"And what about us? What are the words we need to hear?" one of the boys asked bravely, his ego ridiculously high for being the son of Yan and having the strength of nine lightning bolts since the first realm.
"Nothing. You have good paths and possibly perfect techniques, but that’s all," Kayden’s indifferent treatment of them, as if they were just ordinary people, stirred a small feeling of resentment in the group.
"And are you special? I doubt you’re capable of doing half of what I do in my realm," the genius of the Seven responded to Kayden, but he immediately received a message directly in his mind.
"We both know why you are capable of that—swallow your ego," the woman’s heart started racing. If Kayden knew her secret... everything could collapse in seconds.
"Yes, how strong are you to place yourself on such a high pedestal?" Kayden heard this question from the people below him.
"You don’t have the strength to ask that question," Kayden replied as a god would speak to an ant, slowly pressuring everyone to attack him.
It took only a few more exchanges of words before the six jumped at him. Logically, 99% of their actions were due to the soul manipulation Kayden performed on them.
"Kneel," Kayden released all his aura and killing intent at once. The very universe supported his actions. The six felt as if the world cornered them, forcing them to their knees.
"Your bodies are strong, but your minds are pathetic. Ego blinds your movements. I’m not even using mana to crush you," Kayden’s words fell like iron upon each of them.
No matter what they did, they couldn’t even lift their faces off the ground. This was the most humiliating situation they had ever experienced. Of the six, only the boy with calloused hands was still trying to stand; the rest had given up, waiting for Yan.
"Strengthen your mind. You are the master of your destiny, the lord of your path," Kayden whispered in his ear, guiding the boy to slowly rise to his knees.
"Well done, boy," Kayden relieved the pressure on everyone. They only looked at Kayden with hatred, astonished. They had never been treated like this before, but Kayden ignored them harshly.
"You train every day, more than anyone here, and yet you’re the weakest, aren’t you?" Kayden asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, sir," the boy replied sadly, but he respected Kayden the moment he showed recognition of his effort.
"I can change that. I can put you above anyone here," Kayden made his promises. Unfortunately, at that moment, Yan appeared, along with Amanda and Jasmine.
The girl seemed to have recovered. Not only that but there was a new determination in her eyes; she looked more resolved and a little happier, even with her eyes red from crying so much.
This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.
"Thank you, Mr. Kayden," the girl bowed in gratitude, surprising all her siblings. Kayden simply nodded.
No one there understood why she thanked Kayden, except for Jasmine’s parents and Kayden, who understood the decision she had made. She had been on the edge of a cliff, and Kayden’s action was just the trigger she needed.
"Who is the other one you pointed to, Kayden?" Yan asked, but the answer was obvious, seeing where Kayden stood and after having watched the situation from the outside.
"This boy has more talent than all the other five combined," Kayden’s words provoked a certain anger among Yan’s other children.
"Why?" Yan knew his children were strong, but the one Kayden pointed to was undoubtedly the weakest.
"Potential," Kayden merely murmured and fell silent.
"Let’s have some tea," Yan pulled Kayden into the skies, creating two floating sofas. After sitting on one of the chairs, he took out a bottle containing a golden liquid.
After serving themselves, silence permeated the atmosphere as each of them got lost in their thoughts. On one side, Kayden had no idea what was going to happen, but he knew it would define his future, while Yan hadn’t expected to encounter Kayden in this life.
"Thanks to your contribution, I was able to reach divinity. In all my years of life, you were the one who helped me the most in recovering my soulmate. My debt to you is eternal," Yan said, looking deeply into Kayden’s eyes.
The gratitude and debt Yan spoke of were clear to Kayden when he looked into the god’s eyes. They were pure and reflected exactly what he was saying. Kayden was surprised, but he thought it might be something like that.
"Do you want the resources to become a god? Women? Riches? Half of this universe? Just ask, and it will be yours." Kayden was offered perhaps the greatest reward of his life.
For a few seconds, Kayden’s mind wandered through the vast possibilities, but it didn’t take long for him to make a decision. In the end, he was faithful to his principles, which allowed him to overcome mediocrity.
"I will spend some time on this planet. Just give me a seal of yours for free access to most things—just rooms and events. I’m not seeking resources..." Kayden began, but Yan interrupted him, already knowing Kayden well.
"You understand I am one of the greatest gods in this universe. Everything is at my feet, and you still ask for simple things?"
"Resources can only take me so far. I wasn’t born with great talent, sir. The strength I seek must be earned by my own hands."
Yan knew Kayden was special, but seeing a mere mortal remains unmoved when the universe was placed on a platter before him was something that would always surprise him.
"Is that all?" Yan’s gratitude compelled him to offer much more than Kayden was asking for.
"Offer your son to me as a disciple," Kayden said, a statement that took Yan a moment to respond to—a moment only a god would be able to notice.
"Why? What do you want with this? What are your qualifications? You are strong, but that’s all, you are not special, besides what happened all these years? Why are you still in the same kingdom?" This time the one who invited was Kayden.