(Meanwhile, Inside An Emergency Virtual Meeting)

While the rest of the universe descended into fear and uncertainty, the three surviving Great Clan Gods gathered inside a secured virtual chamber to discuss the fallout of Kaelith and Ru Vassa’s deaths.

For several long moments, nobody spoke.

Because despite witnessing the broadcast personally, their minds still struggled to process the reality before them.

It was not merely the fact that the Cult managed to kill two Gods simultaneously that horrified them.

It was how easily Leo killed Ru Vassa.

That single horrifying sequence replayed endlessly inside their minds, as none of them could forget the speed of his movement, the precision of his attack, or the complete lack of resistance Ru Vassa showed before losing her head.

As the way she had died was completely unlike a God, and more like a helpless mortal.

And that detail terrified them more than almost anything else.

"It–It’s like watching the Timeless Assassin slay the beast gods all over again....

How is he so strong when he’s only a Demi God?"

Mu Shen questioned, as watching Leo fight reminded him of the Timeless Assassin.

However, while Leo’s fighting style shocked him, what truly shook him to his core was the Origin Weapon resting in Leo’s hand during the broadcast.

Because Leo was holding the Grudgekeeper Dagger....

While Kaelith dying meant that he now also had access to the Timeless Assassin’s old blades, meaning that he now had multiple origin metal weapons in his possession!

As that realization alone changed the nature of every future battle they could possibly fight against him.

"What exactly do we even do now?"

Mu Shen finally muttered quietly, as tension filled his expression while his fingers tightened against the armrest of his virtual throne.

"Do we actually fight him?"

Lu Han turned toward him with disbelief written plainly across his face.

"Fight him?" he questioned sharply, as though Mu Shen had just suggested they willingly jump into a star.

"Have you completely lost your mind?"

His expression darkened while the image of Ru Vassa’s death flashed through his thoughts once more.

"You saw what he did to Ru Vassa. That was not a normal exchange between equal fighters, Mu Shen. That was an execution."

Lu Han leaned forward slightly, his voice carrying fear that he did not bother hiding anymore.

"If you want to challenge that monster yourself, then go ahead, but do not expect me to throw my life away alongside yours just because pride demands it."

Mu Shen clenched his jaw hearing that response, as humiliation and fear warred across his face.

"So what do you suggest we do?" Mu Shen asked coldly. "Sit inside our palaces and wait until his armies arrive at our gates one by one?"

He questioned, as Du Trask, who had been silent until that point, finally opened his mouth with visible unease.

"He is right about one thing," Du Trask said slowly, as both Gods turned toward him.

"We cannot simply pretend this problem will disappear if we ignore it long enough."

His fingers tapped restlessly against the armrest.

"You both heard what Leo said during the broadcast. He has no intention of stopping anymore."

Du Trask’s voice grew heavier with every word.

"Kaelith and Ru Vassa are dead, Yu Kiro is missing and almost certainly gone, while the Cult now possesses multiple Demi Gods, Origin Weapons, and a leader capable of killing Gods directly."

He looked between Mu Shen and Lu Han with a grave expression.

"It doesn’t matter whether we remain united or divided anymore, because the three of us are sure as hell not going to be able to slow down that monster....

Which means, we don’t have much options left."

Du Trask said, as Lu Han’s eyes narrowed in response.

"So what are you suggesting? That we disband and go our separate ways? Do you think that’s smart considering the fact that he will only grow stronger on his road to becoming a God?"

Lu Han asked, as Du Trask shrugged his shoulders in response.

"I’m with Lu Han here.... I think banding together and slowly resisting the Cult expansion might be our only option here.

Because, I can’t imagine standing up to him individually...."

Mu Shen added, as Lu Han let out a cold laugh.

"What can we even do against him individually?" he repeated. "He killed Kaelith as a Demi God. What do you think happens if he becomes a God?"

That single question silenced the chamber completely.

Because all three of them understood the implication immediately.

If Leo Skyshard was already capable of killing Gods before ascending fully, then once he crossed that final threshold, the remaining Great Clan Gods might not even qualify as opponents anymore.

Du Trask lowered his gaze slightly.

"We need another path," he said quietly. "A direct battle may no longer be something we can win."

Mu Shen looked toward him sharply.

"What path?" he demanded. "Mauriss? Moltherak? Some ancient hidden force we have ignored for thousands of years? Tell me, Du Trask, who exactly do you plan to ask for help when the entire universe just watched our strongest pillar fall?"

Du Trask did not answer immediately.

Because there was no easy answer anymore.

For thousands of years, the Great Clan Gods had stood at the peak of the universe believing that time itself favored them.

They had survived wars, betrayals, rebellions, prophecies, and countless generations of enemies rising only to die beneath their rule.

But now, for the first time since ascending into Godhood, the three of them felt the ground beneath their feet collapsing.

The universe they ruled was no longer stable.

The fear they inspired was fading.

And somewhere beyond the safety of their virtual chamber, Leo Skyshard had just declared war on everything they owned.

As for the first time in thousands of years, the remaining Great Clan Gods genuinely felt helpless.

As the only choice they could see was to surrender and become vassals.

Or perish.