"Is there a hierarchy among powers, Mirror?"

"Of course! The gap between ordinary powers and conceptual powers is vast!"

Chen Xiang pondered: "Aren't you supposed to have lost your mind and memory?"

"Occasionally, some things come back to me."

"Hmm, then tell me more about conceptual powers."

The Mirror thought for a long time before speaking: "Conceptual powers have no limits. If I'm not mistaken, the Shadow power belongs to the *Silent One*, and theoretically, *Silent One* could use it to become a *Pillar*."

"A Pillar? Like the Three Pillars gods?"

"Exactly!"

The Mirror spoke earnestly: "Though it's only theoretical, it is indeed possible... Conceptual shadows can also refer to the *unknown*. The shadow of truth lies beyond truth, and the shadow of fate lies beyond fate... Of course, the *Silent One* doesn't possess such great power."

Chen Xiang's thoughts sparked, his eyes gleaming: "So, do all Outer Gods have conceptual powers?"

"Right, at least one or more... They all have the potential to become Pillars, but it's difficult. The soul origins of Outer Gods are too far from that of a Pillar. Only if the nine Outer Gods' soul origins unite could they barely compare to a *Pillar*."

Chen Xiang reflected on this. The soul origin of *Emperor Titan* had been devoured by the three Pillars and the nine Outer Gods. The Pillars likely took the lion's share, leaving the Outer Gods with mere scraps, which directly contributed to *Emperor Titan's* weakening... Speaking of which, what was *Emperor Titan's* main power?

He recalled that prayer.

"O great *Emperor Titan*...

The cornerstone of all worlds, the weaver of reality, the eternal Pillar..."

Cornerstone? Reality? Eternity?

Chen Xiang took a deep breath and shook his head slightly. These concepts were too distant and not worth dwelling on right now; he needed to focus on the immediate.

*The Giant Academy*, the Eighth Ring, the Ninth Ring...

And the unknown powerful being the madman mentioned, seemingly residing in the villa—was it... the First Generation?

Chen Xiang's mind immediately went to the First Generation. If it was the First, who could it be? Or were they merely lurking in the shadows?

He buried these questions in his heart, tidied up the secret room, and hurriedly left.

……………

"Why are you back so late?"

In the villa, Chen Shaoyan scolded lightly as she took the suitcase from Chen Xiang's hands.

"How were those two underground hunters? I specifically asked the master to find them for you; they must be worth every penny, right?"

"Uh-huh, they're very impressive, particularly impressive."

Chen Xiang replied perfunctorily, scanning the villa and noticing Lu Salengg quietly sitting in his wheelchair.

He suddenly felt a flicker of suspicion toward Lu Salengg.

A cold little hand suddenly yanked Chen Xiang's ear as his sister huffed:

"Don't brush me off... Are you going to the Ninth Ring?"

Chen Xiang grimaced: "I should be going? Just came back to attend the lecture; the specifics depend on the academy's follow-up arrangements... Ouch, ouch, ouch, sis, be gentler!"

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He didn't mention the rocket attack; there had been no news reports on it, and his sister didn't seem to know.

"Keep your voice down!"

Chen Shaoyan let go, annoyed: "Chen Xiaoya is still asleep; if you wake her, you won't have a good time!"

Chen Xiaoya was the name Chen Shaoyan had given to Silly Girl.

Chen Xiang smiled wryly, checking the time:

"Alright, sis, it's almost two. I need to head to school to avoid being late for the lecture... I'll be back tonight!"

"Are you eating dinner?"

"Probably."

"Then I'll make extra. If you're not back and the food goes to waste, you'll be in trouble!"

"Am I going to have a good time or not?"

"Go away!"

"Got it!"

Chen Xiang dashed out of the house.

"This brat!"

Chen Shaoyan cursed, moving to push Lu Salengg outside for a stroll, hoping to let her sister sleep peacefully.

Lu Salengg paused for a moment before reminding, "I'm older than her."

"Hey, talking back again?"

"Don't twist my ear; you're in charge."

Chen Shaoyan released her grip on Lu Salengg's ear and wheeled him out the door.

"Get some sun; it's good for your health!" she said.

……………

**2:20 PM**

At the entrance of the Giant Academy.

Chen Xiang waited idly for others, glancing up at the sun.

"The weather's nice today..."

He lowered his eyelids, recalling the immense, boundless information he had seen through Li Xiaotong's perspective; it was a terrifying being of both extreme light and heat.

"Assistant Chen?"

A stranger's voice broke his thoughts, and Chen Xiang turned to see a middle-aged man smiling as he approached.

"Vice Dean?" Chen Xiang exclaimed, recognizing him as the vice dean of the Giant Academy.

"It's me."

The middle-aged man came closer, patting Chen Xiang on the shoulder:

"The academy knows about your actions; you saved six students and Assistant Li—worthy of commendation!"

His tone was warm, filled with the kindness of an elder.

Chen Xiang bowed slightly:

"Vice Dean, it's what I should do; it's just that the other students..."

The middle-aged man's expression grew serious as he spoke earnestly:

"The Ninth Ring is utterly chaotic. We are applying for full access to the Ninth Ring, and if successful, the dean and I will go there personally to investigate. You can rest assured!"

Chen Xiang nodded firmly, his gaze deepening.

Full access to the Ninth Ring?

Going personally to the Ninth Ring?

He contemplated.

The middle-aged man then patted Chen Xiang's shoulder again:

"But this application won't come through quickly... After the lecture, come to the dean's office; he wants to meet you personally."

"Me?"

Chen Xiang was taken aback:

"The dean is so busy; he wants to see me..."

"The academy discovered that the rocket attack originated from the Twelfth District of the Ninth Ring, ruled by someone named ‘Jazz'."

The middle-aged man sighed lightly:

"Students are likely there. The academy needs someone to clear out the Twelfth District of the Ninth Ring and establish a safe zone. Without upper management's approval, professors can't enter the Ninth Ring, and you're a good candidate..."

He paused, smiling:

"By the way, you have extraordinary talent. The dean intends to promote you, making you a prominent figure of the Giant Academy. So don't worry; no one will dare touch you in the Ninth Ring. After all, if you're our figurehead, anyone who dares to harm you is declaring war on the Giant Academy!"

Chen Xiang nodded, feeling both honored and uneasy.

According to the madman, ‘Jazz' was likely also connected to the academy, with the tiger having mastered the Giant's technique as indirect evidence!

Recalling what the vice dean had just said about personally going to the Ninth Ring, Chen Xiang's heart tightened.

Chaotic information seemed to weave together.

"Alright, I need to go meet Professor Su. You'll attend the lecture, right? After it ends, I'll take you to meet the dean."

Before leaving, the vice dean spoke with earnest regard:

"Kids like you are the future of the Giant Academy, the real future."

Chen Xiang watched the vice dean walk away, regaining his composure as he murmured:

"The figurehead of the Giant Academy, clearing the Twelfth District of the Ninth Ring, entering the Ninth Ring..."

He lowered his gaze, a strong suspicion surfacing in his heart!

The academy was eager to enter the Ninth Ring, but the Great City wouldn't allow it!

So...

The academy needed a "reason" to enter the Ninth Ring?

If so, the rocket attack incident might not be enough to justify the academy—or the dean and vice dean—entering the Ninth Ring... But what if something happened to the academy's "figurehead" in the Ninth Ring?

Chen Xiang's mood plummeted as he stared at the bronze gate of the Giant Academy, its brilliant facade dimmed by a looming shadow.

He sighed and smiled faintly:

"Yeah, this is the Great City."

The Great City, a bustling, chaotic place devoid of good people.

"Why does it have to be this way?"

Chen Xiang whispered softly:

"I just want stability..."

……………

**2:50 PM**

In the academy's auditorium.

With Professor Su's signature, Chen Xiang entered with Little Wei, Li Xiaotong, and five students, finding their seats in the front row amidst the bustling crowd.

Present were many dignitaries who had rushed in from the Third Ring, all drawn by Professor Su, the foremost historian in the realm of humanity!

Time ticked by slowly,

As Professor Su, dressed in traditional robes, ascended the stage, the auditorium fell silent.

"I am Su Luo."

Professor Su scanned the auditorium with a solemn expression:

"Today, I will be discussing the theme of..."

"...the Old Days."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the entire auditorium.