Chapter 348: Calling In Favors

Michael didn’t protest. After the intense past few days, his mind was on high alert. Spending time with his family was a sure way to ease the tension in his shoulders.

His eyes narrowed as he observed Scarlett. Knowing that Devil had been teaching her wasn’t a pleasant feeling. But perhaps he had really been mistaken. Scarlett didn’t seem to have changed much, signaling that she was at least able to handle the mental strain.

More notably, she was now a Peak Adept! Only one step away from becoming an Expert. Whether it was her close residence to the golden tree, Devil’s insightful lessons, or some combination of other factions, her progression was staggering. Even faster than Michael’s advancement at that stage.

“I have to apologize.” At the unexpected words from her brother, Scarlett halted, her emerald eyes shifting toward him like priceless gems.

“You? Apologize for what?”

Michael patted her on the head.

“I’ve been too stubborn in my ways. Trying to limit your exposure to the horrors of war was selfish and misguided, especially when you’re inevitably going to find yourself in tough situations due to my growing influence.” He admitted with a sober sigh.

“Can you promise me that from now on, if you see me making a stupid decision, you’ll call me out without hesitation?”

Scarlett blinked slowly, a cute pout forming on her lips.

“What are you talking about? If you were holding me back, you wouldn’t have taught me how to cultivate, nor would you have allowed me to stay here and befriend the members of your faction. You were just cautious because you are my big brother, and I can’t blame you for that…”

Fiddling with her hair, she glanced to the side, a blush forming on her face.

“Actually, it feels kind of safe when you’re overprotective… So don’t stop, okay?” She whispered in an embarrassed voice, causing Michael to chuckle.

Gradually, the gears in Scarlett’s head began to turn.

“Wait. Why are you bringing this up now?” Scarlett exclaimed in a cautious voice.

Michael tilted his head to the side.

“Oh, because I learned that Devil has been training you for quite some time now.”

Scarlett’s brain short-circuited.

“Ah…”

Was her brother going to get mad? Now that she thought about it, she had never truly seen him angry, much less directed at her.

“It’s fine. There’s no need to worry.” Michael reassured in a calm voice, soothing her nerves for a few brief seconds.

“We’re just going to have a talk, the three of us. You and Devil did, in fact, go behind my back after all…”

“…”

Apparently, she wasn’t getting off scot-free, and a lingering feeling deep in her soul warned her that even her forbidden technique, puppy eyes, wouldn’t be saving her from this one.

With her head positioned slightly lower than before, Scarlett led Michael to the training area.

At a glance, it was obvious the crew had undergone massive changes, most likely due to the demise of the parasite that had placed a burden on Earth and the influence of the golden tree.

Improvements had been expected. However, the end result was so immense that Michael had to do a double and then a triple take.

Victoria, Claire, Richard, Noah, and Alice had managed to advance to the Peak Grandmaster realm! Evelyn and Stephen had reached the Late Grandmaster realm. Ava had achieved another breakthrough in short succession, becoming a Middle Grandmaster.

But even more surprising… Everyone, literally everyone else, had somehow achieved enlightenment and ascended to the Grandmaster realm! Leo, Enzo, Amelia, Ruby, Bryce, Karson, Natalia, and even Roy!

Michael blinked slowly.

“Am I responsible for this?” He murmured.

Scarlett puffed out her chest. “Of course! Who else?”

The girl had completely misunderstood him.

Michael might have been their leader and guided them, but if the spiritual energy in the blessed lands had become so potent that all of his personnel were able to progress so swiftly, wouldn’t it be the same for others?

This effect would inevitably spread across the entire planet and eventually to the whole solar system.

For as long as humanity had existed, a clear status quo had prevailed. Powerful factions, clans, and families held dominion over resources, keeping them reserved for themselves and ensuring the lesser population remained suppressed, unable to rise and challenge their dominance.

The golden tree becoming so much more fruitful wouldn’t benefit those already at the top, as they needed far more potent resources to see any meaningful progress… But those who had been held back all this time would inevitably rise to heights at masses never seen before.

What had once been unnatural, unreachable, a pipe dream… would become the norm.

For better or worse, the current order was set to crumble all because of Michael’s actions.

Michael’s breathing hitched. This was their time. With the uprising, new players were bound to appear, carrying the image of a brighter future… A symbol the Indomitable Alliance had represented all this time.

If Michael’s faction were to win the tournament, they would cement themselves as the ones destined to lead the uprising!

From now on emerging victories meant more than simply completing a quest. It would signify something far greater.

At that moment, Richard noticed that Michael was back.

“Boss, don’t think I’m going to lag behind—”

He halted mid-sentence as he realized that Michael didn’t just carry the aura of a Lord… he was actually a Lord!

“And just when I thought I had caught up!” Richard bellowed in frustration, while the others stared at Michael with nothing but pure admiration.

Instantly, Victoria dropped her training and approached Michael, appraising his improved appearance for a few seconds.

After clearing her throat, her cheeks slightly rosy, Victoria spoke.

“Thank goodness you’re back! We’ve received two offers, but with our leader absent, we can’t possibly agree.”

She paused briefly.

“Do you remember Unbroken Chain and Flawless Starlight, the factions we faced earlier in the tournament? Apparently, we have made quite the impression since their leaders want to ride the wave of our popularity and are eager to merge with us before we stand against Bottomless Void!”

She proclaimed, her eyes sharpening like a dragon’s. Emphasizing the significance of such an alliance.

“With them, we have a real chance of winning!”

Michael met her piercing gaze. The rest of the faction stood silent, everyone waiting for his judgment.

In response, he smiled.

Finally, the time for the quarterfinals of the tournament arrived.

Nemesis stood in the arena, a smirk plastered across his face, with the Bottomless Void poised behind him.

“Must have gotten cold feet!” Nemesis laughed, making sure his words were picked up by the live broadcast.

Participating in the clash was meaningless! Nemesis was an Absolute Lord, and he had over a hundred Lords in his faction, while the Indomitable Alliance was few, with their leader being nothing more than a Grandmaster!

Or so he thought until Michael entered the arena with a staggering amount of soldiers behind him.

Lord Astra, leader of Flawless Starlight, and Lord Zagar, leader of the Unbroken Chain, stood slightly behind him, signaling their alliance.

“Preposterous!” Nemesis bellowed, his furious gaze directed towards the Emperor.

“Your Excellency! This has to be cheating! They aren’t allowed to pick up factions like abandoned puppies, are they?! And now that I think about it… Since when was Michael a Lord? Something’s fishy here!”

The Emperor met Nemesis’ gaze.

With a flick of his finger, he caused Lord Francesca to appear.

“I dare say, nowhere in the Emperor’s decree does it forbid factions from seeking union during the tournament. In truth, it is a mark of honor to embrace alliance when the moment demands it. For it is not only the strength to stand alone that defines a leader… But the wisdom to seek aid when the need arises, and the subtle mastery of influence to secure such support. These are the qualities that earn not only respect, but also mark a true leader from the rest.”

She cast a glance toward Michael, her eyes narrowing.

“It seems, Sir Michael, I have gravely underestimated your… prowess. For this, you have my most sincere and deepest apologies.”

The Emperor’s gaze remained indifferent.

“You hear her.” He declared, his voice unwavering. “Enough of this prattling. Prepare for battle.”

Nemesis bit his lower lip, drawing blood. He shot a venomous glare at Michael.

“Do you think this is over?!” He hissed, his voice laced with fury. “Whether you rally two factions or every one of them against me, I will emerge victorious! Do you hear me?! I will make you regret not accepting my offer!”

Michael stared at him with eyes void of emotion.

“I still remember how you dared threaten my family. You will come to regret this mistake for the rest of your life.”

Before Nemesis could retort, the Emperor cut him off, sending both factions into the designated battle area.

Their clash had begun.

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