The Virtual League Arena

From a scenic patio view of Lotus Lake.

"To think I'd go straight from the worst of the slum areas to this luxurious home in an area where the greens of grass and blues of clean lake water can be seen."

"It's truly remarkable how quickly things can change."

Jin sighed, a reflective glint in his eyes.

[Your Understanding is Against Heaven. By mulling over the inexplicable elevations of life, you have comprehended the Martial Art 'Infinite Possible Revolutions'.]

[Your Understanding is Against Heaven. By staring out intently at a scenery far different from the dystopian Hell you're used to, you have comprehended the Low Innate Skill 'Heaven-Defying Gaze'.]

"Hm?" Jin unintentionally acquired another Innate Skill, this one being quite the more domineering and offensive one.

"With just a glance, reduce your enemies to cinders."

That was essentially the summarization of the information that was transferred to him the moment he comprehended the Innate Skill.

"Two Innate Skills. One Auxiliary and one Offensive," Jin said reflectively.

Innate Skills were as they sounded—Innate.

So to not merely comprehend them from virtually nothing but to also assimilate them into one's strength was… unfathomable.

Even the monstrous geniuses on Pacific Blue Star might fail to replicate what he just did without the use of Bloodline Potions or unique Evolution Paths. The cost for either would be astronomical, but the chance to awaken Innate Skills that weren't previously open to you was nonetheless there.

"Against-Heaven's Understanding."

It was something Jin possessed for the better part of three decades now. It, along with the Door to the Myriad Realms, were his cheats. Moreover, they were cheats that even the omniscient Goddess of Wisdom could not detect the existence of.

"Intents," said Jin. "With Against-Heaven's Understanding, it's only natural that I can comprehend one and make the jump into the 2nd Rank. However, the question is just how many I'll be capable of comprehending."

In his mind, there was already a rough idea for the 2nd Chapter of the Martial Dao Evolution Path. But to bring that idea to reality, he had to continue comprehending.

His first thought was to purchase certain resources and items that contained Intents inside them. However, even if he was incomparably more wealthy now than he was in the past, at most, he could buy one or two Intent Items.

For a normal Evolver, that was more than they could ask for.

But for Jin, that would be far from satisfactory.

The alternative to this approach—an essentially cost-free method—was to…

"Fight."

…

Virtual World.

Copper League Arena.

Every second of every day, countless Evolvers all across the Human Civilization's Territory would hash it out in the 'League Arena,' aiming to make a name for themselves. There was also the incentive of wealth, which came as a result of winning the matches hosted in the League Arena.

Although the Copper League was the weakest among the Leagues, featuring only Rank 1 and Rank 2 Evolvers, millions still tuned in on each Life Planet. This meant large amounts of Human Civilization Coins flowed directly into the accounts of the League Organizers and the participants.

Yet, for Jin Stratus, the money was merely a bonus.

"So you're the one I'll be fighting today?" an arrogant man with spiky hair spoke in a derisive tone, his underestimation of the young man before him as clear as day.

Jin simply stared at this man, thinking, 'Borg, Rank 2 Level 1. Broke through with the destructive Intent of Fire.'

Any normal Rank 1 Level 12 Evolver would dread an encounter with a Rank 2 Evolver. After all, one had already stepped onto a higher playing field, where Intents could decimate entire districts, while the other was still hopscotching in the kiddy playground.

It wasn't a surprise that Borg underestimated his opponent.

Which Rank 2 Evolver wouldn't?

"Listen, kid, if you surrender now and give up the money you used to participate, I'll consider sparing you the embarrassment," Borg warned. All around him, the volatile and extremely deadly element of Fire flared.

Just a single tendril of that fire could raze several city blocks to the ground.

"Interesting," Jin mused, seemingly not the least bit worried about the fact that the Fire Intent wielded by Borg could end his life.

Up in the virtual stands, spectators were booing and turning their heads in confusion.

"What is this idiot doing, just standing there!?"

"Does this doofus have brain damage??"

"I paid good money for this! Stop dilly-dallying and fight already, you cowardly trash!"

Ignoring everyone, Jin's pupils rapidly dilated as he scanned Borg from head to toe. Everything about the Intent of Fire was being comprehended by him and his Against-Heaven's Understanding at an inconceivable rate.

[Your Understanding is Against Heaven. By observing the flames of the 'Intent of Fire,' you have begun to comprehend the Intent…]

[Your Understanding is Against Heaven. By observing the flames of the 'Intent of Fire,' you have begun to comprehend the Intent…]

[Your Understanding is Against Heaven. By observing the flames of the 'Intent of Fire,' you have begun to comprehend the Intent…]

[Your…]