After leaving the scene of the assassination, Solace made his way back to the forest. The familiar embrace of nature was soothing, and he felt more at ease here than anywhere else. The forest was his sanctuary, a place where he could be alone with his thoughts, hone his skills, and focus on his goals. But today, he had something else in mind.
As he moved deeper into the woods, he could already feel the pull of the Perfect Apple in his inventory. It was time. His body was ready to undergo the change that would elevate him to a whole new level. He perched up onto a sturdy tree branch, his eyes scanning the quiet forest as he reached into his inventory and pulled out the cosmic apple.
The apple in his hand seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow, its skin reflecting the colors of the stars and galaxies, almost as though it held the very essence of the universe within. It was a symbol of power and transformation, and Solace didn't hesitate for a second. He knew what he had to do.
Without any further thought, he bit into the apple.
As soon as the apple touched his lips, a shockwave of energy coursed through his body. His senses exploded with power, but before he could process it, everything went dark. His body went limp, and he lost consciousness completely, falling into the depths of a deep sleep.
At the same time, a cocoon of dark energy wrapped around him, enveloping his body in a shimmering, translucent barrier. The transformation had begun.
Meanwhile, in the depths of Solace's consciousness, a different scene unfolded. Within the sea of consciousness, a mysterious figure rested lazily on a couch. She was half-naked, clad only in a bra and panties, her long, flowing black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her piercing blue eyes glowed with a strange light as she watched the cocoon around Solace.
She was the System, or something like it—an entity that had been guiding Solace since his transmigration. But she was more than that. She was an observer, a quiet force that existed to help shape Solace's journey. And, in this moment, she watched him as he underwent the transformation.
She shook her head, a soft smile curling on her lips.
"So silly," she murmured to herself, her voice almost like a soft melody. "How can you eat something without even knowing if you're strong enough for it?"
Her smile deepened as she continued watching, a sense of amusement in her gaze. She crossed her legs, picked up a piece of fruit from a bowl beside her, and began to eat it as she relaxed.
"My Solace... will be the most beautiful being in all of reality," she whispered with a dreamy expression, her voice filled with pride.
The cocoon around Solace pulsed with energy as he continued his transformation. His body was adapting, changing—becoming something far beyond his previous limitations. And as his internal self reshaped, so too did his future.
Three full days passed.
When Solace finally awoke, the first thing he felt was the weight of the transformation. His body felt different—lighter, yet stronger. He opened his eyes and found himself in the middle of a forest, his body resting within the cocoon that had surrounded him. As he slowly pushed his way out, the cocoon disintegrated into wisps of glowing energy, dissipating into the air around him.
Standing up, Solace took a deep breath, his senses sharper than ever before. His body felt entirely different. He flexed his fingers, feeling the flow of energy through his limbs with an ease he had never experienced before. His muscles were more defined, his posture more confident, and there was an undeniable strength that radiated from him.
But it wasn't just his physical form that had changed.
His skin, once a rich brown, had become even more smooth and radiant—like polished marble. There was an undeniable magnetism to his appearance now. A single glance at him would captivate anyone in his vicinity. He could feel the energy of mana itself gravitating toward him. His brown skin shimmered with an ethereal glow, and his hair, once short and messy, had grown down to the middle of his back. It was long, sleek, and perfectly styled, as if sculpted by an unseen hand.
His eyes—once completely black—had transformed as well. They were still dark, but now they had small dotted white pupils, like tiny stars floating in the depths of his gaze. His eyes no longer looked human—they looked divine, otherworldly, and entirely captivating.
He could feel the change deep within himself. His body had become the perfect vessel for cultivation, the foundation for limitless growth. His physical form was now optimized for mana absorption, his body like a sponge, soaking in energy effortlessly. He didn't need to try; mana flowed through him, enriching his being, preparing him for the limitless cultivation he was destined to achieve.
[Ding!]
[Solace, today's the competition day, and you're about to be late. Don't forget to cover your face before heading out...]
The system's voice was a welcome return to reality, pulling him back from his thoughts. He took one last look at his reflection in the shimmering pool of mana that surrounded him, admiring the perfection of his transformation.
For the first time, he understood the true potential of his new form. He was no longer just a boy—he was someone who could shape the world around him. His physical form had become a work of art, and his cultivation abilities were now unhindered by any limitation.
But the competition awaited. The Royal Wedding Competition was about to begin, and he could feel the pull of destiny drawing him toward it.
Solace smiled beneath the Faceless Mask he quickly donned, hiding his newly perfected features. He wasn't about to let anyone see just how much he had changed—not yet.
"Time to take my place in the world," Solace whispered, stepping forward into the unknown.