The grand hall shimmered beneath chandeliers of crystal flame, their gentle radiance washing over marble floors and banners stitched with ancient crests. Conversations quieted as King Daymond rose from his throne, his regal posture commanding attention.
As King Daymond welcomed the five vice leaders that are inventors from the Inventor Guild and gave them the VIP seats that are right beside him, the crowd parted with reverence, watching the inventors approach like a procession of dignitaries. The five vice leaders also came with proud faces and then took their own respective seats, their steps deliberate, carrying themselves with the assured grace of those accustomed to respect. They have no idea that their leader, Ray, is also here and sitting—in plain sight yet unseen, cloaked not by fabric but by anonymity.
The king then started to give a brief introduction about the wristwatch and crystal vision functions that he understands by bringing it out. He showed them the wristwatch and the crystal vision, the strange devices gleaming as if they held stars within their crafted surfaces. Nobles leaned forward with barely contained awe.
Ray looked at it and ignored Daymond's briefing, since it was his own invention. Who would know way better than him? His expression stayed neutral, almost bored, though a soft glimmer of satisfaction flickered in his eyes. Anyway, he started to ask his father for more details about the leaders of the different kingdoms and wanted to know more details about them. If he ever plans on moving his business there, he will need to go there.
Hearing his son asking for information, Robert started to speak and give them a short description. His tone dipped into the serious timbre of a man speaking of giants.
"There are three kingdoms, four sects, one village, and one valley…"
As Robert continued, Ray listened with sharpened attention.
"First is our king, Daymond Richard, from the Richard kingdom, and the second one, you know, is Lucien Ashbourne from the Ashbourne kingdom. The third one is right over there with the beard, who is also from a kingdom called the Ironholt kingdom. The king is neutral and remains the most mysterious of them all. His name is Cedric Ironholt."
Ray followed his father's subtle nod. Cedric Ironholt sat tall, eyes deep and shadowed beneath thick brows—a man cut from iron and silence rather than blood and bone.
"As for the four sects, they do not have any kings, but their leaders are called sect leaders. The fire alchemy sect leader is Aurelia, the water formation sect leader is Mira, the earth blacksmith sect leader's name is Rock, and finally the air talisman sect leader's name is George. They are businessmen; each sect is the richest. The people from different kingdoms, sects, valleys, and villages want to go there to join them."
Images of four powerful figures took shape in Ray's mind—Aurelia surrounded by swirling embers, Mira leading calm waters like silk, Rock hammering life into molten metal, and George shaping wind itself as if it bowed to him.
"Now, for the guy who tried to attack you, he is from the Barbarian village…"
Robert's voice tightened. "They are all barbarians and only think about increasing their strength by increasing their muscles and bones. They are all melee fighters. They do spiritual cultivation as well. So be careful if you ever find them as an opponent."
Ray imagined massive men whose fists could crack stone and whose charges shook the earth.
"Anyway, the Barbarian king is called King Darius."
"Finally, the queen of Ice Valley that is wearing a mask is called Queen Seraphina."
Robert's tone grew quieter, almost respectful. "Many men asked for her hand in marriage, but she refused. The Barbarian king almost lost his hand when he wanted Seraphina as his wife…"
Ray's attention sharpened further. The story wasn't merely dramatic—it hinted at the terrifying gap between mortal strength and spiritual mastery.
"There you have it, all the leaders are quite strong… I will let you know more about them when we go home," said Robert with a smile.
Ray smiled as well and nodded, then went back to seeing the king giving some demonstration on Ray's inventions. His eyes softened with the faintest pride each time a noble murmured in awe. Ray also was looking at the people from left and right that the kings and queens had brought with them. They all look as strong as the leaders. They all brought ten people with them who are at the peak of the golden stage, silent guardians whose mere presence thickened the air with spiritual pressure.
After the introduction, all the leaders are interested in the product. And so the first one to ask for it is the Ironholt king for the wristwatch and the crystal vision. The five vice leaders of the Inventor Guild have no way to answer to it, and neither does the king, Daymond. A ripple of tension coursed through the hall—curiosity clashing with uncertainty.
But before anyone could answer, inventor Rick got up and replied because he got mail from Ray, and so he said to everyone, "You can't get it." He started to walk towards the stage where King Daymond was demonstrating, his boots striking the floor with purpose as every eye followed him.
The four other vice leaders… were shocked, their faces tightening as their communication devices pinged simultaneously. Then they all got a message and saw that their leader, Ray, is here somewhere, but in the message they were told not to react or try to find him.
Daymond then nodded with a smile since he was waiting for someone to say something. Rick nodded at him and took the stage. "You cannot get it since your highness has not given you the full introduction to the crystal vision and the wristwatch…"
His explanation filled the room with quiet intrigue.
"Well it is through a network, and to create a network we need a source. And what that source is is a secret; that is, our sect master told me not to tell anyone."
Murmurs rippled through the hall like a rising tide.
There are some leaders from each place, and some of them are reincarnated from earth as well. And Ray would recognize one of the reincarnated inventors that is covering his face here, and that is Jack sitting there hiding his face with a cloak. Even through the cloak's shadow, Ray sensed the familiar aura—a faint echo from another lifetime.
One of the inventors couldn't take it and asked, "How can we have access to it? We are willing to pay for it."
Inventor Felix… answered with the ease of someone well-prepared. As he spoke of the network being built in the central plain where the academy is, of limitations and difficult construction, the room shifted—leaders leaning forward like predators scenting blood, their eyes gleaming with sharp, calculating hunger.
"So for now," Felix continued, his voice steady despite the weight of dozens of powerful gazes, "even if you want to buy the wristwatch or the crystal vision, you wouldn't be able to use them. You won't be able to use them in another region except for the Central Plain—and the kingdoms and sects that are near the edges of Central Plain."
Gasps, sighs, and narrowed gazes flickered across the hall.
Finally someone asked, "Where is your sect master? And who is your sect master?"
Inventor Ophelia got up and replied, "We are not allowed to tell you that. Our sect master likes his privacy…"
Her voice carried a cold elegance, one that discouraged interrogation.
Another inventor asked Ophelia, "You have created a weapon that the prince used; can we have a look?"
Hearing that, Ophelia became angry and said, "The prince has destroyed the prototype that I created with hard work…"
Her fury surged out like a blade of spiritual intent, sharp enough to make several leaders flinch involuntarily.
King Daymond sighed as well… Regret shadowed his features, tension tightening the corners of his eyes.
After that, inventor Rick looked at King Daymond, and King Daymond understood and said, "That is all for now; please come and enjoy the meal."
The five vice leaders got questioned by different kings and inventors… dodging cleverly, using their 'sect master' as an impenetrable shield of excuses.
After that every leader bade farewell and left. Cloaks swept, armor clinked, and crowns glimmered as one by one they exited the hall, leaving behind the fading echo of their power. Ray was told to stay by the king. So Ray bid farewell to his father and mother and told them that he is staying, so he cannot go home with them.
Ray then stayed to know what the king has to say, the hall now quiet and vast around him, its calm atmosphere setting the stage for an uninterrupted discussion.