Ryven slowly opened his eyes as the week-long enlightenment session came to its natural end. His body felt incredible - stronger, more refined, and brimming with power that he could barely contain. The cultivation session had been beyond his wildest expectations.
His law comprehension had advanced dramatically. Fire law, water law, earth law, wind law, lightning law, space law, time law, and dozens of others had all reached Sovereign rank - just one step away from the Transcendent level that marked perfect mastery. His chaos law had also reached Sovereign rank, though he realized he was still far from true Transcendent mastery. To fully transcend chaos law, he would need to master every single law that had been formed since existence began - a task that would require massive amounts of time and study.
The primordial techniques from his bloodline had reached Grandmaster level mastery. His Void Step could now cross entire light years in a single movement, making interstellar travel as simple as taking a step. His Chaos Shroud could hide him from detection methods across entire galaxy clusters. The Primordial Sword Forms had become so refined that each strike could cut through the fundamental laws governing solar systems.
Most importantly, he had invented and mastered dozens of new Divine rank techniques during the enlightenment. His mental cultivation space had been working overtime, creating fusion methods that combined multiple laws into devastating attacks, perfect defenses, and utility techniques that broke conventional rules.
His foundation had also solidified to about fifty percent stability - not complete, but much better than before. The week had made him significantly stronger in every measurable way.
Looking over at Victoria, Ryven could see she was still deep in her enlightenment state. Her aura had changed completely - she had broken through to Unity Realm and her law comprehension had advanced to levels that should have taken decades to achieve.
"I should let her finish," he thought, standing up carefully. "Maybe I'll take a short walk to test how my body feels after all these changes."
But the moment Ryven extended his spiritual senses beyond the apartment, his eyes widened in shock. There were thousands - no, millions - of spiritual signatures surrounding the building. Cultivators filled every available space for miles in every direction, all of them in meditation positions facing Victoria's apartment.
"What the hell?" he muttered, his senses detecting familiar presences among the crowd. His parents were there, along with many Strathor family members. But more concerning were the seven incredibly powerful auras positioned around the building like guardians.
Ryven's enhanced memory quickly identified them from historical records he'd studied. These were the legendary protectors of humanity - Law Realm experts who normally stayed hidden from public view. Seeing them all gathered in one place made his expression turn serious.
"They must have come to protect me during the enlightenment," he realized. "But this crowd... how long have they been here?"
Without hesitation, Ryven activated his space law mastery and teleported directly into the center of the seven Law Realm experts. His sudden appearance should have been impossible to achieve without them sensing his approach, but his Chaos Shroud techniques made detection nearly impossible even for beings at their level.
The reaction was immediate and dramatic. All seven experts stumbled backward as if they'd been physically struck. Elder Morrison's face went pale. Master Zhang actually took a defensive stance before catching himself. The five sect ancestors looked like they'd just encountered their creator.
The spiritual pressure radiating from Ryven wasn't just powerful - it felt fundamentally different from normal cultivation energy. His chaos qi carried an authority that made their Law Realm cultivation seem like children playing with toys.
"Esteemed guardians," Ryven said with a respectful bow, "I must thank you for your help in protecting me during my cultivation session."
It took several seconds for the experts to regain their composure. Elder Morrison was the first to speak, though his voice carried a slight tremor.
"Oh, it's nothing. It's our job to protect Earth's cultivation geniuses," he managed to say.
"Please, come inside so we can discuss the situation properly," Ryven offered, gesturing toward Victoria's building. "I imagine there's quite a bit to explain."
As they walked toward the apartment, David Strathor and several high-ranking family members joined the group. David's expression showed relief mixed with concern as he saw his son apparently unharmed from the week-long cultivation.
When they entered the apartment, they found Victoria just emerging from her own enlightenment session. Her transformation was obvious - her cultivation had jumped from Soul Realm to Unity Realm First Level, while her spiritual pressure indicated law mastery at Journeyman and Expert levels.
"Oh my," Victoria said, noticing the crowd of powerful visitors in her living room. "I take it our cultivation session attracted some attention?"
"Just a bit," Ryven replied with a slight smile. "Apparently we had the entire city meditating outside your building for a week."
After everyone was seated and introductions were made, Ancestor Blackstone got straight to business.
"Pleasantries aside, you need to understand the situation. Multiple alien spy networks are now aware of your existence. We've captured several infiltrators trying to get close to this building. Our recommendation is to lay low for now and focus on gathering strength before revealing your full capabilities."
Ryven listened politely, then responded in a way that surprised everyone present.
"You don't need to worry about my safety. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I doubt any of you could match me in combat right now."
The statement should have been insulting coming from someone still technically in Unity Realm. But instead of taking offense, the seven Law Realm experts found themselves nodding in uncomfortable agreement. The chaos energy radiating from Ryven was unlike anything in their experience, and they instinctively knew they had no defenses against it.
Ryven's inner thoughts were calculating as he made this assessment. Let me think through why I'm so confident, he mused to himself. First, I'm using chaos qi - the original energy from which all existence emerged. Their regular spiritual qi, no matter how pure, is fundamentally inferior to what I'm working with.
Second, most of these Law Realm experts only have their laws mastered to Journeyman level. They might have advanced to Master level during this week's phenomenon, but that's still below my Sovereign level comprehension in dozens of different laws.
Third, and most importantly, my techniques are fully integrated with my law mastery. When I use a fire technique, it carries the complete authority of Sovereign-level fire law. Their integration is probably Moderate or Deep level at best - powerful, but not complete.
Add to that my larger capacity for origin chaos qi in my dantian, my primordial techniques that were born with the universe itself, and the bloodline suppression effect I naturally exert over other cultivators... honestly, it wouldn't even be a fair fight.
"I do have plans for getting stronger," Ryven continued aloud, "but I'll need to join a sect to access higher-level techniques and resources."
The moment he mentioned joining a sect, the five sect ancestors' eyes lit up like children seeing candy. They immediately began talking over each other.
"The Azure Heaven Sect has the most comprehensive technique library!" declared Ancestor Silverwind.
"The Void Walking Sect specializes in space law mastery like yours!" countered Ancestor Blackstone.
"The Elemental Harmony Sect can help you perfect your multi-law techniques!" insisted Ancestor Redcloud.
"The Earth Mountain Sect has the strongest foundation methods!" argued Ancestor Goldleaf.
"The Celestial Ice Sect has the most advanced cultivation resources!" claimed Ancestor Moonwhite.
The argument continued for several minutes, with each ancestor trying to convince Ryven that their sect was the obvious choice. Victoria watched with amusement while the Law Realm guardians looked slightly embarrassed by their colleagues' enthusiasm.
Finally, Ryven raised his hand for silence.
"I appreciate all your offers, but I have a simple requirement. I'll join whichever sect has the most techniques and skills available for study. Quality and quantity both matter, but I need access to the broadest possible range of cultivation methods."
The ancestors immediately began mental calculations about their respective sect libraries. Whispered conversations broke out as they tried to determine who could offer the most comprehensive collection.
"The Azure Heaven Sect has been collecting techniques for over ten thousand years," Ancestor Silverwind said confidently. "We have methods from Common rank all the way up to Divine level, including many unique techniques that exist nowhere else."
"How many techniques total?" Ryven asked directly.
"Approximately forty thousand different methods, covering every conceivable cultivation path," Silverwind replied.
The other ancestors looked deflated. None of their sects came close to that number, though they each had specialized collections that might be more advanced in specific areas.
"Then Azure Heaven Sect it is," Ryven decided. "When can I begin the application process?"
"Application process?" Ancestor Silverwind laughed. "Young master, after what you've accomplished, you could walk into any sect as an honored guest. We would be privileged to have you join us."
"Actually, I'd prefer to experience joining a sect normally," Ryven said. "I want to understand how the process works and meet other potential members. Is there an entrance examination coming up?"
Silverwind's smile grew even wider. "As a matter of fact, our annual recruitment examination begins next week. Perfect timing."
He pulled out a jade slip and transferred spatial coordinates to it. "These will take you directly to our sect's examination grounds. I'll make sure the testing administrators know to expect someone... exceptional."
As the meeting continued, they discussed practical matters like transportation, timing, and what Ryven should expect from sect life. Victoria mentioned that she was interested in joining as well, which Ancestor Silverwind immediately approved without question.
"Anyone associated with you would be welcome in our sect," he assured her.
As the various experts prepared to leave, Elder Morrison approached Ryven for a private word.
"Be careful out there," he said quietly. "Your abilities are going to attract attention from forces beyond what we can protect you from. The galaxy has things in it that even we Law Realm cultivators fear."
"I understand," Ryven replied. "But I can't grow stronger by hiding. Sometimes the best defense is overwhelming offense."
Elder Morrison nodded grimly, recognizing the truth in that statement. As someone who had reached the peak of human cultivation, he understood that true power required taking risks that would terrify lesser beings.
As the crowd of experts finally dispersed and the millions of cultivators outside began returning to their normal lives, Ryven and Victoria found themselves alone again in her apartment.
"Well," Victoria said, settling onto her sofa, "that was certainly more excitement than I expected from a cultivation session."
"At least we both advanced significantly," Ryven replied. "Your Unity Realm breakthrough alone makes it worthwhile."
"And your advancement... honestly, I can barely sense the full extent of what you achieved. You've become something beyond normal cultivation categories."
Ryven nodded, feeling the truth of that statement. His week of enlightenment had carried him to levels of power that didn't fit traditional realm classifications. He was technically still in Unity Realm, but his actual capabilities exceeded most Law Realm experts.
"The sect examination should be interesting," he mused. "I wonder how they'll react to someone who doesn't fit their normal categories."
Victoria smiled. "Something tells me the Azure Heaven Sect is about to get more than they bargained for when they invited you to join."
Outside the window, the city was slowly returning to normal as millions of cultivators headed home with their week's worth of advancement. But the ripple effects of Ryven's enlightenment session would continue spreading across the galaxy for months to come.
The real adventure was just beginning.