An Irresistible Temptation

"Your method is too extreme. I cannot accept it, and neither can the [Council]."

"I never intended to seek the approval of those damn elders."

"Don't be fooled by the Council's more democratic form. As long as that old fossil Xushi remains alive and in power—"

"That so-called [Council] is nothing more than a rotting corpse wearing a new skin..."

"Lord Xushi has devoted himself tirelessly to the family for hundreds of thousands of years. You should not slander him like this!"

Natsume continued to provoke him, further cementing the impression that he was one of the [Council]'s lackeys.

"If mindless devotion counts as merit, then I would never have been the one to sit upon this throne."

"If he were capable, the Maha Clan should have been wiped out long ago."

"Instead, he allowed the war to drag on for so long. That is proof of his incompetence!"

King Zhenruo's words were filled with dissatisfaction and contempt for Otsutsuki Xushi.

Clearly, the two sides had opposed one another for a long time.

Neither acknowledged the other's abilities or ideals.

"Enough about that old fossil."

"Human boy, as an outsider, you have cultivated the [Chakra System] to the [Demigod] level."

"And you wield the rare [Authority of Time]."

"Your talent is quite impressive!"

"There is no need to keep serving that old fossil. Come to my side."

"Once I ascend to [True God] and sweep away the Maha Clan—"

"In the new cosmic order, there will be a place for you and humanity!"

King Zhenruo patiently tempted and recruited him.

He seemed to genuinely want to bring Natsume under his command.

Natsume did not rush to respond. Instead, he continued probing.

"You have also mastered [Time Divine Arts]?"

"I have dabbled in them, but I am far from mastering