Cain inspected his body, his soul, and even the depths of his will. A complicated expression crossed his face.

He had recovered. His cultivation base was stable, his foundations unshaken. There was no longer any risk of slipping backward or losing hard-won progress. Yet full healing was still far away. His body was intact, but far from whole; his soul was firm, but riddled with hairline fractures. It would take time—long, patient time—before he was truly complete again.

"It would speed things up if I could perform a Forty-First Revolution Refinement on both body and will…" he murmured.

But then he shook his head and smiled faintly. Ambition had to bow to reality. Even completing the Fortieth Revolution Refinement on his people before the final battle had cost him every ounce of skill, willpower, and mastery he possessed. He had not yet managed to attempt it within an Alter-Ego or Soul Dimension. He trusted his abilities and believed he could reach that feat one day, but it would demand long years of training and meditation—even with the help of the Crown of Ascension.

"There is also the Gluttony Module's True Cosmic Body Nurturing Tool," Cain thought. "It could heal body and soul alike."

But there was hesitation in his gaze. The war had granted him vast amounts of SDF, yet his soul force was already pressing against the threshold of the ArchDeity Rank. When it broke through, the demand to evolve his modules would be immense. Every single point of SDF would be required. Spending it now for recovery would cripple his future.

After careful analysis, the Scarlet King's path became clear. He raised his hand, sending a command across the world.

Moments later, the Six Chief Councilors and the ArchDeities of the Scarlet Path appeared within his chamber. Without exception, they dropped to one knee, their heads bowed.

"Hail the Scarlet King!"

Cain gave a small nod. His eyes then turned to one figure among them—Divine Sea. Her face bore a storm of emotions: guilt, shame, conflict. She was still grappling with the knowledge of how Azazel had used her as a pawn.

Cain's voice carried across the chamber, steady and solemn. "We all suffer setbacks. We all make mistakes. We all fail at some point in our lives. Even I have made mistakes—and I will make more in the future. No one is perfect."

He did not single her out. His words were addressed to all, but it was clear that Divine Sea needed them most.

His gaze swept the assembly. Scarlet flames flickered in his eyes, mirrored in the hearts of every cultivator present.

"After we fall, we must rise. That is all that matters. As long as you rise again, you can learn from your mistakes and your defeats, and you can grow."

A smile broke across his face, radiant enough to fill the hall with light.

"As long as you become better than yesterday—even by a single step—then the day is a great success."

The cultivators clenched their fists, excitement blazing in their eyes. Their devotion to the Scarlet King deepened, their faith transcending words.

Seeing their spirits lifted, Cain turned to the matter at hand.

"I am still wounded. Nothing that time will not mend, but I will be absent for some time. Your mission is simple: conquer the world and grow stronger. Spread the Scarlet Path into every corner of the Everstrife Empyrean World, into the heart of every man, woman, and child."

The eyes of those present sharpened. A single power ruling the entire Everstrife World—such an idea would have been madness only decades ago. But with the rise of the Scarlet King, it no longer seemed like a dream. It was inevitable.

Cain's expression hardened as he fixed his gaze upon the Six Chief Councilors.

"I want the Scarlet Kingdom to grow stronger. But the Scarlet Path must be respected. The people are free to choose their road. If they wish to join the Kingdom and fight beneath my banner, we will make them stronger. If they wish to wander the world unbound, as long as they do not harm innocents, they may follow their hearts. And if they wish only to live in peace, to forget the tribulations of cultivation, we will ensure their lives are safe and serene."

The Scarlet King knew what those six were capable of. They could brainwash trillions into zealotry, prioritizing the growth of the army over the Scarlet Path, and that was something Cain would not allow.

Minxet, Razputin, and the others lowered their heads, bowing deeply. "As you command, Scarlet King."

Cain gave a curt nod, then turned to Leonidas and the other ArchDeities.

"The Third Level of the Samsara Arsenal will be opened to you. There you may train against Soul Automatons capable of unleashing the full power of a Peak Archdeity. You will have no shortage of opponents. Push yourselves harder. You must grow."

Leonidas and the rest bowed their heads. Cain had not explained why such growth was vital, but they did not need reasons. His command was enough—and besides, each of them hungered for strength.

Cain's gaze flickered toward his Samsara Seal, and his expression darkened.

"Collect every evil treasure and wicked cultivator you find. Lock them away until I awaken. I will need them."

If he had unlocked the Samsara Runic Set and attained the Samsara Immortal Body, he would not have been in such a wounded state. He was determined to unlock it for the incoming fights.

Finally, his eyes returned to his followers. His words cut like a blade through the silence.

"If you succeed in your assignment—"

He turned first to the Six Chief Councilors.

"I will find a way to extend your lifespans and sharpen your mental abilities. At the very least, I can raise you to the level of ArchDeities in those aspects."

The effect was immediate. Wide smiles bloomed across Minxet and the others. They were not warriors. They did not crave battle power. But longevity—true longevity—was a gift beyond price. Greater mental faculties would make them even more invaluable, which meant more respect, more honor, and higher status in the flawless meritocracy of the Scarlet Kingdom.

Then Cain turned his gaze upon the ArchDeities. His smile deepened, carrying a weight that made their hearts race.

"And if you succeed…" his voice grew low, filled with meaning, "…I will grant you cultivation techniques that reveal the path to the Alpha-Omega Overgod Rank."

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