The old man nodded slowly after hearing Daniel’s answer.

He had clearly considered the same ruthless solution before, but too many concerns had restrained him. He carried the weight of the Oracle Hall, the Eternal Empire, and countless factions that would accuse him of betrayal if he openly suggested abandoning the universe. In that respect, he was far less decisive than Daniel.

"You possess the bearing of a true sovereign," the elder said. "If you were an imperial prince, the others would have no chance of competing with you."

Daniel answered without hesitation.

"Prince Dorek is no less capable than I am. He possesses the qualities of an enlightened ruler and is worth supporting."

He deliberately redirected the conversation toward Dorek. The old man had tried to conceal his identity, but Daniel was almost certain that he was the master of the Oracle Hall and the strongest expert within it.

A statement from this man could influence the entire institution’s position in the succession struggle.

The elder did not answer Daniel’s implied question directly.

"What do you think of Prince Lucian?"

He returned the question with practiced ease, asking Daniel to reveal his judgment first. The choice itself showed that the elder leaned, at least slightly, toward Lucian.

Daniel smiled coldly.

"Prince Lucian is certainly impressive. However..."

"However what?" the elder asked.

"He failed to choose me as his chief minister," Daniel replied. "Therefore, he will lose the succession struggle."

The elder raised an eyebrow. Even with his calm temperament, he found the claim arrogant.

"Would you say the same if the Oracle Hall gave Prince Lucian its full support?"

Daniel shook his head.

"The result would remain unchanged. The Oracle Hall’s support cannot determine the final outcome by itself."

He rested one hand on the stone table.

"The simplest factor is the Eternal Emperor’s attitude, yet that attitude is also the most difficult to understand. Sometimes the greatest advantage becomes the greatest weakness. If the Emperor truly approves of Lucian, then Lucian can inherit the throne even without the Oracle Hall. If the Emperor does not approve of him, the support of every expert in this institution will still fail to change the result."

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Daniel’s mouth.

"Besides, if you had already decided to support Lucian with all your strength, you would not have invited me here."

The elder’s intentions had been exposed completely.

He looked at Daniel for a long time and finally sighed.

"Prince Dorek’s ability to obtain your assistance is indeed an extraordinary opportunity. With you beside him, he will certainly become one of the strongest candidates for the next imperial throne."

Then the elder smiled.

"As for Prince Lucian, I can promise only this: most experts of the Oracle Hall will remain observers. They will not personally enter the succession struggle on his behalf."

Daniel’s eyes brightened.

The statement represented far more than personal neutrality. As master of the Oracle Hall, the old man had revealed the position he intended to impose upon the institution.

Most of Lucian’s apparent foundations came from his years of cultivation inside the hall. If its Oracle-grade experts were forbidden from openly supporting him, the resources he could mobilize would fall close to zero. He would be left with only the personal relationships he had accumulated during his time there.

With a single promise, the prince who had appeared to possess the greatest institutional advantage became one of the weakest competitors.

Daniel’s journey had produced an enormous return.

He rose from his seat.

"On Prince Dorek’s behalf, I thank you, Senior."

The master of the Oracle Hall smiled bitterly.

"Compared with the destruction facing this universe, a struggle for political power is insignificant. I ask only that if Dorek becomes the next Eternal Emperor, you remember the purpose discussed here and help us escape the coming extinction."

Daniel nodded.

"Naturally. When that day arrives, I will remind Dorek of the crisis and ensure that he understands what must be done."

His figure disappeared from the secluded plane.

Daniel left as suddenly as he had arrived. Apart from a small number of powerful observers, no one knew what he had obtained during his visit to the Oracle Hall.

After returning to the outer region of the secret realm, he drew in a deep breath.

"This trip was more profitable than expected. I obtained a top-tier Sacred Art and removed the Oracle Hall as an active force supporting Lucian. Dorek’s path has become much smoother."

Daniel activated the Inspector Token and returned directly to the Imperial City. From there, he made his way back toward Dorek’s residence.

At the same time, Prince Lucian received a new order from the master of the Oracle Hall.

Unless an urgent institutional matter required otherwise, Oracle-grade experts belonging to the hall were forbidden from leaving and interfering in external affairs.

Lucian was stunned.

Daniel had entered the Oracle Hall only a short time earlier, yet the master had already issued a command that effectively cut Lucian off from his greatest source of support. No one knew what understanding the two had reached, but the political result was disastrous for him.

Obtaining the hall’s full support had become almost impossible.

Lucian turned anxiously toward the masked expert beside him.

"Teacher Luen, what should we do? Daniel must have said something to the hall master. I have lost my greatest advantage and may now be the weakest prince remaining in the succession struggle."

Luen showed no panic.

"There is no need to rush. We still possess many options. Your greatest advantage has never been the Oracle Hall. It is your own cultivation."

He looked steadily at Lucian.

"If you successfully break through to Oracle-grade, none of the other princes can compare with you personally. You have already reached the peak of Divine-grade. The final step should not be difficult."

Luen continued in a calm voice.

"Leave external affairs to me. Concentrate upon your breakthrough. Strength remains the most reliable foundation."

Lucian nodded.

"I understand. I will enter seclusion immediately and attempt to reach Oracle-grade."

Yet before he could fully withdraw from the political world, a far greater event shook the Imperial City.

The Eternal Emperor, the half-step Eternal ruler who had dominated the empire for countless years, was finally preparing to face his tribulation.

The succession struggle was no longer a distant contest.

Its final stage had begun.