Rowan’s reaction was not what Alex had expected. The man threw back his head and laughed, the sound loud and unrestrained as it echoed through the misty forest and lingered between the broken trees.

"Hahahahahha. What did you say?" Rowan’s laughter stopped abruptly, cutting off as if it had never existed. In its place, a sneer spread across his face. "Do you know who I am? I am the prince of the Balzard family. My ancestor is a Supreme of the multiverse. You think you can threaten me?"

He took a step forward, his axe gleaming faintly as a cold killing intent began to gather around it. The weapon seemed to hum in response to his emotions, as if it was eager to be used.

"You probably came here just by luck, and now you think you are superior to me?" Rowan shook his head slowly, his expression filled with mock pity. "Let me educate you, little man. In this realm, there are two kinds of people. There are those with backing, and there are those who will die. I have backing you cannot even imagine. My ancestor has erased entire civilizations for less disrespect than what you have just shown me."

Alex said nothing.

No wonder the Grandmaster had warned him. Those who could enter this place were not ordinary individuals. Every single one of them possessed exceptional talent, powerful origins, or both. Rowan’s arrogance was not baseless. It was supported by reality. His ancestor truly had the power to erase civilizations without consequence.

"Die," Rowan said.

The word was spoken without hesitation, and immediately after, he moved.

He rushed forward like a meteor, his body blazing with energy, his axe raised high above his head. The air around him distorted from the sheer force he was generating, and the ground beneath his feet cracked with every step he took.

Alex watched him approach.

He did not move immediately. Instead, he measured the distance carefully and calculated the timing with precision. His breathing remained steady, his gaze focused. When the moment arrived, he raised his fist, channeling his martial soul into a single point, preparing to end the confrontation with one decisive strike.

And then someone appeared.

The newcomer stepped directly in front of Rowan, blocking his path as if he had always been there.

He was taller than Rowan and broader in the shoulders, with the same golden hair but darker, more composed eyes. Where Rowan radiated aggression and impulsiveness, this man radiated calm authority.

He raised one hand.

Rowan stopped instantly.

His axe froze mid swing, suspended in the air as if time itself had paused for him alone.

Rowan’s face changed.

The arrogance vanished completely. His eyes widened, his jaw slackened, and his arm began to tremble uncontrollably.

"Big brother..." Rowan’s voice came out as a whisper, filled with fear.

"Rowan, do not fight with strangers. Okay?"

The voice was gentle and carried a faint trace of affection, yet Rowan reacted as if he had been struck by an invisible force. He took two steps back immediately, his face losing even more color, and lowered his axe until the blade pointed toward the ground.

The man then turned his attention toward Alex.

His expression shifted into a warm and welcoming smile, one that seemed completely at odds with the immense power Alex could feel radiating from him.

"Friend, my brother is childish. Do not take him seriously," he said in an amiable tone.

Alex did not trust the smile.

Not even for a moment.

He focused his perception, allowing his ability to gather information to activate.

The details appeared clearly in his mind.

[Name: Victor Balzard

Martial Soul: World Tree (Chaos Grade)

Rank: Martial Emperor Level 9

Combat Prowess: Galactic Realm

Note: He possesses an Absolute Reality Grade sword that guides him. He is a very dangerous opponent.]

A son of destiny.

Alex had read about individuals like this. They were chosen by the universe itself, destined to rise above others. They possessed luck, power, and opportunities that ordinary people could never obtain. They attracted resources, allies, and breakthroughs as if reality itself bent in their favor.

They could also sense others like themselves.

That explained why Victor had intervened.

He had recognized that Alex was not ordinary, that he was someone who could not be dismissed casually or eliminated without consequence.

"Friend, what is your name?" Victor asked, maintaining that same warm smile. "You are a very interesting person. I would like to befriend you."

"But brother..." Rowan began, unable to accept what he was hearing.

Victor glanced at him.

It was a simple look, but it was enough.

Rowan stopped immediately. His mouth snapped shut, and he lowered his head slightly, not daring to speak further.

A friend.

Alex considered the offer carefully.

A connection with someone like Victor could be valuable. It could provide access to resources, information, and opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach. However, it could also become a burden. Victor was powerful, and possibly more powerful than Alex in a direct confrontation. In addition, he possessed an Absolute Reality Grade sword that guided him.

That sword would not guide him toward friendship without purpose.

There was always a reason.

"A friend?" Alex said slowly. "I do not make friends so easily. My friendship is not something that can be given without thought. You will have to earn it if you want it."

He allowed a faint smile to appear on his face, though it did not reach his eyes.

Then he turned and began to walk away.

He did not run. He did not use teleportation. His pace remained steady and unhurried, as if he was completely unconcerned with what might happen behind him.

Behind him, Rowan let out a cold snort.

"How arrogant. How dare he refuse your alliance."

Victor did not respond immediately.

He stood still, watching Alex’s figure gradually disappear into the mist. The warmth in his expression faded, replaced by something more thoughtful, more calculating.

"Master, should I kill him if I get the chance?" Victor asked silently within his mind.

There was a brief pause.

Then an ancient voice responded.

"Wait and observe. He is not an easy target. I can sense unfathomable power from him as well."

Victor’s expression shifted slightly.

Unfathomable power was not a term his master used without reason.

"Furthermore, he originates from a Proto Supreme World," the voice continued. "You should follow him back to his planet. If you can absorb that world, even if you do not obtain the Golden Seed today, your inner world will gain infinite potential."

Victor’s eyes gleamed faintly.

Infinite potential.

That was worth far more than a single opportunity in this place.

"Understood," Victor replied.

He turned away, placing a firm hand on Rowan’s shoulder and pulling him along despite the younger man’s reluctance.

Meanwhile, Alex continued walking through the misty forest.

His expression remained calm, but his mind was active, analyzing everything that had just occurred. He had felt the pressure emanating from Victor, an overwhelming presence that had caused every instinct within him to react.

The urge to either flee or fight had been strong.

Yet he had remained still. He had refused the offer and walked away without showing weakness.

That could be considered a victory.

However, it was a small one.

"Alex, Earth is not a Prime World."

Rafael’s voice appeared directly within his mind.

Alex stopped walking.

This information was unexpected, and it carried implications that could not be ignored.

"Is that so?" he asked quietly.

"Yes. Earth is something of higher quality. I cannot determine its exact nature, but it is definitely not a Prime World."

Alex remained silent for a moment.

Then Rafael continued.

"You should be careful. Your origin might attract unwanted attention."

Alex considered this carefully.

It made sense.

If Earth was truly something beyond a Prime World, then it would inevitably become a target. There would be those who sought to exploit it, to consume it, or to claim it for themselves.

He would need to be cautious.

More cautious than before.

He resumed walking.

Before long, the sounds of battle reached him.

Metal clashed against metal. Explosions of energy erupted repeatedly. Cries of pain and anger echoed through the forest, breaking the unnatural silence that had dominated the area.

Alex moved toward the source of the noise.

When he arrived, he saw two groups locked in combat.

There were approximately twenty individuals in total, divided into opposing sides. Each exchange of attacks released powerful shockwaves that spread outward, destroying everything in their path. Trees were shattered into fragments. The ground was cracked and scorched. Even the mist seemed to withdraw from the intensity of the conflict.

Alex observed them briefly.

He assessed their movements, their coordination, and their overall strength.

Neither group appeared trustworthy.

Neither group seemed worth engaging. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

There was nothing here that benefited him.

Without hesitation, he chose not to involve himself.

He activated teleportation.

In the next moment, he had already bypassed the battlefield entirely.

He continued moving forward, focusing on his original objective.

The Golden Willow Tree.

And the seed that it held.