In a simply styled room, a boy sat in a corner. Devices were connected in each corner, and a rod of light shot from those devices.

Each of the lights connected above the boy's head, forming a triangle over him.

The boy inhaled sharply, ignoring the sting in his lungs and the tightness in his chest.

His gray hair flowed over his face, and he sucked in his abdomen, tightening his core.

A golden bird sat in front of him, mirroring his position.

The boy was Isho, and right now, he was practicing his technique.

Due to the uniqueness of his cultivation path, he had somehow gotten his father to give him a meridian-strengthening device to make up for his low talent grade.

With this triangle over his head, it was easier to access Hana, especially with the Hana gems his mother had gotten for him.

He only needed to put the gems into the opening of each rod generator, and it would be fine.

It was the third hour of his practice, and the lights were starting to dim, so Isho got up and changed each Hana gem.

The exhausted gems turned to smoke in his hands, and he nodded.

He had been able to master the first paragraph of his cultivation combat technique, and although the next parts were unreadable, he was sure he would understand them with time.

The bird chirped loudly, attempting to gain the boy's attention.

"On my way, Urek. I know you are the one taking in most of the Hana. Leave some for me, you know," Isho said with exasperated laughter.

Then he went back under the triangle for the second round of training.

He began to train his core, using ideas he had gained after watching his elder brother.

"Soon, Reith, I'd be able to catch up to you."

At this moment, a man sat on a throne in an entirely different place. The room was large, decorated with golden pillars. The throne was placed high on a podium, and in front of it was a large empty space.

This space was currently occupied by some of the man's high-ranking officials, but they all had grim looks on their faces.

The man let out a loud cough, pressing a soft cloth to his mouth. Lowering his gaze, he realized the blood had taken a deeper shade of red.

His brows creased, and his anger permeated the air.

"What's the news? How is the search coming along?" he said with a croaked voice.

Among the men standing there, no one wanted to speak. They all shifted their feet and tried to look away from the man.

Seeing the reaction of his subordinates, the man's ugly frown deepened, and with great effort, he waved his hand.

A chill crawled into the spine of every man standing, and their eyes widened as they turned to each other. This feeling was all too familiar.

Then in the next breath, someone exploded into a stream of blood and flesh, and a hush fell over the room.

The man closest to the victim felt the warm liquid splash his face. Trembling, he dropped to his knees, and the others quickly followed.

"My King… Lord Venrad," the man's voice shook as his body trembled uncontrollably.

The man on the throne scoffed. "Don't think I'd be rendered useless because of a mere illness. I am at the Soul Merging Realm, and trust me, I can make each one of you suffer," the King snarled at his men.

Instantly, he broke into a coughing fit, and blood filled the cloth. With a sigh, he tossed it into a large basket full of other bloodied cloths.

The men swallowed hard. After what had just happened, they didn't dare underestimate this person in front of them, even with his crooked stature.

"We have been unable to find a cure, but—"

Before the man could finish, his body swelled, and then…

Pop.

"Tell me something helpful. I have heard too much of your inability," the King snarled.

He settled back into his chair and gazed at the bloody mess in front of him.

It had been a week since they launched their attack on that trashy region just to get the gem.

Ever since he heard the news of a Triple S talent, he hadn't been at peace.

With his single S talent, he had managed to push to the Soul Merging Realm, but he had taken a quicker route because he didn't want to wait decades.

It had cost him.

Nevertheless, he had no regrets. If he could get that child, then his problems would be solved, and he could even ascend into the higher heavens.

The thought made him giddy, and he grew more annoyed that these people couldn't do a simple job.

"I'm waiting." Venrad tapped his fingers on the arm of his throne, narrowing his eyes at the bloody mess.

His voice made them shake, but they had no choice.

"We can get the boy," someone blurted out.

Hearing this, Venrad inched forward. "I'm listening."

The other men looked at the speaker in disbelief.

It was dangerous to give Venrad false hope, but this man had just done it.

"The Final Selection," the man uttered, unable to raise his gaze.

Hearing the name, Venrad raised a brow. "What?"

"The Final Selection is an examination hosted by the Azure Region to select students chosen to complete their education in the Grand Institute of the Blazing Horizon," the man explained. But then something wheezed past him, slicing his cheek.

He felt a sting as blood seeped from the cut.

"How is telling me about an examination helping my current situation? My patience is running thin," Venrad growled.

The man gulped and straightened.

"My inside man said it will happen in a man-made dimension where each student will be placed. I believe if we find a way inside, we can capture the boy and bring him here," the man stated, then simply waited.

"'If we find'?" Venrad squinted. Meanwhile, he couldn't help but wonder where Leon had gotten such technology. It seemed he would have to get that boy soon enough and force that man to release his ideas.

Then, with newfound strength, he would rule the regional wars and rise to become the Continental Emperor.

Everything would fall into place.

But could he trust this person?

"I already have a way, and it's foolproof. I have been preparing for this day to make myself useful to Your Majesty." The man bowed deeply.

Venrad nodded. He was about to speak when another cough wracked his body.

"Grant. Give this man everything he needs," Venrad ordered, before narrowing his eyes at the speaker. "What's your name again?"

At this, the man raised his head and gave a harmless smile. "You can call me Levi, Your Majesty."

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