Above the Trial Realm, the air itself seemed to split.
It wasn't chaotic spiritual energy.It wasn't collapsing rules.
It was something stranger.
Two civilizations' presence were forcing themselves into the same space.
The Outer Domain Hero had arrived.
He wore no armor.
He carried no weapon.
He simply stood there.
And yet everyone knew—
This was no ordinary enemy.
Cold and solemn text slowly unfolded across the sky.
[Outer Domain Civilization Hero Unit]Codename: Arbiter · ArtaAuthority Level: Civilization Core Executor
Shen Yan murmured the title under his breath.
"…Civilization Core Executor."
"That means…"
"He doesn't represent himself."
"He represents the judgment of an entire civilization."
The moment Arta appeared—
The Trial Realm rules reacted automatically.
[Hero vs Hero Protocol Activated][All Non-Hero Units Forced to Withdraw]
In the next instant—
Every non-hero trial fighter was gently but irresistibly pushed out of the battlefield.
Zhou Tieshan remained.
The world suddenly became quiet.
"…So it's just me now?"
Arta looked at him.
There was no disdain in his gaze.
Only calculation.
"Human."
"You have been classified as an anomalous hero."
Zhou Tieshan spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground.
Then grinned.
"Don't know what that means."
"But I do know one thing."
He lifted his hammer onto his shoulder.
"You're standing in my way."
Arta took one step forward.
Space itself compressed.
The shockwave forced Zhou Tieshan three steps back.
His hands trembled.
"…So this is a civilization hero."
For the first time—
He felt the absolute difference.
It wasn't just strength.
It was as if the world itself stood on the other side.
"Evaluation complete."
Arta's voice remained calm.
"You do not possess the qualifications for sustained opposition."
"Commencing…"
"Judgment."
He raised his hand.
A blade of pure rule-energy formed instantly.
And at that moment—
Zhou Tieshan laughed.
"You done talking?"
He didn't dodge.
Instead—
He stepped forward.
"Then it's my turn."
He didn't understand civilizations.
He didn't understand authority levels.
He only understood one thing.
If he stepped back today—
Then the Human Realm would spend the rest of its wars kneeling.
"AAAAAAAH!!!"
Zhou Tieshan roared.
The Hero Title — Blood Vanguard ignited completely.
Not amplification.
Burnout.
[Hero Privilege Activated: Blood Battle Burn]Effect: Exchange the future for power now
His body began to crack.
But his hammer—
Grew heavier.
BOOM!!!
The hammer slammed into the rule-blade.
The blade shattered.
Across every Outer Domain observation channel—
Silence.
"…Impossible."
"He's consuming…"
"…his future potential?!"
Arta prepared to execute a second judgment.
And then—
A voice crossed the battlefield.
For the first time breaking the Hero Duel Protocol.
"Enough."
It wasn't a shout.
It was a verdict.
Xiao Xuanyin stepped onto the battlefield.
This time—
No rule stopped him.
Because the rules themselves had acknowledged him.
[Civilization Sovereignty Core Detected][Hero Duel Protocol Cancelled]
Arta's expression changed for the first time.
"…Who are you?"
Xiao Xuanyin stood in front of Zhou Tieshan.
His back facing the Outer Domain hero.
"I am the final authority of this realm."
Arta paused.
"Your civilization is not yet mature."
"War will only cause your extinction."
Xiao Xuanyin interrupted him calmly.
"Maturity is never granted."
"It is fought for."
He raised his hand.
Not to attack.
But to declare.
"The Human Realm leaves the Trial Phase."
"And enters the Official Civilization Sequence."
The heavens trembled.
Outer Domain permissions instantly retreated.
[Civilization Status Updated]Human Realm: Independent War CivilizationDefault Status: Non-Purgeable
Arta took one step back.
Not in defeat.
But in acknowledgment.
"You will remain under observation."
Xiao Xuanyin nodded calmly.
"Anytime."
The Outer Domain gateway closed.
The war ended.
Zhou Tieshan collapsed.
But he did not die.
[Hero Status: Sealed]Evaluation: One of the Founders of Human Civilization
Outside the gateway—
Su Wan's eyes were red.
But she was smiling.
"…Season One."
"…Cleared."
Just when everyone thought it was over—
Her phone lit up again.
Not a warning.
An invitation.
[New Civilization Sequence Notice]Participation Request: Multi-Civilization Council
Participants listed:
Immortal RealmOuter DomainsAncient Void States
…and
Human Realm.
Xiao Xuanyin looked toward the horizon.
His voice was calm.
But it made everyone's blood burn.
"Tell them."
"The Human Realm will attend."
End of Season One