The room they were in was what Arslan could best describe as a lobby for a gathering. Just a moment ago, Citri, the beautiful woman who had welcomed them, had left. However, they hadn’t had the chance to move from there yet.

There were various mortal games with different rules where powers were barred from interfering, places for trade, and, not to forget, the far end of the room where the Divine lady was performing on stage. Arslan gazed at everything, avoiding some beings who invoked madness when he looked at them.

“You shouldn’t gaze at them without your Divinity covering your senses,” Dynamos' voice entered Arslan’s ears.

“Here I thought you knew this place,” Dynamos shook his head. “Apparently, there are a lot of things that are unknown to you, and informing you is not my responsibility. However, there are ways to get information here, as long as you have something to trade.”

Arslan had a thoughtful look. He saw everyone who had the best clothes, equipment, and status. Did his Empire have something that they would even want? He needed more information. “I don’t know what kind of things they would be interested in for trade. Why don’t you trade with me?”

Dynamos shook his head, refusing. “Why?” Arslan questioned.

Dynamos sighed and admitted. “Because I don’t have the strength to protect your Existence against any influence that information could give. There are also certain things that cannot be replicated by me, and you need to obtain them for yourself.”

“But you offered me your Divine Art. How would that have worked?”

Dynamos, still on his feet, performing his dance lazily, answered, “Divine Arts are no different from Path abilities. They just focus on more particular things in absurdly meticulous ways. There are some Divine Arts that can even use the Seed of Immortality and Divinity to power abilities, and they’re usually the most priceless. After all, one is something that can grant a being eternity, the other endless power over a concept. Utilizing their intricate nature to power a Divine Art…” He looked at Arslan seriously and saw that he might not fully grasp it, so he cut short, “If I started talking about every detail, I would have become an adult by the time I finished. Give read-only access to your InnatePad and let me check what you have. I’m sure I can find something for you to trade.”

“Is InnatePad that well known?” Mortelle interrupted. She didn’t think even Divines would be aware of it, much less use it.

“Any Creation of those above is priceless. So much so that even other Divines find them helpful. I’m guessing you don’t even know of the DivinePad, which is why you aren’t aware of how awesome those Creations are. It’s normal. Maybe a little pitiful. But normal.” After he answered, he turned to Arslan and said, “Come on, be fast, the games will start.”

Arslan really wanted to teach this kid a lesson. He wasn’t sure who was stronger, but he wanted to give it a try. However, being the bigger man, he ignored his instincts. He focused on his InnatePad and made it read-only, unlike how Kaplan had granted him full control. He then closed off some entries pertaining to the Empire. Only things related to himself and some details that he wanted Dynamos to react to were left.

“Here,” he showed his Royal Seal, which the InnatePad was integrated into.

Dynamos stopped his dance and looked serious for a moment. He sent Mana towards Arslan's seal, accessing InnatePad, and reading everything it contained.

“Your wife is pregnant?” Dynamos shook his head. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me? Your children would be my age by the time you leave if you want to wait until the games are over.”

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“What do you mean? Can’t I leave with the coin?” Arslan furrowed his brows. He had the silver coin that Citri gave him. His family was important to him. He especially liked being beside them and witnessing their development. He certainly didn’t want to miss anything significant, fearing he would regret it in the future.

“That’s only before the games start and after they end. The first round is evaluation. The second round is betting. The third is the show where we will be on stage to perform. The fourth and final round is the arena, which, as you guessed, involves fighting. These rounds are the reason we gathered here and can see various Divines. And let me tell you, even I desire what I can earn from this. It might last up to a few years. Let me tell you this.” He looked at Arslan with his most serious face he could give, “You don’t want to miss this chance.”

When he mentioned the betting, his expression showed greed; during the show, it was embarrassment; and in the arena, he exhibited bloodlust—a bloodlust that only those like Arslan, who had done unimaginable things, could recognize. His serious face was the most intriguing, and Arslan felt In his gut that he couldn’t miss this.

Everyone around had complex expressions, except for Selena. Other than her, everyone sent messages to their family and friends about the situation. However, the mentioning of the Out of Boundaries was redacted, giving them chills.

“Uncle, I think our InnatePad is compromised. Look,” said Eren, catching Arslan’s attention. Arslan checked and didn’t have a big reaction. He had guessed that it wasn’t completely secure since this treasure of sorts was created even before any Divines ascended from this cosmos.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a little trick that the Owner used to ban details about this place. Only members can know about it and share it, but only in isolated areas. For someone known for breaking boundaries, the Owner is meticulous with his domain. Otherwise, his pride would crumble.” Dynamos shared his Divine knowledge, feeling a bit pleased with himself. However, he curbed his pride, knowing that arrogance could lead to an early end.

He wasn’t raised like the cultivators of this cosmos. Here, cultivators had normal childhoods, in environments similar to ordinary mortals. Dynamos, however, had spent his life among Divines from birth until now. He had contact with very few beings below the Divines but had yet to meet the strongest Divines. Someday, he thought.

“Okay, you’re as cheap as they come. Only a few things here could interest anyone. First, blood samples from your family. Second, Creations based on complex concepts. This Good and Evil Path is also interesting. It reminds me of some really special trees. So, you’re from a royal family. Add ruling details and the history of the Empire. Some Divines really love that stuff. Of those I listed, which are off the table?” asked Dynamos.

At least this brat is considerate, Arslan thought. He then answered, “I can’t give our blood or our Paths. They’re among the most special things to us. Raising a mortal family through ten cosmic cycles and just handing over the genetic material, ever-evolving, is priceless to us. I would never trade it. And the Paths have owners, and the more beings are aware of and tread upon them, the less likely their ascension becomes. The rest are easily tradable as long as the counter trade is of value to me.”

Dynamos stopped his dance and moved towards a free corner. He sat and motioned for Arslan to join him, and the rest followed. Dynamos clapped his hands once, and the lady who had disappeared after her initial greeting reappeared.

“What are your orders, good sir?” she asked, now with a more seductive look. Dynamos slapped a hand to his face and said, “Go, go, give us two specials. Two Divine, and for the rest, Immortal grade.”

“Coming in a second, good sir.” She disappeared, and their table was filled with drinks shortly after. Arslan noticed that the drinks had straws and were sealed with lids. When Eren tried to open the sealed lid to drink without the straw, Dynamos explained, “They don’t want to publicize their ingredients. Don’t worry, it’s free of any substances that might be offensive to their customers.”

“Oh,” Eren nodded awkwardly and sipped from the straw. It was like the wine they had tasted before, but more exotic like a cocktail and without any substance that would make them drunk.

“They have an underage policy of a thousand years. It’s one of the only places that are regulated like this. Some races age for a long time, so they made it the default for anyone. Sometimes it makes me mad, but what can I do?” Dynamos lamented. This place was unseeable by his parents, yet even here had such policies. What was this place? Kindergarten? Maybe that’s why his parents allowed him to come here in the first place.

“Arslan, drink. My treat. I’m benevolent.” Dynamos wiggled his eyebrows.

Arslan gave him a side-eye and drank. It was… delicious. And powerful. His Existence had grown a little bit just from a sip. He estimated it would increase by five percent by the end of the drink.