm, the atmosphere had grown increasingly tense. Hundreds of participants had already rushed toward the spatial gates and escaped the domain. What once held countless cultivators now felt strangely hollow.
Only a few dozen individuals remained scattered throughout the wilderness of the realm.
Some lingered because they had yet to arrive at the exit.
Others... because they had chosen not to leave just yet.
"Miss... may I ask something?"
A young maid finally broke the silence as she walked beside her mistress.
"Why must we participate in this competition merely to gain recognition as so-called 'geniuses'? And why must we compete for a position on the ranking list shared by all the kingdoms?"
The woman she addressed-Luo Ji-slowed her steps slightly. Her eyes were calm, carrying the composed confidence of someone born into great authority.
"Mao Bai," she said softly, "it seems you still do not understand the true nature of the Genius Ranking."
Her gaze drifted toward the distant mountains of the Secret Realm, as though she were observing something far beyond the visible horizon.
"That list was never created simply to display which cultivators are stronger or more talented than others."
Her tone became colder, more deliberate.
"If that were its only purpose, do you truly believe our Sacred Kingdom would invest such vast resources merely to send representatives here?"
Mao Bai immediately clasped her hands together and bowed her head in apology.
"My deepest apologies, Miss Luo Ji. I should not have asked about matters beyond my station."
Luo Ji merely waved her hand dismissively.
"There is no need for such formality. Since you have asked, I will tell you."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"The reason our Sacred Kingdom sent me here is simple."
Her eyes sharpened.
"I am here to seize one of the Top Ten positions on the Genius Ranking of all kingdoms."
Mao Bai inhaled quietly.
But Luo Ji had not yet finished speaking.
"However... that is only part of the reason."
Her voice lowered slightly, almost as though the very air around them could overhear the secret.
"According to intelligence gathered by my personal information network... there exists a hidden condition behind this ranking."
She glanced briefly at Mao Bai.
"If a cultivator successfully enters the Top Ten, those ten individuals will not merely gain fame."
"They will be personally selected by the most supreme cultivation sect that has ever existed in this world..."
Her lips formed the final words slowly.
"The supreme hegemon of the Kun Lun World."
Mao Bai's body trembled slightly.
The weight of that revelation was almost unbearable.
Even hearing such information felt dangerous.
She understood immediately that if such a secret were to leak into the outside world, the consequences would be unimaginable. Even though she was Luo Ji's most trusted attendant, there would likely be no mercy for someone who allowed such a secret to escape.
Mao Bai bowed deeply once again.
Her voice carried unwavering sincerity.
"Miss, please rest assured. I will never reveal even the smallest fragment of this information."
"Even if I must die a thousand deaths... even if my body and soul are destroyed..."
She raised her head solemnly.
"If I ever betray this promise, may the heavens strike me down where I stand."
Luo Ji merely waved her hand again with casual indifference.
"There is no need for such vows."
Her voice softened slightly.
"You would never betray me."
"After all... you are the only person I trust."
Mao Bai's eyes brightened immediately.
A gentle smile appeared on her face, filled with gratitude.
A short while later-
Both women suddenly stopped walking.
Their senses had detected something approaching from the forest ahead.
Neither Luo Ji nor Mao Bai showed any sign of panic.
With their spiritual perception, they had already measured the strength of the approaching figures.
"Only cultivators at the Condensed Essence Realm," Mao Bai murmured quietly.
"And merely at the mid-stage of that realm."
Such strength was insignificant in Luo Ji's eyes.
Moments later-
Five figures suddenly emerged from the trees.
They did not appear cautiously.
Instead, they stepped forward openly, blocking the path ahead.
The newcomers were not alone.
Five men stood there together.
Their expressions carried a vulgar hunger that was impossible to hide.
Even without speaking, the greed and malicious intent in their eyes was painfully obvious.
The air itself seemed to grow colder.
The five men stood in the path ahead, their intentions painfully obvious.
Even without words, the crude hunger in their gazes betrayed them.
Their eyes roamed over the two women with thinly veiled greed, as if they had already begun to calculate what spoils might be taken once the prey was subdued.
One of them-clearly the leader-stepped forward with a smile that tried, unsuccessfully, to appear courteous.
"Ladies," he said with an exaggerated bow, "this Secret Realm is a dangerous place. Countless ill-intentioned cultivators roam these lands, hunting those who travel alone."
His eyes flickered briefly with a sinister gleam.
"If the two of you continue wandering by yourselves, I fear you may fall victim to such people. Why not travel with us? Together, we could ensure everyone's safety."
Mao Bai's brows knitted together faintly.
She was about to refuse the proposal outright when a calm voice interrupted her.
"There is no problem with that."
It was Luo Ji.
Her tone was relaxed, as though the situation carried no danger whatsoever.
"We would be happy to travel together with the five of you," she continued lightly. "After all, today is the final day of the competition. It would not hurt to have more companions on the road."
The five men exchanged glances.
Then laughter erupted among them, loud and delighted.
Their joy was poorly concealed.
Mao Bai, however, was momentarily stunned.
She could not understand her mistress's intentions. Luo Ji was far from naïve-if anything, she possessed a sharp perception that surpassed most cultivators.
So why had she agreed so easily?
Yet Mao Bai asked no questions. Her trust in Luo Ji ran deep.
If her mistress had chosen this path, there was certainly a reason.
Thus, the seven of them began traveling together.
Hours passed as they moved through the forests of the Secret Realm.
During the journey, the men attempted to maintain casual conversation.
They spoke of various matters-rumors of hidden treasures discovered within the realm, tales of fierce battles fought by other contestants, and speculation about the final rankings of the competition.
Luo Ji responded politely when spoken to, her demeanor calm and composed.
Mao Bai remained mostly silent.
The group continued onward, step by step.
Before anyone realized it, they had already drawn close to the region where the spatial exit of the Secret Realm would soon open.
The fluctuations of dimensional energy could already be faintly sensed in the distance-a subtle distortion within the fabric of the world, like ripples spreading across an invisible ocean.
Then-
At a certain moment, the leader of the five men slowed his pace.
His fingers twitched briefly.
It was a subtle signal.
The other four men immediately understood.
Their eyes darkened.
They moved without hesitation.
In the blink of an eye, the five cultivators unleashed their attacks simultaneously.
Blades flashed.
Spiritual techniques erupted.
Violent streams of condensed qi surged forward like predatory beasts released from their cages.
Each strike was brutal and precise-techniques clearly honed through countless life-and-death battles.
If another cultivator of the same realm had been caught off guard by such an ambush, they would likely have been crippled instantly... if not killed outright.
But the result that followed was something none of them had anticipated.
Mao Bai lifted her hand.
Just once.
A simple motion-barely more than a casual flick of her wrist.
Yet in that instant, every single attack shattered like fragile glass.
The violent qi currents collapsed into nothingness.
Blades were deflected aside.
The men's expressions froze.
The leader's face changed drastically.
"Something's wrong!" he shouted immediately. "Everyone, defensive formation-prepare to counterattack!"
But before the others could react-
A sudden chill descended upon the battlefield.
It was not ordinary cold.
This was a bone-piercing frost that seemed to seep directly into their bodies, bypassing flesh and muscle, infiltrating organs and marrow alike.
Even though cultivators possessed bodies tempered by spiritual energy, the cold still invaded them effortlessly.
It was as though their supposedly powerful physiques were nothing more than brittle stone slowly eroded by endless winter.
Their limbs stiffened.
Their breathing halted.
One by one-
The four men froze where they stood.
Within seconds, their bodies were encased in thick layers of crystalline ice.
They had become nothing more than frozen statues.
The leader stared in horror.
His companions-four cultivators who had trained beside him for years -were now silent sculptures of frost.
In that moment, realization struck him like lightning.
We've offended someone we should never have touched...
His heart pounded violently.
"Damn it!"
He turned instantly, abandoning all dignity.
"I must escape! My life comes first!"
Without hesitation, he began burning his own lifespan to fuel a desperate escape technique. His body blurred as he erupted forward at his absolute maximum speed, fleeing toward the distant horizon.
But it was already too late.
Slash!
A sharp metallic cry cut through the air.
The sound was as clean and merciless as a blade slicing through silk.
The fleeing man suddenly stiffened.
A sword had appeared behind him-its edge gleaming like a streak of cold moonlight.
The blade carved across his back.
Blood burst forth instantly, spraying into the air like a crimson fountain.
"Aaaargh!"
His scream tore through the sky.
The force of the strike destroyed his balance. His body plummeted from the air, crashing violently into the ground below.
BOOM!
The impact carved a massive crater several meters wide.
Dust and debris exploded outward as blood splattered across the surrounding earth.
Yet the man still lived.
Barely.
Gasping in agony, he struggled to crawl away using both hands, dragging his broken body across the dirt in a futile attempt to escape.
But the sword that had struck him before was now embedded through his shoulder.
The blade had pierced cleanly through his body and nailed him to the ground like an insect pinned to a board.
Every movement only deepened the wound.
Escape was impossible.
Footsteps approached slowly.
Mao Bai walked forward, her expression cold.
Her eyes looked down at the man writhing on the ground.
Disgust flickered across her face.
"Pathetic."
Her voice carried naked contempt.
"You are nothing but worthless insects... yet you dared to ambush us."
She let out a faint scoff.
"To throw away your lives for such foolish greed..."
Her gaze hardened like frost.
"That is truly a stupid way to die."
After eliminating the five men who had attempted to ambush her mistress, Mao Bai allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.
The frozen corpses behind her were silent proof of the outcome. Frost still clung to the earth where their bodies had fallen, and the lingering chill of her cultivation technique hung faintly in the air like the breath of winter refusing to disperse.
She turned and walked back toward Luo Ji with light steps.
Her posture carried a trace of pride.
For a brief moment, she looked almost like a young child who had just completed a task and was eagerly waiting for praise from someone important.
But before she could say anything-
Luo Ji suddenly spoke.
"Why are you two still hiding?"
Her voice was calm, yet it carried a quiet sharpness.
"If you believe your concealment techniques are refined enough to evade my spiritual perception... then I'm afraid you have made a grave mistake."
The moment she finished speaking, Luo Ji lifted one hand.
Her palm opened toward a seemingly empty patch of forest.
In the next instant, an extremely dense surge of spiritual qi condensed within her hand. The aura was terrifyingly heavy, swirling like a compressed storm of pure energy.
Without hesitation, she thrust her palm forward.
The condensed qi shot outward like a bolt of lightning.
Rumble-!
A violent wave of frost exploded across the area.
The cold that erupted from Luo Ji's attack was not ordinary frost-it was a chilling force capable of freezing even cultivators whose bodies had been strengthened by spiritual power.
Within seconds, the surrounding trees, the ground, and even the air itself seemed to crystallize under layers of spreading ice.
The forest fell silent beneath a blanket of frost.
Mao Bai blinked in surprise.
There were still people hiding here?
Even she had failed to sense them.
A moment later-
Two distorted shadows slowly emerged from the frozen haze.
The figures stepped forward, their concealment technique broken by Luo Ji's attack.
They were none other than Mo Li and Mo Cheng.
Mo Cheng immediately clasped his hands and bowed respectfully.
"We must apologize," he said politely.
"We concealed ourselves nearby and witnessed the attack against you, yet we did not step forward to help."
His voice remained steady.
"However, please understand-we hold no intention of becoming enemies with either of you. I hope the two ladies will forgive us."
Before Luo Ji could respond, Mao Bai's expression turned cold.
"What kind of lunatic hides nearby while others are being ambushed and then claims they have no ill intentions?"
Her voice cut through the air like a blade.
"You stood there watching while we were attacked and still chose not to intervene."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"That alone proves you were perfectly willing to let us die without lifting a finger."
A faint killing intent flickered within her gaze.
"And now you expect my mistress to simply forgive you and let you walk away unharmed?"
Mo Cheng remained silent.
He did not attempt to argue.
From a certain perspective, Mao Bai's accusation was not entirely unreasonable.
Standing nearby and watching others fight without interference often meant waiting to seize benefits after the battle ended-like fishermen patiently waiting for their nets to fill.
The atmosphere gradually grew tense.
A heavy silence settled over the clearing.
Then a voice broke it.
Mo Li stepped forward slightly and offered a small bow.
"Ladies, please calm yourselves."
His tone was calm and composed.
"You walk your path, and we walk ours. Each cultivator must face their own obstacles along the road."
He gestured lightly toward the forest around them.
"You had enemies to deal with. Those enemies were dangerous enough to threaten your lives."
He paused before continuing.
"But those dangers were never our responsibility."
His gaze remained steady.
"Whether we chose to help or not was our decision to make."
"And if the two of you had died... that outcome would not have been connected to us either."
His words carried a quiet logic.
Cold, but undeniably reasonable.
In truth, cultivation was a solitary path. Life and death were burdens each individual had to bear alone.
Luo Ji studied the two men carefully.
From their spiritual presence, she could clearly sense something unusual.
There was a faint yet unmistakable aura surrounding them.
A demonic aura.
These two were practitioners of demonic cultivation.
More precisely, they were genuine demons who had entered this competition disguised among the other participants.
After a moment, Luo Ji simply shook her head.
Without saying another word, she turned and began walking toward the distant spatial gate-the exit of the Secret Realm where the competition would soon end.
Mao Bai glanced between her departing mistress and the two men who still stood there with their hands clasped respectfully.
She could not understand Luo Ji's decision.
Why had her mistress simply chosen to walk away?
Yet after a brief pause, Mao Bai suddenly remembered something important.
Her duty.
She was meant to stay by Luo Ji's side and protect her.
Arguing with strangers was meaningless.
She quickly ran after Luo Ji.
Just before leaving, however, she turned back and spoke coldly.
"You two were lucky this time."
Her eyes flashed faintly.
"If there is a next time... I may not be able to hold back."
After delivering that warning, she turned around and hurried away.
Soon, both women disappeared into the forest.
Mo Cheng slowly released his clasped hands.
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to calm his nerves.
Then he glanced toward Mo Li.
"That was her... wasn't it?"
Mo Li nodded.
"Yes."
"It really was her."
Mo Cheng let out a long sigh.
"We were lucky."
His voice carried a trace of lingering tension.
"If we had truly angered those two women... and they decided to kill us..."
He shook his head.
"Even your father-the Demon Lord who holds immense power within the Tian Men Empire-might not have been able to handle the consequences."
Mo Li listened quietly.
There was no pride in his expression.
Instead, he analyzed the situation calmly.
"You're right."
"For the time being, we should keep our distance from them."
His gaze turned thoughtful.
"If something serious happened... the entire Tian Men Empire might not be able to bear the consequences."
After finishing their conversation, the two men chose a different direction than the one Luo Ji and Mao Bai had taken.
Rather than risk encountering them again, they headed toward another spatial gate that would allow them to leave the Secret Realm.
The forest gradually returned to silence as they departed.
...
....
......
An hour passed.
By this time, Luo Ji and Mao Bai had finally arrived at the spatial gate that would lead them out of the mountains and return them to the Divine Realm beyond the Secret Domain.
The gate floated silently in the air like a rippling mirror of distorted space. Faint waves of spatial power flowed across its surface, bending the surrounding light as though reality itself had become thin at this location.
Yet when the two women arrived-
They discovered someone already standing before the portal.
A lone man.
He stood quietly near the entrance of the spatial gate, his presence calm and unmoving, as though he had been waiting there for some time.
Mao Bai instinctively looked toward her mistress.
She carefully observed Luo Ji's expression.
However, Luo Ji's face showed no sign of tension or danger. Her expression remained as calm and composed as ever, giving no indication that the stranger posed any threat.
Seeing this, Mao Bai slightly relaxed.
Luo Ji stepped forward first.
Her footsteps were light as she approached the spatial gate.
As she drew closer, her gaze shifted slightly toward the man standing nearby.
At that moment-
Their eyes met.
For a brief instant, the two gazes collided in complete silence.
Yet within that fleeting moment, it was as if both of them could clearly perceive the emotions and intentions hidden within the other's eyes.
Luo Ji's pupils shimmered faintly.
Within them flowed pale white light mixed with soft shades of icy blue.
The color carried a profound chill-an endless cold that seemed capable of freezing the heavens and earth themselves.
Her gaze resembled a boundless frozen tundra stretching endlessly beneath a silent sky, where eternal ice ruled over an immeasurable expanse.
But the man's eyes were entirely different.
Within his pupils, there was only darkness.
Not the ordinary darkness of night-but a deep, lightless void where not even the faintest spark of illumination could be seen.
Yet within that darkness there was no chaos.
No malice.
No turbulent thoughts.
Instead, it contained an eerie stillness.
A tranquil emptiness.
It felt as though his mind had already cast aside the countless distractions that plagued ordinary cultivators.
His gaze resembled a quiet abyss-empty, detached, and free from attachment.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The silent exchange between their eyes ended as quickly as it had begun.
Luo Ji did not pause.
Without hesitation, she stepped forward and entered the spatial gate.
Her figure was swallowed by the shimmering distortion of space and disappeared completely.
Seeing this, Mao Bai hurried after her.
But just before stepping through the portal, she could not help glancing back at the mysterious man.
Yet when she tried to look at his face-
She found that she could not see it clearly.
A strange shadow seemed to veil his features.
No matter how hard she focused, the image remained indistinct, as though his face existed somewhere between reality and illusion.
It was blurry.
Unclear.
Like a fading dream that could never be grasped.
In the next moment-
Mao Bai stepped into the spatial gate as well.
The two women vanished completely.
The portal flickered quietly, and the Secret Realm once again fell into silence.
For a moment after the two women disappeared, silence returned to the mountain pass.
The spatial gate continued to ripple faintly, its surface distorting the air like a quiet lake disturbed by invisible currents. The forest around it stood still, as if the land itself had briefly held its breath.
Then-
A voice suddenly rose, breaking the lingering silence.
"So... that woman truly is someone from the Sacred Realm."
It was the voice of the lone man who had remained behind.
His tone was calm, contemplative, as though he were simply speaking his thoughts aloud.
"The aura surrounding her was completely different."
He slowly lifted his gaze toward the spatial gate where Luo Ji had vanished.
"In this competition, participants have arrived from many realms-various kingdoms, sects, and even those born among the demonic races."
His voice remained steady as he continued.
"Each of them carries their own distinctive aura. Whether they come from mortal empires, demonic territories, or hidden sects... their presence can always be distinguished if one pays close attention."
Yet Luo Ji and Mao Bai had been different.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"The aura surrounding those two women..."
He paused.
"...was like threads of golden silk."
The description was not exaggerated.
To his perception, their presence had not simply existed within the space around them-it had quietly woven itself into the surrounding world.
Like delicate strands of golden silk spreading outward, their aura had subtly extended across the environment, lightly covering everything nearby.
With every step they took, it was as if the space around them was gently drawn along.
Not controlled.
Not dominated.
But subtly anchored to their existence.
A faint crease appeared between the man's brows.
"People from the Sacred Realm..."
He muttered quietly.
"They truly exist beyond the limits of ordinary humanity."
Compared to the other competitors who had entered the Secret Realm for this trial, the difference was undeniable.
Those from ordinary realms possessed strength, ambition, and talent.
But the presence Luo Ji carried was something else entirely.
It was as if she stood upon a completely different level of existence.
"If the rankings for this competition are eventually decided..."
He looked thoughtfully toward the fading light of the portal.
"...then among the top three geniuses, she will almost certainly stand out."
After saying this, the man released a quiet breath.
It was not a sigh of helplessness.
Nor was it exhaustion.
Instead, the exhale resembled the slow, controlled breathing of someone deep in meditation.
Every movement he made was deliberate.
Every sensation that touched his awareness was carefully observed.
To him, maintaining such constant clarity of mind was both a discipline -and a burden.
Remaining conscious of every detail in the surrounding world required an immense amount of focus.
Yet he continued to cultivate this state relentlessly.
He lowered his gaze slightly and murmured to himself once more.
"Still.."
"Just because someone comes from the Sacred Realm... does not mean those born elsewhere cannot surpass them."
His eyes gradually sharpened.
There was no arrogance in his tone.
Only quiet certainty.
"In the end, the one who claims first place will be me."
The wind rustled faintly through the trees.
He remained standing there for another moment before glancing once more at the spatial gate.
"After all... there is only a little more than a month remaining."
As soon as he finished speaking, he stepped forward.
Without hesitation, he walked directly into the spatial gate.
The rippling surface swallowed his figure instantly.
Then-
He vanished.