For the first time in his long, immortal life, he had stumbled upon something that absolutely shouldn't exist. And he was totally at a loss about how to handle it.
Camila closed her book. "Well," she said with a thoughtful look, "that was something."
Athena was still holding onto Satoshi's arm, looking a bit shaken. Amelia had a cheeky grin plastered on her face. Liam just let out a long sigh. "Let's not do that again," he said, clearly annoyed.
Satoshi chuckled. "I dunno, I thought it was kinda fun."
Just like that, the Higher Realms would soon find out that something unnatural had come into being. Something that shouldn't even be possible. And before long, the envoys would arrive to check out what had stirred up the world.
The air was thick with tension. After a century, the righteous and demonic sects were standing next to each other, both too wary to shatter the fragile peace they had. It was a rare moment of unity because today—the gates of the Higher Realms swung open. The envoys were on their way.
The grand courtyard of the Supreme Sect seemed to stretch on forever, carved from sacred jade and buzzing with hidden energy. Thousands of cultivators, masters of Qi who had spent lifetimes honing their skills, waited in quiet anticipation.
The righteous sects wore flowing robes of gold and white, their auras radiating purity, their gazes sharp and focused. The demonic sects hung back in cloaks of black and crimson, dark and twisting the air around them, smelling faintly of blood and death. They were mortal enemies, yet today they stood united, both seeking recognition.
Then—the sky ripped open. A tear in reality appeared, and out of it came the envoys. They descended like deity figures, dressed in robes made from pure Qi, their eyes betraying nothing but contempt.
Their power was undeniable—overwhelming and suffocating. But then, Satoshi's grin faded a bit. Something felt off.
His Eyes of Wrath kicked in, peeling away the illusions of their grandeur. Underneath all that shine, he realized—they were weak. Not weak in the usual way, but definitely weak compared to him, compared to Rael, and even compared to Miguel.
Liam and the rest noticed too. Athena frowned and tightened her grip on Satoshi's sleeve. "They… aren't as strong as I thought they'd be."
Amelia's smirk broadened, her Eyes of Lust sparkling with mischief. "Seriously, they're weaker than the demons we've taken down."
Liam's golden Eyes of Pride flickered. "They're nothing," he said quietly, dismissing them. Nothing in comparison to the real threats lurking in the Dark Clans.
As the envoys stepped forward, their gazes swept over the crowd. In their cold, indifferent eyes, Satoshi saw no sign of recognition—no warriors, no equals, not even regular people. Just vermin.
Liam exhaled sharply, fists clenching at his sides. He looked at Mark. "Why do they look at you like that?"
Mark, finally breaking his silence, responded slowly. "…Because to them, we're not seen as human."
Liam's golden eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
Mark didn't back down. "To them, we're just lower life forms."
Liam felt something cold settle in his chest. "…Then why do people want to go with them?"
Mark's expression was neutral, almost unreadable. "Because cultivators don't seek equality."
His voice was quiet, but it carried through the audience. "They're after one thing."
A hush fell over them.
"Unlike mortals, cultivators only care about one thing: living forever."
He turned back to the envoys, bitterness lacing his voice. "They don't care if they're treated like insects. They don't care if they're enslaved or reduced to mere tools for the stronger beings up above."
Mark's hands balled into fists. "They'd rather be a servant among the gods than a king among the dirt."
Liam clenched his jaw. Athena looked a bit sick. Amelia scoffed, leaning back. "So this is it? Selling themselves for a shot at eternity?"
Mark didn't dispute it.
Satoshi let out a low chuckle, something dark in his tone that caught Mark's attention. "You find this funny?"
Satoshi's grin changed—sharper, edgier. "This whole thing," he mused, "is just a big joke, right?"
His Eyes of Wrath flickered
"You lot spend centuries fighting, building your power, ascending through blood and pain, just for a seat at someone else's table."
Mark stiffened.
Satoshi tilted his head.
"Tell me something, old man."
His grin widened.
"What happens when someone sits at the table—who doesn't need their permission?"
The wind stilled.
Mark's breath caught.
And above them, the envoys—who had not yet noticed them—finally turned their gaze toward Satoshi.
For the first time since their arrival—
They looked at someone without disdain.
They looked at someone—with unease.
Because the world had already bowed to Satoshi once.
And the heavens had begged him not to kneel.
And now—
The false gods of the Upper Realms had to wonder.
Had something come to the Lower Realms—
That even they could not control?
The courtyard was silent.
The envoys of the Higher Realms stood above them, their expressions unreadable, their presence vast and suffocating.
And then, with voices like thunder, they spoke.
"The rules are simple."
Ariella, a woman cloaked in celestial silver, stepped forward. Her voice rang through the vast sect grounds, commanding the attention of every cultivator present.
"Each sect will send three of their strongest fighters," she declared. "They will battle. Only three will survive."
She let the words hang in the air.
"The ones who live… will join us in the Upper Realms."
A wave of reactions rippled through the crowd.
The sects expected bloodshed.
They expected betrayal, alliances, and slaughter.
And they did not care.
Because this was the only way.
The only path to eternity.
But Satoshi stood still.
Not in awe.
Not in hesitation.
But in pure, undiluted rage.
His fingers curled into fists.
He slowly turned to Liam, Amelia, Athena, and Camila—his friends, his people.
There were five of them.
And these so-called gods wanted him to choose who would be left behind.
His Eyes of Wrath burned.
Satoshi stepped forward.
And the moment he did—the air itself grew tense.
The surrounding sect leaders and disciples—who had once been excited about the battle—froze.
Because even they could feel it.
Something deep was shifting.
Something wrong.
Satoshi's voice was light. Too light.
"Oi."
The envoys turned their gaze to him.
He lifted a single finger.
"There's five of us," he said, tilting his head. "You said we could only send three."
Ariella's golden eyes narrowed. "That is the rule."
Satoshi smiled.
It wasn't a kind smile.
"Well," he said, "I don't like that rule."
The crowd stiffened.
Ariella blinked. "Excuse me?"
Satoshi sighed dramatically. "It's just dumb, right? Why should I have to leave someone behind?"
He cracked his neck lazily.
"So let's make it easier."
His Eyes of Wrath glowed.
"How about this—if we beat you, all five of us go."
The entire courtyard froze.
Silence.
And then—laughter.
The envoys of the Upper Realms laughed.
It was not the laughter of amusement.
It was the laughter of disgust.
Ariella's expression twisted. "You dare?"
The cultivators stared at Satoshi as if he had lost his mind.
These were the envoys of heaven.
They had descended from the higher realms, beings so far beyond them that their very presence was a gift.
And yet—this fool had the audacity to challenge them?
Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Here we go again."
Amelia smirked, resting her chin on her palm. "It's about time."
Athena clutched Satoshi's sleeve. "Are you sure?"
Satoshi just grinned.
But Ariella was not amused.
"You dare use your lowly mouth to speak against us?" she hissed. "You, a creature from the dirt, think yourself worthy to challenge us?"
She took a step forward, divine energy pulsing from her being.
"We are the chosen of heaven. You are nothing."
Satoshi's grin widened.
His fingers twitched.
"Oh?"
Ariella's eyes burned.
"How dare you stand before us and—"
Satoshi cut her off.
"What's wrong?"
His voice was mocking, playful—but something in the air cracked.
He tilted his head.
"You aren't scared, are you?"
Ariella stilled.
And in that moment—something changed.
The other envoys, who had been watching with amusement, suddenly grew tense.
Because Satoshi's words were not just words.
They felt it.Something heavy.His voice didn't sound human.His presence didn't feel normal.And for the first time, they understood.The same thing the world had felt long ago.Why the sky broke.Why the ground shook.Satoshi wasn't made to kneel.And he never would.
Ariella's golden light flared. Her eyes lit up, glowing with power."Alright then," she said.Her voice was sharp. Cold."If you and your people want to defy heaven—then fine. You'll pay for it."She raised her hand."If you win, you go up. If you lose—"
The clouds twisted above them.The sky turned white. Pressure crushed the air."Heaven will erase you."
Satoshi blinked.Then grinned.His Eyes of Wrath lit up."Now we're talking."
The courtyard had changed.Cultivators who once dreamed of reaching heaven now felt fear sinking in.Because this wasn't how things were supposed to go.No one challenged the envoys.No one talked back to heaven.No one made the divine flinch.
But Satoshi—Satoshi was laughing.And the real fight had just started.
The battlefield was silent.The five top envoys from the Higher Realms stood ready.Their power bent the air.Their auras crushed the ground.
The people from the Lower Realm watched in shock.They had trained their whole lives for this moment.To see heaven's power.To watch the rulers of the world.
But something was off.
Satoshi, Liam, Camila, Amelia, and Athena didn't attack.They just stood there.And when the attacks came—They dodged.
Lightning flew at Satoshi—he yawned and stepped aside.A sword of light aimed at Amelia—she moved like it was nothing.A glowing spear shot at Liam—he just tilted his head.
Again and again, the envoys attacked.And again and again, they missed.
The five didn't fight back.They didn't even try.They just moved. Effortless. Calm.It wasn't even close.And the envoys knew it.They were outmatched.Way outmatched.
Satoshi let out a breath. "This is getting boring."Amelia stretched. "Thought heaven would be harder."Athena clung to his arm. "I could dodge this in my sleep."Camila kept reading her book.Liam closed his eyes. "What a waste of time."
The divine envoys—once proud, shining, unbeatable—were shaking.They'd come for a fight.But this wasn't a fight.This was humiliation.
And when the last blast of power faded—When the dust cleared—The five stood there.Not a scratch on them.And bored out of their minds.
Ariella's hands clenched.She hadn't seen this coming.But she couldn't do anything.Not now.Heaven was watching.She had made a deal.If she broke it, she'd pay.
She took a deep breath."Get ready," she said."You leave for the Higher Realms tomorrow."
The next morning, as the sky split open, Satoshi stood with Mark and the rest of the Supreme Sect.He scratched his head."Well. Guess this is it."
Mark, wise and steady, felt something he hadn't felt in years.Loss.
These five—whatever they really were—had flipped the world upside down.And now they were leaving.
Mark bowed."Thank you."
Satoshi smirked. "We're not done yet."
Liam stepped forward.He waved his hand—And the war ended.
Mark's eyes widened.The sky split again.Bodies fell from above.But they weren't dead.
They were the enemy.Motionless.Drained of all power.
Satoshi grinned.
Ariella and the other envoys touched down on a massive jade platform.It hung high above the clouds, overlooking an endless city made of light, stone, and power.Waiting for them—Hundreds of figures.
They wore flowing robes, halos behind their heads, their bodies glowing with divine energy.Just standing near them made the air heavier.These were the Lords of the Higher Realms.The rulers.The untouchable.The ones who shaped fate with a word.
One of them stepped forward.Tall. Cold. No smile.His voice echoed without echoing.
"You brought them?"
Ariella bowed. "Yes, my lord."
Satoshi and the others landed softly behind her.No announcement. No entrance. Just there.The divine figures turned.
Silence.
They expected power.They didn't expect this.Not this calm.Not this confidence.Not this lack of respect.
Satoshi looked up at the crowd of gods."Let me guess," he said. "You're the ones in charge?"
No one answered.
Liam stepped forward."Feels like everyone's pretending to be important."
Camila didn't even look up.Athena leaned on Satoshi.Amelia yawned.
Another lord, older, his face made of light and stone, frowned."They are untrained. Unworthy. They do not bow."
Satoshi tilted his head."Wasn't in the deal."
More silence.
Power pressed down from above.One of the lords raised a hand—just slightly.The air screamed.The clouds above cracked.The sky shook.
But the five didn't move.
Satoshi looked bored.Liam checked his nails.Athena blinked slowly.Camila turned a page in her book.Amelia cracked her neck.
And then—The pressure broke.
A ripple of force, sharp and invisible, snapped out in all directions.It wasn't from the gods.It was from them.
The Lords stepped back, eyes wide.They didn't know which of the five had done it.They only knew one thing.
They were scared.
A younger god, not yet afraid, pointed at them.
"You don't belong here!"
Satoshi smiled.
"Yeah," he said. "We know."
He stepped forward.
"You brought us here. You made the deal. You said if we beat your envoys, we could ascend."
He shrugged.
"Well. We're here."
Another lord spoke up, his voice wrapped in law and flame.
"You will be tested again. Judged. This is not over."
Amelia raised her hand. "Nah. That was the test. You just didn't think we'd pass."
Camila didn't speak.She didn't need to.
Time around the lords slowed—just for a second.Long enough for them to feel fear.
Athena's voice was quiet."But we're not here to fight."
Liam nodded."We're here to take your throne."
Dead silence.
Satoshi smiled like it was nothing.
"Let's make this quick."