"This place is unquestionably an illusion."

Daniel studied the enormous chessboard floating before him.

Its arrangement felt strangely familiar. The more closely he examined the two opposing sides, the more certain he became that the illusion had been created by the master of the Oracle Hall, the T9 Oracle-grade expert who stood at the peak of the institution.

The chessboard was probably a test.

The Tribulation-Ash faction and the faction of living beings were clearly separated. One represented decay and inevitable extinction. The other represented the fragile civilizations still struggling to survive.

"Is he testing how I would respond to the threat of tribulation-ash corruption?"

Daniel considered the current condition of the universe.

The source of the Great Dao was already declining. Tribulation-ash corruption was no longer a temporary disaster that could be eliminated by killing a few monsters. It had become the direction of the age itself.

Changing emperors would not stop that process.

No matter who inherited the throne, the universe would continue decaying. Its lifespan was nearing the end. The true concern of the highest-level experts was no longer merely who would rule the Eternal Empire, but whether any life would remain to be ruled.

Daniel’s thoughts grew clearer.

The Eternal Emperor possessed only a small chance of surviving the coming tribulation. If he failed, nothing would prevent the continuing spread of tribulation ash. The next emperor’s first and greatest responsibility would be to lead the universe’s living beings toward a path of survival.

The chessboard asked how that path should be found.

It was formed from a law-based Sacred Art. There were no written rules and no need to calculate ordinary moves. Daniel only needed to immerse his consciousness in the board, and the problem would reveal itself.

He extended his Divine Sense.

The illusion changed instantly.

Endless Tribulation-Ash Monsters appeared before him. They covered the horizon like a final catastrophe, destroying worlds and converting every living creature they encountered. The lands behind them were gray, silent, and filled with the scent of decay.

The region around Daniel remained green and vibrant, overflowing with spiritual energy. Yet its survival was temporary. The ash tide continued approaching, and every possible defense seemed destined to fail.

What move could save the living side?

Daniel withdrew his consciousness.

A cold smile appeared on his face.

"Why should I solve the game according to its assumptions?"

The black Divine Spear materialized beside him. Law power erupted throughout the illusion.

"Shatter."

Daniel seized the spear and struck the chessboard with all his strength.

"If the universe is destined to die, then abandon it. There is no reason to remain trapped by the question of how life can survive inside a world that cannot be saved."

The spear descended.

"Leave this universe. Find another plane, another cosmos, or another home. Instead of sacrificing everyone to preserve a dying shell, take those willing to depart and begin again elsewhere."

Boom!

The chessboard exploded beneath the Divine Spear. Transparent fragments scattered across the sky and dissolved into law light. The entire structure was destroyed so completely that it could not restore itself.

Space rotated around Daniel.

When his vision stabilized, he had returned to the Oracle Hall.

A distant, ethereal voice sounded in his ears.

"Friend, would you be willing to meet me?"

The voice carried deep exhaustion and the weight of countless years.

"Yes," Daniel answered.

A terrifying law enveloped him. His body disappeared from the hall before the surrounding space had time to tremble.

He reappeared inside a quiet residence located in a remote plane.

A lush tree stood in the courtyard. Beneath it sat a white-haired old man. A carved stone table separated two seats, and two cups of hot tea released thin streams of steam.

The old man faced away from Daniel.

"You have traveled far, friend. Please sit and rest."

Daniel approached without hesitation and took the empty seat.

Only then did he see the old man’s face clearly.

The elder had white brows and a long white beard. His expression was gentle, almost grandfatherly, but the aura within his body was vast beyond measure. He was a T9 Oracle-grade powerhouse who had already reached the peak of the tier. Only a single step separated him from an even greater realm.

At the same time, the tribulation-ash corruption surrounding him was terrifyingly dense.

Daniel instinctively frowned and held his breath. It did little good. The decaying aura affected Divine Sense directly and did not require physical inhalation.

"Drink the tea," the elder said, gesturing toward the cup.

Daniel considered the offer for a moment, then lifted the cup and took a sip.

Information exploded inside his mind.

In only an instant, he obtained a complete Sacred Art.

He examined it with Divine Sense and was genuinely surprised by its grade.

[Sacred Seal]

[Grade]: High Divine-grade

[Type]: All-Purpose

[Restriction]: Divine-grade or above

[Effects]:

In its ordinary form, the Sacred Seal may mobilize all Strength contained within the user’s sage-rank domain through a unified Sacred Art. In its Oracle-grade form, the divided seals may perfectly release one hundred percent of the user’s available Strength through this Sacred Art.

[Description]: A supreme integration of multiple Sacred Arts. Extremely rare.

Daniel had received a top-tier Sacred Art by drinking a single mouthful of tea.

From the nature of the technique, he suspected the old man had created or modified it specifically for him. Daniel did not reject such generosity, nor did he waste time asking why the gift had been offered.

"Thank you, Senior."

The elder studied him for a long moment.

"I once considered the same solution you chose," he said. "I thought about abandoning this universe and searching for a new home."

His eyes became distant.

"At that time, tribulation-ash corruption was far less severe. Many forces opposed the idea of leaving. They believed the universe could still be saved, or they refused to surrender the territories, authority, and history they possessed here."

The old man sighed.

"Even now, when destruction is so close, many powers continue to resist evacuation. Until they see the final collapse with their own eyes, they will not willingly leave."

He looked directly at Daniel.

"Do you have a method for dealing with them?"

Daniel smiled. A fierce light appeared in his eyes.

"Those who insist upon remaining may remain. We will take the people willing to leave. When existence itself is at stake, even splitting the entire empire is acceptable."

The elder’s gaze changed.

Daniel had not offered compromise, persuasion, or endless delay.

He had offered a decision.