The elderly village leader approached cautiously, his body bent by the years and the weight of the situation. With a trembling bow, he spoke with a nervous voice.
"Thank you... thank you, Immortal Masters, for saving us."
The villagers quickly followed suit, bowing in respect, though a mix of fear and gratitude marked their gestures. No one dared to lift their gaze.
The village leader, visibly anxious, continued.
"May I know to which sect these Immortal Masters belong?"
Ye Han, initially confused by the mention of "immortals," remained silent for a moment. The Vespers' eyes carefully observed their surroundings, but Ye Han did not take his gaze off the leader. Gradually, a slight smile appeared at the corners of his lips, as if he had finally understood the confusion.
"We belong to Astralis," Ye Han said, his tone firm. "But you've made a mistake."
The leader furrowed his brow, his nervousness palpable.
Ye Han shook his head, his eyes now fixed on the elder as his words flowed from him with calm, but powerful, certainty.
"We are not immortal cultivators. We are mortals."
The leader, who had been awaiting an answer, was left utterly surprised. A whisper of disbelief escaped his lips.
"What...?"
The incredulity in his voice was clear. The other villagers, who had maintained a fearful posture until that moment, now looked on in astonishment.
"Mor... mortals?" the village leader asked in a trembling voice.
"Correct." Ye Han's voice was clear, without hesitation. "We are like you, people without spiritual roots, without talent for cultivation."
After his confirmation, a wave of astonishment and skepticism washed over the faces of all present. The villagers looked at each other, not believing what they had just heard.
The leader of the demonic cultivators, who had remained kneeling until that moment, seemed even more perplexed. His eyes locked onto Ye Han, as if trying to peer through him, searching for any sign of spiritual energy, but found nothing.
"Impossible... impossible... you can't be mortal," the leader of the demonic cultivators murmured, his voice full of disbelief.
At that moment, the Vesper behind, unable to bear the interruption, raised his rifle and struck the leader of the demonic cultivators in the side with a brutal blow. The leader groaned, caught by the pain, and fell into a trembling silence.
Ye Han, unfazed, kept his gaze on the village leader. Then, in a firm voice, he continued:
"Astralis is not a sect, nor a force based on immortal power. It is a force born with the dream of creating a place where mortals can live without fear, where they are not at the mercy of those who believe themselves superior simply because they possess powers that we, the mortals, do not have."
A murmur passed through the crowd, and some villagers began to grasp the magnitude of his words. The leader of the demonic cultivators, still stunned, tried to find something to say, but Ye Han gave him no opportunity.
"My leader, the commander of Astralis, is the one who has guided us. Thanks to his ingenuity and wisdom, we have developed weapons, tools that do not depend on spiritual energy, but on human labor, the mind, and creativity. With them, we have been able to equal the forces of those who seek to impose their will on others."
Ye Han took a step forward, looking the village leader directly in the eyes.
"The difference in Astralis is not in the power we have, but in what we are capable of doing with what we have. We do not need spiritual energy to fight. What we need is unity, determination, and an unshakable will to change things. We have developed weapons, armor that allow mortals to face immortals. They are creations of mortals, born from thought, logic, and science."
The village leader, now completely fascinated, gave a slight bow of his head, though he still couldn't hide his disbelief.
"Weapons? Science? Of mortals? How... how can they face cultivators with just that?"
Ye Han smiled faintly, with no trace of arrogance, only a look of absolute confidence.
"The strength of Astralis is not in the weapons we create, nor in the systems we develop. It is in the certainty that mortals are no less than immortals. We want to live without fear, without fearing being trampled or destroyed by those who believe themselves superior simply because of their spiritual power."
He took another step, looking at each of the villagers.
"Astralis is more than an organization. It is a movement, a safe place, a refuge for mortals. A place where everyone can live without fear of being annihilated simply because they lack spiritual power."
"Today we have come because we want this village to be the first of many to become part of Astralis."
Ye Han observed the villagers, assessing their reactions, looking for signs of acceptance or rejection. The silence remained heavy, but there was something in the air, a slight spark of curiosity. He knew he had to be patient, but he also had to make it clear that Astralis was not only offering an opportunity but wanted to start here, in this very place.
"This village can be much more than it is now," he began, his voice firm but accessible, "and Astralis can be the force that makes it grow. What we seek is not just a refuge, but a base. A place where we can start. Here, in this village, we want to make Astralis our first base, our first step towards something much larger."
The village leader, though cautious, listened attentively. Ye Han continued, making sure to clarify the purpose behind his words.
"What we propose is not an army that comes to impose rules, nor a sect that demands obedience. We have come to build. To create something that benefits all mortals. If you join us, if you help us establish our base here, you will have the chance to be part of something that will change the fate of all mortals. But for that, we need hands, we need minds willing to work. Not just warriors, we also need farmers, carpenters, artisans, and anyone who wants to help build a better future."
The villagers looked at each other, some nervous, others considering the possibilities. The village leader, though still skeptical, seemed more interested.
"We would like this village to become the first base of Astralis. We are not here to take your land or your home, but to make this place grow. We will start working actively here, we will establish our presence, and we will protect everyone. It will not be easy, but with your help, we can create a safe refuge, a place where you won't have to fear for your lives, where you can live without fear of those who think they are superior just because of their spiritual power."
Ye Han paused, letting his words sink deeply. Then he added firmly.
"What we offer you is not just a life without fear, but an active community. Astralis is not just a refuge, it is a movement. A place where mortals can rise, work together, and live better. And this village will be the first step, the first place where we can begin to make that future a reality. If you decide to join, if you are willing to work with us, we will not only offer you protection, but we will give you what you deserve: a dignified life."
The village leader, hearing these words, nodded slowly, though doubt still lingered in his gaze.
"If this can truly bring change, if it's true that we can build something better, then... how can we reject it?" he murmured, looking at the villagers around him.
Ye Han smiled, but with a calculating look, knowing this was only the beginning.