"The stronger your transcendent ability, the more powerful you will be, and it will be easier to become a true sovereign." she said with a serious expression, as he seems to have deep regret about it.
Her hand tightened slightly, as if she were grasping at something long lost. "I speak from experience. In my previous life, though I reached the peak, my Transcendent Ability was flawed. It was powerful… but not enough. That single imperfection stopped me from ever breaking through to Sovereign."
She looked at Apollo directly, her expression firm despite the faint sorrow in her tone. "Do not repeat my mistake. When the time comes, choose your path carefully. Do not rush it. A sovereign is not created by strength alone, but by perfection."
Apollo nodded and understood her words and could guess her strength would be terrifying and be just below sovereign, a supreme peak.
It means she is definitely an unparalleled powerhouse, as, except for the time when he went to the past, he never heard of any sovereign or even supreme.
If his sister had truly reached that level, then she was not merely extraordinary—she was an unparalleled powerhouse of her time. Supremes were beings who could probably be counted on one hand across the vast universe, and Sovereigns were rarer still, almost myth.
Apollo's eyes narrowed slightly, a quiet determination burning within them. It seems it wouldn't be easy for him to surpass her, but he believed he could eventually do it. He never once doubted himself. For others it might appear he was prideful or cocky, but it wasn't that; it was belief that stems from deep within his heart and mind.
"Sister, what was your title in your previous life?" he asked, feeling a bit curious. And can know more about her through Sky Tower's information.
Astraea's steps slowed. For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, a faint, almost wistful smile curved her lips.
"Titles… they are both masks and chains," she murmured. "In the ninth epoch, the universe called me by many names. But the one most remembered was—" she paused, her eyes reflecting the distant stars—"the Celestial Empress."
Her voice was calm, yet it carried a weight that seemed to reverberate with ancient echoes, as though the name itself held power.
They then talked more about the current situation of Rion, and for security, she also seems to send guards for the Fletcher family, as the massive change was taking place all over Rion.
He stayed at the Fletcher estate for two days while the outside world was changing. The other geniuses he selected from the northern continent already seemed to have started to form their group and gather other subordinates.
But Apollo was not idle either. Even as he stayed with his family, his thoughts stretched outward. The Eastern Continent was also stirring; in the last decade, countless geniuses had risen like stars in the night sky, some suddenly emerging after Rion's changes awakened hidden bloodlines or ancient inheritances.
He had begun quietly investigating them, searching for talents worth bringing into the fold of the Immortal Order.
After enjoying the time with his family, he silently left the Fletcher castle and came to the capital of the Sacred Light Empire and the stronger empire of the eastern continent.
The capital stretched vast before him, its streets filled with bustling merchants, richly dressed nobles, and guards in shining armour. He walked through it like an ordinary tourist, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze drifting over grand spires, ancient monuments, and the vibrant life of the people.
On the surface, the city radiated stability—no signs of the turmoil that was spreading across Rion.
Yet he knew better. This calm was but a façade, a thin veil stretched over deep waters. Beneath the order and splendour, great powers were already stirring, waiting for the right moment to bare their fangs. For now, the capital remained peaceful… But it was only the silence before the storm.
He looked at Capital and thought about the Sacred Light empire, which has a very ancient history. It wasn't like the five-element empire in the west that was established a few tens of thousands of years ago.
Making him think that it might have some secret, not to mention the power the prince used was the power of angels, which is a terrifying ancient race and is almost disappeared in the universe.
A race that had all but vanished, leaving behind only myths, fragments of scripture, and broken inheritances.
And yet here, in this empire, traces of their power still remained. The implication was undeniable: the Sacred Light Empire must have some connection with the angels. Perhaps they had even originated from Rion itself, making this world not only the cradle of countless geniuses but possibly the very birthplace of the angelic race.
With such a history, and with their roots buried so deeply in the ancient past, it was no wonder the empire's capital could maintain calm where the rest of Rion was spiralling into chaos. Here, at the heart of their power, the Sacred Light Empire gathered its full strength, and for now at least, the capital stood unshaken—like a bastion of light.