Chapter 181: The mysterious continent
Kremlin’s words caused every person inside the divine hall to stare at him in shock.
A level one hundred existence.
A being who had survived for countless years.
A figure regarded as a living legend even among the strongest experts of the continent.
And yet he had just sworn loyalty without hesitation.
However, none of the elders found it strange anymore.
Not after everything they had witnessed today.
Alex merely nodded.
"Very well."
Then his golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"Tell me about that continent," Alex said.
The moment those words left his mouth, Kremlin’s expression became noticeably serious. The respect and humility remained on his face, but a trace of caution appeared in his eyes. Even the surrounding titled Douluos subconsciously straightened their backs as they sensed the importance of the topic.
For several moments, silence filled the divine hall.
Then Kremlin finally spoke.
"That continent is the true center of this world."
His voice echoed clearly throughout the enormous hall.
"The lands where we currently reside are insignificant in comparison. They are merely remote regions located far from the true heart of the world."
The surrounding elders immediately revealed shocked expressions. Although many ancient legends mentioned a central continent, very few people possessed genuine information regarding it. Most regarded those stories as myths passed down through countless generations.
Kremlin continued speaking.
"That continent possesses four major factions."
His words immediately captured everyone’s complete attention.
"Each faction controls a vast territory. Their influence stretches across enormous regions that are difficult for ordinary people to imagine. Countless experts serve beneath them, and their authority remains unchallenged throughout most of the continent."
Alex listened quietly.
"Who rules those factions?" he asked.
Kremlin slowly shook his head.
"I do not know."
His answer surprised everyone.
A level one hundred existence was considered an invincible figure throughout the known world. Yet even someone like Kremlin could not answer such a question.
At that moment, everyone realized just how mysterious the central continent truly was.
"The rulers rarely reveal themselves," Kremlin explained. "Even among God Realm experts, very few people have ever seen them. Their identities remain unknown to almost everyone."
The divine hall became increasingly silent.
Nobody interrupted him.
Nobody wished to miss even a single word.
"There are countless God Realm experts living on that continent," Kremlin continued. "The suppression of world laws that exists here does not exist there. God Realm experts can move freely without being rejected by the world itself."
Several elders immediately revealed excited expressions.
For countless years, they had dreamed of reaching the God Realm. To them, becoming a god represented the highest possible achievement. Hearing that the central continent allowed such existences to live freely sounded like paradise.
Unfortunately, Kremlin’s next words shattered those hopes instantly.
"However, God Realm experts are nothing special there."
The excitement on their faces froze immediately.
Kremlin’s expression remained calm as he delivered the brutal truth.
"God Realm experts serve as guards."
He paused briefly.
"Some serve as servants."
His gaze swept across the hall.
"Others serve as slaves."
Silence descended once more.
This time, the silence felt suffocating.
Every elder stared at Kremlin with disbelief written across their faces. Their minds struggled to process what they had just heard. The reality was simply too different from everything they had believed throughout their lives.
A God Realm expert was a legendary existence.
Such beings could dominate entire continents.
Such beings could establish immortal legacies.
Yet on the central continent, they occupied the lowest positions within powerful organizations.
The contrast was so extreme that it felt unreal.
Kremlin sighed softly.
"When I first reached level one hundred, I also believed that I had become an extraordinary existence."
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"Reality taught me otherwise."
The surrounding experts remained completely silent.
After witnessing Alex’s abilities and learning of the central continent, they understood that the world was far larger than they had imagined.
"We cannot simply travel there freely," Kremlin continued. "Every outsider must join one of the four factions if they wish to remain on the continent."
Alex narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What happens if someone refuses?"
Kremlin’s smile became even more bitter.
"They disappear."
A chill spread throughout the hall.
Nobody needed further explanation.
Everyone understood exactly what he meant.
"The factions tolerate no unaffiliated outsiders," Kremlin said. "Their territories contain countless forbidden regions. Some contain ancient ruins. Others contain sacred lands. There are also restricted territories that absolutely cannot be entered without permission."
His voice gradually became heavier.
"I learned that lesson personally."
Several elders immediately focused on him.
The Priestess also looked toward Kremlin.
Even she seemed interested in hearing the story.
"When I first arrived, I possessed little understanding of the continent’s rules. I believed that my strength would be sufficient to protect me."
A self mocking smile appeared on his face.
"I was wrong."
The atmosphere became tense.
Kremlin slowly took a breath.
"While exploring one of the territories controlled by a major faction, I accidentally entered a forbidden region."
His expression darkened visibly.
"I did not even have time to react."
The surrounding elders listened with complete concentration.
"A pressure descended from the sky."
Kremlin’s voice became lower.
"It was not an attack. It was not even directed specifically toward me. Yet the moment it appeared, my body completely lost control."
The elders widened their eyes.
A level one hundred existence had been suppressed so easily.
The implications were terrifying.
"My soul nearly collapsed beneath that pressure. Every ounce of strength I possessed became meaningless. I could not move. I could not resist. I could not even think properly."
Cold sweat appeared on the foreheads of several elders.
Such a situation was almost impossible for them to imagine.
"What happened afterward?" Alex asked.
"They captured me."
Kremlin shook his head slowly.
"To this day, I do not know who captured me. I never saw their faces. I only remember waking up outside the continent’s borders afterward."
He released a long breath.
"I was fortunate."
His expression became solemn.
"If my offense had been more serious, I would have died."
Nobody doubted his words.
The hall remained completely silent.
Every person present was forced to reevaluate everything they knew about cultivation and power.
For countless years, they had regarded becoming a god as the ultimate goal.
Now they understood that even gods occupied the lowest levels within the true center of the world.
The reality was both shocking and humbling.
Meanwhile, Alex remained thoughtful.
The information matched many of his previous suspicions.
The mysterious continent.
The hidden factions.
The existence of powerful entities capable of suppressing level one hundred experts effortlessly.
Most importantly, the continent could very well be connected to the ten million year soul beasts he was searching for.
The more pieces he gathered, the more complete the picture became.
A faint smile appeared on Alex’s face.
Finally, he slowly stood from his seat.
"Come with me."
Kremlin immediately lowered his head respectfully.
"My lord?"
Alex looked directly at him.
"I have many things to discuss with you."
The level one hundred expert nodded without hesitation.
"As you wish."
Afterward, Alex turned toward the rest of the hall.
His golden eyes swept calmly across the titled Douluos, the surrounding elders, and finally the Priestess herself.
The atmosphere immediately became tense.
Every person instinctively straightened their posture.
"You should stay away from the academy."
His voice remained calm.
However, nobody mistook that calmness for weakness.
"I will not pursue this matter any further."
The words sounded simple.
Yet everyone understood their significance.
Alex was offering mercy.
He was allowing the matter to end peacefully.
Before anyone could respond, Kremlin stepped forward.
His powerful aura spread slightly throughout the hall.
"They will not dare approach the academy again."
His voice echoed firmly.
"It is my guarantee."
The surrounding elders immediately lowered their heads.
Not a single person voiced disagreement.
The Priestess remained standing quietly.
Her fists tightened beneath her sleeves until her knuckles became pale.
The humiliation she experienced today would remain with her forever.
Everything she believed had been overturned.
Everything she relied upon had proven insignificant.
Yet despite the frustration within her heart, she remained silent.
Because she understood the reality clearly.
She could not challenge Alex.
Not now.
Perhaps not ever.
Alex noticed her clenched fists immediately.
His gaze lingered on her briefly.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
It was not a mocking smile.
It was not a threatening smile.
Instead, it was calm and indifferent.
That simple expression made the Priestess feel even more uncomfortable.
Because she suddenly realized something.
Alex had never truly regarded her as an enemy.
The difference between them was simply too great.
To him, today’s conflict had never been important.
The realization stung far more than any insult.
Without speaking further, Alex turned away.
The surrounding space distorted quietly around him.
Golden light flowed through the air like gentle ripples spreading across a lake.
Kremlin immediately followed behind him.
Within moments, both figures vanished from the divine hall entirely.
