Morning light spilled across the silent corridor.
Rien walked calmly through the hall, eating chocolate cookies as if nothing in existence could disturb him.
"Human life is painfully dull," Kuto said while walking beside him. "They chase ambitions they can never achieve. Their lifespan should be increased."
Rien didn't reply.
His expression remained indifferent — detached from everything around him.
Suddenly, a group of priests appeared ahead, followed by their disciples in solemn silence.
"Boys, please step aside," one of the priests said gently.
Rien glanced at him and moved aside without protest.
"What are all of you doing here?" Kuto asked curiously.
Another priest smiled.
"We are here for a ritual."
They walked into a large ceremonial chamber.
Rien and Kuto followed.
The room was decorated with cosmic lotus flowers glowing with faint light. Ritual circles, ancient symbols, and sacred artifacts filled the hall. The air itself felt heavy with divine energy.
Rien sat on a chair, lazily observing the surroundings.
"Are they summoning a ghost or something?" he muttered.
At that moment, Miss Yin entered.
"I have been waiting for both of you," she said calmly. "Today we perform the Eternity Ritual."
She walked toward a towering statue of a celestial goddess.
Rien studied the statue closely, raising an eyebrow.
"Isn't this a goddess?"
Before he could observe further, Lan Xia pulled him back to his seat.
"Don't stare at her like that, idiot," she whispered seriously. "That is the Goddess of Eternity. You cannot look upon her so casually."
A high priest sat at the center and began chanting ancient incantations.
"So you're trying to summon the Goddess of Eternity?" Kuto asked.
Yin Xia nodded, sitting behind the priest and closing her eyes.
"Yes. In the Empire League, our ancestors established this tradition. We summon the Goddess of Eternity as the symbol of infinity."
Rien leaned back in his chair, staring at the statue as it slowly began to glow.
"Goddess of Eternity…" he murmured quietly.
"It has been eons since I last met her."
The Descent of Eternity
Suddenly—
The entire palace erupted in blinding golden light.
A breathtaking woman manifested from the radiance. Her presence released overwhelming cosmic energy that crushed the atmosphere itself. Space trembled. The air became suffocating.
"That pressure will kill the mortals," Rien said calmly.
He released a fragment of his own cosmic energy. Invisible forces spread through the chamber, stabilizing reality itself.
The divine pressure weakened.
The light faded.
The Goddess of Eternity stood before them — her aura vast, infinite, and filled with terrifying authority.
"Who dares summon me?" she asked, her voice echoing like the collapse of galaxies.
Yin Xia stood and bowed deeply.
"We called upon you, O Eternal One. As rulers of the Yan-Huo Empire, we conduct the Empire League."
The goddess listened — then suddenly froze.
Her gaze shifted.
It locked onto Rien.
Her expression changed from divine rage to pure shock.
"I… this presence…"
In the next instant—
She teleported before him.
A massive force exploded outward as she dropped to her knees, shattering the ground beneath her.
"Goddess of Eternity… awaits your command, Your Honor."
Her voice trembled. She did not dare meet his eyes.
The entire hall fell silent.
The priests stared in disbelief.
"What is happening…?" they whispered.
Rien leaned forward slightly, looking down at her with absolute calm.
"Finish the ritual first."
No arrogance. No pride.
Just overwhelming authority.
The goddess nodded immediately and stood, still avoiding eye contact.
"Continue the ritual," she ordered.
She then sat before the priests like a humble disciple.
The ceremony resumed.
Beyond Comprehension
After some time, Rien and Kuto stepped outside the chamber.
Kuto stared at him in shock.
"How do you know the Goddess of Eternity?"
Rien walked forward without slowing.
"There is nothing in existence beyond my knowledge."
He entered his room.
Kuto rolled his eyes.
"You and your heavy words…"
He followed inside.
After a moment, Kuto spoke again.
"Why don't you tell that goddess to fight me? I want to test my strength."
Rien gave him a blank stare.
"You? Fight the Goddess of Eternity?"
Kuto nodded proudly.
"I possess the Asura Core. I can use Asura power."
Rien turned toward the window, gazing at the endless sky.
"You haven't even awakened its full power," he said calmly.
"And even if you had… you would not survive standing before her."
His voice carried absolute certainty.
Kuto pouted.
"I just need more practice…"
Rien said nothing and walked deeper into the room.
Kuto sighed and followed.
Meanwhile, inside the ritual chamber, the ceremony continued.
A massive surge of cosmic energy swirled throughout the hall, shaking the air with overwhelming power. Waves of eternal light spread across the sacred symbols and glowing lotus flowers.
"We are honored to begin the Empire League with your divine presence, O Goddess," all the priests said in unison, their voices filled with reverence.
For a moment, the entire chamber was consumed by eternal energy. The atmosphere trembled under the weight of infinite power — before gradually returning to calm.
The light faded.
The pressure disappeared.
Silence filled the hall.
Miss Yin stepped forward, her expression satisfied.
"Now… we may begin the final days of the Empire League."
The Goddess of Eternity slowly rose from her seat. Her cosmic aura still radiated immense authority, yet her expression held an unusual concern.
"Where is my Lord?" she asked, her voice carrying faint worry.
Lan Xia sighed softly.
"That boy is full of mysteries," she murmured.
Miss Yin respectfully pointed toward the door.
"He has likely gone to the garden, as he always does."
The goddess nodded immediately.
Without hesitation, she turned and walked toward the exit, her divine presence flowing behind her like starlight.
"I am coming, my Lord," she said quietly yet her voice carried unmistakable joy.
On the other side of the palace, the garden was silent beneath the vast sky.
Ancient trees swayed gently as cosmic flowers glowed faintly in the breeze. The atmosphere was peaceful — yet heavy with unseen power.
Rien walked along the stone path, his steps calm and unhurried.
"Stop following me, Kuto," Rien said without turning back, his voice quiet but absolute.
Kuto continued walking behind him anyway.
"Please… let me fight her just once," he begged, making exaggerated puppy eyes. "I just want to test my strength."
Rien remained silent, completely ignoring him.
His presence alone carried a pressure that made even the air feel restrained.
Suddenly—
A ripple of divine energy spread through the garden.
Space distorted slightly as a radiant figure appeared before them.
The Goddess of Eternity stepped forward, her cosmic aura flowing like endless starlight. Yet unlike her overwhelming presence in the ritual chamber, her expression was gentle.
She approached Rien and bowed her head slightly.
"Hello, my Lord," she said, a soft smile appearing on her face.
The atmosphere itself seemed to grow still in reverence.
Kuto froze beside Rien, staring at the divine being with wide eyes.
Rien simply looked at her calmly — as if meeting an old acquaintance rather than a goddess who ruled eternity.