Chapter -2 whispers of system

Delta Sector Outpost 7, Imperial Periphery

The transition from the unnaturally still air within the ancient chamber back into the thin, dust-choked atmosphere of Delta-7 was jarring. Valerius emerged from the narrow opening, the strange polyhedron secured safely within a shielded pouch on his armor. The faint blue light from the System Interface overlay still flickered at the edge of his vision, a constant, thrilling reminder of the paradigm shift he'd just experienced.

Private Jax scrambled up from his position behind a jagged rock formation, pulse rifle still held defensively, his M1-E rank and Mid-Level Warrior energy signature broadcasting nervous tension. "Lieutenant! Are you alright? What was in there?"

Valerius forced himself into a posture of calm authority, masking the torrent of calculations and possibilities flooding his mind. Secrecy was paramount. This discovery couldn't be shared, not yet, perhaps never fully. "Minor structural collapse," he lied smoothly, dusting off non-existent debris from his armor. "Seems to be part of an old, failed survey probe conduit. Degraded materials, trace energy signature likely from a decaying power source. Nothing significant."

Jax visibly relaxed, though a flicker of confusion remained in his eyes. "A survey probe? Out here? But the energy signature felt… different, sir."

"Background radiation interacting with exotic alloys, Private," Valerius improvised, tapping dismissively at his wrist-mounted datapad as if checking readings. "The Periphery is full of such anomalies. Log it as inconclusive geological interference and let's head back. Patrol route completed."

He needed to get back to the relative privacy of his quarters, to analyze the System, to understand the extent of the changes already wrought within him. The genetic energy flowing through his veins felt different – smoother, more vigorous, circulating with an efficiency he'd never experienced. His senses, already sharp from his High-Level Warrior cultivation, felt subtly enhanced, the swirling dust particles seeming clearer, the distant hum of the outpost more distinct. These were the nanites, already at work, optimizing, enhancing.

As they began the trek back towards the outpost's looming silhouette, Valerius focused inward, cautiously probing the System Interface in his mind.

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Twelve percent? Just from initial integration? That was staggering. Achieving such an improvement through standard cultivation methods – brutal training regimes, expensive genetic serums, meditation – could take months, even years, for someone at the High-Level Warrior stage.

<> the System prompted coolly in his mind.

He hesitated, formulating a mental command. 'Display basic functions.'

The interface shifted. Simple menus appeared, overlaying his vision: [Nanite Control], [System Analysis], [Knowledge Database], [Cultivation Assistance].

He focused on [Cultivation Assistance].

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Refinement cycle? The System could actively help him purify and accumulate energy faster, directly addressing the primary obstacle between Warrior and Wargod? This was beyond any known Imperial cultivation aid technology.

He mentally selected 'N'. Not now. Not while Jax was nearby. Any significant energy fluctuations might be detectable. Patience. Strategy.

He probed the [Knowledge Database]. It seemed vast, compartmentalized. He tried a basic query: 'Star Ascension Cultivation System.'

Information flowed – familiar details about the Apprentice and Warrior stages, the requirements for Wargod, the subsequent Star Traveller stage where one gained the ability to survive unaided in space, the Star Domain stage where cultivators began influencing localized space… It detailed the World Lord and Sector Lord stages, beings capable of governing planets or entire star sectors through sheer personal might. This aligned with common knowledge within the military elite, the theoretical pinnacles most aspired to but few ever reached.

Then, he mentally pushed further. 'Stages beyond Sector Lord?'

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Valerius's mental breath hitched. Undying? He'd heard whispers, fragmented myths dismissed as legends by most, but the System presented it as fact. And the warning… logged by whom? Did this System report back to some ancient, unknown entity? Or was the logging purely internal? The implications were chilling, yet exhilarating. This device held secrets the Imperium itself barely grasped. What lay beyond Undying? The System hinted at further tiers, but access seemed locked behind higher clearance or perhaps required further integration.

He quickly shut down the query, focusing back on the physical world. They were nearing the outpost airlock. He needed to appear normal, unremarkable. Just another Lieutenant returning from a routine patrol on a forgotten dustball.

Inside the sterile corridors, the metallic tang of the air felt almost welcoming after the uncertainty outside. They passed other personnel – technicians, low-rank soldiers, their cultivation levels mostly Apprentice or Low Warrior, their faces etched with the boredom or resignation common to fringe postings. None gave Valerius more than a cursory glance or a standard salute. His M2-D rank afforded him moderate respect, but little real attention. Perfect.

"Dismissed, Private," Valerius said as they reached the junction leading to the enlisted barracks. "Ensure the patrol log reflects standard findings."

"Yes, Lieutenant," Jax saluted, relief evident in his posture. He clearly wanted nothing more than to forget the strange energy signature and the deviation from protocol.

Valerius continued towards the officer's wing, his mind a whirlwind. The polyhedron felt like a burning coal hidden against his armor. He had stumbled upon something monumental, a tool that could accelerate his cultivation at an unprecedented rate and grant him knowledge far beyond his station. The path to Wargod, Star Traveller, perhaps even the legendary Sector Lord stage, seemed suddenly attainable. And with that power, climbing the Military M-ranks, escaping this dusty prison, and reaching the centers of Imperial power felt inevitable.

Reaching his spartan quarters – small, functional, identical to dozens of others – he sealed the door, activating the basic privacy screen. Finally alone, he carefully removed the polyhedron, placing it on his small metal desk. It sat there, inert, revealing none of the cosmic power and forbidden knowledge held within.

He sank onto his bunk, the System Interface still glowing faintly in his vision. The nanites continued their subtle work, optimizing, enhancing. He could feel the difference, a quiet thrum of potential building within him.

The first step was clear: reach the Wargod stage. Quickly. Quietly. The System offered a path. He needed resources, energy, and absolute secrecy. Delta-7, once a symbol of his stalled ambition, now seemed like the perfect crucible – remote enough, overlooked enough, for him to forge himself into something far greater, unseen, until it was too late for anyone to stop him.

He accessed the System again. 'Initiate Nanite-Assisted Energy Refinement Cycle.'

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Seventy-two days, assuming sufficient energy. Valerius allowed himself another cold smile. The climb had begun.