Chapter 8: Strength and Energy Monuments

Standing in the open expanse of the central plains, Su Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, observing the land that stretched out before him. The air was calm, the skies clear, and the light of the sun fell gently over the grass like a soft blanket.

He took a breath and spoke with quiet resolve.

"System, create strength and energy monuments to measure power. The Strength Monument should be ten kilometers tall and two kilometers wide. The Energy Monument should be one kilometer tall and two hundred fifty meters wide."

The world stilled.

Then, the familiar presence of the system answered—calm, emotionless, but never cold.

"Request acknowledged.""Strength Monument: Height—10,000 meters. Width—2,000 meters.""Energy Monument: Height—1,000 meters. Width—250 meters.""Anchoring structures to dimensional foundation. Material: Eternal Stone Core with adaptive energy matrix.""Engraving calibration: Set to respond to presence, impact, and spiritual resonance.""Stabilization complete. Manifesting."

A low hum spread across the earth like a heartbeat. The wind shifted. The sky responded.

Then, the land before Su Yan split with smooth precision. From deep within the earth, dark stone emerged—impossibly dense, pulsing faintly with light from within its core. The massive Strength Monument climbed upward into the clouds, casting a vast shadow that blanketed the land. It was a colossal obelisk, towering and unmoving, its surface smooth but etched with faint glowing lines—symbols ancient and alive.

Each line represented a tier of power. As one touched the monument, their strength would awaken a response—light, vibration, or pressure—revealing the depth of their might.

Farther away, near a quiet riverbank, the Energy Monument began to rise. Unlike the strength obelisk, this one glowed with a soft inner brilliance. Its crystal structure shimmered in hues of blue and white, humming with spiritual essence. The energy around it was peaceful but potent—like standing in the presence of a sleeping giant.

From the skies, phoenixes circled, slowing in their graceful arcs. Dragons paused their flights, heads turning to gaze at the monuments. Even the Leviathan beneath the sea stirred, its senses pricking as the pulse of divine craftsmanship echoed across the realm.

Across the dimension, creatures looked toward the sky and saw the monuments rising. The Golden Lion growled softly from his forested perch. The Gryphon, resting upon his peak, let out a thoughtful call.

Among the many watching, Zeref and Mavis stood side by side on a high ridge. They had not been summoned, yet they had come, drawn by the stirring energy in the air.

"They're beautiful," Mavis said, awe in her voice.

Zeref nodded, his gaze fixed. "They're more than that. They're declarations. Symbols… of a world being shaped with order."

Below, Su Yan remained still. The work had just begun. 

A gentle breeze rustled the grass beneath their feet as Su Yan stood before the towering Strength Monument. The massive obsidian structure shimmered with faint runes etched across its surface, reaching ten kilometers into the sky like a silent judge of power. Not far behind stood the sleeker, more elegant Energy Monument, glowing faintly with mystical blue light.

Su Yan turned to Zeref and Mavis, his silvery-white hair fluttering behind him. His deep blue eyes scanned the monuments calmly. Despite having the spirit of an adult, his ten-year-old body—elegant, refined, and perfectly proportioned—reflected a youth who had been reforged in purity.

"This is our own system of measurement," Su Yan said. "I'll test my physical strength. Mavis, you'll test your energy levels. Zeref, you'll try both."

Zeref raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "No system feedback? Just raw measurement?"

Su Yan nodded. "Exactly. The Invincible System isn't behind this. These monuments are like mirrors—they only reflect what we give."

Mavis smiled softly. "It's simple... I like it."

Zeref stepped closer to the Strength Monument, studying its surface. "So, what does the number represent? Just height?"

Su Yan shook his head. "No. The number you get is a composite score—it's calculated based on the monument's internal resistance. When you strike, it absorbs the force, analyzes its depth, weight, and kinetic profile. The higher the reading, the stronger the strike. For energy, it measures purity, density, and total reservoir."

Zeref nodded thoughtfully. "Understood."

With no further words, Su Yan turned toward the Strength Monument. The atmosphere grew quiet as creatures gathered nearby—phoenixes perched on high branches, dragons hovered in the skies, and even the leviathan watched from the distant ocean edge.

Taking a stance, Su Yan clenched his right fist. The grass bent gently under his feet. He breathed in, then released a calm exhale. He struck.

Boom!

The sound echoed like a thunderclap. The monument pulsed faintly before glowing with golden light. A number appeared, etched in midair.

Strength Level: 4.8

Su Yan stepped back, relaxed. "Seems my body's still catching up to its full potential," he said with a faint smile. "Still, it's a start."

Mavis clapped lightly. "That was elegant."

Zeref crossed his arms, curious. "My turn, then."

He approached the monument with slow, measured steps. With one swift motion, he punched forward—no aura, no magic—just raw, physical strength.

Boom!

This time, the impact shook the earth slightly. The number appeared in a bold crimson glow:

Strength Level: 5.3

Zeref glanced over his shoulder. "Surprising. I didn't expect it to be that high with only physical effort."

"You've always been built different," Mavis said playfully.

"Your body retained its prime after death," Su Yan added. "A clean slate, but molded by your past."

Zeref moved to the Energy Monument. He raised his hand, and black tendrils of magic slowly unfurled from his fingertips, gently pressing into the monument's core.

A steady hum vibrated in the air. The monument glowed blue, then violet, then gold. A new number floated out:

Energy Level: 6.7

Mavis blinked in awe. "That's… incredible."

Zeref stepped back, silent, unsure whether to be proud or worried.

Mavis stepped up, her expression calm but curious. She placed both palms gently on the monument, letting her magic flow like petals on wind—elegant and warm.

A soft wind curled around her. Light sparkled from the monument in waves of green and pink.

Energy Level: 6.2

She pulled her hands back, surprised. "I didn't know it was that refined."

Su Yan smiled. "You both have something powerful—what once brought you pain now gives you strength."

Mavis turned to him. "And what about you? Your energy?"

"I don't have energy," Su Yan replied simply. "Not yet. My body is physically perfect—divinely nourished. But there's no internal energy cultivated yet."

Zeref tilted his head. "You're building yourself from the ground up."

"Exactly," Su Yan said, stepping between them. "No shortcuts. I'll understand power fully, one layer at a time."

They stood in silence, three figures under the open sky. Around them, the creatures of the realm observed—not as spectators, but as witnesses.

"Thanks, Su Yan," Mavis whispered.

Zeref gave a rare, quiet nod. "This world… might really be peace."

Su Yan looked up at the towering monuments. "This is only the beginning. Let's keep pushing forward—together."