"Your Highness, that is everything that happened after this subordinate encountered Prince Dorek today."

After finishing his report, the subordinate quickly withdrew.

"Dorek actually knows how to employ such methods?"

Kane’s features bore a slight resemblance to Dorek’s, but his eyes appeared far more sinister and vicious.

It had been Kane who secretly ordered several sage-rank assassins to hunt Dorek down.

He had intended to eliminate Dorek in one stroke and permanently remove a future threat.

Unexpectedly, Dorek had not only survived but escaped at the final moment and successfully returned to his princely residence.

Furthermore, according to the subordinate’s report, a mysterious expert had appeared and helped Dorek escape danger.

If that was true, then the mysterious expert capable of rescuing Dorek from the encirclement of several powerful enemies absolutely could not be underestimated.

"Teacher, I require your assistance."

Kane suddenly spoke toward the empty space before him.

The next moment, an astonishing scene unfolded.

Ripples suddenly appeared throughout the surrounding space.

As the fluctuations spread, a strange figure whose face was concealed beneath black mist materialized before him.

"Teacher, you must have heard what was said about that mysterious expert."

Kane drew in a deep breath, his expression becoming extremely gloomy.

"Do you believe that person possesses any similarities to you and your companions?"

"If he comes from the same place as you, I hope you can act and help me eliminate this problem."

The mysterious expert Kane called Teacher quietly listened to his request.

A playful smile then appeared on the man’s face.

"Prince Kane, may I ask whether I am your subordinate?"

Kane froze.

"Of course not. You and I—"

The mysterious expert interrupted him.

"Since I am not your subordinate, you should understand that our relationship is purely transactional."

"If you want us to provide assistance or answer your questions, you must pay the corresponding price."

"You have just asked me two questions."

"Therefore, you must first provide payment for both before I answer either of them."

Kane frowned upon hearing this response.

He was clearly becoming impatient, but he did not dare openly lose his temper.

After all, this Teacher possessed an extraordinary background.

When they first met, the man had bypassed layer after layer of guards and appeared directly before Kane.

He claimed that he could help Kane ascend the imperial throne and had genuinely assisted him in resolving numerous problems.

Only then did Kane realize that this so-called Teacher was anything but simple.

At the time, Kane had paid an enormous price before finally learning something about the man’s origins.

What he discovered had been astonishing.

This mysterious expert and his companions had all come from other universes and planes.

Even more shockingly, an enormous number of them had arrived.

There were tens or even hundreds of millions.

However, after entering this plane, they had all concealed themselves.

As for their specific locations, the Teacher refused to say anything more.

Furthermore, judging from Kane’s own observations, the true Ranks of these realm-crossing experts were far beyond Divine-grade.

Whenever they acted, opponents who were likewise restricted to Divine-grade were instantly killed.

Only Oracle-grade experts could possibly accomplish such a feat!

In other words, their true strength was highly likely to be at the legendary Oracle-grade.

From that point onward, Kane completely trusted these people and regarded them as his greatest source of support.

However, whenever he attempted to contact the Teacher or his companions, they always treated him with indifference.

As a result, Kane had never been able to learn much more about them.

What he did not know was that these mysterious experts—including his Teacher—had not merely come from other universes.

They did not even belong to the current era.

They were supreme Oracle-grade experts who had crossed over from various future timelines.

However, the laws of this world imposed extraordinarily powerful restrictions, directly suppressing all their cultivation to Divine-grade.

That did not mean they could display only ordinary Divine-grade combat strength.

Among those of the same Rank, it was nearly impossible for anyone to oppose them.

The only beings truly qualified to become their enemies were other realm-crossers like themselves.

At this moment, Kane understood the hidden meaning behind the mysterious man’s words.

His expression darkened further.

"Teacher, what exactly do you want?"

"Hadn’t we already reached an agreement?"

"As long as you work for me, I can grant you limitless wealth and glory."

"If I am fortunate enough to ascend the throne in the future, you will have rendered tremendous service in supporting the rightful ruler."

"You will share the empire’s glory and prosperity with me."

The mysterious man merely sneered.

How could he fail to recognize that the prince was spouting empty promises?

Kane constantly used such grand visions of the future to deceive and manipulate his subordinates.

But the mysterious expert and his companions came from the future.

They were all high-stage Oracle-grade powerhouses.

How could they possibly be fooled by such a contemptible trick?

He spoke in a deep voice.

"If you want us to act, then have the Holy See grant us sufficiently high official positions."

"As long as the ranks offered are high enough, we can consider helping you eliminate the mysterious expert beside Prince Dorek."

"Remember this clearly."

"What we want are tangible benefits, not meaningless promises."

"If you attempt to deceive us again, we will abandon you without hesitation and turn to another prince."

"You are not the only qualified heir."

"Besides you, there are still six other princes waiting for us to pledge our support."

Kane’s face turned ashen upon hearing such a blatant threat.

However, he could only suppress his anger and nod.

"Very well."

"But you must guarantee that you can eliminate the unusual expert beside Dorek!"

The mysterious expert replied indifferently,

"Watch your attitude."

"We are partners, not your subordinates."

Prince Kane’s expression stiffened.

The mysterious expert continued,

"I will be frank with you."

"Besides us, many other princes have also received assistance from beings like ourselves."

"However, most realm-crossers chose Prince Lucian or Prince Alvin rather than second-tier contenders such as you."

Just as Daniel had previously predicted, there were many powerful experts who had crossed over from different eras.

Nearly all of them were T8 or T9 high-stage Oracle-grade powerhouses.

They had likewise become involved in the storm surrounding the struggle for the throne.

Compared with Daniel, they had moved much faster.

The moment they arrived, they immediately gathered information about the backgrounds of the seven princes.

The overwhelming majority of Oracle-grade realm-crossers chose Prince Lucian or Prince Alvin without hesitation.

After all, regardless of how one examined the situation, those two princes possessed far greater strength and influence on the surface than any of the others.

By supporting one of them, the realm-crossers would have a much greater chance of acquiring supreme authority beneath only the Emperor himself.

Only Oracle-grade experts who lacked confidence in their own strength or political abilities would choose second-tier contenders such as Kane or Dorek.