Chapter 509 - 360: The Deal with the World Will (2)

A sense of wonder filled him. The power of a Level Four Morning Star had two components: one’s own Rule Domain, and the even more crucial Wizard Tower—also known as a Cross-border War Fortress.

Only a Morning Star who possessed a Wizard Tower was a complete Morning Star, one who could traverse the Void at will.

But Wei Song remained utterly stunned. ’Ten thousand kilometers... With a mere thought, his Domain could cover half of Great Yan.’

This was beyond what could be described as a "powerhouse." This was a walking cataclysm!

Ian continued, "The unique aspect of my Path of Celestial Body is that as long as the Star Core remains, I can continuously draw Energy from a Fixed Star. As for my lifespan, I can achieve a state of near-eternal renewal."

He looked at Wei Song. "As for a comparison of strength, anyone beneath the level of Morning Star is no different from an infant before me."

It wasn’t a difference in the amount of Energy, but a crush of dimensions. A Morning Star could directly erase the very foundation of existence for anyone below Level Four, right from the level of the Rules themselves.

Wei Song smiled. "Excellent. We no longer have to worry about those fiends and specters outside."

Ian, however, shook his head. "My very existence is the biggest problem."

With a mere thought from him, their two system panels automatically linked.

A massive stream of data was exchanged on a mental level. Wei Song let out a muffled grunt, cold sweat beading on his forehead, but the light in his eyes grew increasingly brighter.

In less than a minute, the data transfer was complete.

Wei Song’s aura skyrocketed, and his Blazing Domain grew more substantial.

"Take some time to adapt. After all, this is Rule Perception on the level of a Morning Star."

Ian explained, "You’re currently at the Middle Stage of Legend. Once you’ve digested this, breaking through to the Late Stage will be no problem. But as a projection, truly breaking through to the Morning Star level... that will require careful consideration."

His gaze shifted to Gaga. The little guy had long grown impatient and was spinning in circles on the ground.

"I won’t short you on your share of Source Crystals," Ian said with a smile as he separated a thousand golden Source Crystals from his Dimension Ring and moved them into another Ring.

"Absorb these for now." The Ring flew toward Gaga, whose eyes were glowing with a green light.

Gaga excitedly opened its mouth, forming a miniature spatial vortex that sucked the Ring into its body.

"What’s the plan now?" Wei Song asked.

Ian gazed out the window, his sight piercing the clouds to look at the dark purple scars in the sky.

"I just made a deal with the World Will." He then briefly relayed the information from his mental contact with it.

When Wei Song heard this, he gasped. "You’re going to help this planet... ascend?"

"It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement," Ian said calmly.

"If it ascends to Level Six, I’ll gain a stable inter-world channel and a large amount of World Origin, which is crucial for my Path of Celestial Body."

He stood up, his golden Long Robe stirring without any wind. "Let’s head out. It’s... probably quite lively outside."

「At the same time.」

In the top-floor emergency conference room at the Superpower Management Bureau headquarters in the Capital City, the atmosphere was grim and heavy.

Seated on both sides of a long, oval table were several of Great Yan’s top decision-makers.

Li Hao of the Late Stage of Legend, Wang Chongyang, the head of the General Intelligence Bureau Li Yan, the Director-General of the Management Bureau, the Dean of the General Academy of Sciences...

On the projection screen were several video feeds. The president of the White-headed Eagle Federation was delivering an emergency address from the Black Palace, his words rapid and his face pale.

The leaders of the European Union were holding an online summit, their debate heated, while the Emperor of the North Pole Bear stared silently at satellite images in the Rimlin Palace.

In the bottom right corner of every feed was the same photograph: a second sun.

"We have a rough estimate of the energy readings," the Dean of Sciences said, his voice hoarse as his fingers tapped on a tablet.

The main screen switched to a three-dimensional energy distribution map.

Centered on Jiangzhou City, a pale golden sphere of a Domain with a five-thousand-kilometer radius was clearly visible, resembling a giant egg enveloping more than half of Great Yan.

The energy density within the Domain couldn’t be measured directly, but calculations suggested it was at least three hundred times greater than that of an individual at the Legendary Peak.

"This... this is completely beyond the scope of a human being," Wang Chongyang murmured.

Li Hao stared intently at the image, his heart practically stopping.

He was, on paper, Great Yan’s strongest individual, approaching the Legendary Peak. He had once believed he stood at the apex of humanity.

Only now did he realize he had been nothing more than a frog in a well.

"Mr. Yin is out of seclusion," Li Yan said suddenly, having just received an encrypted communication.

All eyes in the room snapped to him.

"Three minutes ago, the Barrier on the underground secret chamber at the Jiangzhou City Superpower Management Bureau was dispelled. General Wei has confirmed that Mr. Yin has completed his breakthrough, his condition is stable, and he has subsequent plans..."

The conference room was dead silent for several seconds.

Li Hao leaned back slowly in his chair and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his mind was made up.

"Prepare to receive him with the highest honors," he said, his voice calm.

"From this day forward, Mr. Yin is no longer just an ’Advisor.’ He will be the Guardian of Great Yan, enjoying authority and resource support equivalent to that of the nation itself."

"Elder Li!" someone exclaimed. "That’s against protocol..."

"Protocol?" Li Hao cut him off with a wave of his hand, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"When a single person can purify all the evil in the world with a thought, can withstand a nuclear blast with his physical body, and can cover half the country with his Domain, his Will *is* the protocol."

He rose and walked to the window, letting out a long sigh. His expression was one of melancholy.

Outside the window, the night sky over the Capital City was exceptionally clear.

Everyone knew that the lingering might of that "terrestrial sun" was still reverberating through the world.

"Relay these orders," Li Hao said, turning back to face them.

"First: Grant Ian the honored title of ’Eternal Guardian of Great Yan.’ Permission Level: Absolute Top Secret. He may mobilize any and all national resources and is granted full diplomatic and military immunity."

"Second: Establish the ’Abyss Purification Coordination Committee.’ Ian will serve as Honorary Chairman, and Wei Song as Executive Chairman. Great Yan will take the lead in spearheading a global joint defense initiative. All nations must cooperate with the Rift Purification plan."

"Third: Publicly release some of Mr. Yin’s military achievements. The Indian incident may be disclosed in full detail. Let the entire world know the price of provoking him."