After five months, the entire Han-Huo Empire finally recovered its lost reputation and reclaimed its legacy across the continent. New powerhouses began to rise, sects expanded their influence, and the balance of strength slowly shifted once more.
Rien walked through the Xia Clan corridor, his steps calm and unhurried. His gaze landed on a small group ahead—two boys and three girls, dressed in foreign robes.
"Who are those people?" Rien asked a nearby clan worker.
The worker bowed slightly.
"They are representatives of the Shen Empire. They will be participating in the Empire's League, which is held once every three years to determine the strongest empire on the continent."
Rien stared at the group with a blank expression.
"…I should hide my chocolate cookies before these people jump on them like starving lions."
Without another word, he turned and headed toward his room.
Suddenly, Kuto appeared beside him.
"Hey, Rien! Did you know I'm going to participate in the Empire's League?" Kuto said energetically, chest puffed out.
Rien glanced at him with a deadpan stare.
"That's not for kids, kiddo."
He opened the door to his room and stepped inside.
Kuto rolled his eyes and followed him in.
"I'm not a kid anymore. Don't forget—my rank is Xu Sheng, five stars. I just need four more stars to reach Xu Di!"
Rien calmly reached under his pillow, pulled out a packet of chocolate cookies, and smoothly hid it inside his ring.
"…Were you saying something?" he asked casually.
Kuto stared at him.
"Seriously? Your reflexes are painfully slow."
He jumped off the bed and headed for the door.
Rien turned slightly.
"Clan Grand Hall?"
Kuto looked back, surprised.
"You always know where everyone's going."
Rien followed him as they walked through the Xia Clan corridors and entered the Grand Hall, where many unfamiliar faces were already seated.
Kuto's eyes widened.
"Whoa… there are so many beautiful women here."
Rien scanned the hall once, then calmly sat down.
"What's special today?"
His voice carried quiet authority, and the room fell silent as many eyes turned toward him.
Miss Yin smiled softly.
"Today marks the start of the Empire's League. It will last six days, with six battles between the four strongest empires on the continent."
Rien nodded.
"So, a championship. Winner takes the title of strongest empire."
Lan Xia smiled proudly.
"And you're participating too. You're the only one who can tip the scales in our favor."
Suddenly, one of the contestants scoffed.
"I can't sense any cosmic energy from this man," he said arrogantly.
"I don't believe he can even stand in our presence, let alone fight in the championship."
Rien looked at him calmly.
"There is a difference between the noise of power and the silence of it," he said.
"Noise lacks control. Silence contains everything. I can win a battle—or flip the entire chessboard—without moving a single piece. You can't match either."
The man ground his teeth and stood up.
"You dare speak to me like that? I am Yu Shen, son of the Shen Emperor! There is no one in the Eastern Continent who can defeat me!"
Yu Shen released his cosmic energy, flooding the Grand Hall.
Rien raised his eyes—and devoured it entirely.
The hall went deathly silent.
"So," Rien said calmly, "you show off like a monkey in the street."
His presence expanded.
Reality itself began to distort, the edges of the omniverse trembling as existence tried desperately to stabilize.
"Your entire reality can't endure even one percent of mine," Rien continued, crossing his legs.
"And you think you can touch me?"
He looked down at Yu Shen.
"I'm not in the mood to kill anyone today."
His presence vanished.
Miss Yin quickly intervened.
"That's enough. Yu Shen, sit down."
Yu Shen clenched his fists but obeyed.
Soon after, masters and warlords from across the continent arrived to witness the Empire's League.
Kuto looked around again, amazed.
"…Still a lot of beautiful women."
Lan Xia smacked him on the head.
"Stop staring, kid! Have some shame!"
Rien nodded seriously.
"Yes. You shouldn't look at women like that."
Lan Xia rolled her eyes.
"And I'm quite sure none of these people are virgins."
Kuto blinked.
"Why?"
She replied casually,
"They look old."
Kuto snorted.
"Age doesn't decide virginity."
Lan Xia crossed her arms.
"Prove it."
Kuto pointed at Rien.
"Are you a virgin?"
Rien answered calmly,
"From head to toe."
Kuto turned back proudly.
"See? There's no one older than this freak monster."
Lan Xia sighed deeply.
"You both will stay single forever."
She walked away.
Rien rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Being a virgin isn't a bad thing."
Kuto shrugged.
"Who cares? But why do you look so serious?"
Rien stopped and placed a hand on Kuto's shoulder.
"I have bad news… something I couldn't bring myself to tell you."
Kuto's eyes filled with tears.
"Tell me, my dear friend."
Rien inhaled deeply.
"This morning… we lost another biscuit. It fell into the tea. The biscuit sent to rescue it also drowned."
Kuto wiped his tears.
"We must never forget their contribution to our army."
He tasted his tears.
"…Salty."
Lan Xia returned, holding two outfits.
"Drama kings."
She placed them on the table.
Rien instantly looked down.
"The design is good… but can I get the same one in blue?"
Kuto examined his.
"I need light red. This dark shade doesn't suit my personality—and it might slow me down in battle."
They nodded seriously.
Lan Xia slammed the table.
"THESE ARE BLUE AND RED. THE SHADES YOU BOTH LIKE."
Rien smiled gently.
"There are many shades within one color."
Kuto nodded.
"Fashion is important. Everyone will be watching us."
Lan Xia's cosmic energy flared.
"I wasted days designing these!"
Rien quickly grabbed his outfit.
"It's perfect. I love it."
He vanished instantly.
Kuto panicked, grabbed his dress, and ran.
"RUN, KUTO!"
Lan Xia looked up, only to find that both of them were gone.
"Where did those two go?" she muttered, glancing around.
Clenching her fists, she turned and walked away.
"I'll never forgive those two—drama kings," she said, her tone sharp with anger.