Brat, I...

"Lord Light Ancestor, you aren't..."

The speaker was a burly female Universe Master.

I say "burly" not to insult her or anything; it was simply a description.

With her unkempt hair and animal-hide clothing, who would have guessed that the person before them was a woman, if not for her ample chest?

Of course, after becoming an immortal, gender no longer really mattered. Only upon reaching True God, when one's divine power fully unified, could one regain a gender identity.

(Note: This is a setting I came up with myself. Feel free to flame me if you don't like it!!!)

"If I didn't die, would you still be willing to fight for the Human Race today?" Noah said with a slow smile. "If Yuan hadn't taken the risk, would you, princess of the Human Race, still be willing to take that next step?"

That's right. The burly woman before them was none other than a descendant of Original Ancestor's bloodline, and the only member of his family still alive after countless ages.

"This..."

"Girl, your talent has never been inferior to that of your senior brothers, but now..."

I tried to persuade him more than once, but Yuan's doting on you has become part of his very being.

Likewise, his love for the Human Race has become part of his very being. That's why I have to "die" once!

As Noah spoke, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

As one of the founders revered alongside Original Ancestor as the Human Race's forebears, he was no kindhearted man.

For the sake of the race, he didn't care about the innocent lives lost in a great upheaval.

Of course, all this depended on him being powerful enough to set everything right—and he was.

"I understand!"

At his words, the girl's expression quickly turned despondent.

Everyone present knew this, but...

"Then why have you come forward this time...?"

Chaos City Lord spoke. Though there was confusion in his tone, he had never objected to Noah and Yuan's arrangements.

Otherwise, he would have tried to stop Yuan from carrying out his plan.

"I just think the time is right."

Noah stood in the highest hall of the Virtual Universe, his gaze sweeping across the more than forty Human Race Universe Masters present.

These forty-plus powerhouses represented the foundations the Human Race had built over three hundred eras. They were pillars whom Original Ancestor and Noah had personally nurtured.

"Teacher, you're finally going to..." Peak's eyes flashed with excitement.

"Yes, and no," Noah said slowly. "I haven't appeared today to resolve the crisis myself.

"On the contrary, I intend to turn this crisis into a test for the Human Race."

"What?" Chaos City Lord's expression changed. "Lord Light Ancestor, the Monster Race, Bug Race, and Machine Race have joined forces, while the Prison Race is watching us like a hawk. If we don't respond with all our strength, the Human Race could face extinction!"

"Chaos, do you really think the Human Race is in danger of extinction right now?" Noah asked in return.

Chaos City Lord froze, then sank into thought.

It was no exaggeration to say that, judging by the Human Race's current strength alone, it was already a powerful force even in the Universe Sea.

Others might not know, but as the de facto leader of the Human Race, Chaos City Lord knew all about the many arrangements Noah and Original Ancestor had made.

An existential crisis?

If they wanted to, they could quickly dispel this seemingly turbulent crisis. But...

The Human Race had enjoyed peace for too long. That was never a good thing for a race—especially one that hoped to achieve Transcendence of Reincarnation.

"No, it isn't," Chaos City Lord said quietly.

"So why should I reveal myself?" Noah said with a smile. "Staying behind the scenes will make those fellows underestimate us.

"Besides, some things aren't suited to someone as conspicuous as me. But as a lone wanderer, I'll have far more freedom to act!"

The others didn't react much, but a look of astonishment clearly crossed Peak's face.

He knew what Noah meant.

Nearly all of Noah's disciples had learned his clone technique, but most of them hadn't made much progress.

At present, only Tiga, Belial, Hikari, and Tregear—whose strength was still at the Universe Overlord level—had managed it.

Of them, only Tiga had three clones besides his true body. The others had no more than two.

"You intend to..."

"That's right. It's also why I summoned you here. From now on, I'll appear in the universe under another identity."

As soon as Noah said this, Chaos City Lord understood.

But he also knew that some secrets couldn't be spoken aloud. He merely nodded in silence, putting on a solemn air.

"I understand!"

Chaos City Lord was the first to speak.

Noah looked at him, confirmed his understanding from his eyes, and nodded in satisfaction.

"In that case, you may all leave," Noah said. "Peak, Woz, Chaos, Giant Axe, Peng Gong! The five of you stay!"

"Yes!"

Soon, only six figures remained in the great hall.

"Peak, do you know why I asked the five of you to stay?" Noah asked.

"I do!"

Peak answered without hesitation.

"Good." Noah nodded in satisfaction. "This is a test not only for the entire Human Race, but also for you managers—especially you, Giant Axe!"

"Me?!" Giant Axe pointed at his own nose in disbelief.

"Not just you. Woz and Peng Gong, too!"

"Huh? Teacher/ Senior Noah, why am I involved?"

The two of them also spoke in disbelief.

"As members of the first echelon among the Human Race's Universe Masters, you've all disappointed me terribly!"

Noah didn't explain. He simply launched into a fierce scolding.

"Let's start with you, Peng Gong. You call me senior, but you've existed for countless ages longer than I have.

"And yet... your strength is now the weakest among the group.

"Sometimes, you shouldn't worry so much about developing your faction. You should focus your mind on cultivation."

"This... Lord Light Ancestor is right! But I..."

"No buts. You're just missing an opportunity to break through, aren't you? I'll give you one!"

As Noah spoke, a mysterious rune appeared in his hand, only to vanish in an instant.

"Looks like the Primal Universe still won't allow these things to be passed down directly."

Seeing this, Noah understood.

"Peak, bring them to me. Some things can't be conveyed through the Virtual Universe!"

"Yes!"

"All right, Peng Gong, head toward the Land of Light in the Primal Universe. Peak will bring you to me!"

"Understood!"

Peng Gong Master's figure vanished in an instant.

Noah then turned an unhappy gaze on his disciple, Woz.

"Brat, I..."