A New Path to Power

Zephyr leaned back against the cool stone wall of his chamber, his breathing still unsteady. The lingering energy from his rapid advancement coursed through his body, but his mind remained focused on the implications of what had just transpired.

'I ascended three whole realms in a single session…' he thought, flexing his fingers as mana flickered at his fingertips. 'This level of progress shouldn't be possible.'

And yet, it was. His cultivation technique had rewritten the very rules of advancement.

He recalled the system's warning about his soul integrity dropping to 72%. It was a sign that even with his limitless potential, his body had limits—limits he had to respect if he didn't want to self-destruct.

Still, the temptation was strong.

'Power like this is dangerous… but necessary.'

The world of Aethelgard was merciless. The strong ruled, and the weak were discarded. 

His thoughts drifted back to Seraphina. He still didn't understand why she had developed such an intense attachment to him. The system had explicitly confirmed that it did not interfere with emotions—which meant whatever bond she felt was real.

'What changed?' Zephyr mused. 'In the game, she was obsessed with Valen, but here, she barely acknowledges him.'

His brow furrowed.

"System, do you have any data on why Seraphina's attachment has shifted to me?"

[Analyzing…]

[Insufficient data. Emotional connections are based on real-world interactions, personal experiences, and subconscious attraction. The system does not interfere with these variables.]

Zephyr exhaled slowly. So it truly wasn't a fabricated attachment.

That left only one explanation: something had fundamentally altered Seraphina's perception of him before the start of the game's events.

'Was it because I reincarnated?' he wondered. 'Or did my mere existence in this world create a butterfly effect?'

Either way, it was an advantage. Seraphina was one of the most powerful individuals in history, and if she was naturally inclined toward him, he needed to ensure her loyalty never wavered.

'She's dangerous if she turns into my enemy… but invaluable if she stays on my side.'

A plan began forming in his mind. He needed to strengthen his bond with Seraphina, not just because of her raw power, but because if things ever took a dark turn, he had to be the one guiding her path.

Turning his focus back to himself, Zephyr analyzed the key breakthroughs he had achieved.

[Omni-Elemental Absorption – Unlike conventional cultivation techniques that restricted practitioners to a single element, his method allowed him to absorb and harmonize all elements at once, increasing his mana density exponentially.]

[Fluid Advancement – Traditional cultivation required stabilizing each realm before advancing. His method bypassed stagnation, allowing seamless progression.]

[Self-Evolving Technique – His cultivation method wasn't static. It adapted to his needs, refining itself as he progressed, ensuring efficiency beyond anything the world had ever seen.]

But there was one looming question: What came next?

He had reached the Peak of Core Formation Realm in a single session. If he continued at this pace, he would surpass even the most seasoned cultivators within months.

And that kind of progress…

Would not go unnoticed.

Zephyr clenched his fists. He needed to maintain a delicate balance. Power was vital, but secrecy was equally important.

'For now, I'll act as if I'm progressing at a normal pace. Let the world think I'm just another S-rank genius.'

He stood, stretching his limbs as his mana circulated effortlessly through his body. His strength had increased dramatically, but this was just the beginning.

Zephyr took a deep breath, stabilizing the lingering energy within his body. He had already advanced beyond expectations, but the consequences of rapid progress weren't something he could ignore. The system had warned him about his soul integrity dropping to 72%, and that was a danger he had to respect.

'If I keep pushing recklessly, I might shatter my foundation instead of strengthening it.'

For now, he needed to let his body and soul adapt. Cultivation wasn't just about power—it was about balance, and rushing headlong into the unknown had its risks.

Zephyr walked to a nearby mirror, examining himself. His irises still shimmered with faint cosmic energy, remnants of the overwhelming power he had absorbed.

'This won't do. If anyone sees my eyes like this, they'll suspect something.'

With a thought, he activated Skill Creation, focusing on developing a subtle concealment ability.

[Skill Created: Veil of the Mundane]

Effect: Conceals unnatural fluctuations in mana, suppresses visual anomalies, and ensures the user appears within expected parameters of their current rank.

The moment the skill activated, the glow in his irises faded, returning them to a normal shade. His aura adjusted itself to feel like a standard S-rank cultivator, preventing others from sensing the monstrous potential he held within.

'Perfect. Now, even an expert won't be able to detect my true strength unless I reveal it deliberately.'

This would buy him time. Time to grow, time to plan, and most importantly, time to ensure no one saw him as a threat before he was ready.

Zephyr knew that his true challenge had only begun. He wasn't just cultivating power—he was crafting a future where he could exist without chains.

He had to be cautious. His rapid progression would become harder to hide as he ascended.

His mind ran through possible strategies—how to avoid suspicion, which alliances to form, and when to reveal his true abilities. He couldn't afford a single misstep.

'This world won't wait for me to be ready. I need to be ahead of it.'

Taking one final deep breath, he allowed himself a small smirk.

Power was his. Now, it was time to use it wisely.