Chapter 529: Leaving Terra (I)
Vlad’s eyes widened as he felt his World King Candidate Mark surge with newfound power. In the span of a heartbeat, the emblem on his forehead flared, releasing waves of golden radiance that coursed through his entire being. For one breathtaking moment, the world around him seemed to vanish, replaced by a boundless, floating sea of golden energy.
Thousands—perhaps millions—of streams of luminous power extended like tendrils from all directions, forming an intricate web that both fueled and restrained the golden sea. Though Vlad had never beheld such a spectacle before, he instinctively knew he was witnessing the living manifestation of the Plane Will itself.
"Gorgeous," he whispered, voice trembling with awe. But just as he uttered the word, the vision vanished. Reality returned with the abruptness of a shattered daydream, leaving him back facing the Five Star Kingdom.
Silence dominated the scene. Soldiers from the Xaos Forces and citizens of the Five Star Kingdom stood transfixed, stunned by the sudden burst of brilliance emanating from Vlad’s figure.
Although Vlad himself was equally taken aback by the experience, he was also elated. He had longed for this strengthening connection with the Plane Will—a key step in his pursuit of his ultimate goal. However, there was a time and a place for everything, and right now, he needed to focus on the task at hand. The stability of the newly integrated territory was paramount.
Gathering his composure, Vlad turned to the quintuplet rulers who called themselves the Five Stars. A solemn expression settled on his face. The transfer of the power of the World King Candidate Mark signaled their sincere desire to merge with the Xaos Kingdom. Still, it felt unusual that the deal had happened so quickly, without any negotiation, resistance, or demands. Vlad had to be certain there were no hidden agendas or misunderstandings.
"Why was it so easy for you five to relinquish your authority?" he asked, his gaze sharp. "You’ve barely seen a fraction of the Xaos Kingdom’s true might, nor do you fully understand our nature. Yet you handed over your power without hesitation."
As one, the Five Stars turned to face Vlad. Their voices blended into a single resonating tone, a hallmark of their uncanny unity. "Our Gift is called Quantum Mind. It allows our brains to operate at what we can only describe as quantum speed—something beyond even the supercomputers of the pre-apocalyptic era."
Vlad’s eyes widened further. It was enough of a surprise that five individuals shared the same Gift. But the notion that these Gifts conferred near-limitless cognitive capacity was staggering. As the implications sank in, Vlad frowned slightly, pondering the practicalities.