William didn't stay long.
Despite the warmth of the reunion…despite the rare sense of safety he had felt, even if only for a fleeting moment…
something inside him refused to let him remain.
There was a weight in his chest.
A responsibility.A danger.And something else…
something he couldn't even name.
So he left.
Quietly.
Each step measured, controlled, as if even the sound of his movement might shatter the fragile peace that had briefly returned to that house.
But…
his departure did not go unnoticed.
His father was awake.
Standing in the shadows.
Watching.
He didn't call out to him.He didn't try to stop him.
Instead, he stepped forward just before William crossed the threshold.
He looked at him for a long moment, as if trying to memorize his face all over again.
Then he pulled him into a firm embrace.
It wasn't just a farewell.
It was the embrace of a man who understood…
that his son was walking a path that could not be stopped.
"Take care of yourself."
His voice was calm.
But heavy.
"This world… it doesn't show mercy anymore. Don't trust easily."
He paused, tightening his grip slightly.
"And if you ever have to fight… don't hesitate."
Silence lingered between them.
Then his father placed a hand on his shoulder.
"But… don't lose yourself."
William didn't reply.
He simply nodded.
Then he left.
Outside the neighborhood…
the darkness felt deeper.
The silence…
heavier.
But he wasn't alone.
The old man was there.
Standing exactly where he had been before, as if he had never moved.
His gaze was steady.
Calm…
yet knowing.
He didn't ask any questions.He didn't comment.
He simply nodded.
And that was enough.
They moved.
Together.
Without words.
Yet the silence between them wasn't empty…
it was filled with everything left unsaid.
After a while…
William finally spoke.
His voice was calm.
But beneath it lay a clear determination.
"What are the levels of power… in this universe?"
The old man didn't answer immediately.
He kept walking.
As if the question had not been asked.
Or perhaps…
as if he were testing his patience.
Moments passed.
Then, at last—
"In the main universe…"
he began,
"power is not measured by strength alone… but by domains."
He glanced at William briefly before continuing.
"The first of these is the Human Domain."
"It is divided into several stages."
"It begins… with the body."
"But not just any body."
He slowed slightly.
"A body suited to your path."
He continued,
"From the ordinary body… used in most low-level worlds like yours…"
"To the Diamond Body… where one begins shaping their physique according to their potential…"
"And ultimately… the Infinite Body."
His tone deepened.
"And that… is something only those with an Immortal Body can reach."
William remained silent.
Listening.
Absorbing.
The old man went on,
"After that… one leaves the body."
"Not physically… but spiritually."
"And enters the Spirit Realm."
His voice shifted—lower, more profound.
"There… begins the second stage."
"The construction of the soul."
"From a human soul… to a transcendent one."
Then he added,
"And just like the body… this stage is only fully attainable by those who possess an Immortal Body."
He paused briefly.
"These two stages… are the foundation."
"The body… and the soul."
"But…"
He exhaled lightly.
"They require an enormous amount of resources."
"Energy. Materials. Conditions…"
"Far beyond what most worlds can provide."
William lifted his gaze slightly.
"And after that?"
A faint smile appeared on the old man's face.
But it wasn't reassuring.
"After that…"
He paused.
"comes the most dangerous stage."
"Life… or death."
William felt his chest tighten.
"In that stage…"
the old man continued,
"one must walk on the edge of death."
"Push themselves beyond their limits…"
"Until their mental power awakens."
He looked directly at William.
"And this is where people differ."
"Some possess an unbreakable will."
"Others… do not."
Then, clearly—
"Those who fail…"
"die."
Silence fell.
But this time…
it was not empty.
It was understanding.
The old man didn't remain silent for long.
"As for the fourth level…"
he continued calmly,
"it is known as the Trial of Ability."
"There, the cultivator undergoes a test… set by the galaxy itself."
"If they succeed…"
he paused slightly,
"they develop a unique ability."
William frowned slightly.
"What kind of ability?"
The old man answered,
"Anything."
"Offense. Defense. Control…"
"Or something that defies classification entirely."
Then he added,
"Most people only possess one ability."
"But…"
He looked at William more deeply.
"Those with an Immortal Body are different."
"They possess an ability even before reaching this stage."
"And when they do…"
"They are not tested by the galaxy…"
"But by the universe itself."
William remained silent.
"And they gain another ability…"
"While further developing the ones they already have."
Another pause.
"After that… comes the fifth level."
"And there…"
his tone shifted again,
"one must refine the core… and the spirit of a star."
William's eyes widened slightly.
"A star?"
"In a galaxy."
The old man replied simply.
"Only then… does true transformation begin."
"And one ascends… to the next domain."
He stopped briefly.
Then added firmly,
"And don't ask about sub-levels."
"These stages… have none."
He gave William time to process.
And the path ahead…
no longer felt like a simple journey.
It felt like a fate.
After a moment, the old man spoke again.
"As for your marrow…"
he said,
"don't worry."
William looked at him.
"You won't need it."
"The reason others rely on it…"
"is because of a lack of resources."
"But you…"
he looked at him steadily,
"won't suffer from that limitation."
Then he fell silent.
William absorbed everything.
Or tried to.
His thoughts churned.
Sorting.
Breaking.
Rebuilding.
Until—
something clicked.
He suddenly turned toward the old man.
"Then…"
his voice was calm,
"where do I find this body in the first place?"
The old man stopped.
Completely.
A brief silence passed.
But it was heavy.
Then he spoke slowly:
"I forgot to tell you."
He turned fully toward William.
His gaze sharp.
Direct.
"Obtaining that body…"
he said,
"…is not something you search for."
"Nor is it something that can be given."
He stepped closer.
"It is something you reach… on your own."
William's expression tightened.
"How?"
The answer came without hesitation.
"Control."
"Absolute control… over your ability."
Silence.
"My ability…?"
William repeated quietly.
The old man nodded.
"It is not just a tool."
"It is the key."
Then, slowly—
"When you reach complete control over it…"
"…it will guide you."
"To where that body lies."
William's eyes widened slightly.
"Guide me?"
"Yes."
The old man said firmly.
"As if it knows the way."
He paused.
Then added:
"And that…"
placing his hands behind his back,
"…is my role."
He looked at William deeply.
"To make sure you reach that level."
William lifted his gaze toward the horizon.
The path ahead…
was no longer unclear.
It was clear enough…
to be terrifying.
But he did not hesitate.
He stepped forward.