The Martial Paragon’s assessment left the High Guardians in a state of shock. None of them had expected the Great Paragon himself to hold Lance in such high regard.

  "Mentor," Ignis spoke up, his voice filled with deference. "If that’s the case, should we really allow Lance to enter the Secret Realm this time? He only recently reached the Grandmaster rank. If he goes now, he’ll be in serious danger."

  Ignis had suddenly remembered the upcoming trial and felt compelled to raise the concern.

  "Ask for his opinion. If he wishes to go, let him. This may very well be his destiny," the Martial Paragon replied after a moment of contemption.

  The others nodded in solemn agreement. It was a known truth that in these types of inheritance-based Secret Realms, the most gifted geniuses were usually the ones to secure the legacy.

  Lance’s talent was arguably the greatest in human history. This meant his probability of obtaining the inheritance far exceeded anyone else's.

  If he could combine his innate talent with an ancient legacy, Lance’s ultimate strength would surely reach the absolute pinnacle of existence.

  With such power, he could protect the human race for eons. However, the inherent risks still weighed heavily on their hearts.

  If anything were to happen to him, it would be a loss the entire race could not afford.

  "Understood. I'll go and see what he thinks," Guardian Aether said, giving a slight nod.

  "What am I supposed to tell my ancestor about you when I get back? I can't exactly lie to him," Raya Kincaid said, her face clouded with conflict as she stepped off the ship at Lance’s manor within the Vanguard Elite Institute. "Besides, all those Void-kin... there’s definitely something wrong. If I don't report this and something goes sideways, what then?"

  Lance let out a helpless sigh.

  While every Void-kin was currently under his surveilnce—ready to be vaporized the moment they stepped out of line—the rest of the world remained in the dark.

  Furthermore, the technology he currently controlled was primarily effective against powerhouses from the Phantom Sector.

  The Void-kin lurking within the Milky Way were a different matter entirely.

  Every single one of their ambush points was equipped with a Tier 6 starship. Even with the element of surprise, his automated defenses could only pick off the smaller fry; they wouldn't be able to take down a Tier 6 Pnetary Css powerhouse.

  Eliminating those threats would require the strength of the human race itself.

  He could reveal the truth about the Void-kin presence, but what would that achieve?

  One hundred thousand Pnetary Css experts and hundreds of millions of Great Grandmaster-level Phantoms.

  Even if the human race fought with every scrap of strength they possessed, they would likely face total eradication.

  Speaking up now would only sow useless panic.

  "Master, the strongest human, the Martial Paragon, is currently rushing back to human territory," Maya’s voice echoed in Lance’s mind. "He is a peak Stelr Css powerhouse. Once he arrives, you can disclose the presence of the Void-kin within the borders."

  "At that point, you might be able to coordinate with the other four races to wipe out these Void-kin forces simultaneously."

  Maya then proceeded to rey the full details of her proposed pn to Lance.

  "I see. So, the pn is to pose as a high-level civilization hostile to the Void-kin and inform the five races of the Milky Way that we will handle the Void-kin’s main base," Lance thought, nodding to himself.

  "Then, under our guidance, we jam the communications at every local ambush point so the Milky Way races can clean them up together? It’s a bold pn, but it just might work."

  Lance recognized that while the five races would certainly be wary of this supposed "higher civilization," they would have little choice but to cooperate for their own survival. The Void-kin had already set up shop on their very doorstep.

  If the threat wasn't dealt with immediately, the moment the war fred up, the human race would be utterly destroyed.

  "We’ll wait until the Martial Paragon returns, then. It works out perfectly; I can use the interim to explore that Secret Realm. Who knows, I might find something useful."

  A slight smirk pyed across Lance’s lips.

  "If you trust me, act as if you know nothing about the Void-kin for now," Lance said, turning back to Raya Kincaid. "Once I’m back from the Secret Realm, I’ll expin everything to the High Guardians personally."

  Raya Kincaid blinked, looking completely lost. "Secret Realm? What Secret Realm?"

  [System Alert: Attention all geniuses of the Vanguard Elite Institute! An unexplored Secret Realm has been discovered within human territory. Coordinates: 41554.54441.4425. All personnel are to proceed to the designated coordinates for exploration within ten minutes!]

  The announcement bred from the sky, its artificial voice reverberating across the entire Vanguard Elite Institute.

  Raya Kincaid’s pupils shrank to pinpricks.

  An unexplored Secret Realm? How was that possible?

  She stared at Lance in shock, her mind reeling. How could he have known about this in advance? Information like this should have been cssified as a top-tier secret.

  Then she remembered that as an SS-Rank genius, Lance’s clearance far exceeded her own S+ Rank. She quickly pushed the doubt aside.

  The air around them suddenly erupted with a series of thunderous sonic booms.

  A dozen figures appeared in the sky, each radiating a suffocating aura of power.

  These were the ultimate protectors of the human race: the High Guardians.

  The High Guardians slowly descended, nding directly in front of the two youths.

  Raya Kincaid froze, her jaw dropping as she looked at the arrivals.

  "Ancestor? My lords?" Raya Kincaid finally snapped out of her daze and dropped into a deep, respectful bow toward the twelve High Guardians.

  "Greetings," Lance said, offering a polite bow of his own.

  "There is no need for such formalities," Guardian Aether, leading the group, said quickly.

  "Lance, we are preparing to secure a newly discovered Secret Realm before the alien races catch wind of its existence," Guardian Aether continued, his expression grave. "We’ve come to ask if you are willing to participate in this trial."

  "While the realm offers boundless opportunities, it is also fraught with peril. If you are willing, we leave immediately."

  In truth, while he desperately wanted Lance to secure the inheritance, the thought of any accident befalling him was a weight he could barely carry.

  The other High Guardians felt the same. Part of them almost wished he would choose to stay behind where it was safe.

  "I’m going. Of course I’m going," Lance said with a confident smile.

  He didn't hesitate for a moment. "If I passed up an opportunity like this, I’d regret it for the rest of my life."

  He was the one who had leaked the coordinates in the first pce, specifically so he could go and test himself.

  "Very well. Then let’s move. Raya Kincaid, you’re coming as well."Guardian Aether watched Lance and thought, Just as I suspected. He didn't want the boy to take such risks, but they both knew that no true genius would ever turn down an opportunity like this. To them, the danger of death was a small price to pay for such a chance.

  "Understood," Raya Kincaid replied, giving a quick nod at her ancestor's command.

  "Good. In that case, let’s move out!" Guardian Aether signaled the other High Guardians. With a shared look, they summoned a Tier 6 MAX warship from the distance.

  The group boarded the vessel. Only seven of the High Guardians went along; the remaining five stayed behind to protect Mother Pnet and the Vanguard Elite Institute—locations far too vital to leave unguarded.

  Other human geniuses streamed into the ship one after another. The only difference was that Lance was ushered into the control center, while the rest were relegated to the main deck.

  They had actually received the news earlier. S+ rank geniuses from across the various intermediate star systems were already en route to the secret realm, escorted by their own Pnetary Css powerhouses. The Vanguard Elite Institute was the st to depart, and for only one reason: they were waiting for Lance to return. Having prepared long ago, they all boarded the second he stepped through the door.

  "I'm going to cultivate. I'll come out once we arrive," Lance said to the High Guardians as soon as he was on board.

  He needed to focus on his Soul. Only by pushing his Soul into the Great Grandmaster realm could he further unlock the potential of his Undying God-Body and Innate Law Body, allowing his strength to skyrocket even faster.

  "Of course, cultivation comes first," Guardian Aether replied quickly. "But keep an eye on the clock. Even with stops to pick up other elites, a Tier 6 MAX ship will get us there in three hours at most."

  "I'll be ready," Lance said with a small smile.

  He turned and strode toward a private cultivation chamber. He knew time was of the essence; Maya had already informed him that the realm's coordinates had been leaked by traitors within the human race. Other species were already mobilizing to cim a share. Lance wasn't worried, though. He knew that every super-genius was forged on a mountain of lesser ones. With him there, the geniuses of other races were in for a rude awakening.

  Once Lance was out of sight, Guardian Aether's expression shifted. He pulled Raya Kincaid aside, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "So, Raya, how are things going with Lance? Any... sparks flying?"

  He looked at his descendant expectantly. She had the looks, the background, and the strength. In his mind, she was the only one in the entire human race who truly matched Lance in every way.

  Naturally, his words didn't escape the keen ears of the other High Guardians.

  "Skyr, that’s just low!" Aurelius, the second strongest human and a Stelr Css powerhouse, snapped instantly. "You called us busybodies for trying to introduce our girls to him, and here you are doing the exact same thing!"

  "Exactly! We were just talking, but you're actually making a move!"

  "I protest! This needs to be a fair competition. If you're starting, then we’re all in!"

  The High Guardians devolved into a cacophony of shouting, with only Ignis looking on in exasperated silence.

  "Quiet! My Raya is the best of the lot," Aether barked back, getting defensive. "If you’re so confident, let’s have a martial arts tournament to decide his bride! But only for those under a hundred years old!"

  In an instant, the group of venerable old men was arguing and swearing like sailors over who would marry their granddaughters to Lance. Raya stood there, stunned. These were the High Guardians—the most respected figures in humanity—now bickering like street thugs.

  "Let's go. Don't pay attention to these old fools," Ignis said, shaking his head. He grabbed Raya and led her away from the chaos.

  Inside the cultivation chamber, Lance spoke to his AI. "Maya, you said the owner of this realm was at least Universal Css? Possibly even a Domain Lord Css?"

  "Yes," Maya replied. "When I tried to probe the realm, I was blocked by a signal shield. Fortunately, I didn't show any hostile intent, or the system would have counterattacked. It is truly baffling that a realm of at least Universal Css would appear in a pce as small as the Milky Way."

  "If that's the case, was it a mistake to leak the news?" Lance wondered. A secret realm belonging to a Domain Lord was a massive variable.

  "Theoretically, no. These massive inheritance realms won't trigger their true trials unless there are enough geniuses present. To a Universal Css expert, SS-rank, S+, and S-rank talents are all equally worthless. However, your talent is at least Desote Grade. Even a Domain Lord Css would be honored to pass their legacy to you."

  "So, it wasn't a mistake. In the entire Milky Way, only Selina, your sister Lillian, and a certain Tartaran have near-SS talent. The rest are just S+. They stand no chance of obtaining the true treasures. The only concern is that they might make off with some lower-tier Gactic Realm or Star Sea Realm items. While those are trash to the realm owner, they could still be used against humanity."

  Lance nodded thoughtfully. "You can't monitor the inside, but you can see who comes out and what they’re carrying, right?"

  "Yes."

  "Good. Stay outside and monitor everything. If geniuses from the other four races come out with something valuable, find a way to take it. If it's a human genius, let them be—unless they're pnning to defect."

  "Understood. I will ensure everything is protected," Maya said respectfully.

  Lance didn't say anything more. He closed his eyes and sank into his cultivation.

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