Konrad, however, maintained a supreme calm as if this deed was nothing worth mentioning. His eyes never even glanced toward the second elder.

　　 "So? Which one is it going to be?"

　　 He inquired, his words forcing Berken to return to the ultimatum at hand. Although Berken could go to great lengths in his dealings with the Infernal Rulers, there were two things he'd never do:

　　 One, surrender his bloodline. Two, surrender his soul.

　　 Although their house had fallen on hard times, he still was a descendant of the G.o.d of War. His lifelong dreams of returning to the t.i.tan Domain and bringing his house back to the former peak remained unchanged. The Infernal Rulers may see him as a tool, but he didn't hold them in much higher regard.

　　 This was all mutual use. Of course, Berken had self-knowledge and knew full-well that in his generation, returning the house to glory was a nigh-impossible task. The best he could do was to set up an unparalleled foundation for the next generation and his successor to thrive on. And who would that successor be?

　　 Though he claimed himself willing to surrender the patriarch position to Konrad, this was, indeed, a political move. While the position would allow Konrad to freely make use of the house's resources, once bound to it, its growth and future would directly be linked to him. What they paid today; they'd get back tomorrow plus interests.

　　 But as far as true succession was concerned, Berken's eyes would never glance toward Konrad.

　　 Not because he wasn't fully human, but because he cared not for the human race. Unlike the children and grandchildren whose growth Berken oversaw, Konrad was a rogue specimen. The words "house glory" meant nothing to him. The words "for the human race," even less.

　　 Konrad cared only for power. What lineage he took that power from mattered not. Even without his inextricable bond to the Infernal Realm, how could such a man shoulder the responsibility of undoing billions of years of suppression, and restore humanity to splendor?

　　No. Berken's choice had always been the First Inheritor, Hejin's eldest son, and his second most outstanding grandchild.

　　 "Bow to him now and bide your time. When the house is ready to break free, lead it back to the t.i.tan Domain."

　　 Those were Berken's words to the First Inheritor. But never did he expect Konrad's strength to grow at such an alarming rate. Clearly, regardless of actual cultivation, his battle-power had reached True G.o.d level. Now, they didn't even have the qualification to hold a discussion of equals.

　　 "What a pity. What a shame. What a loss."

　　 Berken sighed, more for himself than anyone else.

　　 "Although your strength clearly outpaces mine, with my Ancestral Shadow, Blood Burning, and cultivation, I believe I can give you a run for your money. Even if I cannot, surrendering my soul for an uncertain purpose is not what I can do."

　　 Berken replied with his lips curled into a smile.

　　 "To be frank, Konrad, I do not like you. Out of my grandchildren, you're the boldest, the most unbridled, the most ambitious, and of course, by far the mightiest. To say nothing of the junior generation, even us seniors can't compete with you.