Inside the restaurant, on the highest floor, the entire silver-white ground was densely woven with fine metallic threads, giving the space an almost surreal sheen.
"Is this for real?"
Sean Nan, prince of South-Sage, widened his eyes until they were perfectly round, a look of utter disbelief on his face.
Though he was a member of the South-Sage Ancient Kingdom's royal family—indeed, one of its princes—the level of affairs and people he usually encountered was far below Han Dong's. To hear Han Dong personally declare his intent to travel to the Light Clan's territory left him genuinely, deeply shaken.
Is it really going to happen this quickly?
Are you truly going to challenge the Light Clan?
Prince Sean Nan's face shifted through a range of emotions as he stared fixedly at Han Dong, unable to hide his tension.
"Is there some issue?"
Han Dong cast a cool glance at Sean Nan, his deep eyes sweeping over every Primeval present. The more he observed, the more he grasped the Spark-Heritage Zone's Primeval Sector philosophy: survival above all, a doctrine of preservation.
To live, to survive—those were the only things that mattered.
Because the concept of genius represents a future filled with brilliance and immense potential for life itself.
"Of course there’s a problem!"
Sitting beside Han Dong, Sean Nan nearly jumped three feet into the air, abruptly rising to his feet. "Why do you insist on confronting the Supreme Light Clan’s two new-generation Eternal Kings? Kings of the same realm rarely have a clear victor, and a life-or-death duel is all but hopeless."
Compared to the vast universe, Primevals are still fairly numerous.
But Eternal Kings are extremely rare—even among the flourishing Human Race today, the number of Eternal Kings below the Cosmos Eternal Realm is less than twenty.
If you narrow it to the Spark-Heritage Zone of Archaic Hall, there are only six Eternal Kings. Han Dong, sitting calmly before Sean Nan, is the sixth to have emerged from the Eternal Gate.
"How would you know if you don’t try?"
Seeing Sean Nan’s agitation, Han Dong smiled, his mood light: "Don’t worry, I know exactly what I’m doing."
He had already read nearly every record and classic regarding the Light Clan; even his portable AI, Bebe Li, was busy expanding its database with new information.
The date for this journey to the Light Clan had already been set, and was approaching fast.
Han Dong sat upright at the edge of the sofa, his expression solemn as he patted Sean Nan’s tense shoulder. Yet Sean Nan was hardly the only one feeling anxious—throughout the restaurant, all the Primevals fixed their gazes on Han Dong, each with a different look in their eyes. They exchanged glances, brows furrowing in silent consensus.
The tranquil ambiance was suffused with drifting colored mist, lingering in the air and lending an ethereal, distant quality to the scene.
A few crystal goblets spilled their fruit juice, adding a note of disorder to the otherwise calm setting.
"Han Dong."
"This trip is far too dangerous," said Hao Gu. "It’s not that I oppose you, but the risk simply isn’t worth the potential reward. To stake your life by venturing into Light Clan territory just isn’t worth it."
Normally, a new-generation Eternal King’s activity should center within their own race’s territory; almost never would they risk entering another race’s domain.
After all, the new-generation phase is the most perilous period for an Eternal King—when they’re most likely to fall before reaching their full potential.
Beside him, Xue Tu added his advice: "I still remember when you first entered the Primeval Star Gate—you were easygoing, not nearly so reckless or aggressive as you are now."
"There’s no need for this."
"Really, there’s no need to go this far."
Primeval Xue Tu ran his fingers through his shock of blood-red hair, eyes thoughtful.
Clad in exquisite, ornate robes and sporting a hint of makeup, Huang Quan held her younger sister Huang He's hand. She had dressed with meticulous care for this gathering, never imagining Han Dong would deliver such a world-shaking revelation.
She lingered in place for a moment, indecisive.
Turning her head, she met Huang He's encouraging gaze, drew a deep breath, and let her clear, melodious voice ring out across the restaurant's highest floor: "Han Dong, I want to know—why must you go to the Light Clan? I’m curious, and I believe everyone here is too. Your challenge to the Light Clan, surely it’s not for our Human Race, is it?"
"To be more precise—"
"You’re not doing this for the Eternal Gate, nor for the Spark-Heritage Zone of Archaic Hall. You’re doing it for revenge!"
The atmosphere abruptly quieted, a hush falling over the room.
The Primevals narrowed their eyes at Huang Quan, their varied gazes converging in midair, silently drifting between Han Dong and Huang Quan, secretly admiring the courage it took to speak out so boldly.
To openly question King Han Dong—even Hao Gu, famed as the strongest Primeval, would feel a tremor of unease at the thought.
"Oh."
Han Dong sat perfectly straight, his tone cool and even: "You’re right."
A few of the Primevals’ eyes twitched, but Huang Quan stood her ground, chin lifted and chest out: "Then may I ask, does this count as personal interest? Does it violate the four great Star Gates’ duty to put the Human Race first?"
"I don’t think so." Han Dong shook his head, his expression steady and unchanged.
Huang Quan bowed slightly in formal salute. "Why not?"
The Primevals all turned their attention to Han Dong, awaiting his answer.
The restaurant’s top floor was suffused with radiant colored mist, imparting a sense of boundless peace and tranquility. The subtle aroma of kiwi juice drifted gently through the air.
"I don’t need to explain myself to you."
Han Dong swirled his crystal goblet, refracting rainbow hues, and fixed his gaze on Primeval Huang Quan: "You won’t have to wait long. Soon, you’ll see for yourselves."
You’ll witness the Light Clan’s screams, see their wailing. I imagine that will be the most beautiful, most pleasing sound in the world.
Especially when those cries ring out in the heart of the Light Clan’s own territory.
Soft whispers drifted through the air as heads bowed over fruit juice. Han Dong rose, drew Primeval Huang Quan close, and engaged in cheerful conversation, as if nothing at all had transpired.
"This..."
The other Primevals seemed unfazed, but Hao Gu—the strongest among them—felt his pupils contract to pinpoints, his formidable Void-Rift-level body barely able to restrain the instinctive urge to recoil in awe.
Waves of shock crashed through his heart.
It was as if mountains of corpses and seas of blood filled his vision.
"Such killing intent... it’s truly chilling!"
Dressed in white, Hao Gu parted his lips to speak, but hesitated. In the end, he said nothing.
Conflicted, he stood to the side, watching Han Dong chat happily with the other Primevals as if discussing everything under the sun—just without the drinking and revelry. The sight only made Hao Gu grow more silent.
He thought back to years past.
The imperial star of the Chenriver Empire, nestled deep within the Milky Way.
When he first met Han Dong, he’d been impressed and had used the Primeval’s special privilege to recommend him.
Back then, Han Dong had to look up to him; now, it was Hao Gu who looked up to Han Dong. In just a few short years, their positions had completely reversed.
"Who could have imagined it?"
Looking through the crowd of Primevals, Hao Gu quietly watched King Han Dong: "Even I never expected that the standard genius I casually recommended would advance so rapidly into the Primeval Star Gate, and now become the Human Race’s King."
(Irrelevant system message omitted from translation.)
He, Hao Gu, was still that Void-Rift-level Primeval.
Life’s changes are unpredictable, making him sigh inwardly. Just then, Xue Tu’s voice called out nearby, and Hao Gu smiled as he walked over. Today, the Primevals had gathered mainly to welcome Han Dong.
The gathering at the restaurant was because the four great Star Gates couldn’t be entered at will—only one’s corresponding Star Gate was accessible.
"By the way."
"I’ve always wondered."