The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2449: War in Paradise

Of course, for Cain, even death was not the true end.

"Worst-case scenario," he thought calmly, "I will send my Primordial Essence into the Flow. Losing this Royal Blutlinie body would wound me deeply and set me back years—perhaps even decades—but that is far better than death... or slavery."

His eyes sharpened.

Focus and determination burned within them, steady and unyielding as he prepared for whatever might come next.

The Dark Blood King was surprised once again.

Abraham stood with his head lowered, his posture tense and cautious, ready to submit if necessary. But Cain’s gaze remained firm and unbroken. There was no fear in it—only resolve.

The Dark Blood King studied him for several seconds.

Then his posture relaxed.

A wide smile spread across his face.

"Good," he said. "You have proven your capabilities. I can now officially recognize both of you as Generals of the Dark Blood Realm."

"Generals?"

Cain frowned slightly. This was not the first time the title had been mentioned, yet its meaning remained unclear. Still, the Dark Blood King’s relaxed demeanor suggested that killing him was no longer the immediate goal.

That alone was a relief.

Seeing the confusion on their faces, the Dark Blood King continued.

"Have either of you heard the rumors about the tournament I am organizing?"

Abraham immediately nodded.

"Yes, Dark Blood King. According to my intelligence network, the Dark Blood Kingdom has been preparing a grand tournament among the strongest warriors of the Ninth Realm. The winner is said to receive a cultivation technique capable of helping them ascend to the Fourth Realm."

He paused briefly, choosing his next words with care.

"I have been preparing for it myself. Though, to be honest, I believed the reward was an exaggeration. But after witnessing your power... I now believe the Dark Blood Kingdom truly possesses such a technique."

Cain was surprised.

Despite the many souls he had read, he had encountered no such information.

"Perhaps the Aztorus King knew," Cain thought. "But those memories were among the fragments I failed to recover."

The Dark Blood King nodded.

"Yes. Those rumors did circulate. I know—because I was the one who spread them."

Both Cain and Abraham were taken aback.

The confusion on their faces deepened.

Fortunately, the Dark Blood King did not leave them guessing for long.

"To tell the truth," he said calmly, "the tournament was never real. It was a fabrication."

He clasped his hands behind his back.

"I needed the powerful figures of the realm to focus on strengthening themselves while I completed my preparations. The reason I need powerhouses... and generals... is simple."

His gaze sharpened.

"We are going to war."

The words struck like thunder.

Cain and Abraham’s eyes widened.

No one in the Ninth Realm could defy the Dark Blood King. If he declared war, it meant a conflict on a scale few could imagine.

A war between realms.

The Dark Blood King nodded at their reactions.

"A war between realms is a rare event," he continued. "Movement between realms within Paradise is extraordinarily difficult. Even Peak Alpha-Omega Overgods would struggle to achieve it."

Then his tone turned colder.

"The Ninth Realm—our realm—will wage total war against the Eighth and Seventh Realms."

He paused.

"If my calculations are correct, more than seventy percent of the Royal Blutlinie will die."

He spoke the words casually, as if discussing weather.

Yet the implication was horrifying.

If the strongest beings of the realm had only a thirty percent chance of survival, then the coming conflict would be nothing short of apocalyptic.

"I will provide further details during the First War Council," the Dark Blood King continued. "It will take place in nine and a half months, in the capital of the Dark Blood Kingdom."

His gaze moved between the two.

"You and your forces must attend. Bring all your wealth. The royal vaults will be opened, and you will have the opportunity to acquire resources normally beyond your reach."

Then his expression hardened.

"From this moment forward, conflict between Overgod factions within the Ninth Realm is forbidden. Any individual who instigates violence or internal warfare will be executed."

The warning was absolute.

Without another word, the Dark Blood King turned—and vanished.

He did not ask whether they would attend the council.

He did not offer reassurance.

He did not negotiate.

He knew they would come.

Because if they did not, he would kill them.

Countless thoughts raced through Cain’s mind as he processed everything that had just happened.

He did not particularly enjoy being commanded.

But war...

War was different.

For someone like him—someone who thrived on slaughter, evolution, and consumption—it was an opportunity.

"This conflict might be the perfect catalyst," he thought. "A chance to push my Primordial Essence forward."

Just as the thought settled in his mind, he noticed Abraham looking at him.

The Heartcram King’s expression was cautious, but his eyes were sharp.

"Now that we are alone," Abraham said slowly, "we should resume our discussion regarding compensation for the Royal Blutlinie you killed."

Before, Cain might have agreed.

If a portion of treasure could avoid a battle with someone whose strength he could not fully gauge, it would have been a reasonable exchange.

But now...

"Hmph," Cain said coldly. "Are you actually trying to stir conflict?"

Abraham’s eyes widened at the accusation. Instinctively, he glanced toward the direction where the Dark Blood King had disappeared.

The warning about internal conflict was still fresh.

Clenching his teeth and suppressing his irritation, Abraham spoke carefully.

"We had already—"

"I agreed to nothing," Cain interrupted flatly.

There was no hesitation in his tone.

He had no intention of giving up even a single piece of treasure.

This was not only because Abraham could no longer attack him without risking execution.

It was also because, when the Dark Blood King had appeared earlier, Abraham had immediately attempted to align himself against him.

The Scarlet King’s nature was simple.

Show respect and goodwill, and he would respond in kind.

Show opportunism, hostility, or hidden malice—

And you were as good as dead.