Invisible Killing Intent

Sage Kubana became the second emperor of the Eagle Empire.

Though not the nominal founder, he surpassed the first in impact.

Later generations would also hail him as the most indispensable figure in human history, a title no one disputed, and one he rightfully deserved.

In the second year of his reign, rumors began to spread that Emperor Kubana's profound wisdom and ability to uncover so many worldly truths were due to being taught by a Deity in his dreams since childhood.

At some point, a small group of fanatics who benefited from the knowledge pioneered by Emperor Kubana took it upon themselves to establish the Truth Church. Its purpose was to teach the masses and honor Emperor Kubana and the Deity who secretly guided him.

The Deity they worshipped was none other than the God of Truth, named Aethelred.

The church grew in influence, developing several beneficial inventions. Only after these were widely accepted by the populace did Emperor Kubana reluctantly acknowledge the Truth Church as one of the legitimate Three Divine Sects.

Such a method, meant to conceal, would inevitably be exposed in later eras.

However, at this moment, with Emperor Kubana's prestige at its zenith and his groundbreaking inventions deeply ingrained in the lives of the people, no one questioned or could question him.

With Kubana's covert support, the Truth Church became the largest and most populous church in just two years.

The War Church, founded by the first emperor Hu'erlun, along with the Sun Church, was relegated to a subordinate position beneath the Truth Church.

After all, only a minority had witnessed divine manifestations, while the benefits of all the pioneering inventions were enjoyed by all of humanity.

Rear Hall.

In his imperial study, Kubana personally reviewed the mountain of memorials. On his desk, beside him, sat a half-finished bowl of pale-colored Spirit Nourishing Soup.

The paper itself was his invention, yet it now threatened to bury him.

Spending his days reviewing memorials and governing the realm, he relied on the Spirit Nourishing Soup to stay alert, preventing complete mental and physical exhaustion.

Faint footsteps sounded from outside the door.

The Empress, clad in opulent robes, a woman who had been by his side since Kubana was in his twenties, was now old and her hair was streaked with silver.

Kubana looked up. When he saw his Empress, her expression complex as she entered, his deep, focused gaze softened slightly. "Fina, you're here."

Empress Fina bit her lip and walked behind Kubana, draping a robe over his shoulders. "If you don't come to me, then I must come to you."

Kubana placed his hand over Fina's, his voice apologetic. "I've been swamped with official duties these past few days, truly neglecting you and the children. I'm very sorry."

Fina glanced at the Spirit Nourishing Soup on the table. "You don't need to apologize. You've said it many times, and you owe no one anything. It's just... Kubana, you and I both know what the Spirit Nourishing Soup signifies."

As Kubana's Empress, the only one personally appointed by the greatest sage in history, Fina was privy to many of Kubana's secrets.

Among them was the truth of how Kubana usurped the throne.

Toward this devoted wife, who had gazed at him with affection for decades, never causing him trouble, and who had toiled day and night for him, Kubana felt confident she would never reveal his secrets.

Besides, it was too late to reveal them now; his grand design was already complete.

Kubana patted Fina's hand. "It's alright. My life's pursuit has only one final moment of brilliance left, a moment I can only witness at the instant of my death. Fina, don't worry about me. You and the children will enjoy eternal prosperity."

Fina's composure faltered. "So, so you're willing to hasten your own death just to pursue some vague, ethereal truth? Have you ever considered what will become of me if I lose you?"

Kubana was silent for a moment. "Fina, I hope you can understand. From the day I was chosen, my soul belonged only to the Deity. Everything I can give you besides my soul, I am willing to give."

Fina's tears welled up as she looked at Kubana, unable to comprehend. "Then why can't you just die naturally? Why are you so eager to leave me and the children? Kubana, if you die, I won't live either. Even knowing that, you're still going to destroy yourself just to glimpse your truth for a moment?"

Kubana and Fina gazed at each other for a long time. Though moved, a trace of unyielding resolve was evident in his eyes.

He knew that if he couldn't clearly convey this resolve to his wife, she would remain forever conflicted and in pain.

Kubana softened his tone as much as he could. "I love you, Fina, a love that transcends all worldly things... Thank you for being willing to die with me."

Yet, within this softness, there was a chilling rationality that seemed to belong only to a god.

Fina stumbled back two steps, staring blankly at this man she had watched with affection for decades, familiar yet now a stranger.

Countless past deeds had shown that this man loved her enough to die for her at any moment.

An affection that transcended life itself – what profound devotion!

But the heartlessness hidden behind this deep affection made Fina unable to control herself, unable to comprehend, unable to accept!

This man's face now bore only four words—

Unwavering resolve!

Grief greater than death is a heart turned to stone. Fina's tears dried, and she left in a daze.

Heka Star, Number 18.

In the hotel.

Tang Chuan withdrew from the God's Eye view, his emotions also in turmoil.

Kubana, a mere mortal, a creation of his whim, yet at times, he seemed more divine than Tang Chuan himself.

Was this truly the spirit of "Hear the truth in the morning, and die content in the evening"?

Throughout the long river of human history, would there always be a few wise individuals who would abandon everything in pursuit of truth?

Honestly, some of humanity's ideologies, even to Tang Chuan, who was still only barely on a human level, were somewhat shocking.

After a moment of reflection, Tang Chuan shook his head and asked Quintessa, "How many people have died on Heka Star these past few days?"

Quintessa replied, "A total of one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four people. We're close to the target for the Star Hunter clan's assessment. It should be unlocked in the next couple of days."

Tang Chuan nodded and said, "Let's go over there quickly. I'm bored to death these past few days. Kubana still has some time. Being in a semi-omnipotent state for a long time is tiring me out. I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up if there's any danger."

As he spoke, Tang Chuan yawned, pulled the blanket over himself, and lay down on the sofa.

Quintessa hesitated for a moment and asked, "Should I only wake you if there's danger?"

Tang Chuan blinked, "Why would you wake me if there's no danger? Unless Kubana is about to kick the bucket, don't wake me. I hope I can wake up after a nap and it'll be unlocked."

Quintessa nodded, "Understood."

Tang Chuan didn't reply further. He closed his eyes. He hadn't fully adapted to his gene state after the second treatment, and exiting the semi-omnipotent state always made him feel drowsy.

Before long, he drifted off to sleep, continuing his dream about the Azure Star serial drama.

However, no one saw that shortly after he fell asleep, the wall adorned with a Heka Star-style oil painting beside him rippled almost imperceptibly.

The transparent thing that rippled left slight indentations on the carpet.

Closer and closer.

Closer and closer