Global Gods : Skill-Resonance Awakened Chapter 377 377: Ch 377 : Confession

The Veridian Palace, a vast testament to enduring time, stood with its sprawling ivory stone structures and levitating gardens, seemingly resonating with the latent mana of the Celestine lineage.

Deep within this stronghold, in a study perfumed with the aroma of aged parchment, King Anohara remained utterly still. His body was as motionless as carved stone, yet within the confines of his closed eyelids, a celestial transformation was unfolding.

The ninth talent, the Jade Gaze of Bewitchment, had finally integrated into the spiritual framework of his soul. It was no longer an external force but had become an integral component of a magnificent, divine mechanism.

"Nine talents," Anohara breathed, his voice imbued with a profound, harmonic vibrato. "Allow the stabilization to finalize. Once the bedrock is firm, I shall pursue the tenth."

A subtle, predatory smirk graced his features as he brought forth his system interface. The azure holographic display flickered to life, vividly presenting the awe-inspiring reality of his advancement.

[Talent Name: All-Seeing King]

[Grade: SS-Grade]

[Description: A singular, composite talent meticulously crafted through the Fusion of Ten distinct principles.]

[Core Ability: The Infinite Iris : An eternally expanding ocular principle that grows in direct correlation to the user's accumulated knowledge. As the User observes the world, their eyes assimilate. They gain range, clarity, and the capacity to discern hidden energies. The more the user witnesses, the greater their perception becomes, initiating a continuous cycle of visual enhancement.]

[Eagle's Eye : Bestows the vantage point of a supreme aerial hunter. The user can transition their vision to an elevated perspective, surveying the landscape from a high altitude. The inherent sight range is amplified tenfold.]

[Truth-Seeker's Pupil : The definitive detector of falsehoods. Any endeavor to deceive the user's sight, whether through verbal trickery, physical alteration, or the concealment of genuine intent, manifests as a crimson distortion within the user's visual field.]

[Structural Deconstruction : Pierces the facade of existence. The user perceives the inherent weaknesses and points of strain in any object, array, or spiritual nexus within their sight. To the user, every impenetrable barrier reveals a fissure.]

[Multi-Threaded Sight : Empowers the user to simultaneously monitor and dissect one thousand separate visual streams without succumbing to mental exhaustion.]

[Time-Stasis Sight : A temporal principle demanding significant cost. The user can retard the perception of time within their visual range. At the expense of considerable mana expenditure, the user can transform a swift assault into a motion as sluggish as a crawling invertebrate.

[Distance Distortion : The conduit across the void. By manipulating the spatial principles between the pupils and the designated target, the user can peer through any remote location in the multiverse as if physically present. Greater distances necessitate a more substantial mana output.]

[Aura Detection : A sensory mapping capability. It discerns the subtle vestiges of pressure, hostility, and elemental emanations within the normal range of sight, rendering attempts at stealth futile against the user.]

[Mind-Controlling Gaze : Facilitates the user in bridging the connection between sight and spirit. By establishing direct eye contact with an entity, the user can delve into their recollections, expose their most profound motivations, and, should the user's resolve prove superior, command their very being and consciousness.]

[Jade Gaze of Bewitchment : A passive and active principle that sways the minds of those who meet the user's gaze. Even without direct ocular contact, the User's presence radiates a Charm-Aura that subtly inclines the thoughts of those nearby towards their desires. This influence is contagious; individuals under its spell will project a similar aura when discussing the user with others.]

"So much to examine," Anohara commented with a dry, hollow chuckle.

He settled back into his seat, the golden luminescence of the afternoon sun casting a glow upon his face.

These nine talents were not mere random assortments of abilities; they were the culmination of a lifelong pursuit.

Anohara was no conventional warrior. He had no desire for the most formidable blade or the most devastating spell. His craving was for Knowledge.

His innate talent, the Infinite Iris, had been the initial catalyst. From his earliest moments, he could perceive what others overlooked, such as the names of spirits or the faint luminescence of auras.

However, the moment he received authorization from the God Emperor to utilize the fusion capabilities of Demigod Mire, the path toward divinity lay wide open.

He commenced with Eagle's Eye, employing it to survey further than any mortal, which in turn nourished his innate talent, compelling it to mature at an accelerated rate.

Subsequently, inspired by Thea's method of maintaining harmony within the City of Gods by uncovering the truth behind every transgression, he sought out the Truth-Seeker's Pupil. It was this very eye that enabled him to eradicate the corruption within Veridia, transforming it into the nucleus of his dominion.

Recognizing his deficiency in the raw physical might possessed by his progenitors such as Anaske, he pursued Structural Deconstruction to guarantee that any offensive action he undertook would prove decisive.

Yet, his progress remained agonizingly slow. He felt akin to a man attempting to empty an ocean with a mere spoon.

It was then that Multi-Threaded Sight was discovered. Suddenly, his perception was no longer singular; it was a thousandfold. By simultaneously observing countless locations, his innate talent processed information at an unprecedented speed.

When combined with Time-Stasis Sight, he gained the ability to slow down even the most intricate mana-flows, allowing him to study them and effectively condense years of learning into mere seconds.

To manage the vast logistics of an empire that spanned across 20 billion worlds, he integrated Distance Distortion, enabling him to traverse any world instantaneously.

Furthermore, as crime rates surged following the withdrawal of the Demigods, he apprehended two high-tier criminals, divesting them of their Aura Detection and Mind-Controlling Gaze abilities.

And then there was Esmira. Her Jade Gaze stood as the ultimate prize in his current collection, bestowing a potent influence that transformed his empire into a fervent, devoted cult.

"Heh... I still have a long journey ahead," Anohara murmured, his eyes closing.

"This roster is merely the preamble. The true saga commences when I can meld thousands of such formidable talents into a singular, ultimate ability."

Just as Anohara prepared to close his eyes andsurvey his domain, a rapid, urgent series of knocks shattered the quietude of his study.

"Enter, Minister Xavius," Anohara commanded, his eyes still shut. Through his Aura Detection, he sensed the frantic thrum of the Elf's heart and the distinct aroma of adrenaline.

The doors were flung open violently. Xavius, the High Minister of Veridia, staggered in, his pointed elven ears quivering with an agitation that verged on disbelief.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty... something catastrophic has befallen the Jade Empire!" Xavius wheezed, his grip tightening on the edge of a polished mahogany table to maintain his balance.

"Oh? Do elaborate," Anohara replied with an air of nonchalance, his voice as smooth as silk.

"The Jade Empress... Esmira... she has returned! She has emerged from her seclusion mere moments ago!" Xavius exclaimed, momentarily forgetting to draw breath.

"And her inaugural act was to convene a global press conference on the Forum. She... she confessed, Sire! She admitted to orchestrating the entire news cycle, fabricating the scandals against the Cosmic Empire, and deliberately sowing discord out of fear of our burgeoning power!"

Anohara finally opened his eyes. His pupils remained serene, yet a subtle spark of amusement flickered within their depths.

"And that wasn't the extent of it," Xavius continued, his voice cracking with emotion. "She publicly issued a formal apology directly to you, Sire. And then... she declared that the entirety of the Jade Empire, all one hundred thousand of its worlds, is petitioning to be integrated into the Cosmic Empire as a vassal state. She wishes to fall under our banner!"

Xavius almost gagged on his own saliva as he relayed the astonishing news. To the Minister, this felt like a divine intervention, a victory achieved without a single drop of bloodshed.

"What a dutiful girl she is," Anohara commented with a faint, knowing smile. "I suppose our nightly discourse left a significant impact."

"Sire?" Xavius inquired, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Nothing, Xavius. It is, however, a remarkably astute maneuver on her part," Anohara mused.

"By confessing, she effectively neutralizes the opposition from every other independent world. Following her admission, the billions of beings who harbored doubts about us will feel profound shame for their gullibility. They will come groveling back to us, seeking absolution. We will not only gain her hundred thousand worlds but also secure the unwavering loyalty of the remaining independent territories."

Anohara leaned back, his mind already calculating the immense influx of merits this would yield. 'Esmira... you are far more intelligent than I initially appraised. You have discerned that subservience to me is a more secure path than enmity. You have truly begun to focus on your own ascension.'

"Welcome to the fold, Esmira," Anohara whispered.

He activated his private messaging interface and began to compose a message.

[Message to: Esmira]

[Anohara: "A wise decision, Empress. Your apology is accepted. I eagerly anticipate our future consultations. Welcome to the Cosmic Empire."]

As he dispatched the message, he felt a distinct vibration from the resonance of the Jade Gaze within his own eyes. He was no longer merely the sovereign of 20 billion worlds; he was the gravitational center of the entire Inner World.

"Xavius," Anohara announced, rising to his feet. "Make arrangements for the integration teams. We have a multitude of new citizens to welcome. And instruct the forges to double their production output; the Jade Empire will require new starships to replace their current emerald scrap."

As the Minister bowed and departed with haste, Anohara gazed out of the window. Far in the distance, within the hallowed City of Gods, he knew his ancestors were observing.

"Are you watching, Great Grandpa Anaske?" he thought. "Your aspiration is finally realized. The harvest is at long last ready to be gathered."