The atmosphere above the settlement turned cold instantly.
Saint-level pressure spread across the sky like an invisible storm while civilians below retreated hurriedly from the streets in fear. Several weaker cultivators struggled to even breathe beneath the overwhelming spiritual tension gathering overhead.
Three Saints from the Global Awakened Coalition hovered silently among the clouds.
And at the center-
The late-stage Saint continued staring directly at Krishak.
The principal's expression darkened slightly.
"Marcus."
The man gave a calm smile that never reached his eyes.
"Principal Wei."
His gaze shifted briefly toward the others before returning to Krishak again.
"So this is the young man who changed modern cultivation."
No one answered immediately.
Because everyone present understood something clearly.
This was not a friendly meeting.
The Global Awakened Coalition publicly supported humanity's growth and unity.
But in reality-
Many governments within the Coalition deeply opposed Eastern Horizon's open cultivation movement.
Krishak's teachings had destabilized too many systems.
Too many hierarchies.
Too many sources of control.
Marcus slowly descended lower into the sky above the settlement.
His Saint pressure remained restrained carefully.
But the intent behind his presence was obvious.
"We've requested meetings with Eastern Horizon for years." he said calmly.
"And yet every discussion regarding the original author of the public cultivation teachings was avoided."
Director Rao crossed his arms coldly.
"We avoided nothing."
Marcus glanced toward him briefly.
"Then perhaps concealed is the better word."
The tension around the settlement deepened further.
Nearby civilians had already evacuated almost entirely now while countless communication devices continued broadcasting the confrontation
worldwide.
Humanity was watching live.
Krishak remained completely calm throughout all of it.
His silver-gray eyes simply observed Marcus quietly.
Then finally-
He spoke.
"You're not here just to meet me.
Marcus smiled faintly.
"No."
At least he was honest.
The Coalition Saint folded his hands behind his back slowly.
"You released cultivation knowledge globally without regulation."
"Without international review."
"Without government oversight."
His eyes narrowed slightly afterward.
"And the consequences reshaped humanity within three years."
Rohon immediately frowned.
"The consequences were good."
Marcus looked toward him calmly.
"For some."
Then his gaze returned toward Krishak.
"Civilian cultivation expansion created instability across multiple nations.
"Ancient awakened structures collapsed."
"Resource conflicts intensified."
"Several governments nearly lost internal " control entirely."
Krishak finally answered.
"Yes."
Marcus paused slightly.
Perhaps he expected denial.
Instead-
Krishak simply continued calmly.
"Because humanity was never supposed to remain dependent on controlled cultivation systems forever."
Silence spread briefly across the sky.
The principal quietly closed his eyes hearing that answer.
Because there it was.
Directly.
Publicly.
Marcus's expression became colder afterward.
And who gave you the authority to decide humanity's future?"
The question echoed heavily through the silent settlement.
Even the surrounding Saints watched carefully now.
Because that was the real issue.
Not the techniques.
Not the books.
Control.
Krishak looked toward the Coalition Saint calmly.
Then asked quietly:
"When the Great Awakening began."
His voice remained steady.
"How many ordinary people died because cultivation knowledge remained restricted?"
Marcus's expression shifted slightly.
Krishak continued:
"How many unstable awakeners lost control because foundational teachings were hidden behind organizations and bloodlines?"
No one answered.
"Humanity wasn't being guided," Krishak said softly.
"It was being managed."
The atmosphere became extremely tense afterward.
Even the air itself seemed heavier.
The two Coalition Saints behind Marcus exchanged uneasy glances silently.
Because despite the political tension-
They knew something uncomfortable.
Krishak was not entirely wrong.
Public cultivation expansion had indeed caused instability.
But it also dramatically reduced spiritual collapse incidents globally.
Independent survival rates increased.
Mental corruption cases dropped.
Civilian awakening adaptation improved enormously.
Even humanity's overall cultivation quality had risen significantly.
The old systems were losing power precisely because they had failed too many people already.
Marcus's eyes narrowed further.
"You speak confidently for someone so young."
Krishak remained calm.
"You speak cautiously for someone afraid of change."
Rohon immediately looked away trying not to laugh.
Even Tara's expression twitched slightly.
Director Rao outright smirked.
Meanwhile
The surrounding spiritual pressure subtly shifted.
Because during the conversation—
Marcus slowly realized something disturbing.
Krishak showed absolutely no reaction to his Saint pressure.
None.
Not resistance.
Not strain.
Nothing.
As though the difference between late-stage Saint and newly ascended Saint meant very little to him.
That realization unsettled Marcus more than he admitted outwardly.
The Coalition Saint finally spoke again.
".You understand humanity cannot function without structure."
Krishak nodded slightly.
"Of course."
Then his gaze sharpened faintly.
"But structure and control are not the same thing."
Silence followed once more.
Then unexpectedly
The principal stepped forward.
"That's enough for today."
His voice carried calm authority now.
"Krishak just returned after three years."
Marcus looked toward him carefully.
"And the Coalition still expects answers.
"You'll get them later," Director Rao replied coldly.
"But not here."
The tension in the sky remained for several more seconds.
Then finally-
Marcus slowly nodded.
For now.
But before leaving
His eyes locked onto Krishak one final time.
"You've changed humanity's direction."
His voice became quieter afterward.
"Be careful the future doesn't crush it under your idealism."
Then-
The three Coalition Saints disappeared into spatial light instantly.
The pressure over the settlement vanished moments later.
Silence remained afterward.
Heavy silence.
Rohon exhaled loudly.
".I missed exactly none of this political nonsense."
Arun rubbed his forehead.
"You came back for less than an hour and already triggered an international confrontation."
Krishak looked genuinely thoughtful.
".That might be a new record."
Even Meera laughed softly hearing that.
But the principal's expression remained serious.
Because everyone understood now
Krishak's return had officially changed the balance of power again.
And this time-
The entire world noticed immediately.