And all the while, at the center of this growing storm, the Void Fleet was preparing for the grand inauguration and establishment of the Empire, which was now only a week away.

Preparations were already in full swing.

Sol Region, Central Zone

Celestial Star System

Central Continent, Imperial Palace

"About the student exchange program that we discussed, Emperor Kallus, can you—"

The Asura Imperium Emperor, Mason Asura, spoke with a slight submissive attitude and a faint frown on his face as he tried to please Kallus regarding the matter.

Kallus casually nodded his head.

"This... I'll think about it, Emperor Mason Asura. For now, our focus should remain on the main topics we discussed. If you can properly fulfill them and show your sincerity toward us, only then can we take a step further in our partnership."

"This..."

As expected, Emperor Mason Asura thought inwardly.

Looks like we can only move slowly ahead.

He sighed mentally before speaking solemnly once more.

"You have my word, Emperor Kallus. What we discussed and agreed upon will be fulfilled without problems or delays."

"Hmmm."

Kallus nodded before glancing toward the Empress beside him, who seemed to understand immediately and lightly nodded back at him.

Seeing that, Kallus once again turned toward Mason and spoke.

"Then that will be all for now, Emperor Mason. Soon, Lady Yanshi will visit once more to finalize our talks through written documents."

As he said that, Kallus stood up, and so did Emperor Mason's projection.

"There is no need to trouble Lady Yanshi further, Emperor," Mason said humbly. "In eight days, I myself will be traveling to your place to participate in the foundational ceremony of your grand empire. There, we can proceed with the formal signing and make everything official."

Hearing that, Kallus simply nodded casually.

"This is good as well."

Emperor Mason sighed internally upon hearing this and said, "Then I'll take my leave, Emperor Kallus. We shall soon meet face to face," he added with a smile.

Only after seeing Kallus nod his head did he dare cut off the long-distance communication.

It was then that Kronos walked in and looked toward Mason, whose face was instantly covered in sweat.

He couldn't help but ask, "Is dealing with Imperial Emperor Kallus really that hard, Father?"

Emperor Mason looked toward him and said, "So it's you, son."

Kronos nodded.

"No, dealing with Imperial Emperor Kallus actually isn't that hard," Mason continued. "If anything, he is somewhat easier to deal with. He always leaves some leeway for us compared to Lady Yanshi and the Red Empress."

Kronos became confused upon hearing this and immediately asked, "Then why are you like this, Father? Sweating and even acting submissive while talking with him? That's unlike you."

Hearing that, Mason sighed deeply before speaking.

"It's not that I want to act submissive, son. But the aura Imperial Emperor Kallus carries around him is simply unfathomable.

That aura makes me feel terrified and forces me into acting submissive no matter how unwilling I may be. My body and mind instinctively react that way whenever I face him..."

Mason spoke to Kronos with a troubled look, along with a helpless yet bitter smile on his face.

Kronos frowned upon hearing this and asked, "Does he do that pro—"

Before he could even complete his sentence, Mason shot a glare at him and said sharply, "Don't even formulate that thought in your mind."

"He doesn't do that purposely, or at least that is what I can feel. The aura around him is something natural, son, and not something he willingly releases..."

Kronos couldn't help but say, "How is that even possible, Father? Doesn't that mean he is already at a level where, even while controlling his power and aura, some of it still naturally leaks out?

Like some supreme being who, based on appearance, might seem mortal, yet their aura alone makes them fundamentally different from everyone else..."

"Something like that..." Mason couldn't help but nod his head.

At the same time, his thoughts wandered deeply.

Just what level could the Imperial Emperor of the Celestial Void Empire truly be at?

Meanwhile, back on the Celestial Void Planet, Kallus had no idea that Mason and most likely his son were currently having discussions surrounding him and his true level.

At this moment, however, he was busy talking with the Red Empress and dealing with matters related to the fleet, their hidden operations, as well as the ongoing preparations for the grand ceremony.

At the same time, they were also preparing to completely outmaneuver the coalition formed by the Star Empire and the Alchemy Association.

"Currently, Emperor, we have already begun making contact with the old noble factions of the Star Empire, along with the Legions of the Dark Angel and White Moon Wolf Empires. We are also currently reaching out toward the Dark Sun Empire as well.

Things were not going well at first because of the doubts these powers held regarding us and our strength. However, since the Azure Imperium began using our weapons, weapons that could easily rival theirs, the situation has taken a major turn.

They have become far more obedient and willing to negotiate compared to before.

And based on my current calculations, we should soon reach agreements with them," the Red Empress reported calmly.

"Hmmm..."

Hearing this, Kallus couldn't help but snicker.

"These people... unless they personally witness strength, they fail to realize what is truly good for them, huh?

Which only proves even more that the so-called rule of law is practically nonexistent within the galaxy. Instead, countless forces constantly collide against one another at every point in time.

And in the end, strength alone is the true maker or breaker of everything."

"Exactly," the Red Empress nodded. "And based on that, I believe that in order to avoid being constantly targeted by others simply because they are unaware of our true strength, we need to properly display just how powerful we really are.

Otherwise, once the mana storm phenomenon stabilizes, swarms of ants will continuously rush toward us one after another."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she continued.

"We need to take down a powerful Tier 1 state to make a statement."

"Hmmm... that is necessary."

Kallus nodded his head, as he too did not wish to dive any deeper into the dark waters of the galaxy if it could be avoided.

Powerful as he might be, he still fell short when standing before the countless billions and trillions spread throughout the galaxy, at least for now.

"Anyways, we have the Star Empire for that. A power that has almost reached the level of a super Tier 3 state. Taking them down would have far more psychological impact on the galactic powers than destroying some random Tier 3 state."

"Then what about the old noble factions we have reached out to and all those plans?"

Hearing that he intended to target the Star Empire, which was a vital chess piece within their greater scheme, the Red Empress couldn't help but ask with a frown.

"That remains unchanged," Kallus replied calmly with a smile after noticing her expression. "You know it as well. The old noble factions are not as united as they portray themselves to be.

Every single one of them has their own ambitions and schemes, and they would fight to the bloody end just to rise to the top.

So instead, it would be better if we fragment them into different kingdoms and smaller empires. That way, we can continue our plans without truly disturbing them too much."

"Hmmm... well, whatever you say."

Even though the Red Empress felt this decision would somewhat delay their plans, that was all.

Other than a small setback, it wouldn't cause much damage. In fact, there was still a chance they could gain something from this situation as well.

And so she agreed internally and began formulating an even better path where they would not suffer even the slightest losses.

"How are the preparations going, though?"

Changing the topic, Kallus asked calmly.

"Hmmm?"

The Red Empress came out of her brief daze before replying, "Oh, they are going well, just as expected. We should be fully ready to welcome our guests in at most four days from now."

"Hmmm... that is good. Make sure no problems occur. We can't allow anything to go wrong, as that day will belong to us."

"Don't worry about it," the Red Empress replied confidently as she lightly patted her chest, almost causing Kallus to suffer a nosebleed from the sight.

"There won't be any problems. That much, I can assure you."

Kallus nodded, holding complete confidence in her assurance, before asking once more, 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"What about the outer defense zones? Are we prepared for the coalition fleet's attack?"

"Yes, we are," the Red Empress answered without hesitation. "We should have absolutely no problems dealing with them, and that too quickly."

"Yes, we are," the Red Empress answered without hesitation. "We should have absolutely no problems dealing with them, and that too quickly."