Nathan exhaled after feeling his body stabilize. For the first time, he attempted to use his spirit to observe his surroundings.

  The sensation was somewhat unfamiliar to him as someone from Earth, making him wonder what emotions native inhabitants of this world experienced when facing such fundamental changes.

  Spirit vision wasn't as he had initially imagined. It resembled ripples combining together, forming distinctive shapes that fed back to his mind, informing him of what surrounded him.

  Currently, he could see the faint outlines of Evelyn and Zeryn. The ripples or straight lines even revealed changes in their facial expressions. It wasn't like looking directly at everything with colors and details. Nathan determined it was more like a premonition. Like how Evelyn appeared troubled, while Zeryn showed expectation tinged with worry. This information didn't come from their facial expressions, but from their spirits.

  Nathan felt as if he had just stepped through the threshold of university, where he was overwhelmed with knowledge and a new world. The Spirit world of a Tier 2 cultivator evidently required much more for him to learn. He guessed that his teammates allowed him to see their emotions because they trusted him, whereas ordinary people would have to learn to conceal their thoughts, just as everyone wore masks over their physical faces.

  He was still just a toddler taking his first steps in a newly opened world. He only wondered whether this was good, exposing another weakness of himself like this. Or had it always existed before, where someone could easily read his emotions, and only now did he possess the ability to control himself?

  Setting his spirit eye aside, he looked toward the sea area and the stars of the various Aspects. They hadn't disappeared despite his breakthrough to Tier 2. His soul still drifted in the middle, and now he could see it after his mana and essence had condensed.

  His Core.

  A pure white sphere hovering there, rotating, spreading waves throughout his body. It was his future source of power. What was impossible at Tier 1 would become feasible thanks to the core transporting mana.

  Nathan allowed himself a moment of pride for reaching a threshold that had seemed impossible just months ago. From being evaluated as the weakest to becoming one of the most promising individuals of this generation.

  He looked at the system notification that had just arrived.

  Quest 'Peers pressure is not a problem!' Complete!

  Calculating rewards based on your performance.

  Granted 3000 credits.

  Your total credits: 6443.

  ...

  You have advanced to Tier 2!

  System Upgrade Available.

  Installing the upgrade...

  Installing new module...

  Please wait while the Passive System completes the processes.

  Shop Module and All your current skills are not affected.

  Shop prices updated.

  Nathan was overwhelmed by the changes that came with reaching Tier 2. He had guessed correctly about one thing, skills that could level up were now highlighted instead of grayed out as before.

  Level 3 of these skills awaited him.

  However, now wasn't the time. Whenever these skills leveled up, they caused massive changes, enough to drive him crazy. Though he now had surplus credits, the increased prices genuinely made him hesitate. The worst possible scenario had happened as he'd suspected. Fortunately, apart from Rolls being more expensive, other items weren't affected.

  Nathan opened his eyes, welcoming the light that entered them.

  In front of him, the young cultivators were all looking at him with curious eyes, engaged in lively discussions.

  What was his Aspect?

  But The Shifting Trials had ended, and they mainly stayed behind to exchange more words with each other, solidifying the foundations of relationships they'd built. Nathan was secondary. Even if he possessed an Aspect as powerful as the Space Aspect, they couldn't miss opportunities with other individuals like Zhanyu or Keira because of it.

  A few congratulations were thrown his way, then the figures gradually departed through the Portal.

  "You did it, man!" Zeryn patted Nathan's shoulder, visibly delighted.

  "Yes, I did it," Nathan clenched his fist, laughing loudly.

  "Time for a drinking party, right?"

  "You bet!"

  Evelyn stood there, waiting for the two to finish laughing before approaching and clearing her throat to attract Nathan's attention.

  "We don't have much time," she said. "May I?"

  She tapped her index finger against the PsiLink on her head.

  Nathan frowned, suddenly feeling uneasy. He looked questioningly at Zeryn only to receive a shrug.

  He nodded, signaling Evelyn to do what was necessary.

  Connection complete. The two could now exchange through the secret channel.

  "I won't be long," Evelyn's voice rang through the PsiLink's decoder. "I want to remind you about your bloodline."

  "You know about my bloodline?" Nathan asked, surprised and frightened.

  "I've guessed somewhat," Evelyn replied. "Give me your hand."

  All the excitement from reaching Tier 2 was suddenly drained away without mercy. Nathan trembled as he followed the blue-haired girl's request.

  Her hand was soft on his, radiating its inherent coldness. Her skin was smooth yet rough from the power hidden within her body.

  He suddenly stared intently at his own hand.

  "Focus, Nathan," Evelyn's voice turned stern.

  Nathan silently cursed himself. Then he tried to understand what Evelyn was doing. One thing was certain—like Zeryn, she understood not to say too much on the PsiLink, nor to use spoken words.

  Evelyn was using another method to transmit information.

  A cold stream spread to his hand, penetrating his skin, entering his blood, infiltrating down to his bones. Though slightly uncomfortable, it wasn't dangerous. Evelyn had greatly restrained her power.

  "Use your inner eye," Evelyn said.

  Hearing this, Nathan closed his physical eyes, focusing inward. He began to scan the hand area.

  The cold streams of ice were affecting the mana flows in his blood and muscles, making them slow down. Between these moments, Nathan caught glimpses of what Evelyn left behind.

  Combined with [Improved Pattern Recognition], he pieced them together.

  A horizontal line.

  A vertical line.

  A round dot.

  A vertical line.

  Nathan opened his eyes wide, hastily transmitting through the PsiLink.

  "Stop it, Evelyn!"

  The ice power vanished from his hand. But her grip tightened. Evelyn looked at him seriously with eyes filled with both worry and helplessness.

  "So I'm right," her voice was a prolonged lament.

  "How do you know?" Nathan asked in panic.

  Though he didn't understand everything, recent events had been enough to warn him.

  His bloodline was dangerous.

  From Darkan's actions to the signs of interest from Argentius, the white-robed man. About Fortune Flow. Therefore, the Titan bloodline couldn't be revealed to others.

  He had thought Zeryn's oblivious provided a layer of safety. But clearly, even the sword-wielding genius who seemed to understand everything sometimes missed certain things. Because if Zeryn knew, he would have been as worried for Nathan as Evelyn was.

  "Because my bloodline also has a distant origin," Evelyn said, revealing to Nathan for the first time a mysterious aspect of herself. "That's why I've had access to information ordinary people don't know."

  "Ordinary people? So who has the authority to know?" Nathan asked.

  "High-Tier cultivators."

  "You mean..."

  "Exactly what you're thinking. Your transformation when confronting the Lava Drake must have drawn unwanted attention."

  Nathan remained silent, not knowing what to say. After a while, he finally spoke, his face pale.

  "What will they do to me?"

  "Terrible things," Evelyn stated bluntly.

  Nathan's body went cold, his legs stiffening as he looked at the pitch-black Portal. Suddenly, he didn't want to leave this place anymore. He wanted to lock himself here. Just stepping out there meant facing the unknown, the uncertain, and the unsafe.

  "Do you have protection from your family?" Evelyn asked, pulling him back from his spiraling thoughts.

  "Family? What family?"

  "Grandparents, parents, those who passed this bloodline to you."

  Nathan shook his head, unable to tell her he'd received it from the system.

  Evelyn frowned, still not giving up.

  "What about your master?"

  "The protection was broken at The Pressuring Fall."

  Nathan saw Evelyn freeze, suddenly looking tired. She lowered her head, eyes darting back and forth, clearly thinking very intensely.

  Nathan patted her hand with his free one.

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  "Thank you for worrying about me," Nathan tried to smile. "I can handle this myself."

  "You're sure?"

  "Yeah. I still need to live so you can repay your debt, right?"

  Evelyn snorted with laughter, covering her mouth. Her tinkling laughter like bells made Nathan feel slightly relieved. Though the situation was dire with no escape route, he still had one small opening to squeeze through. He just never thought he'd have to do something so wasteful.

  But what was waste when it came to life and future?

  Evelyn withdrew her hand and took out a small vial the size of her pinky finger from her storage ring.

  "What is it?" Nathan asked, no longer using the PsiLink.

  "What you've always wanted," Evelyn said.

  Nathan looked at the crimson liquid swirling inside the vial, his eyes widening in disbelief.

  "Your blood?"

  Evelyn nodded.

  Zeryn cut in with interest.

  "What did you do to make someone willingly give you such a precious thing?"

  "Did something good," Nathan nudged his best friend's side, eyes fixed on the small vial.

  The promise to Orin could finally be fulfilled.

  "When did you draw it?"

  "Just now," Evelyn said briefly.

  Nathan was too overjoyed to notice Evelyn's exhaustion. Zeryn, seeing this, could only shake his head in exasperation, wondering how on earth Nathan managed to accomplish such a thing.

  But the pull from the Portal grew stronger, signaling they should leave—they couldn't stay in here forever. Zahra had already departed earlier after receiving reassurances from both Zeryn and Evelyn.

  Only the three of them still lingered, reluctant to exit.

  "Good luck, Nathan," Evelyn looked back to say. "If you need help, I'm here."

  "Don't worry."

  With that, Evelyn entered the portal first, leaving the two young men behind.

  Zeryn was about to follow when he was held back by Nathan's strong hand. He looked down to see his friend's body trembling as if with fever.

  Zeryn stopped immediately. In his mind, he had guessed that this must be the result of the conversation with Evelyn.

  Without a word, Nathan handed his spatial pouch to Zeryn.

  "Hold onto this for me, Zer," Nathan's voice was so weak it was almost a whisper. He had only maintained composure to reduce Evelyn's worries. But deep down, he was terrified. He silently cursed this world for continuously pushing him into awkward situations.

  "What's going on, Nate?" Zeryn asked.

  The Portal's pull grew increasingly strong, to the point where both were sliding across the floor.

  "Protect Argentius for me," Nathan instructed, his eyes becoming resolute.

  Zeryn wanted to say more but both of them were now floating in the air, thrown by an invisible force into that pitch-black hole.

  Nathan saw a person in a guard uniform approaching him. His feet felt like they carried weights of tons, suddenly difficult to move.

  Just as the person was about to reach him in a few seconds, a dark shadow darted forward at a speed Nathan couldn't fathom. Then he heard an explosive sound mixed with crashing and screaming. The clothes of the person in front of him fluttered, blocking whatever was happening.

  The pressure on his body vanished. He swallowed hard, looking up.

  Darkan with his hardened face and knife-sharp eyes was scanning the surroundings.

  Another guard approached, wearing armor with a shield in hand.

  Only then did Nathan understand what had happened to the first guard.

  With just a flick of his arm, Darkan had sent the opponent flying, straight through a floor of the skyscraper, ending when he crashed into Maelivar's protective wall. At that moment, the body exploded, becoming tiny red particles falling like rain.

  Before Nathan could register what was happening, he saw another person wearing the same uniform as the guards. However, this one had a medal on his chest, indicating a higher rank.

  Darkan's attacks seemed to show no discrimination. With just a basic motion—drawing his shoulder back slightly, clenching his fist, and then punching—the leader's staff broke with a crack upon contact with Darkan's knuckle.

  Afterward, Nathan only saw the body of the other person flailing in the air, no different from a puppet. His destination was also the protective wall. But before that, his body exploded, revealing a small translucent blue figure about half a meter tall. This child widened its eyes, looking down, unable to believe what was happening. There was one thing it had misjudged. Everything wasn't over yet.

  A loud bang, and the child shot straight backward. When it collided with the protective wall, the energy generated was so great that it forced the thin, not-yet-fully-charged mana membrane to shatter. The child flew out, soaring into the sky.

  Somewhere, a figure swiftly moved toward that child.

  Nathan shuddered, limbs weak, mumbling.

  "Is that a Nascent Soul? A Tier 4?"

  Darkan didn't answer him, his eyes still focused on the surroundings.

  "Enemy attack!" someone in the crowd shouted.

  The central area where the portal was located suddenly became chaotic. Spectators and representatives from various organizations all stood up, moving to protect civilians and their disciples.

  In an instant, the panic that erupted was controlled by the aura emanating from high-Tier cultivators. Just a minute earlier, the busiest place in Maelivar, where everyone welcomed the triumphant return of the younger generation, was now empty. The cheerful atmosphere was replaced by an invisible weight pressing on everyone's heart.

  Those who understood could see that the captain of the guard was a genuine Tier 4. Only with such power could one protect a city the size of Maelivar, which served as the center for major transactions in Caelindor. And yet. Just one blow. One blow that looked like an ordinary punch, no more no less, was enough to shatter even a Nascent Soul.

  The city's inhabitants all fell into varying degrees of crisis. The question hovering in their minds now was whether they could withstand an attack if that stranger truly decided to assault the city. Duke Kael Voss was also only a Tier 4, and even if stronger, he couldn't be powerful enough to match the enemy.

  But very quickly, they all calmed down. At other times they might worry. However, currently, this city wasn't lacking in powerful individuals. If not one, then another would stand up.

  Nalani was the first to emerge from the crowd after stabilizing the disciples of Verdant Spire Sect. This elder's face was stern as she flew toward Darkan. She needed to resolve this matter before incurring any more grudges with other forces.

  "What are you doing, Darkan?"

  "If you're not here to help, then get lost," Darkan's voice was harsh.

  "Does Alaric know about this?" Nalani scowled. "Your actions could endanger the entire sect."

  "What do elders exist for if not to protect their disciples," Darkan glared at Nalani. "Part of your responsibility is to ensure Nathan's safety. And don't tell me you didn't know what was happening from the beginning."

  Nalani stiffened, glancing at the young man frozen behind them.

  "So what?" Nalani asked indifferently. "Everything requires sacrifice. Trading one disciple for good connections with other higher powers—what's wrong with that? You don't even know if their intentions are good or bad before acting."

  "Fool," Darkan scolded. "Either move aside, or risk losing something you don't want to lose. I haven't even settled accounts for how you've humiliated me."

  Nalani started, surprised and irritated at being looked down upon.

  "What could you make me lose?"

  "Your life," Darkan answered curtly.

  And it became even more decisive when he delivered a kick that the naked eye couldn't follow.

  Before the astonished eyes of both Nathan and the crowd in the square, the elder of Verdant Spire Sect was sent flying like an insect, just like the two guards before. However, she managed to stop herself when she crashed into a building. Through the dust rising from the rubble, Nalani emerged with blood covering her body. Not only injured internally, but her soul also ached as if muscles had been overworked for days.

  Nalani stared with wide eyes at the elder she thought she knew well enough. Except for Alaric, the elders of Verdant Spire Sect all considered Darkan useless, consuming resources and occupying space. He had never once helped or completed a significant mission, eating and idling all day, careless and indifferent to everything.

  But that kick had awakened Nalani. She thought Darkan had used all his strength on the Tier 4 guard captain. Clearly that wasn't the case. Those attacks truly looked like they appeared, simple warm-up exercises.

  There had been rumors when disciples overheard the outer sect elder named Orin while he was drinking.

  The strongest in Verdant Spire Sect had never been Alaric Tethras.

  If that was true, then before her stood the existence that made other Sects and organizations fear Verdant Spire Sect, not daring to touch it.

  A chill ran from her neck to her feet. What terrifying existence had she provoked?

  Darkan snorted in contempt at Nalani. If not for her being Alaric's subordinate, Darkan would have inflicted injuries that would take decades to recover from. Hindering him was what irritated him most right now.

  Not running away was because running was impossible—Darkan knew that. His power came from Physical Cultivation, not from Spirit Cultivation. Targeting his weakness, as the mysterious existence in Moirath Forest had done, would slow Darkan down immediately. Additionally, keeping the incident here meant having witnesses. If they left and either he or Nathan died, no one would bear witness to the troubles that followed.

  He tilted his head to look at the disciple trying to maintain his composure, showing a hint of approval. Others would have collapsed under the pressure already.

  Nathan truly felt as if his legs might break at any moment. He never thought he would have to stand under a force equivalent to The Pressuring Fall so soon. He knew that without Darkan's protection, he would have fainted already, let alone remain standing.

  Witnessing such immense power for the first time made Nathan feel truly small. The cracking sounds of distant buildings still echoed in his ears. The fearful whispers of the surrounding crowd, trembling fingers pointing. Somewhere he even heard a woman screaming. Apparently, the first person to die was her son.

  Darkan showed no concern, what he needed to do was send a message. Don't send pawns here. The warning about his danger had been impressed deeply in everyone's mind.

  Now, from the distance came a person flying, behind him the officials of Maelivar city.

  He wore a long cloak with glimmering gold trim at the hem. On his shoulders were medals indicating both his position and royal status. His feet were in shiny black shoes with pointed tips. In his hand, he carried a nobleman's cane, pressing it against invisible platforms in the air.

  His hair was slicked back. His square face showed a few wrinkles of age. One of his eyes wasn't natural, but a mechanical component. It was analyzing the plainly dressed man below. His thin lips opened to speak with a deep, authoritative voice.

  "Who dares kill citizens of Maelivar?"

  "Your father does," Darkan sneered.

  "Scum," Duke Kael Voss snapped. "You..."

  Nathan couldn't see clearly what happened, only that Darkan disappeared and a second later was back beside him.

  Up above, Duke Kael Voss was nowhere to be seen. A boom now reached the position of everyone. Buildings collapsed one after another. Where the leader of Maelivar city had passed, a long trail of bricks, stones, and dust remained.

  "I hate anyone who talks down to me like that," Darkan said angrily.

  Shrill cries rose, directed at Darkan.

  "Murderer!"

  "Bastard, don't you care about civilian lives?"

  "Kill him! Tear him apart!"

  Darkan responded to everything by picking his ear. He glanced around, and the cursing suddenly stopped.

  Such was the power of the strong.

  Even if he did wrong, you had no right to speak up.

  Moreover, Darkan was too lazy to explain that he had fine-tuned his attacks to avoid harming uninvolved people. The collapsed buildings had no occupants. He might be crazy, but he wasn't a cold-blooded mass murderer.

  Duke Kael Voss flew up, dusting off his clothes. Outwardly he appeared unharmed, but inside he was seething. This display only showed the citizens he was better than other Tier 4s, but defeating that man was impossible. He gritted his teeth, following the requests of the higher-Tier cultivators.

  Receiving the education and wanting to avoid causing more damage, Kael floated down, standing on the ground, under the gaze of his subordinates and those around.

  Many who had always been proud of Maelivar felt like they'd been slapped in the face, their faces reddening in anger at their leader's display. But no one spoke up. What could they say in this situation?

  "Who are you?" Duke Kael tried to keep his voice sufficiently authoritative, that of a superior. "To cause such destruction in my city?"

  "Drop that condescending tone immediately," Darkan sneered. "And my name is Darkan. Don't use that victim voice to cover up what you planned to do with my disciple."

  Kael frowned, his mechanical eye rotating, searching for information.

  "Then I should call you Elder Darkan of Verdant Spire Sect?"

  Hatred formed as soon as the words ended. The Verdant Spire Sect disciples received pointing and accusations from the citizens instead of Darkan. After all, bullying the weak was easier than confronting the strong. Elder Nalani had to endure the pain from her wounds to stand up and reassure everyone, affirming this was just Darkan's personal grudge and unrelated to the sect.

  Only Zeryn stood up, moving forward to stand beside Nathan. His hand continuously sent messages through the PsiLink, but the recipient wasn't listening. Before leaving, he had pushed Zahra and Xander back into the ranks. In this high-level conflict, a stray bullet was enough to send them through several circles of hell.

  Darkan saw this but didn't pay much attention, as if knowing the reason behind it.

  "You shouldn't be here, Zer," Nathan said shakily.

  "Then where should I be?" Zeryn replied calmly.

  Nathan smiled weakly. He tried to look directly at Evelyn, shaking his head to prevent her from getting involved. Her teammates from Azure Lake Academy were trying to restrain her, including Reza.

  "If there's an issue, we should talk calmly," Duke Kael spoke up, forcing the crowd's noise down. "Rather than acting rashly like this. You just killed a mother's child."

  "I will compensate," Darkan said indifferently, then looked around. "But don't be mistaken. The one who sent him as an ant under my foot is your leader. They had enough time to react but only acted for that Tier 4. Do you know why? Because the cost wasn't worth it to save a Tier 3. Disposable. For what? To test me. This city is just a mass of maggots, waiting to gnaw on rotten, putrid flesh. Don't pretend to be righteous."

  Nathan blinked, looking at his master. This was the first time he'd heard him speak so much. He simultaneously understood the invisible weight Darkan was bearing. He was cautious. He couldn't let his carefree, unconcerned, freedom-loving personality show. Because his goal was to protect none other than Nathan.

  The citizens of Maelivar frowned upon hearing this. Many still couldn't believe what had just been revealed. But the clear truth was that someone had come to aid the guard captain. But not his subordinate.

  The mother who had been wailing suddenly fell silent, confused about where to direct her pain.

  Nathan looked at her, feeling a pang of sympathy. The common folk were the same everywhere, unable to do anything about decisions from above.

  Duke Kael Voss waved his hand, speaking more loudly.

  "Citizens of Maelivar shouldn't be influenced by outsiders like this. The enemy attacked suddenly, and we couldn't react in time. Surely you all will bear witness for me, won't you?"

  People frowned, not understanding who the question was for.

  But the answer came immediately afterward.

  The elders and Tier 4 leaders like Nalani from various places stepped forward.

  Most notably were those who suddenly appeared in mid-air.

  Nathan didn't even dare to use his eyes to look at them. He understood himself to be like the ant Darkan had just mentioned. They had a purpose for him, which was why they hadn't killed him yet, but just one glance and he would no longer exist in this world.

  He couldn't breathe. The joy of breaking through to Tier 2 Spirit Cultivation could no longer be found in any corner of his mind. His hand clenched. His eyes looked at the woman slumped on the ground, not knowing who to blame because she had lived long enough, was wise enough to know what was happening. She just wanted confirmation.

  Nathan bitterly realized he was just a fish on the cutting board, a prey on the execution block. The only difference was that he wouldn't have a mother mourning him when he was gone.

  Those eyes he couldn't see seemed to be dissecting him.

  But they wouldn't be able to see what he saw. They wouldn't know that, even if he died here today, he wouldn't let them achieve what they wanted.

  You used 5000 credits to purchase [Skill Breaker].

  You want to use [Skill Breaker] on [Titan's Descendant]?

  Do notice that [Titan's Descendant] is a Very Rare Skill. Do you still want to use [Skill Breaker] on [Titan's Descendant]?

  Y/N?