Divine Path System

"So I did find a solution. It's just, I might have to go somewhere for it." Varian tapped the armrest of the throne and announced.

The throne hall was still silent. The most powerful members of the Human Empire held their breaths as they stared at the Emperor with a burning gaze.

Varian sighed and shook his head. "I can't do now. I don't even know where to find them."

"Them?" Chief Of Staff Kevin leaned forward from his seat and asked.

Varian hummed with a nod. "It has a lot of names. In essence, it's a very rare creature that feeds on a star and hides the aura of that star system. When other civilizations find us and find they will, that creature will save us from being suspected. They'll still check up on our ruins in case it's something precious, but I can keep it hidden as long as the inspectors aren't very strong."

"But how will you find it? No human has ever properly outside our star system. Our transportation system is just too backward for that sort of travel." Prime Minister Irene pursed her lips in anxiety.

Varian exhaled and leaned back into the throne. "I'll figure that out. But since this is the first Imperial meeting anyway, are there any policy issues that need my supervision and approval?"

"About that, Your Majesty," An old man with gray hair, sharp eyes, and a medium frame raised his hand.

"Yes, Chief Counsellor Vahoff," Varian nodded. "Is there any issue with the internal security?"

"Yes, a big issue in fact." The Chief Counsellor stood from his seat and looked at the Emperor up on the throne with nervousness. "More than 50,000 people died mysteriously yesterday. We can't find any trace or source. Even a Sovereign couldn't have done that. It's just like…"

Saying until that post, Chief Counsellor Vanhoff's expression crumpled.

"Just like I would've done it." Varian finished the words for him and Vanhoff's face paled. But the Emperor's answer was even more surprising. "Yes, you are right. They're all people that committed penalties that deserve death. I'll send you the details later."

"B-But Your Majesty, people panicked. They fear what they don't understand."

"Then tell them the truth."

The Old Man looked at the Emperor in disbelief and replied. "They'll protest. Everyone is used to a court of trial. Even the hienest of criminals. Directly killing them would be fine in wartime but if that's done now, then it'd set a bad precedent and encourage vigilantism in soc—"

"Haa~" Varian sighed and gripped the armrest. "There were three guys who raped a 9-year-old, seven men who killed injured veterans for fun, thousands of shadow order remnants, tens of thousands of betrayers who gave our military information to abyssals in the last years."

Vanhoff opened his mouth in shock and utter disbelief. "H-How come they got away for so long?"

"They know the right people and have the right resources." Varian scoffed, a look of utter disgust appearing on his face. "So the high awakeners who facilitated this crap, including six level 9s are also killed."

Vanhoff who was still dumbfounded about the hidden criminals nearly jumped at his words. "Your Majesty, they're level 9! They're extremely precious for our milit—"

Varian raised a single finger and the Counsellor shut up. "One bottle."

"Pardon?"

A simmering blue bottle appeared on top of Varian's finger. He spun it like it was a top and smiled. "One bottle of my potion can create one level 9. We have tens of thousands of level 8s."

The expressions of others in the throne hall changed.

Yes, indeed. It's not just potions, the Emperor revealed that he also mastered the ruins. Then it's only a matter of time before—

"We'll make changes to the training curriculum. All eight ruins will be open 24x7 round the year. More competitions will be conducted every month and the best performers will get quotas to enter these special places in the ruins. But every school, every college will get their own time to enter suitable regions.

Right from high school, students should train hard. And the best talents in military academies will directly get a potion that will accelerate their growth.

Of course, the talents of the military will not be neglected. With enough merit points, you can purchase a bunch of potions. Researcher Kyle had a breakthrough in a bunch of good potions that could be mass-produced. And without omission, the geniuses with the highest progress will have a chance to get the most precious potion as well."

Prime Minister Irene wondered if she was hearing things. Because if what he said did come true, then humans would usher in rapid progress.

The precious potions would create the elite of the elite who could become level 9s and Sovereigns. Perhaps even Celestials after many years.

The ruins, on the other hand, would create the bulk of the forces, becoming the base of the empire.

"Oh and there's something I forgot to do…" Varian closed his eyes and raised his hand. A beam of light fell from the sky and landed on his palm before turning into a pair of cute little white wings with a tinge of gold.

"Hehehe, Master!" The little wings called out and rubbed on his cheeks.

Varian smiled helplessly. He's trying to maintain at least a solemn image of an Emperor but this guy spoiled it all.

"I need a favor."

"I only do orders. No favors."

"Fine, an order. There's a restriction on the number of sovereigns. It's also messing with our rate of progress. Remove it."

The wings paused for a moment and then the sky went dark. The suns were covered in thick red aura chains inscribed with runes. The aura chains cracked apart and then exploded into pieces of light.

Everyone in the Empire touched their chest and took a sharp breath. They felt lighter, relieved…as if something that was always pressing on their chest was finally removed. But they didn't even know what it was.

At the same time, two peak level 9 auras shot into the sky and two new Sovereigns were born.

The paradigm shift had begun.