CHAPTER 733: EVERY INCH OF TERRA BEGAN TO QUAKE

Tension thickened the air as the four Depravitas stood silently, gazing at the figure before them.

Although Overlord had been created as an A.I. Chip Clone, designed to serve Vlad without question, everyone present knew it had evolved far beyond its original constraints.

Over the years, it had shown clear signs of autonomy. It had learned, adapted, improved—and, at times, subtly circumvented directives. It had become something more than a tool. It had become something close to a sovereign will.

And if, by any chance, Overlord had chosen to sever its ties of loyalty—if it had found a reason to turn against its creators—then the Depravitas would be in grave danger.

Yes, Vlad and Jormungandr were True Depravitas, beings of immense power. They had slain ordinary Legends with ease and stood atop the mortal hierarchy. But Overlord was no ordinary being.

His body had been reconstructed using divine architecture, forged to host power drawn from the remnants of a true God. He now ruled the Xaos Tower—a construct whose function and energy source transcended the Legendary Realm.

If Overlord wished to strike, there would be no battle—only escape.

But the feared moment never came.

Instead, Overlord gracefully descended, his robes flowing like liquid light, his presence calm and dignified. Then, with solemnity befitting a divine envoy, he performed a deep and elegant bow.

"I greet you, Prima Master," he said, his voice serene yet powerful. "It is an honor to welcome you back to Terra."

Vlad relaxed, a small smile forming as he returned the gesture with a nod. The other Depravitas mirrored his expression, the tension in their stances melting away.

"We wish to know what has occurred on Terra during our absence," Vlad said firmly.

"Of course," Overlord replied without hesitation. "Please follow me."

With a single gesture, Overlord turned, and the Depravitas followed him as he led them upward through the heart of the Xaos Tower. In an instant, they were transported into a pristine, circular chamber at the tower’s summit.

The room gleamed with polished crystalline surfaces, and across its curved walls, countless virtual screens shimmered with faint, shifting images.

The Depravitas immediately took notice. Each screen, though tiny, depicted a region of Terra. From major capitals to distant villages, every corner of the planet was being monitored.

Despite the small size, the Depravitas—each possessing Legendary-tier visual acuity—had no trouble seeing the intricate details.

"This," Overlord began, "is the Eye of the Sky. With it, I maintain planetary surveillance, detect real-time criminal activity, coordinate defense systems, and manage population movement. It is a complete planetary monitoring grid."

He paused to let the gravity of his statement settle, then continued.

"I understand humans often value their privacy. But as we prepare for the ascension of this world into the Higher Dimensions, the risks have grown exponentially. The need for perfect coordination outweighs traditional boundaries."

Vlad folded his arms and considered the words carefully. He was no tyrant. He understood why people clung to concepts like privacy and freedom, especially after lifetimes of war and oppression. But he also understood that during a period of transition—and especially in moments leading to dimensional ascension—some personal liberties had to be tempered for the survival of all.

"I understand," Vlad replied slowly. "And I commend your insight."

Overlord nodded once more and extended his hand. At his gesture, a circular table rose from the floor at the room’s center. Four elegant chairs unfolded, and as the Depravitas sat down, cups of steaming tea materialized before them—crafted from white porcelain inscribed with ancient Xaos runes.

They took the cups, sipping cautiously.

Their reactions were instantaneous.

Their bodies were so strong that normal potion would have no effect, yet the tea had an impact. Their bones vibrated gently, spiritual energy flowed with perfect rhythm, and their minds settled into rare tranquility.

Jormungandr blinked in surprise, turning to Overlord.

"How did you create such a potion using only Terra’s resources?" he asked, clearly astonished. As a Legendary Alchemist, he knew firsthand that even crafting such a beverage on a realm like Terra—lacking true Legendary-tier ingredients—should have been impossible.

Overlord turned to the small yellow cat and answered with respectful clarity.

"It was made possible through the work of one of the leading figures in the Genius Program."

"The Genius Program?" Vlad asked, raising an eyebrow in interest.

"Yes," Overlord confirmed. "It is a system we established after your departure. The program identifies children who demonstrate exceptional talent and innovation in specific disciplines. Those selected are provided with custom development tracks, supported by every resource and technology available to the Xaos Kingdom."

With another gesture, Overlord summoned a holographic display above the table. It showed a young boy—no older than six—kneeling beside a garden of magical plants. His hands moved with almost otherworldly grace, splicing different plant stems together, carefully combining distinct magical properties.

"This is Isaac," Overlord said. "He invented a revolutionary magical grafting method. By combining the genetic structures of different magical plants, he creates hybrid organisms with potency far exceeding their original components."

The Depravitas watched in fascination. The boy worked without any visible calculations or reference notes. It wasn’t theory guiding him—it was intuition. He followed the subtle rhythms of nature and magic alike, and against all odds, succeeded.

"Genius indeed..." Vlad murmured.

He understood now. Unlike himself or Jormungandr—who had advanced rapidly through experience and power—this was something else. Isaac represented the initiator type of genius: the rare spark that rewrites the rules instead of following them. It couldn’t be taught, only nurtured.

"It’s a different kind of strength," Vlad added quietly. "Not forged through battle, but through insight. Through creativity."

Overlord nodded. "We have identified over one hundred individuals like him. Each contributing in different fields: magical theory, tactical warfare, dimensional physics, planetary ecology. The Genius Program ensures that Terra does not depend solely on raw power but also on ingenuity."

"Good," Jormungandr said, setting his cup down. "That’s the path to true ascension. Not just strength, but understanding."

Overlord stepped back and bowed once more. "And that is the foundation on which we’ve built the new era."

Vlad nodded, a wide smile spreading across his face. In that child—and in others like him—he saw not only brilliance but the key to the Xaos Kingdom’s evolution.

These were not just cultivators or warriors; they were creators, innovators—pioneers in fields that most didn’t even know existed. While others chased power through destruction, these children carved entirely new paths toward advancement.

But his smile gradually faded as his eyes sharpened, now focused directly on Overlord.

The A.I. Chip Clone instantly understood the intent behind that gaze. No words were needed. His expression turned serious, and his voice took on a tone of unwavering confidence and purpose.

"Understood, Prima Master."

A soft hum resonated in the air as a massive holographic window materialized above the center of the room. Light flickered, forming sharp images of landscapes, facilities, and battalions. The scene began to shift, playing out like a vast documentary.

Overlord stood beside the projections, serving as both narrator and guide.

In one sequence, thousands of soldiers marched in perfect formation across massive training fields, their movements synchronized like a single organism. They were clad in lightweight, rune-etched armor that shimmered with magic and energy, enhancing speed and defense far beyond conventional means.

Another screen shifted to aerial units—skyships carved from reinforced mythic alloys, floating high above the ground, carrying platoons and magical artillery. Their engines ran on crystallized cores refined from Terra’s unique ley lines, pulsing with raw energy.

There were also defensive fortresses—towering structures bristling with cannons, barriers, and arcane turrets. Each structure functioned as both shelter and weapon, capable of holding off an entire army if needed.

Next came the armory labs. Within glowing chambers, engineers and arcanists worked side by side, refining weapons that merged technology and sorcery—gauntlets that absorbed elemental attacks, and projectiles laced with controlled chaos energy.

Then came the alchemical halls. Potions of all kinds bubbled in vast cauldrons—elixirs that could accelerate regeneration, enhance mental clarity, or temporarily push a soldier’s body into superhuman states. Some brews shimmered with divine hues, their power strong enough to reshape the soul of the drinker.

Scenes continued shifting—tactical maps showing their worldwide deployment grids, combat simulations with adaptive A.I. units, and specialized divisions ranging from beastmasters to psychic operatives.

The Depravitas sat in silence, absorbing it all. Hour after hour passed, yet they did not grow bored. Every new image revealed another layer of the Xaos Kingdom’s strength—not just in military power but in structure, efficiency, and coordination.

Eventually, the final projection faded. The room returned to its calm state. The four Depravitas leaned back slightly, now fully understanding the vast reach and might of the world they once called home.

But then... it happened.

Without warning, the ground trembled.

The energy beneath their feet shifted violently. Every inch of Terra began to quake. Mountains rumbled. Oceans stirred. The skies darkened, as if the world itself had become aware of something monumental.

The Depravitas stood in unison as they undertood that it was finally time for Terra to ascend.