Near Earth, just 100 km away.
A massive "construction" was underway in the space.
The workers were three identical figures—slowly building a colossal structure.
One of them suddenly paused and said, "Hmm… it's done successfully."
The other two looked at him and shouted in unison, "Do some work! Don't just talk with Sphera!"
The first clone nodded awkwardly and returned to his task.
In his heart, he murmured, "Well, it's good that Sphera decided to make the Central Academy on the level of Concords."
"It not only solves the problem for disciples' families who want to send their children to study, but it also gives the opportunity to nations that contributed to buying the game company."
His original plan hadn't included the Central Academy. But now it neatly solved both issues.
He sighed while continuing to work.
"When will this end? I haven't rested for so many days. I've worked every single minute, but even the three of us together can't finish this giant fortress. When will it be done?"
If the fortress were small, it would have been completed long ago. But its size was enormous—requiring them to build it in space and set up powerful concealment vyuhas so no one could detect it.
The real difficulty wasn't just the scale.
Creating and installing the fortress's defensive vyuhas was far more complex.
Countless other functional vyuhas had to be embedded as well—Defense vyuhas, essence gathering vyuhas, spatial stabilizers, illusion vyuhas, and more.
So much work remained.
And even after days of non-stop effort, they had only completed 1/12 of the fortress.
But he couldn't complain.
He knew this fortress—no, sanctuary—would be their way to finally explore beyond the solar system.
He didn't want to venture into the Errant Expanse for resources.
His current stockpile was already vast. The ever-growing essence flow was more than enough. With his long lifespan, he could wait on Earth forever if needed.
He wanted to go because of the questions burning inside him.
Are there other civilizations out there?
How strong are they?
Do they have cultivators? Ancient beings?
What cultivation systems do they use?
What are their power levels? Can he take some "inspiration" from their Cultivation system?
Is he walking the right path?
He had endless questions. And he knew the only way to find answers was to explore the Errant Expanse himself.
But for that to be possible, this sanctuary had to be completed—perfect, hidden, self-sustaining, and powerful enough to carry him across the expanse.
So he shook the thoughts of rest out of his mind.
The exhaustion, the boredom, the endless repetition—they didn't matter.
He refocused, hands moving once more over the vyuhas core.
One section at a time.
One vyuha at a time.
The sanctuary would be ready.
And when it was…
The universe outside would finally meet him.
***
The three clones worked in silence again, the stars cold and indifferent around them.
Only 1/12 complete.
But they didn't stop.
***
Real world. India.
A small town at the farthest south.
In a big residence of the town.
A son was telling his father, who had just returned from work in Eternal Ascendancy, excitedly, "Dad, I got the invitation from the Central Academy in Eternal Ascendancy."
His father instantly laughed with a wide smile. "Good son! Now you can also become a cultivator and make our family strong. Haha."
His son, named Silas, smiled back. He didn't know why he was selected. He had no special quality or talent. His only standout trait was his calmness and indifferent attitude toward others. He was just a normal university student.
When Eternal Ascendancy first launched, he hadn't played. He needed to focus on his studies. Even though it was a virtual reality game, he refused to let it disturb his education.
But the more news he heard about the game, the more his resolve cracked. When India Concord introduced the breathing technique, his will completely broke.
He downloaded the game and convinced his family to do the same. They all became players.
His father was a professor in a big government school. When the school shifted to the Concord, he followed and regained his teaching position.
His mother was a private doctor. She couldn't join directly, so she applied and luckily got accepted. She even opened a clinic inside the Concord.
His big sister was a government official, so she didn't need to apply—she joined the Concord directly in her role.
As the youngest, Silas simply enjoyed life as a university student. His university was private, so he couldn't join through them directly like his father or sister. The university was still waiting for government approval to move in.
His family was quite wealthy in this small town. He never worried about jobs or money. Life was easy.
But after learning about the breathing technique, everything changed. He desperately wanted to enter the Concord and learn it.
Money no longer felt like real security. In this cultivation era, strength was what mattered. He wanted power of his own—so he could stay calm as always, but backed by true ability, not just family wealth.
He deeply cared for his family. He didn't want them to be hurt by anyone.
They had already started learning cultivation, but they couldn't share it with him. Only after he was accepted into the Concord could he receive the breathing technique.
He feared being left behind as a mortal while his family grew strong and lived long lives.
That's why he applied directly to India Concord. But with no skills or standout qualities, he was rejected.
He refused to join other nations' Concords. Right now, India was his top priority—his own nation, and the one with the most powerful breathing technique.
He could only hope his private university got approved soon so he could move in with them as a student.
But now, the Central Academy had invited him directly.
He was truly thankful. He silently thanked whoever had seen the hidden quality in him.