Rod’s heart was startled; compared to it, the Gray Soil Continent where Trolian resides is like an idyllic utopia.

Perhaps because of this reason, both the Starry Kingdom and Saint Reel are located on the Gray Soil Continent, but the peaceful environment hasn’t prolonged their survival; instead, these two kingdoms have been destroyed, whereas Yanuo, with the worst environment, has become the most powerful civilization.

"How big is Yanuo?" Rod asked curiously.

"It occupies the northwest region of the Gray Soil Continent, controlling a territory roughly three times that of Saint Longde, with a total population exceeding five billion, several times ours. The total output of resources is astronomical, at least ten times more than Saint Longde. Three years ago, there were 317 strong individuals stepping into the Primordial stage, and there are certainly more now."

"Not only that, Yanuo’s strong individuals in the Fourth Stage exceed ours too. Life Destroyer Jilod and Dawn Light Barro are both peak Fourth Stage powerhouses, even stronger than me, only half a step from stepping into the Fifth Stage, which is the final stage, along with Slightly Less Tall Spirit Speaker Lily and Storm Born Sansa."

"Furthermore, they have the extraordinarily talented King of Yarno, who has been in power for five hundred years, the longest on record during the Dark Epoch. The Final Plan is derived from his ingenious conception, though the cost is significant, and there are risks. We are always just preparing; it will not be used until the last moment."

Rod blinked: "Can the Final Plan truly ascend to True King? The two prospective kings haven’t even reached the peak."

Solos shook his head slightly.

"Lord Rod, once you truly understand the Final Plan, you won’t have such doubts... I can’t discuss the details of the plan here, but I can tell you that the original blueprint for the Final Plan came from the Blessed Holy City during the Fire Epoch, and the Sacred Heart of Loren City in Ameliakas."

Rod’s heart trembled, followed by a hint of doubt: "But weren’t the five human heroes escaping from the final Fire King City, City of Hope Asedgas?"

Solos smiled faintly.

"Lord Rod, the history we know always records only a part. I too had such doubts, until the Great Shepherd Leader told me that the five human heroes might have come from different Fire King Cities. Like the human hero Yanuo; he was a prince of the Blessed Holy City, Sacred Heart of Loren City, Ameliakas. At the time, he was known as the Saint Light Prince of Ameliakas. When Loren City was destroyed, he took away the Holy Fire of Loren City completely, along with countless valuable items within the city."

"The other four human heroes weren’t so lucky. When their cities were destroyed, they only took away an ordinary Holy Fire Seed and a small amount of supplies. Therefore, Yanuo initially possessed the Seventh Rank Holy Fire, while the other four Fire King Cities only had the most basic Holy Fire."

"Our fates are thus completely different."

"As for why they couldn’t take more like Yanuo, there are countless possible reasons. Perhaps their mere ability to escape the City of Hope and gather the remaining humans was their utmost effort. The weight of history lies in that even the greatest disasters in ancient texts appear only as a simple line."

Solos’ words made Rod’s mood heavy. Both the powerful Ancient God and prosperous Fire Civilization were annihilated. Could they survive?

But he didn’t dwell on this issue for long. No matter whether survival is possible, it’s only necessary to find the right direction and act. If monsters arrive, then battle; if every effort is made, then there’s no regret. Thinking alone is fruitless.

Thinking like this, Rod quickly put down his burden, and his mood lifted again. Free from distractions, his thoughts were exceptionally agile, and he quickly discovered the anomaly.

"Lord Solos, are you saying the blueprint for the Final Plan came from Loren City during the Fire Epoch?"

Solos nodded.

"It was a great Royal City, allegedly the Primordial Fire was ignited there. The mighty Yanuo obtained an incomplete blueprint, with so many missing contents that previous Kings of Yarno and numerous geniuses with great wisdom spent their lives unsuccessfully trying to restore it. Until this generation’s King of Yarno, with unparalleled wisdom and inspiration, touched upon its intricacies, bringing the Final Plan back to the world."

Rod’s eyes widened, asking urgently: "Doesn’t this mean the Loren City with the original blueprint had already mastered the method to ascend to True King? Was there a True King during the Fire Epoch?"

Solos shook his head slightly.

"It’s only speculation. None of us know to what extent the original complete blueprint reached. The King of Yarno once told me that the complexity of the Final Plan exceeds the limits of human imagination. He’s not sure if the complete blueprint contained a full Final Plan; perhaps Loren City merely controlled a portion of it, and it was under the influence of coincidence and inspiration that the King of Yarno unraveled the entire Final Plan’s outline with the incomplete blueprint."

Rod felt slightly disappointed but was also vaguely relieved.

He didn’t ponder further because the Spirit Boat had already entered deep into the Gray Soil Continent, soon arriving at Yanuo.