Nexus Ascension: My Comprehension Defies the Heaven

City Lord Brown: "…"

Xia Qingyue: "..."

City Lord Albert: "..."

Elder A: "…"

Elder B: "…"

'Is this guy for real...?'

Him indirectly insulting everyone aside, his words were a bit too boastful.

He... he was shameless.

Even Xia Qingyue thought the same.

How could he say something like this outright?

How big was the southern region?

Was conquering the southern region even physically possible?

Would the city lords even allow him to do that in the first place?

However, what they did not know was this.

Grey had Eterna on his side.

'Get to work, Eterna.' Grey thought in his head.

However, as soon as he did, a new thought rose in his mind.

Would City Lord Brown even accept it?

As far as he was concerned, City Lord Brown did not have any bad reputation in the cities, and he had already sifted through the local databases of the three cities.

This man was upright.

He had not committed any deeds that crossed the line.

Hence, Grey could not use Eterna to dig up dirt on him and force his acceptance.

Should he say, "You have no balls if you don't accept it?"

But on the other hand, would the man even care about what he thought?

Perhaps he might flash the southern region by unzipping his pants to show his balls.

Either way, that would not work.

Gaslighting higher ranking evolvers, especially century old monsters like him, was extremely hard.

Soon, City Lord Brown's phone rang, and he took it out.

It was a challenge invitation message.

His brows knitted together.

If he accepted this invitation, he knew he would lose.

But he also thought about what would happen if he did not accept it.

Grey Lockhart was not going to back off.

Even if he refused, Grey would still fight them and might cripple him, just like what had happened to City Lord Dorian of the Three Guards Province.

And if he did not accept this challenge, it would become a permanent stain on his records as a city lord.

There was also a hidden rule.

If one continuously refused challenges and failed to meet certain thresholds set by Eterna, they would be automatically replaced.

There was even the possibility that Grey could cause massive destruction to the cities, forcing Eterna to intervene and replace him.

Either way, he would not remain city lord.

This was the cruel reality.

"City Lord Grey, if I may ask, what is your motive behind conquering the southern region?" City Lord Brown sighed and spoke with a determined expression.

"My motive?" Grey tilted his head.

"Why, of course, it is to overthrow the Federation."

"What?" City Lord Brown's eyes widened.

So did everyone else's, except Xia Qingyue.

Mortal conflicts like this did not interest her.

She had instigated and participated in countless wars in her long life, and this small conflict between minor cities meant nothing to her.

Even City Lord Albert, seated in the main hall of his mansion alongside the elders, wore an ashen expression.

Overthrow the Federation?

What was he saying?

Was this something a youngster like him should even say?

"Are you serious...?" City Lord Brown asked in disbelief.

Did this man understand what he was talking about?

"Why wouldn't I be serious?" Grey replied calmly.

"I dislike the Federation. They sit above the sky and overlook everything, yet when something important or dangerous happens, they do not care at all."

"Let me ask you this. Have you ever heard back from the Federation, City Lord Brown?"

"I have seen the records. You sent them many reports about the situation of your cities, did you not?"

City Lord Brown fell silent.

Grey was right.

He had indeed sent reports, yet fifty years had passed without a single response.

The Federation was uncaring.

All they cared about were taxes, and if quotas were not met, the cities would be stripped of protection and labeled as Deserted Cities.

There were many Deserted Cities across the southern region because they failed to meet thresholds.

Most Federation affiliated forces avoided them entirely.

Of course, Grey planned to take over those Deserted Cities as well.

If he wanted control over the entire southern region, they would have to fall under him too.

And if the Federation learned of his intentions, they could, in theory, desert the entire region.

But would they dare?

If they did, the entire southern region would be abandoned.

Would that not cause massive upheaval?

Grey was not afraid.

He would beat back whoever dared step into his territory.

On the bright side, once the southern region was unified, he would no longer rely on Federation credits.

He would create his own currency, because to hell with the Federation.

And in any case, Eterna was on his side.

She would ensure that nothing went wrong and that the region would not be deserted.

"I accept the challenge," City Lord Brown finally said after a long silence.

"But City Lord Grey, I will not back away from this battle."

"Prove to me, and to the entire southern region, that you truly deserve the position you claim by defeating me."

There was a reason he could not simply transfer the city lordship and step aside.

A city was not a token to be handed over, and authority was not earned without trial.

He had governed three cities for years, shedding blood and making sacrifices to hold them together.

If he fell, it would be in battle, not through surrender.

Only then would both his rule and Grey's claim be acknowledged without dispute.

"I'll take you up on that offer then." Grey smiled.

What an understanding man.

Grey understood where City Lord Brown was coming from, and since he respected that, he honored his wish.

"Then come at me, City Lord Brown."

Grey waved his hand, gesturing toward him.

...

Spiritual energy immediately shot out from City Lord Brown as he crossed the distance in a single move.

He immediately began making gestures with his hands, and several lion-like fireballs shot toward Grey.