Meanwhile, the Land of Sighs, Land of the Holy Sword's Dominion, Asman Empire, Bishamira Forest, and other powerful forces all received letters from Skyborne Church.

Emperor Xiaqer of the Filo Empire also began mobilizing imperial forces in preparation for war.

After receiving the message from Skyborne Church, Tassidy Temple immediately notified King Will.

Will was overjoyed and began to arrange the details for the proposed marriage and submission while secretly preparing.

His goal now was to buy time.

As long as enough time could be delayed, the Pood Empire could be preserved.

...

Eryndor City, Valoria Palace

Aurek had already ascended to Stellar Rank LV6 and sensed the impending Stellar Rank Calamity.

He walked out of Eryndor City and made his way to Sacred Radiance Mountain.

Princess Josephine stood in front of Rosaries Palace.

Sophia and Lucy observed from a distance.

Natasha, lazily leaning against the attic, gazed toward Sacred Radiance Mountain.

Boom!

As Aurek released his immense imperial power, the Stellar Rank Calamity was triggered. Endless stardust covered the sky, far more terrifying than the natural disaster that had occurred in the Crimson Mountain Range.

"Aurek's Stellar Rank Calamity looks so terrifying!" Sophia said with a serious expression.

Lucy softly remarked, "His rise to Stellar Rank was already against the laws of nature. How could the world's laws allow his existence?"

Although they hadn't known Aurek for long, his speed of advancement was truly astonishing. She could only describe it as against the heavens.

Looking at the figure standing tall in the sky, she still couldn't understand why he possessed so many unfathomable abilities.

Sophia, on the other hand, was filled with pride.

"Anyone who deserves to be called against the heavens—besides Aurek, there is no one else," she said proudly.

She remembered the last time they communicated, Aurek was still a Master Rank. Now, in one leap, he had surpassed Grandmaster Rank, directly reaching Stellar Rank and was already undergoing the Calamity.

It was known that as one ascended in rank, the process became increasingly difficult, requiring constant accumulation and accumulation of power. Unless one had an extraordinary opportunity, it was impossible to progress so rapidly.

No one had ever been able to achieve such a miraculous speed of advancement as Aurek.

Lucy suddenly asked, "Little Sophia, haven't you ever had any doubts?"

"Doubts about what?" Sophia turned to Lucy with a puzzled look.

Lucy said meaningfully, "Aurek's strength and methods are so mysterious. It's hard to believe that a normal emperor could accomplish all of this..."

Sophia smiled sweetly, showing her dimples. "Aurek never forgets about me, Sophia. That's enough."

"Regardless of how he changes, I believe in him, now more than ever. We have taken control of our own destiny and reversed the tide of the era. I am proud to watch Aurek become more and more extraordinary and brilliant!"

Lucy nodded. "Have you ever considered marrying him, like Josephine?"

She whispered in Sophia's ear, "Josephine often spars with him, and sometimes when she loses, she even cries. She's so weak on her own. Maybe you can go help her."

"This is impossible!" Sophia frowned and retorted.

"How could Aurek fight with Josephine? I know very well how close they are!"

Lucy coughed lightly. "Little Sophia, that's not what I meant."

Seeing Sophia get angry, Lucy helplessly shook her head.

This silly girl was giving so much for Aurek but didn't even know how to fight for herself. As her mentor, Lucy couldn't stand it.

Boom!

The Stellar Rank Calamity fully erupted, and endless stardust cascaded like a waterfall.

Although it was much more terrifying than the natural disaster others experienced, Aurek was not worried.

He didn't even use the full force of the empire but directly activated the Divine Carapace, summoning the Aegis of the Sacred Tortoise!

An infinite sacred turtle's illusory form lay flat in the void, letting the endless stardust wash over it.

This ancient divine armor had incredible defensive power, and if a Sage Rank were to activate it, it might even be able to withstand an artifact attack!

At the same time, he also activated the Black Dragon Scales!

With both powers combined, the Stellar Rank Calamity was easily withstood.

Natasha's eyes sparkled with surprise at Aurek's overwhelming power.

Several ministers in Eryndor City sensed the disturbance and peered out with their mind power to observe. Upon witnessing this scene, they were all pleasantly surprised.

"With Aurek around, what other genius in the Eastern Region could compare?!"

"All the other geniuses seem laughable in comparison. I heard he's only in his twenties!"

"Same human, same male, why does the Creator treat him so unfairly…"

A few Pood Empire envoys gazed at the sky above Sacred Radiance Mountain.

However, their expressions were not those of joy, but rather solemn.

Taking a deep breath, they walked toward Eryndor City.

Aurek quickly returned to the palace.

The Calamity posed no threat to him.

Having mastered the laws of the world, the next step was to break through the Stellar Rank Calamity, allowing him to ascend directly to Sage Rank.

His vast Emperor Points had hardly been depleted.

With Philip assisting the Imperial army and Lucio making moves externally, Aurek had enough time to ascend.

In fact, the reason he agreed to facilitate the unification of the Eastern Region forces was to quickly acquire enough Emperor Points to level up and gain the ability to summon military units.

He aimed to quickly raise summoning units to level 11, 12, or even 13.

This would be essential in defending against potential God Realm forces that could descend at any time.

After all, every time a faction was defeated, several Divine Envoy Rank warriors would appear, causing heavy losses among the summoned units, which greatly displeased him.

Moreover, future summoned units would also need to survive through Calamities, which increased the risk.

If he could upgrade to summon units with Sub-God, God Fire, or even Divine Cleric levels, then after pacifying the Eastern Region, the empire's army would be able to conquer external realms at the fastest speed.

This grand scheme was also a test of Philip's and Lucio's capabilities.

With the system's assistance, he would encounter few difficult obstacles.

If these two failed to perform as well as he could, it would be highly disappointing!

...

Empire Council Hall

"Your Majesty, General Rand has fully taken control of the former Goldflow Empire territories."

Heimerdinger presented the war report.

"The Goldflow Royal Family's concubines and heirs have all been escorted back to Eryndor City. Aside from the areas occupied by the Selene Empire, over 600 cities have had officials dispatched to take control."

Conquering 600 cities in one go was equivalent to one-third of the empire's original territory, and the deployment of officials became a difficult problem.

"Your Majesty," Chuck stepped forward to advise.

"The governance of the newly conquered territories is different from the empire's homeland. It requires a large number of administrative officials and faces new governance challenges. I recommend showing leniency to the surrendering factions and using them to pacify the local populace."

Minister of Finance Lighton and other ministers immediately supported this approach.

Heimerdinger added, "Officials can be selected from the surrendering factions, but imperial officials must be sent to supervise and balance them."

Aurek pondered for a long time.

Conquering territory was easy, but governing it was not!

This was a matter entirely different from war, and it could not rely solely on military force.

"Approved."

Aurek finally made his decision.

"Grant amnesty to those who sincerely surrender and reward them accordingly."

"Convince the local factions to dissolve their organizations, with members either registered as civilians or conscripted into the military."

"Since they have already submitted to the empire, all citizens of this land should be entitled to equal rights."

"Those who perform meritorious deeds will be granted corresponding divine titles!"

"By the holy decree!"

The ministers bowed in unison.

"Also, accelerate conscription to expand the military!"

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