As the floating train neared the Imperial Capital, it entered a lengthy tunnel.


    After about ten minutes, the train began to decelerate.


    With a mild jolt, the scene before John suddenly cleared.


    He instinctively closed his eyes, waiting until they adjusted before reopening them.


    His gaze shifted towards the window, discovering that they had emerged into a vast and brightly lit underground parking lot.


    This subterranean expanse, easily measuring tens of thousands of square meters, was neatly lined with rows of white floating trains.


    Thousands of passengers disembarked, forming a dense crowd moving towards the exits marked clearly ahead.


    Simultaneously, a familiar female voice echoed throughout their floating train: "Dear passengers, Floating Train A131 has now arrived at the Imperial Capital. Please ensure you have all your personal belongings and luggage with you as you disembark in an orderly fashion…"


    As the announcement concluded, the doors of the floating train slowly opened.


    John stepped out of hispartment, just in time to see Robert also emerging from his room.


    Robert, of course, noticed John.


    His expression instantly darkened.


    These past days aboard the floating train had been filled with unpleasant encounters with John.


    ncing over John''s shoulder to the unforeseen presence of Vincent, Robert clenched his fists, barely restraining the urge to strike John down there and then.


    He gave John a cold look, said nothing, and turned away with the House Carter guards in tow.


    Vincent''s eyes narrowed slightly as he warned, "Keep an eye on this Robert; he''s not an easy opponent. His talent is rather poor; he doesn''t even rank within the top ten in House Carter. However, after Lucas was removed as the heir, Robert managed to be the new heir of House Carter through his own methods. This fact alone proves he''s no simple foe. Don''t underestimate him."


    John remained silent, merely nodding with a calm expression.


    He could clearly sense Robert''s intent to kill and understood that his current safety was only temporary.


    The moment a suitable opportunity presented itself, Robert would not hesitate to kill him.


    But this was only a momentary concern.


    With the rate at which John''s strength was improving, it wouldn''t be long before he could surprise Robert.


    A cold light shed in John''s eyes.


    Robert had missed his chance to decisively kill him in the past few days; now, he would never get another opportunity in his lifetime.


    The first-ss carriage wasn''t crowded, allowing John and Vincent to disembark without the need to jostle through a crowd.


    Once they stepped off the floating train, they used an official exclusive passage to directly reach the outside of the train station.


    The spacious station za was teeming with people, everywhere dense crowds could be seen.


    At the entrance, many drivers waited for passengers, alongside numerous individuals holding banners.


    These were likely people here to pick up friends and rtives.


    Given Vincent''s status, a private car was naturally arranged for him.


    After making a call and confirming the location, he led John towards it.


    The two made their way across the za to a ck hovercar.


    Vincent exchanged greetings with the driver, then turned to John and asked, "Where are you headed? I can give you a lift."


    John was about to ept the offer when a familiar voice suddenly called out from a distance, "John! Look here!"


    John and Vincent were momentarily taken aback, turning to look in the direction of the voice.


    They saw a portly man dressed in luxurious clothes, panting as he ran towards them.


    Arge group of bodyguards followed him, each carrying megaphones and a massive banner with John''s name on it.


    It was Albertus.


    John was somewhat astonished; he knew very few people in the Imperial Capital and had never expected anyone toe to pick him up.


    Moreover, since they had exited through a special passage, John hadn''t paid much attention to the people waiting to pick up passengers, including those there for him.


    Vincent opened the car door, smiling, "It seems someone is here to pick you up."


    John nodded in thanks, "My friend hase, so I won''t trouble you, Lord Vincent. Thank you again for helping me out on the train."


    Vincent waved dismissively, smiling nonchntly, "It was nothing, just a small effort on my part. I have to leave now for another matter, but feel free to visit me at the Judicators'' headquarters for coffee sometime."


    After Vincent left in his car, John turned to Albertus, who was still running towards him, sweat drenched.


    Teasingly, John remarked, "Your physical fitness really isn''t up to par, is it?"


    Truth be told, John felt somewhat touched.


    After all, Albertus was the heir to House Fairfax and had personallye to pick him up.


    Such treatment was rare in the Federation, truly giving John the honor he deserved.


    Catching his breath, Albertus wiped the sweat from his forehead, his chubby face twisting into a wry smile as he replied, "Our family''s inheritance ss is focused on spellcasting. Isn''t it normal to be weak in strength and stamina? Not all magi can engage in closebat with bosses of equivalent rank like you."


    Albertus exined that the Radiant Visage, seemingly a melee ss, was actually purely spellcasting, which enabled the control over numerous weapons.


    At that moment, House Fairfax''s bodyguards brought Albertus''s luxurious hovercar around.


    The doors were opened by two guards, and the pair settled into the vehicle.


    The car slowly started, heading towards the heart of the Imperial Capital.


    Regaining hisposure, Albertus curiously asked, "That person from earlier seemed familiar. Who might he be?"


    John casually answered, "Vincent from the Judicators."


    Upon hearing this, Albertus, who was in the midst of drinking water, spat it out in surprise.


    Fortunately, John was quick to react, shielding himself with a Zephyr Shield to avoid the spray.


    Eyes widening in disbelief, Albertus gasped, "That was Demonce Vincent?!"


    John, somewhat exasperated, confirmed, "Yes, that''s him. But is such a reaction really necessary?"


    Albertus excitedly eximed, "Of course, it is! You have no idea how formidable he is. He''s on par with Victor, ranked among the top 10 geniuses on the cataclysmic-level Celestial List!"


    John frowned, puzzled, "The Celestial List? What''s that? Is it something significant?"


    Albertus looked at John as if he''d seen a ghost, his astonishment palpable.


    "You actually don''t know about the Celestial List? Your own name is on it, at the very top of the neers'' rank, no less!"


    John''s frown deepened.


    He was clueless.


    The term "Celestial List" was entirely foreign to him.


    Albertus then realized the disconnect.


    Growing up in the remote city of Sterburg, John was naturally out of the loop on many fronts, not to mention his recent awakening had hardly given him time to catch up on such matters.


    With no other choice, Albertus took it upon himself to enlighten John about this "Celestial List."


    After a thorough exnation, John finally grasped what this so-called list was all about.


    In essence, the "Celestial List" was a ranking system used by awakeners to categorize the Federation''s strongest and most talented individuals.


    Published by the top-tier intelligence organization "Celestial Secret," it featured virtually all well-known powerhouses and prodigies in the Federation, making it one of the most authoritative and trusted rankings avable.


    However, ess to this ranking, hosted on the Celestial Secret''s website, was quite limited, making it a rarity for the average person to see.


    This was John''s first encounter with the concept, given his recent awakening.


    John also learned that after his encounter with Rean, he had rocketed to the top of the neers'' list.


    ording to Albertus, John had already gained some notoriety within the awakenermunity, albeit not of the ttering kind.


    It was widely believed that John''s premier position was somewhat inted.


    As the onlinemunity of awakeners would say, anyone in John''s ce could have defeated Rean and imed the top spot.


    It was merely a stroke of luck that had John stumble upon such a fortuitous opportunity.


    If it weren''t for the absence of direct confrontations with him, John might have been dropped from the neers'' list long ago.


    John couldn''t care less about the rumors and gossip.


    After all, being first brought him nothing but trouble and offered no real benefit, so its presence or absence was irrelevant to him.


    Seeing John''s indifferent demeanor, Albertus couldn''t help but sigh repeatedly.


    With a bitter smile, he said, "I went through so much trouble just to secure the twentieth spot on the list of prodigies, and here you are, casuallynding the top position. It''s true what they sayparisons can be incredibly disheartening."


    Albertus bore no envy towards John; he was well aware of John''s talent and strength.


    Even though he acknowledged that John''s ranking might be somewhat inted, he believed it wasn''t as exaggerated as the onlinemunity suggested.


    John merely smiled in response and changed the subject, "Let''s head to the Hidden Stars headquarters first. I need to check in."


    With the Star Cluster Academy''s assessments starting in three days, John wasn''t nning to idle away his time.


    He intended to familiarize himself with Hidden Stars'' surroundings first and then look for ways to earn more merit points to save some money.


    With the insatiable demand of being an All-ss Magus, a billion federal coins did little to provide him with a sense of security.


    "Hey, hey, no rush," Albertus chuckled mischievously.


    "You can check in anytime. I''ve booked a room for you at the most luxurious Wilton Hotel in the Imperial Capital. Rest up first, and tonight, I''ll take you to the best nightclub in the Imperial Capital to unwind."


    The sly grin on Albertus''s face made it clear that his idea of rxation was anything but wholesome.