Amethyst Star Arena Tournament

Damien stepped forward with a smile. "Mr. Michael, it's an honor to meet you."

An odd statement. A man like him had no need for flattery, which meant this wasn't mere politeness. There was intent behind his words.

I inclined my head. "President Voss."

He chuckled, the sound smooth and practiced. "No need for formalities. If it's alright with you, just call me Brother Damien."

Brother? My lips twitched slightly, though I remained silent. Such familiarity wasn't something I was used to. Still, I noted it.

Without another word, I followed them into a well-furnished meeting room within the association. The air was thick with unspoken expectations as Damien took his seat across from me.

He didn't waste time. "Mr. Michael, I'll get straight to the point." His expression hardened, all traces of friendliness momentarily set aside. "I'm here to request your participation in the upcoming Amethyst Star Arena Tournament on behalf of Neo Astralis City."

I leaned back slightly, my fingers tapping against the armrest. "Arena battles?"

Damien nodded. "One of the most prestigious events in the Stellar Human Alliance. Ascendants from major cities compete in one-on-one battles, broadcasted live to millions."

I considered his words. The Stellar Human Alliance spanned countless cities, each vying for recognition, resources, and influence. A tournament like this wasn't just about personal glory. It was a declaration of a city's strength.

I met his gaze, my voice even. "Why me?"

He didn't hesitate. "Because you're perfect for it. The tournament is limited to Ascendants under 100 years old, and your strength—already nearing Third-Level—places you among the strongest in Neo Astralis. To put it bluntly, if we don't send you, our chances of success are slim."

I watched him carefully. There was no deception in his words, but there was something more. This wasn't just about winning.

My mind turned, unraveling the layers beneath the request. A city's performance in the tournament dictated more than just prestige. It affected its standing within the alliance, its funding, its access to rare resources. Neo Astralis needed a contender. And they saw me as their best bet.

I folded my hands together, my decision already forming.

"Tell me more."

"Our rankings in recent tournaments have been abysmal. If this trend continues, I'll likely have to resign. The Stellar Human Alliance views these rankings as a measure of a city's potential. A poor performance reflects badly on all of us."

"I'll be honest with you, Mr. Michael." His voice dropped lower. "We're not expecting miracles. Even making it to the top four thousand would be a victory for us. If you agree to participate and achieve that, the association will reward you with 200 million Eclipcoins."

My fingers curled slightly. Two hundred million. Even for someone like me, that wasn't a number to ignore. High-grade nutrient solutions didn't come cheap, and the stronger I became, the more expensive my needs would grow.

I let out a slow breath. "Two hundred million," I repeated, my voice even.

Damien nodded, his eagerness barely concealed. "That's right. And Neo Astralis will cover all additional expenses for your preparation."

The offer was tempting. Too tempting. But the moment I agreed, I would be placing myself in the public eye, exposing my growth, my abilities, my weaknesses. Strength wasn't just about power—it was about control, and the fewer people who knew my limits, the better.

But refusing outright wasn't an option either. Not when I had so much to gain.

"I'll think about it," I said.

Damien smiled, the expression almost one of relief. He heard the unspoken agreement beneath my words. "Take your time, Mr. Michael. There's still a year before the tournament. Just know that we're here to support you."

I simply nodded, rising from my seat. We left the room together, but my mind was already elsewhere, calculating the true value of the deal.

Half a Year Later

Aurora Grove, House No. 69

In the dimly lit underground training chamber, Michael sat cross-legged on the cold, metallic floor. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of energy radiating from the walls. His breathing was steady, but a subtle shift in the atmosphere drew his attention.

Something had changed.

Michael's mind plunged deep into the recesses of his consciousness, navigating the intricate pathways of his psyche. At the core he saw it—the Otherworldly Passage.

Majestic and towering, it shimmered with a surreal brilliance. Its colossal frame seemed both infinite and incomprehensible, a gateway defying the very fabric of reality. What truly caught Michael's attention, however, was the faint glow now encircling its outer edges, a glow that had not been there before.

"It's ready," Michael murmured, a flicker of excitement breaking through his composed demeanor.

The Otherworldly Passage, Michael had learned, was a mysterious construct that allowed him to traverse time and space. But its power was not without constraints. Each journey required an accumulation of energy, which was reflected in the gradual illumination of the passage:

1.Outer Edge Lighting: Enables consciousness-only travel.

2. Inner Area Lighting: Allows physical travel.

3. Core Area Lighting: It may bring about a profound transformation in the passage itself.

When Michael had returned from his first journey, the passage had revealed these rules to him. The energy required for each phase varied significantly—while the outer edge took roughly 10 to 12 months to charge, the inner area could take years or even decades, and the core area might take centuries.

"Consciousness transport, huh?" Michael's lips curled into a faint smile. He wasn't bothered by the restrictions.

Traveling physically was far too risky. The energy buildup took too long, and the danger was exponentially greater—if he died while traveling in his physical form, there would be no coming back. Consciousness travel, on the other hand, was safer and more practical.

Still, he wouldn't act recklessly. "I need to prepare," he thought.

Michael opened his eyes and stood. The training chamber's cold air brushed against his skin as he left the underground room, his mind already formulating a plan.

He considered the risks. "What if the flow of time in the other world is too similar to this one?" he pondered. "If I stay there for decades, I can't afford to lose years here. Too much is at stake."

The thought gave him pause, but it didn't deter him.

Stopping at a door down the hallway, Michael pushed it open. Inside was a workspace cluttered with notes, diagrams, and models.

Michael's gaze drifted toward his scattered research. "After this trip, I should be able to deduce the next stage beyond the Heavenly Ascension Stage of the martial path," he mused.

For months, Michael had been refining his understanding of martial arts, combining his experiences from his last journey with the knowledge stored in NovaSys.

Once he finalized his deductions, he planned to upload them to the system in exchange for merit points, the universal currency of advancement in the Stellar Human Alliance.

"If I can accumulate enough merit points, I'll advance my citizenship rank," Michael thought, his eyes gleaming. Ascending through the ranks was not just a matter of status—it meant access to greater resources, privileges, and power.

Michael took a deep breath, his thoughts crystallizing into resolve.

"Let's begin."

Michael murmured to himself as he pushed open the door to the underground chamber. His steps were steady as he approached a sleek, two-meter-long nutrient tank that dominated the room. The metallic sheen of the tank reflected faint light from the overhead fixtures, giving it an almost ominous glow.

Standing before the tank, Michael let out a slow breath. The memories of his first journey flickered through his mind. Back then, he had no choice. The looming threat of forced conscription had cornered him, leaving him with only one desperate option: to travel through the Otherworldly Passage.

It had been a leap of faith, one fraught with uncertainty and danger. To his immense fortune, he had spent twenty-five long years in the martial arts world. When he returned to the main world, barely an hour had passed.

But this time, things were different. This time, Michael had the luxury of preparation.

The nutrient tank was no ordinary device. Of military-grade quality, it had cost Michael a fortune to acquire. It was an investment he considered invaluable. Once activated, the tank could sustain his physical body for no less than a hundred years.

Michael ran his hand over the tank's surface, its cold touch grounding him in the present. "With this, I can rest easy," he thought. The last thing he wanted was to return to the main world only to find his body starved and emaciated, or worse—dead.

He visualized the process once more, ensuring he missed no detail. The tank would provide his body with all necessary nutrients while he was away. As long as he didn't exceed the century-long limit or voluntarily exit the tank, his physical form would remain stable and untouched.

Satisfied, Michael opened the hatch, a soft hiss escaping as the tank depressurized. The interior glowed faintly, a pool of translucent liquid rippling gently within. Without hesitation, he stepped in, submerging himself fully. The liquid was cool and viscous, enveloping him in a cocoon-like embrace.

Michael closed his eyes, steadying his breathing as his body relaxed into the tank's cradle.

"Time to travel," he whispered.

His consciousness plunged inward, delving deep into his mind where the towering Otherworldly Passage awaited. The monumental gateway stood as it always had—majestic and awe-inspiring, its edges now fully illuminated, signaling it was ready for another journey.

The moment Michael's mind connected with the passage, an invisible force tugged at him. It felt like the ground beneath him had vanished, and his consciousness began to fall, spiraling downward through an endless void.

The sensation was overwhelming yet exhilarating, as though every fiber of his being was being unraveled and reassembled.

Michael surrendered to the pull, a faint smirk crossing his lips. "Let's see what lies beyond this time."

And with that, his consciousness was swept away, disappearing into the unknown.