I stepped through the collapsing rift—
And landed back in the Elders Hall.
---
The space sealed behind me instantly.
No trace.
No crack.
Nothing.
---
As if that world had never existed.
---
Standing not far from where I emerged—
Was Elder Solryn.
---
Calm.
Watching.
Waiting.
---
"How long was I gone?" I asked.
---
"Three hours," he replied.
---
Three hours…
Felt like far longer.
---
"…I'll be taking my leave."
---
He gave a small nod.
No questions.
No pressure.
---
As I turned to leave, he walked behind me—
Pulled the rug back over the hidden seal.
Concealing the truth once more.
---
I stepped out of the hall.
---
The moment I crossed the doorway—
Something felt… different.
---
Sharper.
---
The world—
Clearer.
---
Energy signatures flowed into my senses.
Not just power—
But emotion.
---
Fear.
Curiosity.
Tension.
---
Ahead of me—
The elders stood waiting.
The Patriarch at the front.
---
Their eyes locked onto me.
---
Before a single word could be spoken—
---
SWISH—
---
I vanished.
---
Reappearing far ahead—
Already in the sky.
---
I didn't look back.
---
Behind me—
They watched.
Then turned.
And entered the hall.
---
Seeking answers.
---
But they wouldn't find them.
---
---
Wind rushed past me as I flew over the forests.
---
The world felt… lighter.
---
More responsive.
---
Then—
A blue screen appeared.
---
> Congratulations on stepping onto the Path of Cultivation.
Reward: 500 Points
Reward: 100 Azure Beast Pills
---
Another screen followed.
---
> [Master Info]
Technique: Primordial Azure Beast Scripture
Realm: Body Purification
Stage: Great Perfection — Early
---
"…Great Perfection?"
---
I frowned.
---
"System… explain."
---
A brief pause—
Then—
---
> Body Purification Realm — The First Step of Cultivation
---
Information flooded in.
---
Purpose:
Cleanse the mortal body.
Prepare it to hold power.
---
Stages:
Skin Tempering
Muscle Strengthening
Bone Refinement
Organ Cleansing
Blood Renewal
---
Effects:
Increased strength and speed
Enhanced durability
Removal of impurities
---
"…Standard."
---
Then—
Another layer appeared.
---
> Sub-Level System
Early Stage (1–3)
Mid Stage (4–6)
Late Stage (7–11)
Peak Stage (12+)
---
"…Then what is Great Perfection?"
---
The system responded instantly.
---
> Those stages apply to humans.
---
My eyes narrowed slightly.
---
> You are not human.
---
Silence.
---
> Great Perfection — also called Completion — exists beyond Peak.
It is the absolute limit of a realm.
---
More information followed.
---
Early Stage: Unstable, learning control
Mid Stage: Stable power, improved efficiency
Late Stage: Near mastery
Peak Stage: Maximum output
Great Perfection: Absolute refinement. Perfect foundation.
---
"…So I've already reached it?"
---
> Yes.
---
"…In the first realm?"
---
> Yes.
---
I exhaled slowly.
---
"…That shouldn't be normal."
---
> It isn't.
---
A pause.
Then—
---
> Only rare human geniuses can enter Great Perfection.
Even then — extremely low probability.
---
New data appeared.
---
> Talent Classification (Humans):
Chosen Rank — 0.0000001%
Elite Rank — 0.0001%
Genius Rank — 0.001%
Heavenly Prodigy — 0.1%
Heaven's Chosen — 2%
Anomaly — 5%+
Myth — 7.5%+
Calamity — 9%+
Sovereign — 9.5%+
Eternal — 10%+
---
> These represent the probability of reaching Great Perfection.
---
"…And me?"
---
> You are a Pure Bloodline.
Your path is different.
---
Then—
One final line appeared.
---
> Note: Absorbing natural energy is inefficient for you.
You require high-grade resources.
---
"…So that world…"
---
> Was consumed.
---
Silence.
---
I continued flying.
---
Soon—
Our home came into view.
---
I descended slowly.
---
My brother was already outside.
Floating.
Eyes closed.
Meditating.
---
He opened his eyes as I landed.
---
"Welcome back… what took you so long?"
---
"…Nothing serious," I replied.
"Just spoke with an elder."
---
He studied me briefly—
Then nodded.
---
"Alright."
---
We walked inside together.
---
I said nothing more.
---
I headed straight to my room.
---
Closed the door.
---
Silence.
---
I removed my outer clothes—
Sat on the bed.
---
"…System."
---
No response.
---
"…Who is the Nameless One?"
---
Silence.
---
"…You've mentioned it multiple times."
---
Still nothing.
---
My eyes narrowed.
---
"…Are you hiding something from me?"
---
A pause.
Longer than usual.
---
Then—
---
> You will understand when you are strong enough.
---
My jaw tightened.
---
"…When I reach full control?"
---
> Yes.
---
"…So something is controlling me."
---
Silence.
---
"…That wasn't instinct."
---
"…That voice… knew things."
---
My gaze darkened.
---
"…Is there another soul inside me?"
---
"…Or is something trying to take over?"
---
The system responded quietly this time.
---
> Knowing now will not benefit you.
---
Silence filled the room.
---
I leaned back—
Laying on the bed.
---
Staring at the ceiling.
---
"…So I'm not alone in this body."
---
No answer.
---
But I didn't need one.
---
I closed my eyes.
---
Today—
I gained power.
---
I gained knowledge.
---
I gained direction.
---
But I also gained something else—
---
A question.
---
One that refused to fade.
---
Who… or what… is the Nameless One?
---
And why—
---
Does it feel like…
---
It's watching me?