Genius Noble With System
Chapter 381: Tracking

Chapter 381: Tracking

The silence afterwards was absolute.

Even the cloaked leader didn’t answer right away. His fists clenched under his robes, and yet he said nothing. Because deep down — even with his twisted power — he knew he’d made a miscalculation.

Just from the short clash of their auras, he could tell he wasn’t a simple opponent, and attacking directly might not be of any advantage.

Across the banquet hall, the ancient races were exchanging glances once more. The dynamics had changed. What was meant to be a grand show of ancient resurgence had turned into a silent acknowledgement of a new threat.

Emperor Darius’s expression also changed, as he was the one who invited him; however, he didn’t expect the current situation. In fact, he wanted to overwhelm Apollo by using the strength of the cloaked leader, but now it seemed to have the opposite effect.

Princess Diana was also shocked and could help but ask the ancestor within her, "Ancestor, you were really right; he is very strong."

Within her mind, a faint, ancient voice echoed in response — calm but solemn.

"More than strong... he is dangerous." The ancestor’s tone exuded a rare seriousness that made Princess Diana’s heart skip a beat.

"That aura... it wasn’t simply strength. It was something. His soul carries a concept of eternity — as if the world itself bends slightly to his will. I’ve only felt such a presence from beings that have reached the level of transcendence."

Diana’s eyes subtly shifted, once again settling on Apollo, who sat quietly as though he hadn’t just shaken the foundation of a gathering filled with Void Gods and sovereigns.

He was the calm in the storm — the centre of gravity that now pulled the attention of every power in the hall.

The cloaked leader finally turned his head, not toward Apollo, but toward Emperor Darius.

"Your Majesty, we’ve said what we came to say." His voice was clipped, barely masking his frustration.

"The choice now lies with the West."

Without waiting for a reply, the five cloaked figures turned and began walking toward the exit, their dark cloaks trailing behind them like shadows retreating before dawn.

The leader didn’t expect there would be such a scene, and now he didn’t have any face to stay. Let King Darius handle the rest; anyways, if the people here didn’t join them, he had countless means to make them understand their place in new Rion.

But even in retreat, none dared to mock them — not when the aura they carried still lingered like the cold breath of something ancient and malignant.

Emperor Darius forced a smile as he stood from his seat, raising his goblet high once more.

"Let us not let conflict ruin a night of celebration. This is, after all, a birthday banquet — and my daughter’s coming of age."

He tried to calm the mood and knew that he was now troubled about how to handle the current situation. The hall reluctantly stirred again.

Apollo, on the other hand, didn’t care about that; his focus still remained on the leaving cloaked group. His eyes seemed to travel the void and see in the distance those five leaving with anger.

His eyes shimmered faintly with a trace of divine light, like ancient stars reflected in a bottomless sea.

Their leader’s back was straight, but his aura trembled with rage. Each step he took away was a silent vow of vengeance, a vow to reclaim the pride he’d lost before the eyes of all.

’He won’t let this go,’ Apollo thought, his expression unreadable. ’But that’s fine. I wouldn’t either.’

He already has marked the guy during their clash with his power. It is well hidden, and he will be able to find it anywhere on Rion.

After this, as he looked back, he noticed Princess Diana looking at him, and their eyes met for a moment, and she quickly looked to the other side.

He just smiled; there was another person with mysteries. But he didn’t say or try to flirt with her even though she was like a goddess that guys dream of.

The banquet continued, and later, the emperor tried to subtly hint they needed to choose sides, as they were now not the strongest.

Even many tried to establish a close connection with him; even many daring noble ladies gave him some dirty looks for a hookup, not caring for their lives.

But he remained indifferent and left quickly after that, as what he needed to see and hear, he heard them.

"Let’s go and meet those friendly guys." He said after coming out, looking at his guard, who instantly understood what Apollo means.

Then they seemed to fly in the same direction where the five cloaked guys left.

The sky above the capital had dimmed to a deep velvet, stars flickering like ancient eyes watching from afar. The festive lights of the banquet shimmered behind Apollo as he and his guardian left without looking back.

His white robe fluttered as he flew through the night air, his presence hidden beneath layers of spatial folds and spiritual veils. Only those who truly grasped the rule of space or had very strong perception might catch even a flicker of his passing shadow.

Beside him, the guardian said nothing, but his aura sharpened like a drawn blade.

Apollo raised his hand slightly, and a golden light flickered between his fingers — a tracking rune, forged by his own divine essence during their aura clash.

"Let’s see where they are going."

Far away, on a mountaintop cloaked in dense mist, the five cloaked figures landed. The area was covered in ancient warding formations, distorted space, and inverted energy flows — perfect for hiding power and concealing identity.

The leader pulled down his hood, revealing a pale face with unnaturally dark veins wriggling faintly beneath his skin. His black abyssal eyes narrowed as he spat coldly.

"Who the hell is that guy?"

Another of the five knelt beside him. "His power didn’t like anything we have ever felt."

The leader clenched his fists until blood dripped onto the cracked stone. "He’s a threat. A real one."

Boom.

A ripple tore through the space beside them.