Chapter 41: Ascendance (1)

Palana Port City.

Rather than a city, it would be more accurate to describe it as a continent floating amidst a starry sky.

This continent is unimaginably massive, larger than an entire galaxy.

The city has no ruler.

It is a widely accepted rule that transportation hubs between floors are protected by all inhabitants of the Hongmeng Vault and cannot be disrupted.

Thus, this city maintains a peculiar ecology where peace can be observed amidst the chaos of the universe.

Far from Palana Port City, a colossal flaming horse was running at full speed, leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

Huolin gradually slowed down, channeling the Power of Will to Isolde, who was inside.

Though unnecessary since Isolde already knew, Huolin still relayed the information to his master.

"We're almost at Palana Port City."

Isolde landed on a nearby meteor, followed by Arov, Minerva, and Azure.

"Is that a spaceship?"

Countless vessels were flying in from the starry sky, heading toward the continent.

"No, we call them starships."

I noticed several differences between the starships in the Hongmeng Vault and the spacecraft depicted in sci-fi works.

Beyond the distinct and more extravagant designs, their energy sources differed.

It seemed they utilized a kind of star energy crystal.

Star energy is the dominant energy source throughout the Hongmeng Vault. Other types, like elemental energy, mana, and spiritual energy, are mere derivatives of star energy.

This is why the strength levels in this world are referred to as Star Warrior or Star Sage.

If someone were to ask me what made me feel lost...

"...rov."

It would be the rules.

It is an unbreakable rule that one cannot reach the Sage Realm through unorthodox or cheating methods.

"Arov!"

"Yes?"

"Hurry up, or you'll be left behind."

"Oh, okay."

Another issue: after realizing the betrayal of the system, I started experiencing slight dementia.

I mean, I'm not even twenty years old. I'm just a sixteen-year-old kid!

What a messed-up fate.

We flew past meteors and docked starships.

I also saw various races with bizarre appearances.

However, in most cases, they transformed into humanoid forms to adjust their sizes.

As we entered the atmosphere, space suddenly distorted.

"Don't resist the spreading energy flow; it's the effect of the city's protective barrier check."

Azure and I nodded.

It didn't take long for us to pass through the barrier and reach the city's outskirts.

"We've arrived."

A majestic and awe-inspiring scene welcomed Arov and his team.

A bright blue sky filled with star elements, crystal mountains stretching as far as the eye could see, floating islands scattered across the heavens, and lush forests drifting gracefully in the air.

It felt like an imaginative world had come to life from a painting.

"Alright, everyone. I have some business to attend to, so I'll meet you in the center of the continent in one month. Until then, you're free to do as you please."

Before we could respond, only Isolde's voice remained.

"..."

"... She didn't even let us say a word..."

Now, we were left with plenty of free time.

Perhaps training here would be a good idea, considering we would face the Quasi Realm duel soon.

"This is the perfect time, isn't it?"

Minerva's crystal-clear eyes looked at me.

"Are we going to train here?"

"Yes. There are plenty of beasts roaming this place. Since this continent is often used by Quasi Realm practitioners to prepare before heading to the seventh floor, many beasts are preserved and bred here."

My gaze drifted to a place not far from here.

Indeed, there were many beasts, even hunting and preying on each other.

No, I even saw some beasts with intelligence, like Minerva and Isolde, hunting and fighting one another.

"Be careful. Many feral beasts here are at the Quasi Realm level."

"In that case, I'll go play for a bit~"

A thin crown glowing with life energy ignited atop Minerva's head.

Wood elements surged and extended into massive roots, blanketing the sky with a single step.

At the tip of each massive root, flower petals quickly grew and expanded.

Life energy, star energy, wood element energy, and plant element energy combined perfectly, forming a powerful vortex of energy within the flower petals.

This immense power also alerted the beasts fighting below.

"Wait, this energy!"

"Idiot! It's the power of a high-level Quasi Realm!"

"Well, good luck with that—every beast for itself!"

The beasts, in their monstrous forms, began fleeing one by one.

The sight of giant bears, dragons, drakes, fish, and all sorts of creatures running for their lives left Arov dumbfounded.

"HAHAHAHAHA! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING, COWARDS? TAKE THIS!"

SWOOSH—

"Super Enhanced Power—Life and Death Extra Powerful Beam!"

CRASH!

BOOM!

A colossal green laser shot out at unimaginable speed.

Each laser beam was powerful enough to level massive crystal mountains in an instant.

Some beams even tracked and pursued other fleeing beasts as if they had a mind of their own.

"AAARGH! HELP ME!"

"No! Don't come near me!"

One by one, the thin crowns atop their heads shattered into pieces, signaling their deaths.

"KYAHAHAHAHA! DIE! DIE!"

Damn it! Damn it!

So this entire time, the cute, mature Minerva I knew...

Gulp—

Azure, holding my hand, swallowed nervously. She seemed terrified.

I was even more terrified.

Just look at her eyes—why did they turn red?

Her killing intent was pouring out, weighing down on both of us.

As if realizing our concerns, Minerva turned and spoke to us.

"Oh! Arov, don't hesitate to kill here. They'll revive at the continent's center. So, just relax."

Minerva smiled. Perhaps before, I would have thought it was warming. Now, it only terrified me.

"I'm off to hunt some prey. You're free to roam here. Just remember to head to the continent's center in one month, okay?"

Nod—

Nod—

"You two are just too cute~"

"..."

"Goodbye."

Minerva flew off to who knows where, leaving behind a trail like a burning comet.

"Huft... So, what are we supposed to do about this?"

Terrifying.

I had a bad feeling about this.

The crystal mountains spanning hundreds of thousands of kilometers had been obliterated by just one of Minerva's attacks...

"Papa! Watch out!"

I ducked just in time as a sharp wave of sword energy nearly grazed my neck.

Elemental energy surged across the sky, and from a distance, I spotted the culprit who had attacked me.

He was flying, heading straight toward Arov.

"Hmm? Not bad. I'm intrigued by you. How about we introduce ourselves?"

His crimson eyes burned like the fires of hell, his flawless pale skin glowed under the light, and his long crimson nails gleamed like blood. His flowing hair swayed with the breeze, his sharp fangs marked him as a predator, and, to top it all off, his face was exceptionally handsome.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Xue Shaoran, Tianjiao of the Blood Clan."

The striking man bowed slightly, exuding the aura of nobility.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Swoosh.

After a brief moment of silence...

"..."

"Ahem, may I ask for your name?"

"A wanderer."

"... And the cute girl beside you?"

"... Fried fish."

"...?"

"..."

Arov and Azure, still holding onto each other, exchanged glances.

Their eyelids twitched, as if conveying silent messages.

(Good work, Azure!)

(Now he's confused.)

(Umm... Azure didn't know what to say, Papa.)

(It's fine, leave this to me.)

"Since you're not answering, let's skip the formalities and fight."

Xue Shaoran vanished in an instant.

Arov flung Azure far away, unwilling to let her get caught up in their battle.

The crimson blade slashed downward, aiming for Arov.

SWING—

"I didn't expect you to be so protective of that girl."

KWANG!

"Yeah, I don't want anyone interfering with our fight."

A thin black sword deflected Xue Shaoran's blood-red blade.

Both fighters disengaged, taking a step back from each other.

"You're pretty strong for someone still at the early stages of the Quasi Realm."

"You're decent too, vampire."

A faint blood-red crown hovered above Xue Shaoran's head.

"Vampire? That's the first time I've heard that term."

His blood-red blade expanded, fracturing into hundreds of thousands of smaller swords.

Once again, the sky filled with an overwhelming wave of deadly attacks.

"I'm feeling déjà vu... and it hasn't even been five minutes."