Ethan gradually sensed the heavy atmosphere and took the initiative to change the topic.
"Alright, since you’re not interested in politics for now, then… could we let Landon try entering politics?"
Eli shook his head decisively, his tone resolute:
"Landon is a crucial part of our team’s combat strength, and we can’t afford to lose him for now. Besides, to be honest, he’s not cut out for this kind of role."
Ethan listened and couldn’t help but nod,.
"You’re right. What we need most right now is for everyone to play to their strengths."
His tone carried a clear sense of respect, indicating that he had fully recognized Eli as the leader of the team.
Alan also nodded, his expression serious. He spoke slowly:
"We need to find someone truly suitable. Someone who knows how to leverage resources and power, who can skillfully handle political affairs and establish balance among different factions.
Moreover, this person must have a certain degree of foresight to navigate the unpredictable future of human civilization.
We need to work with such a person."
Eli listened and smiled calmly. "Perhaps we don’t need to worry about this at all. Just because we’re not interested in power doesn’t mean other Transcendent Beings feel the same. Maybe someone is already working toward this goal."
He paused briefly, then shifted the topic to Landon. "Why did Landon lose control? I bet you’re both curious. The reason isn’t complicated. He isn’t inherently evil, and he’s definitely not a bad person. In fact, he’s a good man—a kind man."
Alan and Ethan’s eyes shifted slightly, clearly touched by the topic.
Eli continued, "The reason he lost control is very simple. His willpower wasn’t strong enough, and his inner resilience and stress tolerance were insufficient to manage such immense Transcendent power. As a result, when this power overwhelmed his mind, he couldn’t withstand it and was ultimately consumed by it, with his animalistic instincts taking over his soul."
Alan and Ethan exchanged glances, seemingly beginning to grasp Eli’s point.
But they didn’t speak rashly and instead waited for Eli to continue.
Eli remained calm and spoke directly:
"What I mean is that abilities themselves have no right or wrong, and knowledge itself has no good or evil.
The key lies in whose hands they are held.
If they are in the hands of someone kind and just, they become a sword of justice that upholds order.
But if they fall into the hands of the ambitious, they will become a disaster."
He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping between Alan and Ethan.
"So, tell me, how many people in this world, after gaining power, can still retain their kindness and sense of justice? How many can still adhere to the morals and laws of human society?"
Faced with this question, Alan and Ethan fell silent.
Not only because it was a difficult question to answer, but also because it unveiled a cold and brutal truth about reality.
Eli did not make things difficult for them and instead gave a direct answer.
His tone was calm, even carrying a hint of indifference:
"Having 10% would already be the most ideal scenario. Reality isn’t a movie; there aren’t that many Supermen, Iron Men, or Spider-Men.
When faced with temptations like money, power, women, glory, fame, and status, how many people can truly stay true to themselves?"
He paused, his gaze still steady and cold:
"I don’t know what you think, but I know I can’t guarantee that I’ll always maintain the personality I have now.
Maybe one day, I’ll also do a lot of bad things for my own ambitions."If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Alan immediately spoke, his tone firm:
"Then we can use the law to oversee them. As long as the system is sound, we can avoid these problems."
A faint smile appeared on Eli''s lips, his tone carrying a hint of rhetorical questioning:
"First, let’s make one thing clear: personal ability is not the same as governmental authority.
Ability is a personal attribute, while authority is a privilege granted by society.
Authority can be monitored by the public and institutions, but ability is difficult to oversee because it doesn’t rely on external authorization—it’s entirely up to the individual to decide how to use it."
His voice deepened slightly:
"Admittedly, the government can enact laws to regulate Transcendent Beings, but the question is: how many of them would be willing to accept such oversight?
You must understand, Transcendent Beings are not ordinary people; their abilities far exceed your imagination.
And the benefits their abilities bring are equally unimaginable."
Eli slowly looked at both of them and continued:
"Let’s not talk about anything else. I can say with 100% certainty that some wealthy individuals and those in power will definitely collaborate with these Transcendent Beings.
The purpose is simple: to gain Transcendent power, to maintain eternal youth, to extend their lifespan, to secure endless wealth and privilege."
His tone grew more serious:
"So, I want to ask: if Transcendent Beings unite to seize power, who can stop them?
In fact, they wouldn’t even need a coup. They could become those in power simply through legal elections."
His gaze was sharp, and his voice carried a hint of coldness:
"Going a step further, Transcendent Beings wouldn’t even need to step onto the political stage themselves.
They could simply support a proxy, a puppet to be president."
Eli turned to Alan, his tone blunt:
"Alan, isn’t this exactly what you suggested? That we need to find a politician to work with?"
The air seemed to grow colder, and Alan couldn’t help but feel a wave of exhaustion in his heart.
He paused, his gaze growing calmer: "That said, don’t lump all Transcendent Beings into one category. Not everyone resists oversight or seeks to seize power. Some may be more inclined to assist the government, protect society, or even voluntarily accept constraints."
He sighed softly: "But the problem is, those with a strong sense of morality are in the minority, while the majority are far less noble."
Alan was silent for a moment, his gaze turning sharp and focused.
He looked directly at Eli, his tone low but full of resolve: "Then, in your view, how should these problems be resolved?"
Eli responded without hesitation, his tone decisive and firm: "A leader is needed—one who can establish laws for all Transcendent Beings. And this leader must be an almost perfect individual."
His voice carried strength: "First, this leader must possess a strong inner core. Only with an exceptionally powerful inner strength can he control Transcendent power instead of being controlled by it and reduced to a raging beast."
"Second, he must possess unparalleled strength. This is not only to deter those who would challenge order but also to provide his followers with a sense of security. Without great power, all ideals and laws are nothing but empty words."
Eli paused, his gaze growing deeper: "But strength alone is not enough. He must also possess exceptional wisdom and foresight, capable of understanding the intricate workings of human society and crafting strategies that unite Transcendent Beings while safeguarding the rights of ordinary people. He must be a philosopher, a politician, and an unparalleled strategist."
His tone softened gradually but carried an infectious conviction: "To gain the support of both Transcendent Beings and ordinary people, he must be generous enough to distribute resources fairly to all groups, not relying on violence and fear to maintain his rule. He needs to make everyone see that his decisions are not just for immediate benefits but for future prosperity."
Eli’s tone shifted, becoming more serious: "To achieve this, he must understand how to ‘grow the pie.’ The resources of human civilization are limited, and if they are merely redistributed on the existing basis, no matter how it’s done, conflicts will arise. The tensions between those in power, the wealthy, the Transcendent Beings, and ordinary people will only grow sharper, ultimately leading to collapse."
"Thus, he must find ways to expand the pie, making resources no longer a zero-sum game. He needs to drive technological progress, develop productivity, explore new frontiers, and perhaps even dismantle existing economic and social structures to create a more inclusive and efficient system."
"This is not just to meet the needs of Transcendent Beings but to give ordinary people hope. Only in this way can the entirety of human civilization rally under his banner, forming an unprecedentedly strong collective to face the unknown future."
"Moreover, he must possess an absolute moral high ground. He must uphold values of freedom, equality, human rights, rule of law, democracy, kindness, and justice. He must not only respect these values but ensure that they take root and flourish under his rule, becoming the core principles of society. His leadership must be benevolent yet resolute, using goodwill to dissolve hatred, justice to counter violence, and the rule of law to break chaos."
Eli’s gaze swept over Alan and Ethan, his voice low but resolute: "Such a perfect leader would not only aim to unite Transcendent Beings and ordinary people but also to propel civilization forward, unlocking humanity’s unprecedented potential. His existence would become a beacon in the hearts of all."
Ethan rolled his eyes exaggeratedly after hearing Eli''s words, his tone dripping with teasing: "Are you serious? Where in the real world would you find such a saint? Even if Washington, Lincoln, or Napoleon themselves heard this, they’d probably stand up and argue with you for a bit."
Alan, however, didn’t get sidetracked by Ethan’s remarks. He kept his gaze fixed on Eli and asked directly:
"What about you? Can you be the person you’re describing?"
Eli shrugged, his tone laced with a hint of self-mockery:
"Sorry, but I don’t have that kind of magic. If I could, would I still be here chatting with you?"
But Alan wasn’t about to let him off the hook so easily, his tone pressing:
"To what extent can you achieve?"
Eli shook his head, his tone straightforward yet tinged with helplessness:
"I don’t know. I’ll just have to take it one step at a time."
Ethan spread his hands, his tone carrying a hint of impatience:
"Then stop wasting time and say something constructive."
Eli nodded. "Alright, first let’s wake Landon up and get out of New York as soon as possible. Figuring out what’s really going on is the top priority right now."