Azul stood silently, as if waiting for someone.
Suddenly, a loud and authoritative voice echoed throughout the grand hall
"Who dares to deliver judgment before I give my approval?"
A tall man dressed in gold like a king stepped inside. Instantly, the atmosphere fell silent. An overwhelming aura swept through the room, causing all three high officials to immediately bow with pale faces.
In panic, they saluted.
"Forgive us, Your Majesty… We thought you wouldn't be present. So I took the liberty of sentencing Azul," stammered Jack Ford.
The tall man remained silent for a moment before saying,
"I will be the one to judge Azul."
He then looked directly at Azul and spoke in a calm yet firm voice,"Kill four individuals from Sequence 5 within the VoC organization for me. If you succeed, then your 13-year disappearance will be considered worthwhile."
Azul bowed respectfully. "Understood, Your Majesty."
In his heart, his respect for the man deepened. He knew the golden-robed man stood at Sequence 4 of the Crown of the Absolute Path a path representing total dominion, earthly divinity, and unshakable authority. Only those destined to rule the world could bear such a path's power.
The tall man nodded at Azul, then turned to the officials.
"Release Azul from punishment. In exchange, he must complete his mission within four years."
All three high officials immediately nodded, agreeing without daring to protest.
Then, the man turned back to Azul.
"Follow me to my private chamber."
Azul nodded obediently, ready to follow. The man walked back to the rear of the hall, past the other officials.
Jack Ford shot a sharp glare at Azul.
"You're lucky today, Azul."
But Azul said nothing, walking straight out of the judgment hall without even glancing at Jack. His indifference made Jack even angrier, clenching his jaw as he watched Azul leave without a word.
Outside the room, Azul saw Kosper waiting at the entrance.
"Kosper, wait here for a moment. I need to go somewhere," he said briefly.
Kosper simply nodded, asking no questions.
On his way to the tall man's private chamber, Azul passed the training room. Inside, elite students were training. There were seven students at Sequence 8, three at Sequence 7, and one at Sequence 6. With a mere glance at their auras, Azul could identify their sequence levels.
At the end of the corridor stood the door to the private chamber.
Azul knocked gently before entering. Inside, the man in golden robes was seated at a desk. He looked at Azul and said,
"Sit down. No need to be formal. Just call me Peter."
Azul nodded and sat silently.
"So, what have you been doing in Qifor for the past 13 years?" Peter asked.
Azul answered truthfully, as if influenced by Peter's presence.
"I bought a noble child… sold by his own parents."
Peter stared at Azul. "Are you sure you want to ascend to Sequence 4?"
Peter knew that Sequence 4 of the Ruler of Chaos Path required noble blood.
Azul nodded firmly, unaware of the true danger that awaited him.
Peter's tone turned serious.
"If you fail… you'll become a high-intelligence monster. Not just dangerous you'll become a disaster to the world."
Azul fell silent. In his heart, he muttered,
"A high-intelligence monster? I always thought monsters fought with instinct alone. But if they have strategy… that's far more terrifying."
Peter looked at him sternly.
"It's better… not to take this risk."
Azul remained quiet.
He then pulled something from his pocket a round object with a small crimson shield emblem in the center and handed it to Peter.
"Thank you for lending me the Inner Shadow Shield Artifact."
Peter took it. Instantly, Azul's aura became far more powerful and intimidating. Meanwhile, Peter's aura shrank as if he were only at Sequence 9.
That was the artifact's function: to hide the owner's true aura and make them appear as ordinary humans, even if they were actually at a high sequence.
Azul stood from his chair and bowed respectfully to the tall man before him.
"I must leave now, Your Majesty. There are still many matters I must attend to."
Peter nodded slowly, realizing that the blue-haired man before him had already made up his mind to advance to Sequence 4 despite the warning. Peter could only sigh as Azul walked away.
Outside, near the carriage, Kosper opened the door for Azul.
Azul was silent for a moment, then asked,
"Kosper… do you know which paths those two new high officials belong to?"
Kosper replied calmly,
"The long purple-haired woman, Casidra, is at Sequence 5 of the Queen of Vengeance Path.
The man with the wizard hat, dark blue eyes, and black hair, Levin, is at Sequence 5 of the Abyss Watcher Path."
Azul nodded, storing the information deeply in his mind.