In the VIP lounge, the Lade patriarch and Saliya had just finished watching Han Wu’s fight in the Ruined City. Both had been holding their breath throughout the entire battle. They were relieved that Han Wu had ultimately escaped from his pursuers.
“Little Saliya, your student really is something,” Linus said with admiration.
Saliya tilted her chin up slightly, a hint of pride on her face. “Hmph. Who do you think taught him?”
Linus laughed. “You seem very pleased with this student.”
“Of course I am. Han Wu is the most talented student I’ve ever taught. Unless something unexpected happens, he’ll probably remain the most talented I ever teach.”
“Little Saliya, have you ever thought about... taking things further between the two of you?” Linus asked cautiously.
Saliya furrowed her brow in confusion. “What do you mean?”
Linus raised both hands and brought his thumbs together.
Saliya’s face immediately turned red. “Dad, don’t be ridiculous. Han Wu has a girlfriend.”
“So what? My little princess is so accomplished. Are you really no match for some girlfriend of his?” Linus said, perfectly unbothered.
Saliya’s annoyance flared. “Dad, Han Wu is my student. Say another word, and I’ll ignore you.”
Faced with Saliya’s temper, Linus relented. “All right, all right. I won’t say another word. Your love life is your own. Dad won’t interfere.”
Just then, someone knocked on the door. Linus had no idea who would be visiting his VIP room at this hour.
“Come in,” Linus said.
A white-haired elder in a black robe stepped inside.
Linus immediately rose to his feet, surprise evident on his face. “Elder Gu, what brings you here? Please, have a seat.”
The elder was Gu Feng, one of the Destruction Clan’s senior elders. He sat down without the slightest display of courtesy. His gaze swept over Linus before shifting to Saliya. “I heard that the entry pass Han Wu used to participate in the event came from the Lade family?”
The question alone was enough for Linus to understand why Gu Feng had come.
“That’s correct. I imagine you’ve already investigated Han Wu’s background. He has no connection to the Lade family. He’s a student of the Wisdom God King. We were simply trying to build ties with the Wisdom Faction. Han Wu is the Wisdom Faction’s Holy Son, and if he were willing to put in a good word for us before the Wisdom God King, it would save our family a great deal of effort.”
At no point did Linus mention Saliya by name. Instead, he portrayed the Lade family as modestly as possible, framing them as desperate to gain the Wisdom Faction’s favor.
The explanation achieved its purpose. Gu Feng said nothing further and left the VIP room.
After he left, Saliya turned to her father. “Dad, you seemed afraid of something. The Destruction Clan doesn’t even have a God King behind them. What is there to be afraid of?”
Linus moved quickly and covered her mouth with his hand. “Little Saliya, never say something like that out loud.
“Yes, the Destruction Clan looks like a fallen family now. Thirty years ago, however, they were one of the most powerful families in the Divine Civilization. Back then, the Destruction Faction truly stood at the top. Their status wasn’t based on reputation alone but on undeniable strength.
“They may have declined since then, but no one knows whether the old patriarch left behind his Destruction Jurisdiction before he disappeared. That uncertainty alone is enough to be cautious. There’s no benefit in making an enemy of a family like that. The consequences could follow you for a very long time.”
Saliya gave a half-understanding nod, then asked, “How did the Destruction Faction fall in the first place?”
A wistful look appeared on Linus’ face. “The Destruction God King was renowned throughout the known civilizations. Under his leadership, the Divine Civilization could basically go wherever it pleased within the known universe.
“That level of power left him feeling dissatisfied. Against his family’s objections, he entered the Chaotic Starfield in search of greater challenges and never found his way back out.”
Saliya’s eyes widened. She had heard of the Chaotic Starfield. It was a restricted civilization sealed within the Imperial College’s archive. Even Xia Tian, the current fourth-year valedictorian, hadn’t been granted access because he hadn’t held the title for four consecutive years.
Viewed that way, keeping Xia Tian out was the right decision. If even the Destruction God King had gotten lost there, a mere God like Xia Tian had no business entering it.
“Did the Destruction Faction ever try to find the Destruction God King?” Saliya asked.
“Of course they did. How many people who enter the Chaotic Starfield ever return? That’s precisely why the Destruction Faction declined. After enough failed attempts, the major powers joined forces to seal the Chaotic Starfield.
“Imperial College kept one entrance open solely to maintain the seal and prevent the Chaotic Starfield from expanding. That process requires life forms to be sent inside regularly to sustain it. Without that arrangement, the Chaotic Starfield would have been erased from history long ago,” Linus said.
Saliya nodded and silently committed the information to memory.
***
After leaving the Lade family’s VIP room, Gu Feng teleported directly to Imperial College and sought out the Wisdom God King.
Xu Hai received him warmly.
Gu Feng wasted no time and immediately stated his purpose. He wanted Xu Hai to persuade Han Wu to surrender the Giant Crest.
“The Giant Crest is vital to the Destruction Clan. It may be the key to rescuing the Destruction God King from the Chaotic Starfield, and its significance extends to the entire Divine Civilization. I ask that Your Majesty give this matter careful consideration.”
As he spoke, Gu Feng moved to kneel.
Xu Hai stepped forward and stopped him before he could. However, he refused the request.
“I was there when the Destruction God King stood at the height of his power, and I witnessed his power firsthand. He has been missing for far too long. The Divine Civilization has prospered without his protection all these years. I believe my meaning is clear enough, Elder Gu.
“Despite his youth, Han Wu has already demonstrated extraordinary talent. His future potential may rival that of the Destruction God King himself. I believe investing in his growth is far more worthwhile than devoting resources to searching for someone who has been missing for so long.”
When Gu Feng heard the response, an icy killing intent erupted from him. Although he was no God King, the pressure he exuded felt even more imposing than that of one.
“Since Your Majesty is unwilling to help, I have nothing more to say. Before I leave, however, I have one word of advice. Children aren’t as resilient as those of us who have lived for ages. A young life can be cut short at any moment. Keep a close watch over yours.” He pushed the door open and left without another word.
Xu Hai stared in the direction Gu Feng had gone, then slammed his palm down on the table. “Preposterous!”