Kailen, Dawnseer, and Dexter appeared before a sealed entrance.

"This is the secret realm. The AI system of the entrance will scan you, and the entrance will open for you to enter. You’ve already been registered in the database," Dexter said warmly.

Kailen nodded.

After that, Dexter left with Dawnseer, the two engaged in chatter as if they had been acquaintances for a long time. Kailen proceeded towards the entrance. The AI of the entrance scanned him.

[Welcome, Mr. Darkhaven. Access granted.]

A holographic display appeared before Kailen and a robotic voice resounded in his ears. Right after that, the metallic entrance opened. Kailen entered the secret realm.

Kailen appeared in the artificial secret realm. There were strong spatial fluctuations everywhere. The place looked very ethereal and shifty. Several bubble-looking space principle fragments were floating everywhere.

Kailen activated the principle of space. He made a connection to one of the space principle fragments. Kailen started comprehending the profundities in the principle fragments. Kailen eventually finished comprehending the insights of that principle fragment. He moved to another one. After Kailen was done, he would move to another.

Kailen was completely immersed in what he was doing. He lost track of time. It did not even occur to him how much time had passed eventually. A couple of years flashed in the blink of an eye. Kailen opened his eyes. He had finally broken through to the Rank 3 novice-stage transcendent level.

"It should be time for the competition."

A knowing glint flashed through his eyes.

"I’ve really cultivated for a long time."

If someone heard him, they would have slapped him to death. Because compared to others, his speed could be considered really fast.

Kailen stepped out of the secret realm. The moment Kailen came out, the Mayor was informed he had come out of seclusion. Kailen was directed to Mayor Dexter’s residence. Kailen went through several building complexes and finally arrived at the Mayor’s personal residence in the estate.

It was a very large residence. It looked like a Victorian-era villa. It had trees decorated beautifully around it and several gardens there. The place was very serene. Kailen was led by a butler into the residence. He was then directed into the hall, where Dexter was seated on a couch. He was currently involved in a conversation with Dawnseer. She had swiftly come here from the Castellan District after getting news that Kailen had exited seclusion.

However, there were several other people in the room: CrimsonFang and his guild higher-ups. They were currently kneeling on the ground before the Mayor. For some reason, Dexter and Dawnseer had completely ignored them, engaged in conversation as if they did not exist.

The moment Kailen arrived, all eyes were on him. The first group to look at him was CrimsonFang and his guild higher ups. They had complicated looks in their eyes. Naturally, they were aware of the kind of relationship Kailen Darkhaven now had with the Mayor. Information in the city spread quickly, after all.

After the Grimwood incident, they knew they should not mess with Kailen Darkhaven anymore because the LEA people favored him and had even recommended him to the Mayor’s office to cultivate in the Mayor’s secret realm. But they didn’t think they should seek him out and outright apologize to him. However, they had never expected that his relationship with the Mayor would grow to such a level.

They made a decision to take the initiative to come look for him at the Mayor’s residence and apologize to him. With the Mayor involved with him now, some secret strings could be pulled for them to be eliminated easily. As long as there was no visible proof of who was behind their elimination, the National Guild Union head branch in the continent would not pay attention to the situation.

In the past, there was even an instance where the Mayor of a city had pulled strings to get rid of a guild in that same city. The assassins even confessed later to the fact they were hired by the said Mayor for such a task. However, the Mayor simply denied it, even though everything pointed towards him. The NGU head branch in the southern continent simply dropped the case, saying that the words of the assassin did not carry any weight and that the esteemed Mayor was not involved since he said he was not involved.

This was how the universe worked. As long as one was powerful, they could get away with certain things, as long as they played the right cards. CrimsonFang and company did not want to be in such a similar situation. They wanted to live.

Their faces were full of regret as they stared at Kailen Darkhaven. Who would have thought that a single attempt to eliminate him in the past, because they deemed him a threat to them, would turn out this way? If they had the ability to see the future, they would have never offended him.

At this point, Dawnseer and Dexter stared at Kailen curiously. They wanted to know what kind of decision he would make concerning these fellows. Their lives were literally in his hands. However, he had to proceed smartly. Even with the Mayor on his side now, one had to play the right cards to not get on the bad side of the NGU head branch in the southern continent.

Kailen himself stared at them for a moment. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"No need to say anything, Guild Leader CrimsonFang. Let’s let the past be in the past."

The warmest smile graced Kailen’s face as he spoke. The Will of the Universe even spat out a cup of coffee she was enjoying in the shadow expanse. This fellow was simply worthy of an Oscar for his acting skills.

Dawnseer and Dexter looked at each other with knowing expressions. This fellow had made the right decision. He wanted to use a subtle approach. CrimsonFang and company felt something was off with Kailen Darkhaven. But well, since they had been given a chance to live, they won’t stay even another minute in the city when they leave this residence.

Fuck the guild. Their lives mattered more than anything. They would immediately leave the city and never return.

A knowing glint flashed through Kailen’s eyes. These guys were very funny.

Quickly, they thanked the Mayor. CrimsonFang stared at Dawnseer with a complicated expression in his eyes. This fellow used to be his rival. Now, because she made the right choice to invest in a genius, she was sitting here and chatting with the Mayor. They were worlds apart.

Dawnseer did not even look at him. It was as if he never existed. He grimaced quietly and left with his entourage of guild higher-ups.

"Dawnseer, Dexter. It’s been a while," Kailen said.

"Mmm. You’ve broken through, haven’t you?" the two asked at the same time.

Kailen simply nodded. Their eyes flickered with surprise. This fellow—his principle comprehension speed was too abnormal. Kailen ignored their shocked looks.

"Dexter, can you have some assassins handle CrimsonFang and company?" Kailen asked as he sat down on a sofa. "They will most likely leave the city any moment now"

"I’ve already communicated with a couple of my personal guards" Dexter said. "I figured you’d want to use this unconventional approach to avoid any backlash the moment you put on that fake, award-winning smile."

Kailen nodded. "Much appreciated."

" When do you want my men to handle them?" Dexter asked.

" Right when they leave the city"

Kailen said.

This fellow wanted to give them a false sense of safety before he killed them. This was pure psycological torture before death.

Dawnseer and Dexter thought.

This fellow was too dangerous to have as an enemy.