Lance nodded in satisfaction. He immediately pulled up his status panel.

  [User Status Panel]

  Name: Lance

  Reconstruction Quota: 0/5

  Martial Rank: [Grandmaster - Rank 4]

  Soul Rank: [Grandmaster - Rank 2]

  CON: 130,000 (1 pt = 30,000kg strength)

  Soul: 20,000

  Profession: Array Master (5th-Rank Low-Grade, 0/3M, [Legendary])

  Mastery: Spear Arts (Master Peak, 900%), Movement (Master Peak, 900%)

  Traits: Undying God-Body (Eternal Rank, +500% DMG), Innate Law Body (Desolate Grade, 1M Multiplier), Nine Heavens Stellar Flame (Desolate Grade), Holy Light (SS-Rank), Dark Magic Flame (SSS-Rank)

  Techniques: Eternal Soul Protocol (Immortal Grade, Tier 6 Shatter, 64x), Heavenly Demon Blood Escape (Tier 10)

  Skills: Meteor Spear Art (Tier 6 Mid, 1000%), Solar Flare Blast (Tier 6 Peak, 1500%), Inferno Dragon Step (Tier 7 Mid, 1500%), Astral War Body (Tier 7 Mid, 1500%)

  Items: Black Slayer Set (Tier 7 Mid), Black Flame Spear (Tier 7 Mid), Star-Thunder Wings (Tier 8 Mid)

  Pet: Infernal Cerberus-Dragon (SSS-Rank, Tier 5, 1-Star)

  Baseline Power: Great Grandmaster (Rank 2)

  Peak Power: Great Grandmaster (Rank 7)

  His attributes had surged to terrifying new heights. Even his Soul Shatter limit had reached Tier 6, boosting his power multiplier to a staggering 64x. He noted the system's combat estimation with a slight start—his current strength allowed him to clash with a Great Grandmaster at Rank 7. This was a pleasant surprise.

  While his various multipliers combined for a theoretical increase of several hundred thousand times his base strength, high-tier Great Grandmasters also possessed manuals and skills that boosted their own power by dozens or even hundreds of times. When accounted for, Lance’s actual combat strength was several thousand times that of a standard Grandmaster. A thousand-fold difference usually marked the gap between major ranks; a several thousand-fold difference meant he could bridge a major rank and then some.

  His "Peak Power" reflected his strength when utilizing every tool in his arsenal, specifically the absolute limit of the Heavenly Demon Blood Escape.

  "Noir is already at Tier 5, 1-Star. With his SSS-Rank talent, he should eventually grow into a Rank 9 Void Beast—a creature comparable to a powerhouse of the Star Sea Realm. That’s not weak by any means. However, without a Reconstruction to break his limits, this is as far as he goes. Even with his Hyper-Evolution trait, it’s getting harder for him to keep pace with my growth."

  Lance frowned slightly as he considered the situation. To break the limits of an SSS-Rank beast like Noir required a full six Reconstruction Quotas, which meant Lance wouldn't be able to perform the procedure until he reached the Great Grandmaster rank himself. For the foreseeable future, Noir's growth would be stagnant compared to his own.

  "I'll have him stay with Lillian as a guardian. She’s still vulnerable, and I’d feel better knowing he's watching over her."

  The thought brought a smile to his face. He stood up and walked toward the door. As he stepped into the living room and surveyed the home where he had lived for over a decade, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. In this life, every memory he possessed had been forged within these walls.

  "Dad, Mom... I don't know if I traveled through time or was reborn, but one thing is certain: you died for me. No matter what it takes, I will find a way to bring you back. This universe is filled with beings capable of shattering worlds and ancient masters who can survive for a million years with just a remnant soul. I refuse to believe it’s impossible to revive two ordinary people."

  Resolve hardened in his eyes. A new goal had taken root in his heart.

  "Lance! You're finally out. There's a big sister here looking for you!"

  Lillian’s voice broke his reverie. The girl was already in the living room, surrounded by piles of bags and luggage, waiting for him. Selina was standing nearby, waiting quietly.

  "Selina? You're here?" Lance blinked and greeted her with a smile.

  "Lord Guardian is waiting for us. It’s time to depart," Selina said, her voice calm and characteristically cool.

  Lance didn't mind her icy demeanor.

  "Hey, Lance," Lillian said, pulling him into a corner and whispering with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Is this girl your new girlfriend?"

  Despite her attempt at secrecy, her voice was perfectly clear to anyone with a Rank 10 Gold Tier soul. Selina’s cold expression faltered, and a soft blush crept up her neck.

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  "Stop talking nonsense, or I’ll knock some sense into you," Lance said, rolling his eyes. If Lorraine heard that, he’d be in for a headache. He and Selina were just friends.

  "Oh, okay! Good. I wouldn't want Lorraine to be upset," Lillian giggled, completely unfazed by his threat.

  Her words caused a strange pang in Selina’s chest. Lorraine... so that’s the name of his girlfriend?

  For a reason she couldn't explain, Selina felt a trace of bitterness. She looked down at the bracelet on her wrist, her gaze turning vacant.

  "Hmph. The brat has a wandering heart," Sovereign Glacia’s voice fumed in her head. "If I had my strength back, I’d teach him a lesson he’d never forget."

  When they had parted the previous day, Lance had secretly shrunk the bell containing Glacia to the size of a fingernail, threaded it onto a cord, and given it to Selina as a gift. Selina had no idea her mentor was trapped inside the pendant; she assumed Glacia was still residing within her body as before.

  "It has nothing to do with me," Selina replied to her mentor, her voice regaining its composure. "Whether he has a girlfriend or not is none of my concern."

  "Exactly! Men only slow down our blade work," Glacia said, sounding delighted by her disciple’s focus. "Forget about him. Once we reach the Mother Planet, I’ll find a way to get you a Virtual Universe link so you can challenge the real geniuses of the cosmos. There are plenty of boys out there far superior to this kid."

  Glacia was practically preening, provided Lance kept his promise and released her today. To be honest, she was terrified of him. If she got sealed again, where would she hide her face as a Domain Lord Realm powerhouse?

  "Let’s go," Lance said, stepping forward. With a flick of his wrist, he swept all of Lillian’s luggage into his Subspace Ring.

  Lance suddenly remembered he had forgotten to repair the [Subspace Ring]’s [Exploits]. It looked like he’d have to wait until the next day for that.

  "Understood," Selina said with a curt nod, following closely behind Lance as they stepped out of the apartment.

  When they reached the street level, they found Lorraine and Duke Lucius already waiting for them.

  "Sister Lorraine, my brother and I are leaving now! You have to take good care of yourself!" Lillian shouted, running over to give Lorraine a final hug.

  "I will. And you make sure to train hard. Become a powerhouse so you can come back and protect me, alright?" Lorraine smiled, gently stroking Lillian’s head.

  "I will! I promise!" Lillian nodded vigorously.

  Lance stepped forward, his gaze meeting Duke Lucius’s. "Uncle Lucius, Lorraine... it’s time."

  "Take care of yourself, brat. And look after Lillian," Duke Lucius said, his voice heavy but steady.

  "Safe travels," Lorraine said, her eyes fixed on Lance, a hint of melancholy in her voice. "I’ll be waiting for you to come back."

  "I’ll be back as soon as I can. Uncle, we’re off!" Lance gave them a final smile and, without further hesitation, tapped his foot against the ground. He snatched Lillian up and shot into the sky like a rocket.

  Selina shared a brief, silent look with Lorraine before also erupting into the air, chasing after Lance’s trail.

  "That girl... she’s so young, and yet she’s already a [Grandmaster]?" Duke Lucius muttered, a look of concern crossing his face. "Good grief, I hope Lance doesn't have a change of heart out there."

  "So what if he does?" Lorraine smiled, still looking toward the fading streaks in the sky. "As long as Lance remembers me, it’s enough."

  She knew a genius like Lance would eventually attract girls far more exceptional than her. She didn't mind. All she cared about was that he would never truly abandon her.

  "Love truly does turn people into fools," Duke Lucius sighed. His daughter was exactly like her mother in that regard. "Lance... if you fail my daughter, I’ll... well, I suppose there’s not much I can do to you, is there?"

  Aboard the starship bound for [Ancient Earth], Lillian walked into Lance’s room.

  "Lance, you called for me?" she asked, her usual boisterous self.

  "I have something to give you," Lance said with a smile.

  "Ooh! What is it? Is it an [Exotic Fire] too?" Lillian’s eyes went wide as she darted over to him.

  "No. Where would I get that many fires?" Lance rolled his eyes. He still had two in his possession, but he needed those for himself for at least a few more days.

  "Oh..." Lillian’s face fell immediately. Lorraine got an [S-Rank] fire, and she got nothing? Clearly, her brother was a classic case of 'hoes before bros'—or in this case, sisters.

  "Don't give me that look. It’s a good thing—better than the fire I gave Lorraine!" Lance laughed.

  Lillian’s disappointment vanished in a heartbeat. "Wow! I knew you loved me most! What is it?" She practically lunged into his arms.

  "Alright, settle down. You’re too old for this. Here—this is an [SS-Rank Trait]: [Holy Light]."

  Lance reached into the air, and a sphere of blinding, crystalline light materialized in his palm.

  "An [SS-Rank Supernatural Trait]!? [Holy Light]!?" Lillian’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. That was something she had only ever seen in legendary accounts in her textbooks, never in real life.

  Vroom!

  Before she could process the shock, Lance pressed the sphere against her forehead. The [Holy Light] surged into her, rapidly coalescing within her [Consciousness Hub]. Ten minutes later, a massive sun-like orb of golden-white energy hung suspended in her mental space.

  Lillian instinctively gave a small wave of her hand.

  Vroom!

  A flash of brilliance instantly illuminated the room, so bright it was painful to look at.

  "Listen to me carefully," Lance said, his tone turning serious. "[Holy Light] has several output levels. The weakest is just basic 'Light Force,' which is a [B-Rank] trait. Use that for your daily tasks. If you’re pushed, you can use the [A-Rank] 'Illumination,' but avoid it if possible. As for the true [Holy Light]... never use it. If you do, you’ll be hunted by the other races—and probably human traitors as well."

  He wasn't strong enough to protect her from the entire universe yet. She had to stay low-key.

  "But what if someone tries to kill me? Can't I use it then?" Lillian asked, sensing the gravity of the situation.

  "No. Not until I’m strong enough to suppress the entire [Milky Way]. As for danger..." Lance reached into his tactical gi and pulled out a sleeping [Noir]. "Noir is yours now. He’ll be your personal pet and guardian."

  "Aww?"

  Noir woke up and immediately smelled an aura he absolutely detested. He opened his eyes and nearly had a heart attack. There was Lillian, glowing with the very light he hated most, standing right in front of him. He still remembered the last time Lance had let her play with him—she had tried to put him in little doll clothes. It was an insult to his dragon heritage.

  And now, the girl and the light had combined.

  "Awoo! Awoo!" Noir began to struggle frantically.

  "Hahaha! Noir, where do you think you're going? Lance gave you to me!" Lillian snatched him up before he could escape.

  Noir looked at Lance with a look of pure betrayal, as if asking: Master, why have you forsaken me?

  "I’ll find a better treat for you later, Noir. Just protect Lillian for now. I know it’s a tough gig, but I’ll make it up to you," Lance comforted him.

  Noir’s eyes went vacant with despair as Lillian lugged him away.

  "Now," Lance’s eyes flashed as he looked toward the far end of the ship, his gaze seemingly piercing through the bulkheads. "It’s time to deal with [Sovereign Glacia]."

  At the other end of the vessel, [Sovereign Glacia] felt his gaze and perked up. "The brat finally remembered me!"

  With a subtle pulse of her consciousness...

  Thud.

  Selina felt a wave of spiritual pressure and slumped onto the floor, unconscious.

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