Chapter 158: Before the Gate of Gods
The boundary of Universe One stood open.
Light twisted like liquid glass ahead of them, laws rotating in slow, oppressive cycles. Even standing near it strained the body. The air itself rejected mortals.
Shen took one step forward—
Then stopped.
"Sael."
Sael froze.
Lare turned sharply.
"…Why did you stop him?"
Shen did not answer.
Instead, he turned and looked at Sael—not with pressure, not with disappointment, but with calm clarity.
"Did you see him?" Shen asked.
Sael nodded slowly.
"He was a god."
"And you," Shen continued, his voice even, "could not resist him."
Silence fell.
The words were not harsh, yet they struck deeper than any blade.
"This is a god realm," Shen said.
"Universe One does not forgive weakness. With your current power… you would not
survive."
Sael's fists clenched.
He lowered his head.
"…I know."
For a moment, nothing moved. The soldiers behind them remained still, sensing the weight of the exchange.
Then—
"Lift your head."
Sael hesitated, then obeyed.
Shen was smiling.
Not mockery.
Not pity.
"You are already stronger than most martial masters."
Sael's eyes widened.
Shen continued, "But strength without direction stagnates."
He raised one finger.
"I will give you a quest."
The air sharpened.
"Find your brother."
Sael's breath caught.
"Defeat every martial master in the Southern Plains who supports the Arcanes."
Lare's eyes widened slightly.
"Do not injure normal Arcanes," Shen added calmly.
"Only those who stand with Arcane monsters."
Sael listened without blinking.
"And," Shen said, "support the martial masters who protect both humans and Arcanes."
The silence broke.
Sael dropped to one knee—not in despair, but resolve.
"…I will do it."
Shen laughed softly.
"Good."
Sael stood, eyes bright, unburdened.
"…Then this is not goodbye," he said.
Shen smirked.
"Of course not."
He turned back toward the gate.
Pausing, he spoke lightly—
"Do you think I'm going to die?"
Then his expression changed.
The smile faded.
What remained was confidence—pure, unmoving.
"I will return."
He stepped forward.
Light swallowed him.
The pressure vanished.
Universe One closed behind his form.
Sael dropped fully to his knees.
The knights followed.
Not out of fear—
But faith.
Lare stared at the sealed space, whispering,
"…You're really going to walk among gods."
Far away, within Universe One—
Ancient beings shifted.
The Sword of Infinity had crossed the boundary.
And the realm had begun to respond.