Location: Lokeshi Empire · Imperial Capital · Critical Care Unit

Distinguished high-ranking officials of the empire, rarely seen by outsiders, gathered here.

The honorable Emperor Tal Griffin of the Lokeshi Empire stood with a solemn expression outside the intensive care room.

"Is there a chance of survival? No matter how many resources are used."

An official skilled in healing shook his head and said:

"He is still breathing, but it's just a flicker before death; Cialdini's life essence has already been shattered."

"Ah... the outcome is as we predicted..." Tal Griffin took a deep breath, his eyes filled with a touch of sadness: "Go find his daughter, let her say goodbye to her father one last time."

"Yes."

A nearby officer saluted and left to find someone.

Staying in this scene with an atmosphere stagnant like dead water made him uncomfortable; better to go out and find someone.

"We have done our utmost to buy him time, but the situation is worse than we imagined."

The speaker was Peter Snake, the patriarch of the Red Phosphorus Sand Snake Family.

In fact, years ago, the empire had talent specializing in foreseeing the future, who sacrificed their own lives to make strategic plans for the Lokeshi Empire in advance.

Sword Master Cialdini was also part of their plan.

Peter Snake knew even before becoming the patriarch that since over a thousand years ago, the premature deaths of top talents from various countries have been more frequent than expected.

In foreseeing the future among their own people, for the Lokeshi Empire to maximize its advantages, it must cultivate a monster possessing both Saint Realm and Divine Realm abilities, or at the very least, achieve an occupational level close to the Divine Realm.

Only then would they find a shelter in the turbulent continent.

Or in simpler terms, peak Demigod paired with Saint Realm techniques.

But Peter knew, how could Saint Realm techniques just be cultivated at will?

After all, Saint Realm is not an occupational level, but a symbol of "techniques surpassing ordinary understanding."

At the paradigm level, possessing techniques capable of field power.

At the legendary level, having means to skillfully utilize the power of the world.

These can broadly be referred to as Saint Realm.

Daring to do what others cannot, that is Saint Realm.

But there are distinctions within the Saint Realm.

The most typical being the Kulin Sword Saint.

As a Sword Saint possessing combat and sword techniques, he can completely rely on paradigm level skills to wield legendary power, without the need to cheat like Louis using the authority of great sins.

Yet since the possibility of having half-planes at the paradigm level is nearly 0, the Sword Saint is not among them.

Meaning, if Kulin one day advances to Legendary and swiftly adapts to the powers at this stage, mastering the technique of utilizing the power of half-plane worlds with his skills, he would still be a Sword Saint, and none could take away his title.

But if he cannot quickly grasp the Demigod techniques after advancing, most "Saint Realm" aren't incompetent, just not as prominent.

There are always some who are strong from beginning to end, strong in every aspect without weakness.

Sword Master is a prime example.

On the day he advanced to Legendary, he naturally enhanced his combat techniques to Demigod Realm, maintaining the reputation of Sword Master.

Among the continent's group of Saint Realm powerhouses today, he nearly stands as the number one. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Even in Lokeshi's long history, this is the first time they've seen someone maintain their 13 Saint Realm grids following rapid advancement.

Peter also wanted to preserve this particularly precious Saint Realm for his country.

In fact, these years they've mostly kept the Sword Master within the borders, rarely allowing him to fight outside.

Because their prophets had already predicted, as long as the Sword Master doesn't die and advances to Legendary smoothly, the Lokeshi Empire naturally gains a barrier against risks.

The once precarious situation of the Lokeshi Empire would gradually calm down; with careful management, it might fully rebuild.

But the results were disappointing, and despite efforts to delay the prophecy of the Sword Master's death, protecting indefinitely was not possible.

Doing so would only cause more oversight, letting races across the spatial barrier seize the opportunity.

Though somewhat expected, seeing it truly unfold, Emperor Tal couldn't mask the helpless emotion.

"Don't waste resources, it's beyond saving."

The formerly comatose Sword Master unexpectedly regained consciousness, turned to everyone, and calmly said:

"Delayed this long; it's enough. Our plan isn't a complete failure."

When he spoke, it didn't seem like matters relating to his own life, rather deciding on behalf of others.

The calm made it harder for everyone to express their thoughts openly.

Tal Griffin said heavily:

"Cialdini, is there anything you need our help with?"

"This..." Cialdini tremblingly handed over a black sword, "Magic sword, give it to Louis, and... cough cough... let Vier go, go find Louis... for cultivation."

Cialdini had barely finished a complete sentence before he was overcome with coughs.

The patriarchs of the 13 families were present today.

Their expressions varied, some sad, some worried, some anxious, and some hesitant.

The Sword Master's magic sword was powerful, as anyone familiar with the Lokeshi Empire's upper echelons knew; it had killed many Demigods.

However, through all these years, while many practitioners changed their weapons repeatedly, the magic sword remained with the Sword Master, serving as his most crucial means of combat.