I alone am the Honoured One!

*tap* Zhao Tian, Artoria Evelyne, Zarek Talon and Sorion Kalen were walking through the space of the ark.

As they walked, the ambient lights of the ark illuminated their path, casting a warm glow on their faces

Zhao Tian's blue eyes wandered around in amusement looking at the interior of the futuristic ark and Artoria Eveylne found it cute seeing his curious eyes.

Leaning to him, she uttered in a low voice "Are you curious about this ark?"

Zhao Tian glanced at her and nodded his head "Yeah..."

With a smile, Artoria Evelyne replied "Well, it is nothing much... they run on High astral stone in the main chamber and the astral energy is the power source."

"Ebon Luohe star ranks top among other High Stars in futuristic technologies like this... even better than Elven Star."

Upon hearing this, Zarek Talon raised his chest proudly and turned his head to look at Zhao Tian with a smile on his face.

Artoria Evelyne continued "But in terms of creating powerful artifacts... no one can best Elven Star."

=-= Zarek Talon smile dimmed but he had to admit that what she said was true.

He again took a quick glimpse at Artoria Evelyne and let out a deep sigh in his heart.

The reason he is obeying her commands even though he is standing on the epitome of power in High Stars is simply because that woman is from... Astral Realm.

So he couldn't refuse her order when she asked them to go and capture a new star that had recently ascended.

Naturally, they were excited because a Star's ascension is so rare, that the number of stars known with that status can be counted with fingers.

She also informed them to meet 'Zhao Tian' of this new High star and offer peaceful negotiations with him.

And he also came with one of the biggest arks he had to show his dominance and frighten the people of this star a little...

However, they didn't expect the 'person' herself to give an appearance.

They soon reached a conference room and Zhao Tian's eyes were still glancing around in curiousness.

Zhao Tian took his seat around the digital table and took a moment to glance at the transparent screen integrated into the table, its sleek design reflecting the ambient light of the room.

'Woah...' He was fascinated to see the digital illustrations and reached out to check if its touchable.

As his finger grazed the table's upper surface, the image on the table moved showing another Earth-like planet.

*flick* In the next instant, it appeared like a hologram hovering above the table surface and he was totally impressed.

He reached out and gently moved his fingers and the hologram image levitating above the table also began to move.

Artoria Evelyne couldn't help but laugh in her heart glancing at Zhao Tian as he looked like a child who got a new toy and playing with it.

She carefully slid a chair across the floor to sit very close to him.

Zarek Talon took a seat opposite to Zhao Tian and Sorion Kalen stood behind him. ƹхрҽ-я&іε#пҫε$--

Zarek Talon didn't mind Zhao Tian playing with the star's database on the table but he was quite fascinated to see a powerful woman from the Astral realm glued to a man from High Star like this.

Maybe she got attracted to his handsome face?

Zhao Tian also realized that he got distracted by the hologram features and moved his eyes to Artoria Evelyne who was seated beside him.

'Eh? Why is she... being so close to me? I don't know who even is she... but she knows my name and that I am also a pervert.'

'And if Zarek Talon is lowering his head, she is most likely from... the Astral Realm.'

'But I know no one from there. Maybe.. she overheard when I introduced myself to Zarek Talon and that's how she knows my name?'

Shaking his thoughts, he then turned to Zarek Talon, who was seated opposite to him.

Zarek Talon glanced into his eyes and started to speak "Mr.Zhao Tian, The ascension of your world has not gone unnoticed,"

"With such a leap in status comes both opportunity and danger. There are many in the cosmos who would see this star's newfound strength as a threat. It is in light of this that I have come to offer... a proposition."

With a nod, Zhao Tian asked "Let me hear them, Mr.Zarek Talon."

Sorion Kalen gripped his palm in anger because, since the beginning, Zhao Tian had not shown any respect to his Emperor but as his gaze swept over to the woman beside him, he sighed in his heart.

Zarek Talon also felt it strange being called by his name but looking at Artoria, he just... gave up.

'Whatever...'

He continued "My star, Ebon Luohe, has existed as a high star for millennia. We have faced the trials and tribulations that come with such power, and we have emerged stronger for it."

"But we understand that a newly ascended star, such as your star, is vulnerable. Without the proper guidance and protection, it could easily fall prey to those who would exploit or destroy it."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "I offer your star a partnership. Under the banner of Ebon Luohe, your star would receive the protection and guidance it needs to thrive in this new position."

"In return, we would take a portion of your star's resources—minerals, energy, and other assets that are abundant here but rare in the universe. In exchange, we would bring to your star the advancements of Ebon Luohe: technology, knowledge, and power far beyond anything you could imagine."

"You speak of protection," Zhao Tian said slowly, his eyes locked on Zarek Talon's. "Yet you also speak of taking our resources."

"How can we be certain that this partnership will not simply reduce Earth to a vassal state, drained of its lifeblood for the benefit of another?"

Zarek's smile widened slightly, as if he had anticipated the question and as he was about to speak, a loud voice echoed through the ark.

"Father!!!"

Eh?

Zarek Talon's face darkened upon hearing the scream and Sorion Kalen, who was beside him spoke "Seems like the Young lady has woken up from her slumber, Your Highness."

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!