Chapter 163: Feedback

Theo shortened his second seminar to twenty minutes.

He then selected the three female knights with the highest potential to ask questions.

Once the session concluded, he permitted the two newly discovered thousandfold-potential operatives to join Princess Aurelia’s faction, gifting them Astral Enlightenment Leaves.

But despite the crowd’s expectant, hungry gazes, Theo did not choose a lucky recipient for a grand artifact this time. Instead, he soared directly into the sky, heading toward the spatial firmament.

***

In the void above, Senator Ling, who had arrived early, had listened to Theo’s seminar with a deepening frown.

It was not that his teachings were flawed—on the contrary, every word was profound, offering her fresh, startling insights into Aetheric manipulation.

But as the Abyssal Sovereign, Theo had to be as despicable as his Syndicate enforcers. How could an underworld crime lord genuinely help the Imperial Capital’s operatives improve, even gifting legendary treasures like Astral Enlightenment Leaves? There had to be a larger, insidious scheme at play.

As she pondered, her brows twitched, and a flicker of panic crossed her stoic face. Theo was flying directly toward her. His glowing eyes had clearly pierced her spatial concealment.

Steeling herself, she dropped her cloaking Aether, glaring coldly, ready to see what he would do. If he questioned her spying, it would confirm his guilt. She would strike him down immediately.

But Theo simply stopped before her, his face warm with an incredibly polite smile. "Greetings, Senator Ling!"

She blinked, caught off guard. "You know me?"

She had been in closed-door seclusion in the Senate for over thirty years since reaching the Divinity Separation tier, rarely stepping outside to involve herself in capital politics.

Theo smiled smoothly. "Princess Aurelia’s faction currently lacks senior advisors, so I inquired about potential candidates. I heard Senator Ling is profoundly skilled, with keen insight into Aetheric integration. More than that, you are said to be not only strikingly beautiful but exceptionally patient. I doubted such a perfect operative could exist, but seeing you now, I realize the praise was not exaggerated. You are even more remarkable in person."

Senator Ling was stunned. Despite her deep, ingrained hostility toward the Syndicate, his flood of compliments entirely disarmed her. Coming from an unrivaled prodigy like the Abyssal Sovereign, the praise carried immense weight. A smile briefly tugged at her lips, but she quickly forced her stern expression back into place.

"I am not interested in acting as an advisor for the Princess’s faction," she said coldly. "I was just passing by to observe your seminar. Find someone else."

In her heart, however, she began to doubt her own suspicions. Theo did not match the rumors at all. Perhaps he was untainted by the bloody business of his subordinates. Perhaps she did not need to keep watching him like a hawk.

Theo’s face shifted into a look of polite apology. "My apologies for the presumption, Senator. Please accept this as amends for my offense."

Senator Ling’s mature features froze. Was the Sovereign truly this courteous? Offering a priceless apology gift just for asking a question? She had entirely misjudged him. Her confidant’s death in the Northern Marches surely had nothing to do with Theo personally—it must have been the fault of rogue Syndicate enforcers.

But when she saw what Theo presented before her, her captivating eyes widened. She couldn’t help but gasp, "This is..."

Theo smiled. "This is a Primeval Domain Core. For a Divinity Separation cultivator at the peak of the first realm, integrating this into your domain will raise your Aetheric ceiling and boost its resonance. When you break through to the second realm, uniting your physical, cognitive, and Aetheric domains, your combat strength will be multiplied exponentially."

Senator Ling could not tear her eyes away. She murmured, "The Primeval Domain Core is incredibly rare. It is said to form only in the resting places of fallen Primeval Gods. Ten years ago, a single fragment appeared at the Central Continent’s Grand Auction. It sold for twelve million high-grade Aether-crystals."

Theo nodded. "Exactly. That very fragment."

Though Theo had been absent from the Imperial Capital back then, he had leveraged his Shadow-Clones and the Syndicate’s vast black-market network to acquire useful assets.

This core was perfect for the Divinity Separation tier, a realm he was destined to reach soon.

The Syndicate had secured it at that astronomical price, storing it in the World-Forge.

Now, with Senator Ling standing before him at the peak of the first realm, it was the ideal investment.

"It is too precious. I cannot accept it," Senator Ling said, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. Twelve million crystals’ worth—she coveted it desperately, but she could not justify taking it.

Theo chuckled softly. "Do not overthink it, Senator. I simply wish to befriend a prodigy like you. If you have time, perhaps visit the Imperial Pavilion occasionally to guest-lecture the junior operatives. Surely a talent like you is not so indecisive?"

His sincerity was staggering. Seeing her hesitation, Theo gently took her gauntleted hand, placing the jade box containing the Domain Core into her palm.

With the treasure already in her grasp and his words so earnest, Senator Ling could not refuse. She lowered her head, deeply grateful. "Thank you, Sovereign. I will make time each year to lecture at the Pavilion."

Clutching the jade box, her heart swirled with mixed emotions, heavily tinged with guilt. She had come with such malice, ready to cripple him, yet Theo had admired her and gifted her a priceless treasure. She shouldn’t have judged him based on Senate propaganda.

Theo, seeing her acceptance, smiled brightly as the system’s voice echoed in his mind.

[Syndicate Investment successful.]

[Gift: Primeval Domain Core. 2,000x feedback triggered.]

[Reward: Astral Fusion Lotus.]

The Astral Fusion Lotus was a divine bloom from the Primeval era.

It could be consumed by a peak first-realm Divinity Separation cultivator to elevate the foundational limits of their physical, cognitive, and Aetheric domains simultaneously.

Breaking through to the second realm required uniting these three aspects; the stronger the foundation, the more devastating the resulting power.

Theo’s gaze toward Senator Ling softened further, brimming with genuine warmth for the monumental return on investment she had just provided him.

Feeling his gentle look, her guilt deepened.

The Syndicate’s crimes were clearly the fault of rogue enforcers.

The Abyssal Sovereign was surely an innocent leader...