Chapter 1123: How to Plot In the span of just a few days, Kahn had achieved a feat that defied the very conventions of Vantrea’s natural order. From being an intermediate 6th-stage saint, he had ascended to a beginner 7th-stage saint... a progression so rapid that it would have seemed impossible to any observer well-versed in the limits of their world. By the standards of Vantrea, such an elevation in strength would typically require years of relentless training, even for someone as extraordinary as a chosen hero. For Kahn, the average expectation would have been at least two more years, even with his divine blessings and the unique abilities bestowed upon him by the God of Darkness. However... this sudden rise in strength wasn’t out of luck or by accident. It was all according to the plan. One thing Kahn was clear of... that whether awakened or unawakened, a chosen Hero’s core was the best way to quickly break through to the next stage compared to other sources like a higher-ranked saint or a mythical monster. First, it happened with Hero of Fire where after killing the hero, he instantly became a 2nd stage saint. And then within a year, he broke through to 3rd-stage saint rank. The 4th-stage saint rank was achieved by Kahn through making the Contract of Familiarity with Vildred, the Lightning Dragon Emperor. And after becoming a 5th-stage saint through his own effort... Kahn met Marcus Brutus, the 7th Hero of Nature, sealed within the peninsula made by the God of Nature in Hesperides. As a parting gift, Marcus Brutus gave Kahn his core, and with its help... he became a 6th-stage saint. Ever since then, he has been to the Empire of Space, trained under Miyamoto Musashi, and even fought against the Hero of Space as an intermediate 6th-stage saint. However, after setting their plans in the Abyss Empire, Kahn decided to take over the Rakos Empire. Now, although he had Rathnaar’s core... Kahn had his resignation to absorb it completely. Because although he met the eligible criteria... He would still need at least 5 years till his body adapted to his new rank and only then he could use the peak saint’s core to become a 7th-stage saint. But he didn’t have time given how they only had 6 months before the Great War began. Thus, after meeting Albestros and Sirius... Kahn let Argos and Vildred know about the barrier surrounding the Verlassen fiefdom. Because the source of this ancient barrier did indeed, belong to a chosen hero. And given their current plans... it was Kahn’s best option to break through to a higher rank extremely quickly. The Result... now Kahn could even go toe to toe against the leaders of the Noble Factions. There wasn’t a single person who could kill Kahn in the entire Rakos Empire. [[Author’s Note : See... This is how you plan a novel. I hinted at this barrier and the core belonging to Hero of Lightning from a bygone era around the 3rd arc. That’s almost 700 Chapters and 3 years ago. Argos and Vildred playing their part in helping Kahn was also planned before I even introduced either of them. And now everything is connected and coming together. Huehuehuehuehue!!]] "Good. Let us hurry then. People must have started noticing it. Especially all the 7th-stage saints from the Noble Factions." spoke Vildred. "Yes. Sir Argos can temporarily mask the absence of the barrier but he said he can cover over a thousand-kilometer area at best even as a 9th-stage saint. And other than the North, that is full of snowy mountains... there are three different entry regions to Verlassen. If he covers one, the other two places are still out of his reach. Even with your skills... we would have been able to cover 300 kilometers at most. And both Omega and Tobias aren’t strong or skilled enough to perform the similar feat as sir Argos." responded Kahn. This was the reason why Kahn sent Argos away, to delay the detection of the barrier being broken permanently. "Why not use that brat Rathnaar’s core? I can rearrange the Nebulus Sanquaris formation to allow only us an entry, just like his descendants ensured that only they could enter even after becoming a saint." said Vildred. "No, master. Rathnaar’s core is too precious and I have other plans for it when the time is right. Besides, there’s no point in having this barrier after I become the Emperor." elaborated Kahn. "Well... let us depart then. We have much to do." "Where to now?" asked the Sage. Kahn replied with a content smile as he spoke... "To my old house." ****************** Right after leaving the Forbidden Zone, Kahn and Vildred were escorted to the Bran Castle by Argos’ royal knights. Most of them were puzzled but hiding their immense surprise since Kahn wasn’t deliberately hiding his aura either. "Did the young lord break past his rank? He was definitely a 6th-stage saint just a couple of days ago." spoke a werewolf lance warrior with a massive shield in his left hand. "To think it’s only been 7 years since he was summoned. Even Sir Lucian became a 7th-stage saint after almost 400 years. At this rate... I wouldn’t be surprised if he surpasses our lord within a decade." said a female black-haired vampire with a rapier on her waist. "Well... the summoned heroes are called upon because of their immense potential. Their souls are far superior to ours. Armed with divine abilities... they can reshape the fate of the world. All we can do... is just be useful to them and our lord." replied the werewolf saint. After two hours... they finally reached Kahn’s home. The place he was forced to evacuate 5 years ago after needing to flee the Rakos Empire. As for those who couldn’t recall... it was the castle of the sovereign of Verlassen. At the very center of Aesir, the capital of the fiefdom. Both Kahn and Vildred left the invisible Bran castle and teleported right into the main throne hall. "You’ve arrived, master." Omega said, helping Tobias with certain matters according to their plans. Kahn then glanced at Tobias, who was sitting on his old red throne, with golden dragon heads protruding from the armrests. "So is it done?" he queried to the Ritualist general. "Yes." replied Tobias respectfully while slightly bowing his head. "And what about them?" asked Kahn to Omega. "All preparations are finished. We are ready to act for the next phase." reported Omega. "Good. Tobias, you shall remain here for the time being. Now that the barrier is gone, you are free to reveal your strength as a 5th-stage saint if someone tries to create trouble. Do not show any mercy regardless of the faction they are from." said Kahn. Swoosh! A black shadow jumped out of Kahn’s feet and another person emerged, adorning scholarly robes. This was one of Kahn’s cosmic replicas. And now that Kahn himself was a 7th-stage saint, the replica itself had the full strength of a 6th-stage saint. "Both of you... Wait till I give the signal." said Kahn in a commanding tone. Kahn then didn’t wait reminiscing since time was of the essence. "Where are we going next, master?" asked Omega. "We’re going to the capital, Rathna, " said Kahn, his eyes turning bloodshot red. His murderous aura started leaking, shaking the whole castle. "To return some old favors."