"So... it's been six months. What's the update on your Supreme Monarch title business? I haven't heard anything about it," Dale asked. Anthony was his path to ascension, so he had to stay up to date with these things.

Anthony remained silent for a moment before finally speaking, "I rejected the title."

His words froze everyone in place. The team's movements halted mid-action as they tried to process what they had just heard. Even Kingsley stopped what he was doing, his expression blank with disbelief. Someone had actually declined the title of Supreme Monarch, a feat that was beyond their comprehension. They couldn't understand it... no, they failed to fathom such a decision.

"Why?" Kingsley finally asked. He had always admired the Supreme Monarchs and aspired to become one himself someday. He knew that every current Monarch had served in the military for centuries before ascending to that rank. He had planned to follow that same path, earning both the strength and the accolades necessary. Yet here was someone who already possessed both, and still refused the title.

"Why should I become a Supreme Monarch when I'm already stronger than even the strongest of them?" Anthony replied casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

This time, his words didn't just still the air, they seemed to freeze it. As if his earlier statement hadn't been outrageous enough, he had followed up with something even more unbelievable. Yet Anthony remained entirely unbothered, leisurely sipping his drink while the others sat in stunned silence.

None of them doubted his words. Anthony may have joked around a lot, but when he was serious, they all knew it. If he claimed to be stronger than the Supreme Monarchs, then he was. They knew the kind of person he was, he didn't boast without truth to back it.

Each of them swallowed hard, silently acknowledging the absurdity of it all. Even Kingsley, who was rarely at a loss for words, found himself speechless.

"Is this what they call humble bragging?" Seraphim muttered after a long pause.

"I think, for the sake of our mental health, we should drop this whole 'Supreme Monarch' discussion," Reynold said with a sigh. "We can't measure this monster in human skin by normal human standards."

"Indeed," Dale added with another sigh. "After all, his parents and grandparents are all Supreme Monarchs. And let's not forget, his grandmother is the Saintess of the World. Who could possibly be more connected or powerful than that?"

The realization struck all of them at once, the Null family was an entire lineage of living monsters.

"Too bad I wasn't born into your family," Seraphim said half-jokingly. "I would have happily become your younger sister."

Off to the side, both Clement and Spectre remained quiet. They were already approaching the Planetary level in terms of battle prowess. Though their cultivation hadn't yet caught up, they were both standing on the edge of that threshold.

"So, when did you come out of seclusion?" Reynold asked, steering the conversation away from Anthony's outrageous statement.

"Today," Anthony replied calmly. "I just came back from a meeting with the Supreme Monarchs."

"A meeting? What for?" Dale asked, before quickly adding, "Of course, if it's classified, you don't have to tell us."

Anthony shook his head slightly. "Remember the Starborn Tournament I told you all about earlier?"

The team nodded in unison, recalling the legendary event he had mentioned before.

"Well... they're organizing a meeting for the top galaxy powerhouses, planetary rulers, and major forces," Anthony explained. "Although our faction isn't technically among the highest-ranking ones, my win in the Starborn Tournament earned us a seat at the table."

"Could it be another tournament?" Seraphim asked curiously.

Anthony shook his head. "No, I don't think so. It's more likely related to the next major event... something big. It has nothing to do with another competition."

Instantly, they all frowned. What kind of event could draw the attention of every top power in the galaxy? The question lingered in the air, unanswered. But then again, it wasn't their concern, Anthony would inform them in due time when he finds out.

"When do you leave?" Kingsley asked.

"Next week," Anthony replied smoothly, then added with a faint smile, "and you're coming with me."

"I'm coming?" Kingsley asked, genuinely surprised.

"He's coming?" the rest echoed, equally stunned.

"Can I come too?"

"No, I want to go!"

"Pick me!"

"Why can't we all just go?"

Reynold, Dale, and Seraphim immediately began arguing among themselves, each trying to stake their claim. After all, who wouldn't want to attend a gathering of galactic rulers and upper-race elites?

"None of you can," Anthony said with an amused smile.

"Ehh... why not?" Reynold asked, his shoulders slumping slightly.

"Because the meeting allows only eight attendees per faction," Anthony explained. "Five from the older generation and three from the younger generation. The five Supreme Monarchs will represent the older generation, while Vega, Kingsley, and I will go as the younger representatives."

At those words, Vega raised an eyebrow. Anthony hadn't mentioned any of this to her yet. But then again, he had only received the news of the meeting a few hours ago.

"Aren't the three of you a bit too powerful to be considered part of the younger generation?" Reynold said with a resigned sigh.

Anthony smiled faintly. "Anyone younger than a thousand years is considered part of the younger generation," he clarified, before turning his gaze toward Vega and Kingsley. "It's time you both met some of my friends among the upper races. I think you'll enjoy the experience."

Kingsley paused, gears turning in his mind. If they were Anthony's friends from the upper races, then they were bound to be anything but ordinary. As for Vega, she simply looked forward to finally meeting Lucian and Aaaninja, two names Anthony had spoken so highly of. He had told her they were present during the battle against the Demon King, but she hadn't been able to meet them at the time since they had left immediately after.

Now, the opportunity had come.

She couldn't help but wonder just what kind of people had earned Anthony's respect, people who could stand as his equals, or perhaps even rivals.

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