The Path to Power

Inside the dimly lit tent, Lester—once known as Strider Cromwell—sat cross-legged, surrounded by the flickering glow of the Demon God Catalogue.

The crimson light from the pages cast eerie shadows across the tent's walls, giving the space an unsettling aura.

His breath remained steady, controlled, as he focused on the system interface hovering before him.

With a thought, he spent 200 system points, unlocking the third page of the Demon God Catalogue.

As the ancient, infernal text materialized, his pupils contracted slightly.

"Specter Evolution Process…" he murmured, scanning the information with sharp concentration.

Compared to the Wraith, which was a spectral entity bound by his will, the Specter was something entirely different.

The Wraith existed in the realm of shadows, bound to secrecy and subtlety.

It was a hunter lurking in the void, unable to interact with the material world.

But the Specter was a manifested terror, capable of exerting tangible force and affecting reality itself.

It was an existence that bridged the gap between the spiritual and physical realms.

In terms of combat potential, a Specter held the power of the Core Building Realm—a significant leap from his current Energy Accumulation Realm Wraith.

Lester exhaled slowly, his mind weighing the cost and reward.

This is powerful… but the requirements for evolution are getting tougher.

To evolve his Wraith into a Specter, the ritual required:

A Soul Vessel strong enough to contain a Specter's essence.

He can reach the peak of energy accumulation realm in physical cultivation which can act as a vessel strong enough to contain specter's essence by using another Equalizer potion.

Thirty soul cores harvested from cultivators at Energy Accumulation Realm or 3 soul cores of higher realm in core building realm.

This can also be managed.

A high-concentration Yin environment where the ritual could be performed without disruption.

The first two requirements can be completed.

However, the third requirement posed a greater challenge.

He needed a place steeped in death and resentment—a high-concentration Yin environment where the ritual would be strengthened by the lingering energy of the deceased.

Possible locations included:

Cursed lands, where mass deaths had occurred.

Ancient battlefields, where the spirits of warriors still lingered.

Sealed demonic tombs, where dark entities had been buried.

Currently, none of these locations were within his immediate reach.

As in stoneheart Empire no such places exist currently known to the others.

But even if there are places like this he won't take the risk to expose his demonic identity by evolving in the real world when he can do the same in the simulated copy world where he is completely safe.

Lester let out a quiet sigh, realizing that his demonic cultivation would temporarily stagnate.

But power had many paths. If one slowed down, he would walk another.

He would empower his physical cultivation next.

Lester accessed the system mall, scrolling through its vast inventory of mystical artifacts and potions.

His gaze landed on the Equalizer Potion.

A potion capable of synchronizing two cultivation paths, bringing them to the same level.

Last time, it had allowed him to balance his demonic and physical cultivation, creating unparalleled synergy.

But this time…

Its price had risen to 1,600 system points—nearly all his current reserves.

Lester didn't hesitate.

With a mental command, he purchased it.

A small glass vial materialized in his palm, filled with golden and crimson energy, swirling like liquid fire.

Without delay, he uncorked the bottle and drank it in one gulp.

Immediately, a shockwave burst through his body.

His Wraith's power, already at the peak of the Energy Accumulation Realm, synchronized with his physical cultivation, triggering a rapid acceleration in his body's growth.

Four hours passed in deep meditation.

His body trembled uncontrollably as his meridians expanded, muscles refined, and bones strengthened under the influence of the potion.

By the time he opened his eyes, his physical cultivation had reached the 9th Layer of the Energy Accumulation Realm—the peak.

The sensation was overwhelming.

Lester clenched his fist, feeling the unparalleled strength coursing through his veins.

With my current strength and mastery of the fighting technique, I can confidently take on opponents from the 1st to 3rd Layer of the Core Building Realm.

However, a cold realization struck him.

The system sent a notification:

"This item's effectiveness will decrease with repeated use. Future purchases will have even lower effects."

Lester's expression remained calm, but deep inside, he understood.

The system won't allow me to abuse shortcuts forever.

This potion had given him a temporary advantage, but in the future, his growth would depend on his own efforts.

His next course of action was clear: test his newfound strength in battle.

With both his physical and demonic cultivation stabilized, Lester turned his thoughts toward his next moves.

Should he remain Alia's ally?

Alia Stoneheart was no ordinary noble; she was a princess of the empire.

Her talent was undeniable, and her influence was far-reaching.

However, her true ambitions were unclear.

Would allying with her be a smart move, or would it lead to future complications?

What about Alistair?

Alistair was an anomaly—a commoner who had reached the Peak of the Mortal Transformation Realm through sheer effort.

No ordinary person could achieve that without fate's intervention.

He was a protagonist-like figure, someone who was destined for greatness.

If left unchecked, would he become an obstacle?

Could Lester use this opportunity to strengthen the Cromwell Barony?

The Cromwell Barony was insignificant in the grand scheme of the empire.

However, if he could establish connections with the upper nobility, he could secure benefits for his people.

Would allying with Alia be the key to that opportunity?

Lester exhaled deeply.

The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear—his strength had grown exponentially in a single night.

He was no longer the same person who had left the Cromwell Barony.

Tomorrow, the hunt would continue, and more truths would be revealed.

For now…

He would rest.

As he lay down on his cot, his mind drifted, contemplating the mysteries of fate, power, and his place in this world.