’Their origins aren’t from this planet?’

Zhou Yuanjue’s eyes narrowed slightly. This was one of the boldest theories he had ever heard about the origin of the Celestial Demons. However, upon careful consideration, it didn’t seem entirely baseless.

Their life forms and biological structures were completely different from any other life on Earth. Indeed, they did not seem like beings that had evolved on Earth itself. Of course, one couldn’t rule out some special circumstances.

"Have you found evidence?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked Gleb.

"No, but the inherent characteristics of the Celestial Demons align with this theory. Furthermore, based on the information and intelligence we currently possess, it is the most likely possibility."

"According to our research, the Celestial Demons first appeared on Earth during the dawn of human civilization, approximately six to seven thousand years ago. Before that, no archaeological evidence shows any sign of their existence. If the Celestial Demons had arrived on Earth earlier, they should have left more indelible marks of their civilization."

"Before their arrival, the evolution of life and civilization on Earth had been very gradual, and the strength of individuals remained at a relatively low level."

"But ever since the Celestial Demons first left their mark on history, ushering in an era of their rule, the growth in individual power on Earth became more explosive than a cambrian explosion."

"Without any warning, a group of individuals with extremely formidable power suddenly emerged from among the human race—the so-called Ancient Heroes."

"We have reason to suspect that this change on Earth was likely due to a special self-preservation mechanism, like the collective stress response of a biosphere after being invaded by an alien species. It might be related to the disruption of a unique magnetic field covering Earth, caused by the arrival of the Celestial Demons."

"The special power possessed by the Ancient Heroes was a product of these unique circumstances. After the Celestial Demons were sealed on a massive scale by the Ancient Heroes, the development of individual power on Earth returned to an extremely low level. Almost no one has reached the heights of the Ancient Heroes since. This phenomenon also seems to corroborate our theory."

Gleb spoke slowly, and upon hearing his words, Zhou Yuanjue fell into deep thought.

"And even with the unconscious will of ’Earth’ as a driving force, the Ancient Heroes, who possessed power beyond human limits, failed to truly eliminate the Celestial Demons. Forget the twelve most powerful Celestial Demon Ancestors—they couldn’t even kill some of the direct blood descendants, who were protected by the immense power of their Primordial Ancestors. Their only option was to Seal them."

"In a sense, the Ancient Heroes failed."

"Or, to put it another way, Earth failed."

Gleb said faintly.

Earth failed.

Hearing Gleb’s unprecedented statement, Zhou Yuanjue’s expression flickered with surprise.

The man possessed far more intelligence and secrets than he had imagined.

"If our theory is correct, then the Ancient Heroes represent the absolute limit of what a living being on this planet can achieve. Moreover, the Celestial Demons are not ones to forget a lesson learned. In fact, with their current power, they could have long ago begun a large-scale search to open the Sealing Realm Images."

"However, they haven’t done so. They’ve changed their strategy and are now using a more surefire method."

"That is, to completely integrate into this world, no longer affected by that mysterious magnetic field. And this, perhaps, is exactly what Earth wishes to see."

"There is no pointless favoritism, only the cold law of the jungle. Faced with a superior species, humanity seems to have only two paths: assimilation or extinction."

"And this is the root of the fundamental disagreement among the higher-ups. Do we accept reality and go with the flow, preserving our right to exist in exchange for greater benefits? Or do we resist to the very end to protect our purity and the dignity of our race?"

"Now you should understand the kind of decision that we—and they—must make, don’t you? Do you think that without any help, we can defeat an existence that the entire planet couldn’t vanquish, and completely annihilate them?"

Gleb asked Zhou Yuanjue.

"Why not? We’ve already conquered this planet, haven’t we?"

"We conquered darkness and obtained light. We conquered the land, the sea, and the sky. We broke free from the bonds of gravity and reached for the cosmos. We have already conquered so, so much."

"This is true for technology, and it is true for the Martial Dao. By relying on the power granted by Earth and nature, we can never escape the limitations of the granter itself. But if we rely on ourselves, we can have hope for transcendence."

As Zhou Yuanjue spoke, he lifted his head to gaze at the vast, endless sky. A soul-shaking aura began to emanate from him as he declared with absolute certainty:

"One day, I will not only conquer the earth beneath my feet, but I will also transcend the starry sky above my head."

Hearing Zhou Yuanjue’s words and gazing at the young man before them—one whose very soul seemed to have transcended the cosmos—shock flared in the eyes of the Four Pillars.

’To conquer the earth and the starry sky with a mere mortal body.’

If anyone else had said those words, the Four Pillars would have dismissed them as arrogant boasts and a joke. But coming from Zhou Yuanjue’s lips, they felt like a promise one could believe in.

Some people’s very existence is a miracle in itself, a synonym for trust.

It was as if he was born to transcend everything in this world.

"You know, sometimes I even suspected that you, like the Ancient Heroes, were a being brought into existence by some will of nature. But now, I’ve changed my mind."

"Not even the will of nature could give rise to someone like you."

Gleb said with a sigh of admiration.

"Of course, it’s not just you yourself, but also the series of concepts and systems you’ve proposed. A person with only astonishing Talent and power can only become a King who stands at the pinnacle of an era. Only one who possesses peerless wisdom and thought, who proposes new ideas, can become a Sage who changes the world."

"So here, I want to ask you a serious question: to what extent are you willing to go for this world?"

Gleb asked, his expression exceptionally grave.

"I can promise that all my insights and achievements will be shared unconditionally. To me, the collective wisdom of all living beings is the brightest flame in the world. People lead the era, and the era, in turn, propels the people."

"My only wish is for everyone to be like me, and for me to be like everyone."

Zhou Yuanjue said with a smile.