"Why?"
"All are enemies?"
Andrew Han, usually calm and unruffled, found himself moved at this moment.
Born human, hearing that the Human Race was one of the Four Great Life Races filled him with pride. But learning that everyone outside the Human Race was considered an enemy made Andrew's heart pound and his breath catch.
Beset on all sides, danger looming everywhere—what could be more ruthless than this?
If all the other peak life races besides the Human Race targeted humans, how cruel and cold would that be? Was there something special about the Human Race?
But there was no reply.
It was like reading a book and reaching the climax, only for the story to suddenly cut off, leaving him hanging.
The humid summer night breeze swept through the clouds ten thousand meters above, brushing the faintly glowing white horn atop Dan Xuchun's head. Andrew felt unsettled by it all.
"Lord Dan?"
He looked at Dan Xuchun.
The night was as dark as ink, enveloping everything; even at ten thousand meters above the ground, it was dim and lightless.
Dan Xuchun, the Stellar Palace-tier powerhouse of the White-Horn Human Clan, floated silently, saying nothing, merely gazing up at the starry sky.
Andrew's eyelids twitched... The silence was almost awkward, as if the story had just reached a turning point—how could it stop now? Just as things were getting interesting, it all came to a halt.
He thought for a moment.
He secretly guessed: "Lord Dan is probably gathering his thoughts, organizing his words. I'd better not interrupt."
But after waiting for about half an hour, Dan Xuchun was still gazing at the stars.
Feeling helpless, Andrew finally asked, "Lord Dan, why did you stop? What does it really mean that everyone outside the Human Race is an enemy?"
Hearing this, Dan Xuchun turned his head.
His gray hair drifted on the breeze, the white horn turning slowly in rhythm with some mysterious pulse. His weathered face radiated a commanding power, as if he were about to reveal a secret that could shake the world.
Dan Xuchun frowned. "Oh, so that's what you're puzzled about."
After thinking for a moment, he lifted his weathered chin and sighed softly, "I thought you were also marveling at why our Human Race is so powerful."
Andrew Han looked utterly confused: "???"
Immediately after, Dan Xuchun burst out laughing without warning: "Actually, this is just a secret of the Human Race that our Void Rift-tier White-Horn Clan elders talk about. I'm just passing it along, hahaha... It seems a serious expression really is contagious."
"..."
Andrew nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
A Stellar Palace-tier being was supposed to be solemn and dignified, their presence as vast as the ocean, wasn't it?
How could there be a Stellar Palace-tier like Dan Xuchun who only cared about amusing himself, ignoring whether the atmosphere was awkward or not!
Come on!
At least as a Stellar Palace-tier, pay a little attention to your image!
Watching Dan Xuchun laugh wildly, Andrew was momentarily at a loss for words.
Moreover, the hearty, booming laughter carried on the summer night breeze, echoing through every household above Yunhai City's skies. The entire city was filled with this infectious, almost demonic laughter, leaving people shocked and anxious, all looking up in wonder.
After a long while.
Dan Xuchun finally stopped laughing: "Everyone should have their own way of living, their own personality, habits, and preferences... What makes a true powerhouse?"
"In the starry sky, the definition is: a powerhouse is freedom!"
"No restraints, no suppression, no need to care about the opinions of other beings—always being true to yourself, that is what it means to be strong."
Andrew Han neither agreed nor disagreed, making no comment.
From start to finish, he had always believed that freedom must have principles and boundaries; otherwise, it is not freedom, but chaos and madness.
Seeing Andrew's silence, Dan Xuchun also restrained his laughter and, for once, grew serious: "In my long, long life, many friends could not endure the loneliness of cultivation; they changed more and more, to the point that I no longer recognized them."
The cultivation and evolution of life has nothing to do with the heart.
If talent sets your ceiling, then the strength of your will and character sets your floor. Some beings, by sheer force of will, can shatter the limits of their natural gifts.
Dan Xuchun shook his head. "Enough—let’s leave aside these lofty notions. Let me tell you about Chenriver Palace."
"Sure."
Finally, the real story began. Andrew Han straightened, listening with full attention.
Dan Xuchun spoke quietly: "Chenriver Palace is the elite academy that selects cultivation prodigies within the Chenriver Empire. The best among them will represent the empire at the Cosmic Grand Feast, a vast gathering hosted every ten epochs by the Cosmic Ancient Kingdom."
This Grand Feast is a once-in-an-epoch event, spanning countless star systems and shaping how the Cosmic Ancient Kingdom divides its empires.
Eighty-seven star years from now, the Grand Feast begins!
That’s why the Chenriver Empire is thrilled by Andrew Han’s rise—because the cultivation genius segment is crucial to the Grand Feast.
Andrew Han blinked in confusion. "Wait—the Cosmic Ancient Kingdom?"
The night wind, heavy and warm, swept past—
The stuffy night breeze stirred his gray hair. "The Cosmic Ancient Kingdom governs countless universe nations. An 'Ancient Kingdom' is a realm that has expanded to its ultimate, vast form. Human Territory is ruled by 127 such Cosmic Ancient Kingdoms, and above them stands the Human Supreme Hall."
"The Chenriver Empire is far too small—it can't contain you."
"So don’t overthink it—come, join Chenriver Palace. See how much potential you truly have, and witness how vast the starry universe really is. You might spend your whole life and never leave the Ancient Kingdom’s domain, let alone the boundless Human Territory."
After hearing all this—
Andrew was left stunned, mouth half open, his thoughts swirling in confusion.
Heavens above! Bailey really is a knockoff, second-rate AI core—how could the star-net not have this information?
So much for 'spreading cosmic common sense'...
Turns out Bailey’s just clueless half the time!
Suppressing his complaints, Andrew steadied himself, hesitated, then said quietly, "Dan, please let me think it over a bit more."