DING!
▶ Target Identified: Servant Saint ▶ Title Recognition: Complete
▶ Cause and Effect: Successfully traced
▶ Location: Confirmed within the [Obsidian Grave Continent]
[Note: The system will unlock further threads of causality upon authorization.]
"Hmm, then System, can you guide me there?" Ella commanded, her tone calm yet purposeful.
Instantly, the system responded, revealing an invisible thread that only she could see.
It was the system's guiding function, a perfect tool for navigating without risk of losing her way.
"Hehehe, as always, the system is quite powerful," Ella murmured with a smile. With that, she left the crowd, her figure vanishing without a trace.
She had also instructed the system to erase any trace of her presence.
Immediately, the system severed her connection to the capital, erasing any lingering impressions of her from those who had seen her.
No one would remember her face.
As the Karmic connection was severed, Ella soared toward her destination, the thread of causality guiding her forward. "I hope this disciple is worth taking," she muttered, "Not some trashy one with a terrible attitude."
She pushed forward, the wind rushing past her as she flew faster.
Meanwhile, back in the Divine Space within the Silver Filigree Castle:
Ella's real body had only been resting for a few hours, though her projection had spent nearly a week searching for a disciple.
While her true form remained in deep meditation, Olivia had visited occasionally, growing anxious from the absence of her sister.
When Olivia finally saw her seated upon the colossal throne, a wave of relief washed over her.
She immediately activated the system.
"How is Eri doing? What is she searching for?"
A soft chime from the system answered her.
DING!
[She is currently searching for a suitable disciple. Five days have passed in her projection state.]
"What? Five days? But she was just here a few hours ago!" Olivia's confusion was palpable.
She turned toward the system for clarification.
DING!
[The immense distance between the Human Realm and Divine Space spans trillions of light-years, making precise measurement impossible. Additionally, space distortions and the unique laws governing the Human Realm cause fluctuations in time, leading to significant deviations.]
Olivia frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion as she processed the explanation. But then, her worry faded.
"Ah, forget about it. Eri will definitely come back. No one could hurt a projection, right?" Olivia reassured herself, smiling faintly as she felt the knot in her chest loosen.
Her attention quickly shifted to Tia.
She remembered Tia's mention of the Spirit Seed. Olivia decided to ask the system about it.
DING!
[System Notification: Foundational Path Calibration Complete]
To avoid confusion, the system will now display the required stages leading up to the Primal Nexus Realm.
[Foundation Realms: Prerequisite for Primal Nexus Advancement]
▸ Step One: Mortal Awakening [Stage 1–10]
Energy Type: Vital EnergyCore Evolution: Spirit SeedStatus: Innate energy awakened. Physical and spiritual foundations initiated.
▸ Step Two: Elemental Refinement [Stage 1–9]
Energy Type: Elemental QiCore Evolution: Elemental CoreStatus: Spirit Seed refined. First true energy center established.
▸ Step Three: Meridian Ascension [Stage 1–8]
Energy Type: Flowing QiCore Evolution: Expanded Elemental CoreStatus: Energy channels strengthened. Elemental flow stabilized.
▸ Step Four: Essence Condensation [Stage 1–7]
Energy Type: Refined EssenceCore Evolution: Condensed CoreStatus: Energy density increased. Core compaction in progress.
▸ Step Five: Resonance Phase [Stage 1–6]
Energy Type: Harmonized EssenceCore Evolution: Resonant CoreStatus: Energy resonance achieved. Elemental harmony unfolding.
▸ Step Six: Spirit Embodiment [Stage 1–5]
Energy Type: Elemental IntentCore Evolution: Embodied CoreStatus: Intent manifestation initiated. Elemental aura forming.
▸ Step Seven: Spirit Ascension [Stage 1–4]
Energy Type: Elemental WillCore Evolution: Ascendant Core ProtoformStatus: Core transformation underway. Protoform developing.
▸ Step Eight: Origin Awakening [Stage 1–3]
Energy Type: Proto-Primordial EssenceCore Evolution: Ascendant Core (Formative Stage)Status: Primordial awakening triggered. Boundaries of elemental control transcended.
▸ Step Nine: Ascendant Baptism [Stage 1–2]
Energy Type: True Primordial EssenceCore Evolution: Ascendant Core (True Form)Status: Energy rebirth initiated. Soul-body-core alignment complete.
▸ Step Ten: Ascendant Threshold [Stage 1]
Energy Type: Primordial EssenceCore Evolution: Fully Stabilized Ascendant CoreStatus: All foundational realms complete. Eligible for Primal Nexus advancement.
[System Alert: Primal Nexus Realm accessible upon breakthrough.] [Warning: Incomplete foundation may result in catastrophic core deviation.]
Olivia absorbed the information, her mind shifting from anxiety to determination.
"Hm, so that's how it is. Now I can address most of Tia's shortcomings," she murmured, feeling the fire of resolve stir within her.
With newfound purpose, she dashed out from the colossal throne room and headed straight for Tia's bedroom.
Back to Ella, she had traveled for an hour, but the terrain seemed familiar.
The barren landscape stretched before her, with sand and scattered rocks filling the horizon.
A chill ran down her spine as recognition struck.
"Hmm." Her thoughts were racing.
"Isn't this that creepy place filled with zombies?" Ella said aloud. "Obsidian Grave, huh? No wonder it's abandoned. Even hearing its name is chilling."
She paused, staring into the distance. "I hope my potential disciple isn't dead." She couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that crept up her spine.
Monsters roamed this place, she knew that much.
But then, the image of her Potential disciple reassured her. "No, it should be impossible. A main character can't die; their fate wouldn't allow it." She exhaled, her confidence returning.
"Perhaps this place will be her opportunity."
She continued on her path, the thread guiding her without fail, her thoughts focused as the cold, black fog swirled in the air around her.
In the dimly lit areas where caves spread like veins across the land, an unfamiliar aura began to leak from one of the caves.
It grew stronger, more menacing, at an alarming pace.
Crack...
A single cave erupted with a violent explosion, sending debris flying in all directions.
Black energy surged from the earth, enveloping the area as a young man emerged from the ruins.
His black hair was disheveled, his face fierce, and his body—clad only in torn pants—exuded an overwhelming force.
With a feral grin, he opened his eyes, now brimming with determination.
"Hahahaha! Finally! I've reached the Elemental Refinement Realm! It seems luck is on my side."
The dark aura flickered around him, the energy barely contained within his form.
A voice suddenly echoed through the air, distorting the atmosphere itself. The voice was chilling, cold, and powerful.
"Hmm... you're luck is incredible, child. Why don't you become my disciple?"
The figure materialized, a swirling vortex of shadows and death energy forming around him.
The young man sneered at the entity, unafraid.
"Heh, ridiculous. Who would want to become the disciple of someone who won't even show themselves? I can't trust you," he spat defiantly, his voice oozing arrogance.
A dark shadow extended its hand. As it moved, the very fabric of reality seemed to twist. The cave darkened.
The ground beneath the young man cracked as if the pressure was too much to bear.
"F-fuck, I can't move!" the young man gasped, his knees buckling. His bones creaked under the immense force.
His body trembled, yet he fought to remain standing, his teeth clenched as fear and regret flooded his senses.
He stared, wide-eyed, in disbelief at the entity.
The realization of the gravity of his actions set in, and his defiance quickly turned to terror.