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"Master once said that though similar, Heaven and Hell's Will behave in dramatically opposed ways. Heaven is impartial while Hell revels in favoritism. Talroth is Hell's last child, the most spoiled and favored son. His bond to Hell's Will transcends that of all the rest and is on par with the Overlord's. However, within the Infernal Realm, killing the Overlord is easier than killing Talroth.

Unlike the other Demon Primogens' Unhallowed Sanctity Physique, Talroth's is special and carries a strand of Hell's Will. If not for that, with all his transgressions, the Overlord would have long since killed him. His familiar also can't be underestimated."

Krann replied with his eyes still shut close. A demon's closest ally was always his familiar. Some would keep them as the hidden guardians of their houses or number one generals. But regardless of the position, they always held paramount status within their demonic master's house.

On that topic, Talroth was no different from the rest.

"Of course, with my current strength, killing him wouldn't be difficult. However, the unavoidable result is Hell's Will's wanton wrath. Master's plans don't need that kind of disturbance. I don't believe he will sanction the move, at least not for now."

Krann reasoned, and those were indeed Yvonne's worries. Still, he connected his mind to Konrad's to request his direct input. Five seconds afterward, his eyes opened wide.

"Master just spoke. Once he seizes his sword, deals with the Firmament's troublemaker and subverts Heaven's Will, we shall handle Talroth. In the meantime, have Elia and Helmut pay their grandfather a visit."

Krann pursued, causing the three's eyes to widen in disbelief. But as they pondered the decision, disbelief soon made way for enlightenment.

"I see. It is indeed time."

Yvonne replied with a radiant smile. Soon afterward, Krann personally fetched Elia and Helmut to lead them into the Southern Domain's capital.

…...

In the meantime, news from the Sea Dream Temple spread throughout the entirety of the Sea Dream Domain, filling its trillions of citizens with incomparable elation. Especially those human talents with shackled bloodline strength but firm Dao Hearts; they could now see the hope of higher levels. After all, though Heaven now abounded with opportunities, only the devas and high-ranking spirits possessed the qualifications to fight for them.

Now though, things were different. And as waves of talents and deities from various races made their way toward the Sea Dream Temple for examination, within the Sea Dream Temple's elder hall, under his previous Mara disguise, Konrad received the questioning of the five Mara elders and Kama who held the title of second elder. Often times, when assessing the Sea Dream Temple's strength, high-ranking devas wouldn't count Kama within the elder lot, omitting his status of second elder.

The reason was simple. He not only didn't practice the Sea Dream Temple's Skills but was one of Surya's most trusted kin. Calling him a spy was only accurate. Still, in such an official occasion, the Maras couldn't exclude him. Each elder occupied a lofty seat, with Rati standing between the six of them. As the great elder, her seat had always been the most honorable. But now that she also held the position of Acting Temple Lord, her authority stood without equal.

In her right hand, Rati held a silver elder insignia, in her left, a book comprising all of the Sea Dream Temple's laws, rules, and obligations.

"Rudra, having now broken through to the Cosmic God rank, under our new system, you are qualified to become the seventh elder. In the future, I hope you can catch up to the peers that now look down on you, and bring glory to the Sea Dream Temple."

Rati began, and indeed, while her decision to lower the requirements for all positions garnered widespread approval, making Rudra the new elder was another matter.

"Acting Temple Lord, I'm afraid this is improper. Although he holds merit for saving the capital, this Rudra's background is, at best, dubious. Without a thorough investigation, how can we name him elder? Moreover, the Sea Dream Domain might not have any Cosmic God available, but among the new recruits, having two or three break through is unavoidable.

Giving him the position seems...too hasty?"

The third elder chimed in, speaking the words swirling in the minds of the rest. In their ancient eyes, the whole matter reeked of nepotism, a vice they previously didn't believe their great elder capable of. But considering the recent rumors, they couldn't help but believe it.

How could the foundation of a Cardinal Sect be restored through nepotism? Worse, elders possessed tremendous power, access to a plethora of information and the right to found their own branch within the sect. Granting that kind of boon to someone of unclear background was downright ridiculous.

This decision, they would challenge! On the contrary, Kama remained silent, keeping his golden eyes locked solely on Konrad with an intensity any would have found unnerving. It was almost as if he wished to peel off Konrad's skin with his stare. And with the rumors going around, who could blame him?

Still, before the elders' pressure, Konrad remained undisturbed. Their paltry resistance was doomed to failure. Either Rati made them fall in line, or he would.

"Never did I expect that my first appointment as Acting Temple Lord would meet such opposition. How disheartening."

Rati replied, and at the same time, unleashed her cultivation base. It erupted with a dreadful pressure that suppressed all the elders where they stood, constricting and choking them with a might they couldn't resist.

Instantly, the elders' eyes widened in fright, and Kama's attention shifted back onto Rati.

"Early-stage...of the Legendary God Rank?"

They realized in a stupor. With the restrictions lifted, that Rati could break through came without surprise. A few of them would soon seclude themselves to pursue that rank. The problem lay in the timing. It had not even been three days since the restrictions were lifted. Even if Rati was fast, she should have taken several years or even decades of secluded cultivation to break through.

How did it happen already?

To say nothing of them, even Kama was startled. His mind reeled, and he came up with the only viable conclusion:

"Dual Cultivation."

And indeed, he was right. Konrad's Law Revolution Creed crushed the barriers still shackling Rati, thereby allowing her to break through.

"A pity that This Eminence is the Lord, and you, the subjects. When the Lord commands the subject obeys. Who required your input? If you have any complaints, save them for when the Temple Lord emerges from seclusion."

Rati decreed, forcing all elders to swallow their spite. Indeed, this was nepotism at its worst!

Rising from her seat, Rati stepped toward Konrad to place the insignia a Rule Book in his hands. He welcomed both with his hands cupped.

"Henceforth, you are the seventh elder. Our Sea Dream City is now holding the auction of the enslaved nagas. That event is doomed to gather troublemakers. In your quality of elder, go and ensure the auction's peace."

Rati ordered, following Konrad's request to the letter. With an inward smile, he bowed toward her and proclaimed:

"As you command, Acting Temple Lord!"