Chapter 591: Lein’s Secret

Inside the white room, Lein sat cross-legged on a premium carpet woven from soft, fine fibers. Dressed in a black robe, he slowly opened his eyes, ending his meditation.

"They never stop..." he murmured as he stared at the wall.

However, if any of the other kings had been nearby, they would have known that Lein’s gaze was actually fixed on the small vessel that had been tailing them all this time.

Knock... knock...

A gentle knock echoed through the room before the door slowly opened.

Laras stepped inside, dressed in a bright white gown. In her hands was a tray carrying a teapot and two teacups.

"Brother Lein, what’s wrong? Did they show up again?" Laras asked, as though she had already guessed what had happened.

Lein rose to his feet and walked toward the simple table in the corner of the room.

The two of them sat down and chatted casually.

As old acquaintances, they had grown very close. Laras, in particular, spent much of her time with Lein.

From time to time, they reminisced about Earth, talked about the Divine Sky Realm, shared stories about old friends, and trained together to become stronger.

For Lein, those training sessions were meant to ensure that Laras and Efan continued to grow stronger, rather than becoming burdens he had to protect.

"Yeah... I’m curious. What keeps them chasing you, even after you slaughtered so many of them?" Laras asked curiously.

She looked at Lein calmly, hoping he would answer.

Lein met her gaze before gently patting her cheek.

"What is it? You really want to know?" he asked softly, then leaned in and kissed her lips.

Laras gave a small nod before saying, "On second thought... never mind. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to understand."

She looked at him quietly again, a warm smile spreading across her lips.

The young man before her had once possessed the same level of strength she did. They had both started from nothing. It would be a lie to believe that Lein had no secrets. Even she herself had secrets she kept hidden.

But there was one thing she believed without a doubt.

The man before her truly cared for her, Efan, and every member of their team. Lein would protect them all.

Because of that, until she possessed strength equal to his, she had no desire to pry any further. Right now, knowing things she wasn’t ready to know would only make her an even greater burden.

"You’re warmer than you used to be," Lein said as he gently stroked her head.

Laras looked at him in confusion. She tried to recall what he meant, as well as how she had been acting lately.

"Really?" she asked, pointing at her cheek with her index finger.

"Haha... and you’re much cuter than before," Lein replied before kissing her once more.

Laras savored the warmth of Lein’s embrace and his gentle kiss. She wanted to comfort him in every way she could, giving him all the attention, affection, and love she had.

That night stretched on for a long time. They continued chatting casually until they eventually fell asleep together, enjoying the journey toward the EON Gateway.

***

Far away in a distant corner of the universe, far beyond the territory of the Nova Consortium Dominion, stretched an endless sky. Rising above thousands of towering peaks stood the most renowned sect in all the realms.

Atop every mountain stood a magnificent temple a hundred stories tall. Each radiated divine glory, breathed with the aura of life, and filled the heavens with majestic sacred energy.

But today, everything was different.

The entire sect seemed frozen in place. The atmosphere was heavy, silent, and suffocating, as though time itself had stopped flowing.

The bustle that usually filled the sect had vanished without a trace. No disciples were training, no elders were engaged in discussion, and even the servants had stopped their work.

On every mountain peak, every disciple knelt in worship toward the highest mountain. Not a single person was exempt. Even the elders, the sect guardians, and the temple leaders did the same, regardless of where they were.

High atop the tallest mountain, a grand welcoming ceremony was underway.

Hundreds of spirit ships floated in the sky surrounding the main peak. Lines of attendants stood on both sides of the path, while a long crimson carpet stretched all the way to the temple gates.

All of this splendor had been prepared to welcome a single person.

He was an elderly man with wrinkled skin, yet his face radiated vitality and authority. His long white hair flowed neatly down his back, while a white robe adorned with a purple sash fluttered gently with each calm step he took.

"Welcome, Your Exalted One. The Hellgate Sect humbly welcomes your arrival..."

"All praise to Your Exalted One. May your name echo throughout all the realms..."

...

To an ordinary person, such a welcome might have seemed excessive.

Yet no one present wore the slightest trace of amusement. Every word was spoken with the utmost reverence, sincerely from the depths of their hearts.

Even the Sect Master, seated upon the highest throne, had been bowing for a long time. From the moment the spirit ship appeared in the sky, he had never once raised his head.

Behind the elderly man walked a young girl.

She followed closely behind him, her clear eyes quietly taking in the thousands of people bowing before them.

Yet her expression remained completely calm.

She simply continued following her grandfather, as though such a scene was perfectly ordinary to her.

What truly caught her attention instead were the spirit birds soaring through the sky. Their magnificent wings spread wide, shimmering with brilliant colors. They were the mounts of the sect leaders, yet at this moment they remained utterly still, not even daring to flap their wings too loudly.

"Grandpa... that bird is so beautiful."

"And that dragon... it looks so majestic."

The young girl continued commenting as they walked. Although her curiosity was obvious, she never slowed her pace and remained by her grandfather’s side.

"You already have one like that yourself," her grandfather replied warmly, though there was a hint of resignation in his voice.

The two continued walking until they reached the foot of the stairs leading to the Sect Master’s throne and the seats of the other high-ranking officials.

"Mang Rao... it’s been a long time since we last met. I hope the Hellgate Sect hasn’t forgotten an old man like me," the elderly man said with a faint smile.

His body slowly floated upward until he was level with the man called Mang Rao.

"This humble one... Mang Rao... has always kept Your Exalted One in his heart. Welcome, Your Exalted One," Mang Rao said respectfully.

The man in white robes, wearing a golden crown upon his head, remained bowed. Even as the Sect Master, he did not dare stand in the elderly man’s presence.

The old man gave a slight nod before speaking.

"Rise."

The moment those words left his lips, the frozen atmosphere seemed to come back to life.

Vitality flowed through the entire sect. Rays of divine glory once again shone from every mountain peak, bathing the heavens in their majestic radiance.

One by one, everyone rose from their kneeling positions. Words of gratitude echoed endlessly throughout every corner of the sect.