Chapter 417: Meeting Rudra
He had a completely different personality. His name was Arthur, a young genius of this generation who, being among the youngest except Prince Michael here, has reached the Half-god realm.
Where Rudra cloaked his brilliance beneath layers of charm and subtlety, Arthur carried his like a banner. His face was strikingly handsome, almost storybook-like, the kind of appearance that drew eyes naturally. But more than his looks, it was his demeanour that made him stand out.
Arthur brimmed with confidence and pride, his every movement declaring his strength. Unlike Rudra, who sought to remain unnoticed, Arthur thrived in the spotlight, showing off his strength.
Although his personality is a bit of a show-off, his talent was undeniable. Because his cultivation was not just fast, his understanding of laws wasn’t behind. He not only understood the law of Thunder, but he also knew space law just like him.
Apollo couldn’t help feeling interested, as he didn’t meet many warriors who understand space law. Not to mention Arthur’s understanding wasn’t shallow; he reached 90% in space law, so even void gods cannot do anything to him.
He couldn’t help but wonder how he does that, as it isn’t easy to reach such a level in higher laws like space.
Focusing, he extended his spiritual strength, probing with great care. Arthur’s proud expression and radiant confidence remained unchanged, but as Apollo examined him closer, he finally saw it.
And the discovery made even him pause.
The reason Arthur’s space law comprehension was so terrifying wasn’t luck, nor some random opportunity. It was because of a one-in-a-billion special physique with affinity to the space element itself. His very body was born to resonate with space, allowing him to reach a height that most could only dream of.
"Tch, he really has an extraordinary talent to boast about it." He murmured, looking at him. ’A special physique, not to mention a space-orientated physique, that might not come in tens or hundreds of thousands of years.
Arthur might be prideful, even reckless, but his talent was undeniable. With proper guidance and the right opportunities, he would rise quickly—stepping into the Void God realm and perhaps even reaching the level of a True God.
And once he did, his mastery of space would make him an incomparable weapon and shield alike. Whether for saving, retreat, or overwhelming battle, space law was among the greatest of tools.
’With someone like him in the Immortal Order’, Apollo thought, ’our strength would leap forward by decades. He would be a cornerstone—whether he realises it or not.’
But the problem is how to approach this guy; he cannot just kidnap him, forcing him to work for him. He cannot use this kind of thing, as doing that might push him to the opposite side.
But still he can approach him with a hard approach; otherwise, with his pride and cockiness, he wouldn’t listen to him.
Around them, the hall continued to hum with chatter, geniuses mingling and boasting, and the three princes moving like celestial bodies that drew others into their orbit. Apollo, however, remained still, silent, his sharp eyes watching.
Time slipped by, and slowly, the gathering began to break apart. One by one, the young talents excused themselves, leaving the glittering palace halls behind. The moment the crowd thinned and the princes were distracted elsewhere, Apollo’s aura shifted.
It was time.
His gaze locked on Rudra and Arthur—the merchant in the shadows and the proud hero of space. One veiled his strength; the other flaunted it without restraint. Both exactly what the Immortal Order needed.
He was first going to find Rudra, as he was easier to talk to and hopefully didn’t need much effort.
Apollo slipped out of the palace with the crowd, his steps unhurried.
He waited until Rudra broke away from the others, heading down a quieter street lined with lanterns. The lively noise of the gathering faded, replaced by the soft murmur of the night wind.
That was when Apollo moved.
Rudra felt it almost instantly—a presence closing in behind him, calm yet heavy, like a hand pressing lightly on his shoulder without touching him. His steps faltered, and he turned, but his sunny smile was already in place.
"Oh? To think someone like you would follow me." Rudra’s tone was light, but his eyes sharpened for an instant. He had seen Apollo when he met with the prince alone, which already proved he wasn’t an ordinary person. But he still maintained his calm. "Do you also want to buy something, or... are you here to sell?"
Apollo’s expression remained unreadable. "Neither. I came to talk. About you—and about an opportunity."
Rudra tilted his head, that ever-present smile tugging at his lips. "An opportunity, you say? Those words sound heavy and not something that can be given easily, not to mention given by a mysterious person like you."
"You’ll forgive me if I’m cautious—men like you rarely speak without purpose."
Apollo didn’t reply immediately.
His gaze was steady; his silence seemed to be more nerve-racking than any words. It was enough to make Rudra slightly anxious, though his smile never faltered.
Finally, Apollo spoke, voice calm, unhurried. "You hide your strength well. To most geniuses in the hall, you were just another clever merchant’s son, hoping to cling to their power. But I can see through you. A peak half-god with a foundation strong enough to challenge Void Gods... You’re wasting your time pretending to be weak."
Rudra’s eyes narrowed for just a fraction of a second, though his laugh came quickly after. It seems the mysterious person is more extraordinary than he thought, as he even managed to fool one of the ancestors of the Sacred Light Empire but wasn’t able to hide in front of him.
"Heh... So you saw through me. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Still, you’re not exactly subtle either. Watching me all night, then following me here. If this were an assassination, you’d be poor at hiding intent."
Apollo’s lips curved faintly, though his eyes remained cold. "If I intended to kill you, you wouldn’t have known how you died."