Hours and minutes passed, until four o'clock in the morning came, marking the end of the first day of the Crimson Cat's Eye Auction. Then, Yuta, Adrien, and Anastasia returned to their residence.
Their facial expressions were a mixture of calm, relief, and wariness of what was coming; There was not long until the mission began, and they had to be well prepared for what awaited them.
Elsewhere, the Desolate Moon Clan delegation was heading towards its residence in Yusaki City, while its members were trying to trace the path of the owner of Room No. 6, whose identity they had not been able to identify until that moment.
"Clan Elder Zhao Bao, what do we do now? We don't know the identity of the owner of Room 6, who bought the Phoenix Jewel, and we need it for the Desolate Moon Clan Leader; "She needs it so badly."
Vice Elder Zhao Ying's tone of voice was tense, as he looked at him.
Zhao Bao couldn't help but sigh in regret at his inability to carry out the task that the Desolate Moon Clan's Clan Leader had entrusted to him.
He raised his eyes to the moon for several seconds, before looking at his clan comrades who had come with him, then a slight smile appeared on his face.
"No, we will not surrender! We have to return with the Phoenix Jewel, otherwise the Clan Leader will die. Did you understand that? Only the Phoenix Jewel can cure the Frost Curse, and we have to bring it, even if we have to sacrifice ourselves!"
Zhao Bao's tone of voice was full of determination to obtain the Phoenix Jewel, which ignited the enthusiasm of the rest of the delegation, led by Zhao Ming.
However, the happy atmosphere did not last long; They felt that someone was watching them from afar with looks that did not bode well.
Zhao Bao looked towards where those gazes were coming from, his eyes becoming sharp, and then he spoke:
"He's the owner of room number 6!" "He followed us here, and it seems that he deliberately bought the Phoenix Jewel."
The facial expressions of the rest of the delegation turned into shock, and they looked around anxiously.
Zhao Ming was the most shocked; She was still fifteen years old, and this was the first time she had left the Desolate Moon Clan.
"That damned one!" Was he planning to lure us here to prevent us from rescuing the Clan Leader? What will we do now? "Do we fight for the Phoenix Jewel, or do we retreat?"
One of the disciples, called Zhao Yao, had a mixture of anger and tension in his tone of voice as he looked at Zhao Bao.
However, Zao Bao remained silent, staring at the spot they were watching from for several seconds.
Suddenly, his facial expression turned to shock, and he took several steps back, shocking the rest of the delegation when they saw the obvious fear on his face.
"The owner of Room 6 is the cold star of the sky, Yuta Caseral, one of the elite ten of Central Continent, and the best first-year student of Versalkin Academy!"
Zhao Bao's tone of voice was filled with awe and fear; After all, Yuuta was stronger than him by a vast margin, as well as being one of the forces that could not be underestimated within the Arcana Empire.
"Are you sure about that? The Desolate Moon Clan was not hostile to Yuta Casseral. Even if there is enmity between us and him, he is able to wipe us out without exerting an iota of effort!"
"But why does such bad luck accompany us? First, the Clan Leader was afflicted with the Frost Curse, and now Yuta Casseral covets our clan! Is there anything we can do?'
The members of the Desolate Moon Clan delegation kept exchanging frightened glances, without any of them daring to take a single step; Yuta's gaze was like a wall preventing them from moving even an inch.
As for Zhao Ming, she was unable to comprehend what was happening around her. She was like a little girl in a crowd of adults, completely unable to understand what was going on.
She spoke in a very tense tone of voice, while holding her clothes tightly out of anxiety and tension.
Despite her talent, she was somewhat shy, especially when she felt nervous.
"Elder Zhao Bao, why are you so afraid of Yuta Caseral? Is he not a follower of the Orthodox path? Doesn't that make him an ally of ours?
Zhao Ming's words were faint, almost inaudible, but they were enough to stun anyone who knew Yuta or had ever encountered him.
The matter applied to the members of the delegation, headed by the clan sheikh Zhao Bao and his deputy Zhao Ying.
Zhao Bao spoke in a calm tone, ordering the rest of the delegation to leave the place immediately, without adding another word; They don't have enough courage to fight him anyway.
"Utah follows neither the orthodox path nor the satanic path. "It is close to the tribes and sects found in the Western continent, which profess Islam."
Zhao Ming did not say a single word, and kept listening to Zhao Bao's words.
However, she couldn't help but feel annoyed and angry at their change of heart once they knew the identity of their opponent.
But she was unable to do anything but follow them; She knew that her insistence on fighting Yuta would cost her her life, especially when she saw the desire to survive and the fear evident in their eyes.
She spoke to herself, describing the situation that had happened before her eyes:
"They pretend to be brave and sacrificial when everything is safe, but they experience disappointment and humiliation when they face battles. Zao Bao, I feel like I was foolish when I thought you were my role model. But in reality, you are just a hypocritical bastard who only cares about his own life. As for the leader of the Zhao Clan in Xiao, she will inevitably die."
---
Some time passed, and the delegation members ran as fast as they could until they reached their residence in Yusaki City.
They entered the house, and their expressions were extremely exhausted.
But their exhaustion turned into shock as soon as they saw Yuuta sitting in a chair, drinking tea as if it was his home.
Zhao Bao, his deputy Zhao Ying, Zhao Yao, Zhao Ming, and the rest of the delegation swallowed hard, as they looked at him.
None of them expected that someone like Yuuta would follow them here.
Even if he was weaker than them, his social status as a technology corporate leader was enough to make them hesitate to confront him; Although there are many who oppose his companies, they are still successful and have significant influence and prestige.
What's worse is that he is the son of the Venerable Venerable, Heaven's Blessing Elizabeth, the entity that granted the Blessing Pavilion to one of the great powers.
Zhao Bao, his deputy Zhao Ying, Zhao Ming, Zhao Yao, and the rest of the delegation knelt before him in fear.
Yuta laughed lightly and placed the cup of tea on the table.
Then he spoke in a tone of voice full of sarcasm, looking at Zao Bao with a look that made his body automatically tremble:
"Desolate Moon Clan Elder, Zhao Bao, I heard from a bird that the Zhao Clan's Clan Chief in Xiao will die due to the Frost Curse. What a pity! She has taken the Phoenix Gem which you need to save her. "I'm so sorry."
Zhao Bao didn't say a word, but the shock was clear on his face, and his color even looked dark with astonishment.
The matter applied to the rest of the delegation without exception.
As for Zhao Ming, she gritted her teeth angrily, looking at Yuta from the corner of her eye.
Then she spoke out loud:
"Why do you do that? Zhao Clan Leader Fei Xiao has done nothing to you! Bullying weak people is not a noble thing to do!"
An admiring smile appeared on Yuta Caseral's face, while anger flared across Zao Bao's features.
The clan elder raised his hand and directed a powerful slap, charged with the energy of Fighter Qi of the Eighth Stage: True Immortality, towards Zhao Ming, and the attack sent her several meters away.
Zhao Ming felt enormous shock and deep pain in her heart, feeling betrayed by the person she respected the most.
She closed her eyes; The attack was too strong for her to survive without being permanently disabled.
The difference in strength between Zhao Bao and Zhao Ming was enormous, and his attack was aimed at killing her, not just silencing her.
"This seems to be the end of me... a miserable and cheap death. Just one slap! "Am I so petty that I should end up like this?"
Zhao Ming's inner words were filled with sadness, but her feeling turned to astonishment when she realized that she had managed to think of all of that, and yet she had not died yet.
She slowly opened her eyes, to find Yuta holding her, while his gaze bore a cold and terrifying calm to the point that made her immediately close her eyes out of fear.
Yuta gently placed her on the ground, under the gaze of the Desolate Moon Clan members, led by Zao Bao, who did not understand what was happening.
Yuta spoke in an angry tone, pointing his hand at Zhao Ming:
"How dare you try to kill her? Is this what a clan sheikh should do? How pathetic you are! You tried to kill her even though she was defending you. She is braver than all of you combined!"
Zhao Ming kept looking at Yuta in shock, not feeling the tears that began to fall involuntarily from her eyes.
As for Yuta, he smiled inwardly; His plan, which did not even exist, began to succeed.
Then he spoke, saying:
"Okay, I'll trade Zhao Ming for the Phoenix Jewel. What do you think, Zao Bao? It is up to you, you are the head of the delegation in the end."
Zhao Ming stopped trembling, looking at Zhao Bao now and at Yuta, while convincing herself that he would refuse Yuta's request.
Zhao Bao slapped her, and it could be said that he wanted to save the Desolate Moon Clan from being wiped out because of her previous words. But accepting the trade meant he sold it easily.
At the same time, the life of the Zhao Clan Leader Fei Xiao was dependent on the Phoenix Jewel.
However, the bitter feeling of betrayal remained stuck in her throat.
Zao Bao's words rang out like a thunderbolt in her ears:
"Yes, I agree to exchange Zhao Ming for the Phoenix Jewel. After all, she would be happy to sacrifice herself to save the Zhao Clan Chief Fei Xiao, right, Zhao Ming?"
«.......».
Zhao Ming did not say a single word, but remained silent, speechless in shock.
Yuta threw the Phoenix Jewel towards Zhao Bao, then picked up Zhao Ming.
He spoke in a calm tone:
"I think you'll be leaving Yusaki City at sunrise, right, Zao Bao?"
Zao Bao swallowed hard, listening to Yuta's words, which carried a clear threat that he would not return to Yusaki City again.
"Yes, definitely. We came for the Phoenix Jewel and some other herbs, and we got them today. "Therefore, there is no reason to stay in Yusaki City."
Yuta didn't say another word, he just left the place directly, without waiting an extra second.
Then, the Desolate Moon Clan members fell to the ground, exhausted by tension and fear.
Zhao Ying spoke sarcastically and nervously, looking at the Phoenix Jewel:
"Clan Elder, you did well by sacrificing Zhao Ming in order to obtain the Phoenix Jewel. After all, she wanted to save the Zhao Clan Chief Fei Xiao, and she sacrificed herself to make it happen."
Zhao Bao placed the jewel inside the storage ring, then spoke in a sarcastic tone:
"Why should we give a treasure like this to a clan leader who will eventually die? We can rule the clan by ourselves! She's useless, just a girl ruling a clan. How ridiculous! We've spent centuries operating under her authority, and it's finally time for her to step away from the throne! Ha-ha-ha-ha!"
The rest of the Desolate Moon Clan continued to listen to Zhao Bao's words, before they burst out laughing, supporting his words.
After all, the tribal system of government often gave power to men, while women's access to power was extremely rare, if not non-existent.
---
On the other hand, Zhao Ming was standing at the door, listening to the words of her former comrades, while tears were flowing abundantly from her eyes, without being able to comprehend what was happening to her or control her emotions.
She looked at Yuta, who was smiling slightly, then made her decision.
She gathered her courage and spoke:
"Master Yuta Caseral, can you rescue the Zhao Clan Leader Fei Xiao? "If you do my bidding, I will do anything you ask of me."
Yuta didn't say a word, he just left the place still holding her, making her lose any sense
Suddenly, loud explosions rang out.
"Boooommmmmm...Boooommmmmm!"
Zhao Ming didn't understand anything of what was happening.
Why was the house where the Desolate Moon Clan delegation was staying destroyed? Why could she no longer sense the powerful auras of Clan Elder Zhao Bao, his deputy Zhao Ying, and the rest of the disciples?
Suddenly, to her surprise, the leader of the Zhao Fei Xiao Clan appeared, Yi, carrying Zhao Bao's body, of which only the upper part remained, completely mutilated beyond recognition.
She threw the body aside, then looked at Zhao Ming and Yuta, a slight smile on her face.
She spoke in a calm tone full of gratitude as soon as she reached them:
"Master Yuta Caseral, thank you for saving me from the Frost Curse, and for helping me expose the traitors before it is too late."
Zhao Ming was still in shock, unable to comprehend anything since the beginning of the problem; Events had accelerated beyond her ability to understand, while she was still a young girl of fifteen years old.
Yuta answered calmly:
"No thanks are due, Mrs. Zhao Fei Xiao. But I want Zhao Ming to become a student at Versalkin Academy. Therefore, I decided to take her with me, so that she would have something to rely on within the academy. "Her courage and intelligence impressed me."
"Furthermore, first-year students will be allowed to head to the Heavenly Immortals Academy without the need for a lottery or exam, which will give it invaluable experience for the next ten months. Isn't it, Mrs. Zhao Fei Xiao?"
Yuta's tone of voice was calm, as he placed Zhao Ming on the ground.
Zhao Fei Xiao did not answer Yuta's request directly, but rather looked at Zhao Ming, as if asking her to make a choice for herself: Do you want to join Versalkin Academy or leave with her?
However, Zhao Ming was still lost in her thoughts, and there was another question running through her mind.
"Ms. Zhao Fei Xiao, are you the one who was in Room 6 and bought the Phoenix Jewel? "And what is that jewel that Master Yuta Caseral gave to Zhao Bao?"
Zhao Fei Xiao's facial expression turned to confusion as she listened to Zhao Ming's questions.
She laughed nervously before answering:
"Yes, I was the one in room 6, but I'm not the one who bought the jewel. Rather, it was Utah Caseral. "I felt like Zhao Bao was up to something, so I decided to come up with a plan to teleport inside the storage ring I gave him."
"As for that jewel, it was nothing but a monster core similar to a phoenix core. Because of Zhao Bao's nervousness and fear of Yuta, he did not pay attention to her reality, and his greed and greed blinded him. I was the one who told Yuta about the frost curse; Because I needed someone to help me. "Since I am an early supporter of Utah Tech, he decided to help me."
"However, what really matters is your decision. Will you join Vrsalkin Academy or will you come back with me? The decision is yours, Zhao Ming, and I will respect it no matter what."
Zhao Ming didn't say a word, but her facial features seemed confident in her choice.
She stood up and looked at the Desolate Moon Clan Chief, Zhao Fei Xiao.
Then she spoke in a tone that combined firmness and happiness:
"I promised Yuta Caseral that I would do whatever he asked of me if he helped me. Therefore, I will follow him to Versalkin Academy in fulfillment of my promise."
Zhao Fei Xiao had nothing to say except to smile lightly, then put her hand on Zhao Ming's shoulder and hugged her.
"Dear Zhao Ming, I will miss you. Although I did not care much about your presence during the time I spent within the Desolate Moon Clan, you have proven yourself worthy of becoming someone dear to my heart."
"It has been six hundred years since I became the Desolate Moon Clan Chief, and I have never found someone willing to sacrifice themselves for someone else."
Yuta kept looking at them calmly, as they exchanged sad feelings, making him remember a part of his previous life, when he was still a five-year-old child.
---
Flashback
"Mother Lunaria, where are you going?"
Yuta's tone of voice was filled with sadness, as he held her clothes.
Lunaria looked at him calmly, then picked him up in her arms, trying to keep herself from laughing at his expression; There were fossilized tears on his cheeks.
She spoke in a calm tone, gently stroking his white hair:
"I'm going to the Knights of the Dawn Academy. After all, I am the boss, and I have to do my job, right, my dear child?"
Yuta remained silent as he looked at her, but his facial expression was filled with extreme annoyance and anger, making Lunaria laugh at the situation.
"academy? Who cares about her? You can do your business from here, she won't run anywhere! Stay here and leave your work to your useless deputy, who is only good at shouting and hypocrisy!"
Yuta's tone of voice was full of annoyance, making Lunaria sigh in distress.
She lowered him to the ground, but Yuta took the opportunity to grab her hand and drag her, while his golden tears flowed abundantly.
Lunaria could only go along with him and suppress her laughter at his actions; After all, he was still five years old, and his stubbornness was normal.
Moreover, his relationship with Lunaria was extremely strong, even stronger than his relationship with Venerable Venerable Heavenly Blessed Elizabeth.
The same was true for the servants, who were looking at Yuta with a mixture of laughter at the situation and admiration for the mother-son relationship.
However, Lunaria had another opinion about the play of the stubborn son and lenient mother.
She stopped keeping up with him, causing Yuta to do his best to try and stop her from leaving.
But he couldn't move her even an inch.
He turned his gaze towards her, only to find that she was still determined to go to the Dawn Knights Academy, which made him even more annoyed.
He held her hand tighter.
Lunaria sighed as she looked at him in frustration, deciding to be very firm, while Yuta was still clinging to her like a monkey.
"Yuta, I won't stay long. Only six months! Moreover, your mother Doralia and Nefertina are still here, and your aunt Keonae will remain with you.'
Lunaria's tone of voice was very firm, as she looked at him.
Yuta finally let go of her hand, then left the place feeling very upset.
He entered his room without saying anything, making Lunaria sigh somewhat sadly, before making her way between existence and nothingness, heading to the Knights of the Dawn Academy.
Inside his room, Yuta was searching for something very eagerly and enthusiastically.
He took out a blue mobile phone from his locker, and a smile mixed with tears appeared on his face.
«I found you! I don't know why I miss it every time. What a very annoying phone!
Yuta's tone of voice was full of joy.
He quickly left his room, but was surprised that Lunaria had left the place a while ago.
He sighed very sadly, then returned to his room.
End flashback
---
Meanwhile, inside Yuta Caseral's office—three hours after the meeting between Zhao Ming and Zhao Fei Xiao, leader of the Desolate Moon Clan, and their subsequent parting—Yuta and Anastasia were discussing their prior agreement.
"Rest assured, Lady Anastasia McGilforn, the 'Bow of the End-Demon' shall certainly be yours. After all, I am a man of integrity who conducts his business honestly."
Yuta's tone remained calm as he summoned the Bow of the End-Demon, watched by an Anastasia who did not entirely trust his words.
He had implemented robust security protocols within his devices, making them exceptionally difficult to breach—unlike most other equipment, which lacked any defenses against cyberattacks or hackers.
Nevertheless, she chose to play along; her true objective, after all, was to secure this legendary weapon to replace the bow she had lost during the fourth scenario—the defense of the academy against a demonic assault.
She took the bow cautiously, examining it with the practiced eye of an archer, before storing it away in her personal dimensional space.
Having remained within the realm of the 'First Origin' and become a mana user, she had gained the ability to possess such a dimensional space.
The same held true for Adrian; it was only natural that the world would influence them, causing their bodies to evolve alongside it over time.
"You are quite right, Mr. Yuta Caseral. The Bow of the End-Demon is truly magnificent—superior even to the 'Bow of the Arch-Archer.' That said, I still desire to obtain the Bow of the Arch-Archer..." "Because I need it."
Anastasia's tone was calm as she shook Yuta's hand to seal the agreement.
Yuta replied:
"Do as you please. Just ensure it doesn't negatively impact my work; I despise unnecessary, complicated problems. Isn't that right, Miss Anastasia McGillforn?"
Anastasia narrowed her eyes as she listened; she sensed an implicit threat in his words.
Nevertheless, she remained unperturbed—or, at the very least, that was what her expression conveyed.
She left immediately, ignoring the enigmatic gaze Yuta fixed upon her.
Shortly after her departure, Yuta was surprised by the arrival of Zhao Ming—the very same woman who, only hours earlier, had been part of the Desolate Moon Clan's delegation.
As for Anastasia, she had resolved to steer clear of matters that did not concern her—especially those involving Yuta, whom she deemed entirely untrustworthy.
---
Zhao Ming sat before Yuta, while he gazed at his system interface with a satisfied smile; his intuition had proven correct.
After all, the individuals he had encountered back then—Alessandra's allies—had indeed been adults.
[Important: Ruler's Path Quests]
Objective 1: Assist in protecting the Tree of Existence, Ji Yao Li.
Quest Difficulty and Reward: ?????
Ruler's Robe.
Rank: ?????
Abilities: Absolute immunity against everything that exists—and everything that does not.
Penalty for Failure: Reversion to the Primal Origin. Sub-quest 01: Gather the heroes of the prophecy and prepare them for the upcoming War of the Paths and what follows.
Reward: ?????
Duration: 504 years.
Rank: ?????
Sub-quest 02: Assist the descendant of the Narrative Time and pave the way for them to become the strongest.
Reward: ?????
Duration: Until the end of the year 675 AD.
Rank: S.
Sub-quest 03: Help Alessandra's allies become capable of fighting in the War of the Paths and the events that follow.
Status: In progress.
Reward: ?????
Duration: 504 years.
Rank: ?????
Ally 1 Name: Adrian Kzumias.
Ally's World/Origin: The world of the game *Absolute Zero*.
Character Type in the original game path: Extra character.
Character Type in the current game path: Main character.
Development Method (to enable participation in the War of the Paths and beyond): The Fantasy World Demon Gem – "Game King Suit," obtained from the venerable and esteemed Great Story Merchant, Stefan Telmore.
Ally 2 Name: Zhao Ming.
Ally's World/Origin: The World of the First Origin / Home of the Desolate Moon Clan.
Character Type in the original novel path: Core character.
Character Type in the current game path: Secondary character. Character development path to prepare for the "War of the Paths" and its aftermath: The Fantasy World's Demonic Gem — Enrolling in the Versalkin Academy — Joining the expedition of the Celestial Immortals Academy.
Important Notes:
1. Mandatory sub-quests will be imposed alongside every main quest.
2. As the esteemed candidate "Great Creator" Yuto completed the main quests approximately three years and nine months ahead of schedule, a number of mandatory sub-quests will be assigned to him.
3. Since the candidate departed the narrative of *The Dragon Angel in a World of Fantasy*—during his battle against Fermon Solterk, a ruler and creator within the *War of the Conflicting Kingdoms* narrative—three years earlier than permitted, the esteemed candidate "Great Creator" Yuto is prohibited from leaving the world of *The Dragon Angel in a World of Fantasy* for the three-year duration: 676 AD, 677 AD, and 678 AD.
4. As the candidate returned to his original body before concluding the storyline of one of the protagonists of *The Dragon Angel in a World of Fantasy*—Yuta Kaseral—the host is prohibited from utilizing the abilities of his original body, or any ability unrelated to the skillset of Yuta Kaseral's vessel. This excludes innate abilities, such as: "Eternal Scribe," "Ruler's Eye," "Ability Crafter," "Infinite Evolution," and others.
Furthermore, the user is forbidden from employing his "Great Creator's Wing" or any associated abilities for a full three-year period.
Objective 2: Not yet revealed.
Objective 3: Not yet revealed.
Objective 4: Not yet revealed. Objective 5: Undisclosed.
Mission Duration: Permanent.]
Yuta let out a deep sigh as he listened to Zhao Ming, who appeared visibly tense.
He closed his eyes for a moment before speaking:
"Ms. Zhao Ming, I understand your tension and anxiety regarding joining the Versalkin Academy. Furthermore, you will be among the students selected for a mission to the Heavenly Immortals Academy. Nevertheless, there is no need to worry; we still have some time before we depart for World No. 3525336 DF."
Zhao Ming sighed with relief as she listened to Yuta's words, prompting a faint smile from him.
He then retrieved a "Fantasy World Demon Gem" from his dimensional space—one of the stones he had recovered from the venerable and great story-merchant, Stefan Telmor.
With a slight smile, he handed it to her, ignoring her bewildered expression.
After all, even Reinhardt de Molière—who was well-versed in the texts of Zhao Li and Alessandra—did not possess a complete understanding of such things. How, then, could Zhao Ming, who believed the Ninth Stage—the "Absolute Transcendent"—to be the pinnacle of power, possibly comprehend it?
Placing the Fantasy World Demon Gem before her, Yuta said in a serious tone:
"Here—this gem will help you elevate your strength to a terrifying degree. However, you must absorb it very gradually; even Zhao Feixiao, the leader of the Desolate Moon Clan, would not dare to force her body to consume it all at once."
Zhao Ming swallowed hard as she took the gem.
Although Yuta said nothing more, the overwhelming aura radiating from the stone was enough to dispel any notion of underestimating its power.
She placed it into her storage ring, as she had not yet unlocked her own spiritual realm.
After all, she was still only at the Fifth Stage—the "Nascent Soul" stage, specifically at the level of the "Conscious Soul." Refining the Dantian roots—also known as "Pure Refinement"—was an exceptionally difficult and slow process, especially when compared to the cultivation of Gu, mana, or Qi.
However, this did not mean it was weak; on the contrary, the stages of Pure Refinement were fundamentally distinct from the power systems that used the *kono* as a benchmark.
"Thank you, Master Yuta Caseral, for your immense kindness. I shall never forget what you have done for me—especially your role in saving the leader of the Zhao clan in Xiao."
Zhao Ming's tone was filled with deep respect as she looked toward Yuta.
With that, she left his room, appearing somewhat flustered. By nature, Zhao Ming was quite shy—a trait that became especially pronounced whenever she felt nervous or found herself in the company of strangers.
Being alone with Yuta had left her feeling intensely uneasy.