The cold night air bit at Zhen's skin as he descended the temple stairs. The Universal Talent Crystal pulsed softly in his palm, a faint glow that seemed to hum with a life of its own. His body still burned with the raw power of his recent awakening, but his mind was sharper than ever. The multiverse had marked him, and countless eyes now watched.
Back in the Jiuyang Clan's ancestral hall, the Elders convened in secret, their faces pale as wax under flickering lanterns.
"Did you see the ranking broadcast?" Elder Mo whispered, barely able to believe it. "Zhen… the Void Vessel, sitting atop the Mortal Board? This is impossible."
Another Elder shook his head. "It's a sign of a coming storm. If the boy truly wields that system, he will upset the balance of power—not just here, but across all realms."
Outside, shadows moved silently, cloaked figures melting into the darkness. They were the Hunters—the secret agents dispatched by the higher powers to eliminate anomalies like Zhen. The moment he rose on the Mortal Board, their orders had been clear: Remove the threat.
But Zhen was no longer the weakling they remembered.
---
The First Trial
The next morning, Zhen left the clan grounds. He knew the path ahead would be fraught with danger, but the Multiversal Ranking System was not just a blessing—it was a weapon.
> [New Mission: Survive the Hunter's Assault. Reward: Rank Points x500.]
His vision sharpened, and a translucent interface appeared before him.
"Target detected," the system intoned as three figures materialized on the hilltop—a trio of assassins cloaked in shadow, their eyes glowing red with malice.
Zhen smiled faintly.
"They think me weak. Let's test that theory."
---
The battle was fierce.
The Hunters struck with deadly precision, their blades slicing through the air with unnatural speed. But Zhen, empowered by his newfound abilities, dodged effortlessly. His aura flared gold as he unleashed bursts of energy, each strike resonating with power amplified by the system's ranking multiplier.
> [Combo x12. Damage +150%.]
[Enemy Defeated: Hunter Alpha.]
[Rank Points Earned: 350.]
One by one, the Hunters fell beneath Zhen's assault. The last one collapsed, whispering curses before fading into dust.
> [Mission Complete.]
[Rank Points Total: 850.]
---
The Price of Power
Victory was bittersweet.
Zhen's triumph sent ripples through the multiverse. Beings from other realms began to take notice, some with curiosity, others with hostility.
Back in the Jiuyang Clan, the Council debated fiercely.
"We must strike now," hissed Jiuyuan, his eyes burning with hatred. "If Zhen's power grows, we will all fall."
"But he is just one," Elder Mo argued. "Perhaps the system will consume him before he becomes a threat."
Their words were meaningless. The seeds of war had been sown.
---
A Mysterious Ally
Days later, as Zhen wandered the forest outskirts, a soft melody drifted through the air. Following the sound, he found a young woman cloaked in white, her eyes like pools of silver.
"I've been waiting for you, Zhen," she said calmly.
"Who are you?" he asked, cautious.
"My name is Lyria," she replied. "I am a Guardian of the Veil, protectors of the balance between worlds."
She explained that Zhen's awakening had disturbed ancient accords. The multiverse was fragile, and many forces wished to control or destroy him.
"But I do not seek war," Zhen said. "I seek only to survive and grow stronger."
Lyria smiled faintly.
"Then you will need allies—and to master the powers within you."
---
The Path Forward
That night, beneath a sky swirling with countless stars, Zhen opened the system interface once more.
> [Rank Points: 850]
[New Abilities Unlocked: Multiverse Perception, Temporal Echo.]
[Next Goal: Reach Tier 1 Ascension.]
He clenched his fist.
This was only the beginning.