The Yuan clan had kept the texts Mei could access readily available, not because she absolutely needed them, but because Mei preferred the tactile experience of physical books.
Footsteps echoed in the quiet courtyard. An old man with a cane slowly appeared, his face deeply lined, his hair white, as if his seriousness was etched onto his very features.
Yuan Suyi.
Headmaster of the Corridor Courtyard, current head of the Yuan clan, and a top figure in Yuan Heavy Industries. He didn't seem to mind Mei casually taking forbidden items.
"Ahem."
He coughed twice. "A young person with your talent is rare…no, this is the first time I've encountered someone like you."
The ordinary people in the courtyard hadn't noticed Mei's strength, but Suyi could sense the terrifying power she possessed.
He even felt that her power might rival that of a Demon God.
The Self-Awareness power system, strictly speaking, doesn't prioritize destructive power. It's a path of seeking truth. Suyi's combat strength was only Tier 2.
But his exploratory abilities were on par with Tier 4.
Like the Diamond Legion's Civet, whose mysterious divination abilities were exceptionally powerful, Suyi couldn't perceive Mei's energy fluctuations, yet he sensed a fragment of her true power in the subconscious.
Mei paid Suyi little attention, her focus on the Demon God sigil. Distractedly, she said, "I thought you were here to reprimand me."
"Not at all."
Suyi's gaze also fell upon the Demon God sigil. "Such extraordinary talent deserves special privileges. You have the right to pursue this, Aurelia. Do you wish to ascend to Demon Godhood?"
Mei glanced at Suyi from the corner of her eye.
She asked, "What are the conditions?"
Suyi stated concisely.
"You must do so under the Yuan clan's banner. The Yuan clan will assist you in the ascension ritual. You will ascend under the Yuan clan's name, in the name of the Yuan clan."
"Fine."
Mei didn't care under whose name she ascended; she wanted the power, she wanted to complete the Upgrade Tasks. The Yuan clan could have the name.
The deal was struck.
A terrifying smile spread across Suyi's weathered face—this was perhaps the Yuan clan's closest approach to their ultimate goal in a thousand years.
If Mei couldn't ascend, then no one else could.
Everything proceeded as Mei planned. She successfully entered the Demon God ritual. At midnight, a group of elderly Yuan clan members appeared.
Following ancient traditions, these elders surrounded Mei, chanting something. After a while, void energy fluctuated.
They jointly activated Self-Awareness.
Whum—
A purple symbol appeared on Mei's right hand—the Demon God sigil, granting her access to the subsequent rituals.
The first Upgrade Task was complete!
[Upgrade Task 1 · Complete]
[Guaranteed Hit · Level Up]
[Guaranteed Hit · LV2⬆]
—
[Ability: Guaranteed Hit]
[Level: LV2]
[Description: Each attack has a 10% chance of triggering a guaranteed hit effect.]
—
Mei's guess seemed correct. Judging by the increase in activation probability, Guaranteed Hit would likely reach 100% activation at LV11.
After the ritual,
Suyi looked visibly exhausted. He sighed, "Time waits for no one. This old body is failing. I'll arrange for the subsequent rituals. I'll also communicate with the other three special zones for you. From now on, you can utilize the resources of the Courtyard and the Yuan clan."
"Next is the ritual with the priestess."
Suyi left with his cane.
"You'll choose your own priestess. As the future Demon God, you have the right to decide."
If possible, Mei would have chosen someone randomly, completing the process as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, she couldn't. She didn't know if these complex rituals were necessary, but she would follow them anyway.
...
To the students of the Corridor Courtyard, Mei was shrouded in mystery, an enigmatic and legendary figure.
Within a few short days, she transformed from a student to someone admired by the Courtyard's upper echelons. She was constantly accompanied by staff, her movements shrouded in mystery, sparking intense curiosity.
She barely interacted with the other students, becoming a subject of fascination only after a veil of mystery had already settled upon her.
One day,
A car stopped at the Corridor Courtyard's gate, a blond, blue-eyed young man stepping out. He wore a blue uniform bearing the 0-Point Elite Academy insignia.
The young man eagerly rushed into the courtyard.
"Astran, I'm here to find you!"
"Derek!"
A young man in the courtyard greeted him, familiarly asking, "You're looking for Astran again?"
"Yeah, where's Astran?"
Derek looked around curiously.
The three educational institutions of the Eastern Special Zone often held student exchange programs, and inter-institutional interaction was permitted, explaining Derek's frequent visits to Astran.
As his name suggests, 0-Point Elite Academy's educational philosophy mirrors the Corridor Courtyard's, both favoring elite education. However, 0-Point Elite Academy employed a modernized approach.
Their teaching style and ideology were significantly more open and progressive.
As one of their students, Derek's strength was only slightly weaker than Astran's. If Astran didn't use his full power, he couldn't necessarily guarantee victory.
Therefore,
Derek considered Astran both a rival and a goal to surpass, even admiring him greatly.
The young man spread his hands.
"Well, Astran's been rather busy lately…"
As he spoke,
A group of people walked by. Mei was clearly at the head, followed by two Yuan clan attendants, and Astran, looking strangely subdued, trailed behind Mei.
"Astran!"
Derek attempted to approach but was stopped by the young man. Astran nodded to Derek before following Mei.
"Astran's become an attendant?!"
Derek was astonished.
The young man explained, "That's why I said he was busy. And it's not an attendant; it's his own choice. Perhaps Aurelia possesses some personal charm that appeals to him. Only Astran himself knows for sure."
"…"
Hearing this,
Derek frowned.
His longtime rival, the goal he aspired to surpass, Astran, had become another's attendant. This filled Derek with discomfort.
Firstly, confusion.
Secondly, intense resentment. Disappointment in Astran's choice, anger at his idol being subservient, and a sense of humiliation at being outdone.
Derek said, "The person at the front was called Aurelia, right? I don't recall seeing her before."
"New student."
The young man added, "She's only been here a few days."
"A new student?"
Derek was incredulous.
How strong could a new student possibly be? He couldn't understand what had happened to Astran to make him make such a choice, to willingly follow her.
His resentment grew.
Derek left the courtyard with a gloomy expression. He would have to test this person's abilities, to see what made Astran submit.
Mei was busy with the second phase of the ascension ritual: selecting her priestess. This couldn't be taken lightly.
Numerous factions within the Eastern Special Zone sought the Path of the Demon God, not just the three major leaders of Yuan Heavy Industries but also many research institutions and Self-Awareness families.
Because of the grand scale and complex nature of the ritual, subsequent phases required participation from all involved factions.
And it wasn't just Mei.
Other aspirants to Demon Godhood would choose their priestesses during this phase. Mei's participation was perfectly timed.
The Yuan clan had already chosen an aspirant, but Mei's arrival caused Suyi and the Yuan clan to abandon that unfortunate individual without hesitation.
After several days of preparation, all was ready. Mei set out to choose her priestess, marking her first encounter with other Demon God aspirants from the Eastern Special Zone.
...
Eastern Special Zone, the Present Tense Arena.
Within the modern arena, lines of Self-Awareness-constructed barriers were raised, a fantastical scene filled with sci-fi atmosphere.
Inside, young women in vibrant East-Asian-inspired priestess attire performed the ritual. They hailed from the three major educational institutions of the Eastern Special Zone, and some were from the Special Zone's workforce.
The only commonality was that all these priestesses possessed Self-Awareness power, fully understanding the ritual's significance.
The juxtaposition of ancient rituals and the modernized arena created a stark contrast, a jarring dissonance.
Outside the arena, many waited: Aosta from 0-Point Elite Academy, Levitra from the Void Agency, and other aspirants.
Aosta was still a student, but powerfully built, with black hair and blue eyes, his strength at the mid-Tier 2 level, a remarkable talent amongst the younger generation.
While the Void Agency had developed a large scientific research industry, it was primarily an educational institution, so it didn't need a separate academy.
Its chosen aspirant, Levitra, was enigmatic, his strength unknown. Levitra was of mixed blood, appearing slightly thinner than Aosta.
Footsteps echoed, drawing everyone's attention to the entrance.
"The Yuan clan has arrived."
First, a young woman entered their view. The moment Mei stepped into the arena, everyone's expressions changed.
A subtle pressure filled the air, like the immense gravitational pull of a celestial body.
Void energy silently gathered around Mei; her mere presence exuded an overwhelming sense of power.
Aosta's eyes lit up; excitement flared.
"Incredible!"
"Is she the Yuan clan's aspirant?"
The Void Agency's representative, a woman in a researcher's uniform and glasses, observed Mei with curiosity and no apprehension.
Everyone could see that the Yuan clan's leader was their aspirant. Why would the Yuan clan place such faith in this young woman?
Mei glanced around.
"Can we begin?"
"Then…"
A priestess stepped forward, her voice melodious and captivating. "Aspirants to Demon Godhood, please present your sigil."
Her words fell.
Mei, Aosta, Levitra, and the others stepped forward, raising their right hands. Void energy rippled, and various Demon God sigils appeared on their palms.
Simultaneously,
Outside the Present Tense Arena, groups of people began to converge on this location. Guards immediately sensed something amiss and engaged in combat.
Boom!
Lightning struck down, instantly eliminating a guard. A middle-aged man roared, "Defying the Demon Gods is a heinous crime! We, the Servants of the Ten Gods, shall deliver divine punishment!"
"Deliver divine punishment!"
A furious mob charged into the Present Tense Arena.
The Ten Gods Sect was a radical cult worshipping the ten Demon Gods. They believed the ten Demon Gods were supreme and inviolable; anyone who dared to aspire to Demon Godhood was the ultimate insult.
This was an unforgivable act.
Therefore,
They planned this attack, aiming to eliminate all the Eastern Special Zone's Demon God aspirants in one fell swoop.
"Tch, a bunch of fanatics."
Luo Changkong, concealed among the Ten Gods Sect members, slipped away during the attack. He didn't want to get involved in the mess.
Many Void Wanderers were among the Ten Gods Sect. Some used the Sect to infiltrate the Eastern Special Zone, while others genuinely attacked the Present Tense Arena.
Luo Changkong had no intention of staying with the Ten Gods Sect, taking the opportunity to escape.
In fact,
Besides Void Wanderers, hidden Transcenders had also infiltrated the Ten Gods Sect. A flash of white hair, and a cloaked figure in dark robes charged into the arena.
Boom!
The moment the aspirants displayed their Demon God sigils, a large hole was blasted in the arena wall, a truck crashing through.
The ritual was interrupted, anger flaring on everyone's faces.
Aosta, hearing the shouts outside, looked grim.
"The Ten Gods Sect?"
Logically, the Present Tense Arena, as a location for a phase of the ascension ritual, was adequately guarded. The Ten Gods Sect shouldn't have been able to attack so easily.
This attack on the Present Tense Arena involved many powerful members of the Ten Gods Sect, pre-planned and coordinated, allowing them to break through the arena's security forces.
Many Demon God cults harbored immense hostility towards the ascension ritual and its aspirants, hence the presence of attendants.
Attendants who doubled as bodyguards.
The Ten Gods Sect members stormed the arena, attacking indiscriminately, transforming the Present Tense Arena into a chaotic battlefield.
When Mei's gaze fell upon a few specific individuals,
A look of interest crossed her face.
[Transcender Detected]
[Elimination Mission Commenced]
[Elimination Mission: Transcendent Space is an enemy of Hyperdimensional Space. Transcenders are mortal enemies. Eliminate all Transcenders present.]
[Mission Reward: 15000 points]
Correct.
The Ten Gods Sect's attack was disruptive, but no one was truly panicked. This was the Eastern Special Zone; it wouldn't be easily shaken by a single cult.
Not to mention,
Three major leaders were present in the arena.
"Protect the priestesses."
The Void Agency's female representative adjusted her glasses, remaining calm. Void energy fluctuated, then vanished. Nearby Ten Gods Sect members instantly collapsed, dead.
The cause of death was unclear.
"Mere cannon fodder."
The faint energy fluctuations subsided, showcasing the female researcher's peak Tier 2 combat strength. The powerful attack didn't affect the surroundings, precisely eliminating only the attackers.
This was a hallmark of the Self-Awareness power system—it prioritized target selection and manipulation of effects rather than raw destructive power. It leaned towards conceptual attacks.
The same attack could instantly kill an ordinary person without damaging the surroundings, but if directed at the sun, it could obliterate the entire star.
Such attacks fundamentally impose the outcome of "death" and "destruction" on the target; the difference in destructive power stems from the target's nature.
The Self-Awareness power system favored manipulating causality and concepts, with destructive power a secondary, consequential effect. This is why they called it the path to ultimate truth.
"Eliminate the heretics first!"
The Ten Gods Sect members shouted their battle cry, their bodies radiating blinding lightning, targeting Aosta, Levitra, and the others in a frenzied assault.
Clearly, they had acquired information on the aspirants beforehand.
But they missed Mei.
Mei had only recently replaced the Yuan clan's original aspirant; the Ten Gods Sect's intelligence hadn't been updated, leaving them unaware of Mei's presence.
Mei watched the flashing lightning, finding it somewhat dazzling, unfazed by the situation. Astran, however, was serious and vigilant.
He asked Mei, "Should we retreat?"
"No need."
A crimson glow stained a blade. A Void Wanderer affiliated with the Ten Gods Sect turned to look at a fellow female cultist, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He then fell dead.
The female cultist wore a dark hood, her white hair faintly visible. As a Transcender, attacking the Void Wanderers from behind was a perfectly logical tactic.
As for why the Void Wanderers hadn't noticed her,
It was simple.
She was a traitor to Hyperdimensional Space.
Amidst the chaos, the female prepared to continue her covert assassinations when she accidentally caught sight of Mei, freezing in place.
Her still, dark eyes seemed to hold a glimmer of hope. She'd never seen Mei's face before, but she could never forget that figure.
She had first seen her, a young girl, amidst the ruins, as skyscrapers crumbled and the earth shook, gazing at a figure that truly seemed like a god.
From that moment, her faith was decided.
Perhaps by divine providence, she gained Hyperdimensional Space's favor, becoming a Void Wanderer, pursuing Mei's trail, however slim the hope.
She poured all her resources into honing her precognitive abilities, ensuring she never mistook Mei on any mission.
Eventually,
Realizing she and Mei were not on the same scale, she decisively joined Transcendent Space, embarking on a frenzied hunt for Void Wanderers.
Only this way could she rapidly surpass her current level and, through Transcendent Space, access higher-level missions within Hyperdimensional Space.
A miracle was about to occur.
This wasn't mere infatuation.
The girl's feelings for Mei were pure, fervent, and unwavering faith!
When Mei sensed the Transcender among the Ten Gods Sect, she recognized the girl, but felt only a slight sense of incredulity.
What truly astonished her was that the moment their eyes met, the Demon God sigil on her palm glowed faintly.
Their fates were intertwined across countless timelines.
Mei's priestess had arrived!
The bond between them was so powerful that the sigil's light intensified. Without Mei's choice, the sigil split, one half landing directly on the girl's forehead.
Instantly,
This extraordinary phenomenon drew everyone's attention. The chaotic battlefield fell silent; the people of the Eastern Special Zone stared, dumbfounded.
The three leaders of the Yuan clan, 0-Point, and the Void Agency were equally stunned.
What happened?
When did the Demon God sigil become so proactive?
Despite witnessing numerous ascension rituals, they'd never seen anything like this, finding it utterly astonishing.
The Ten Gods Sect members quickly reacted. One of their own had been chosen as a priestess?
What was this?
Regardless, even for a Ten Gods Sect member, becoming a priestess was a grave insult to the Demon Gods. They were a vital part of the ascension ritual.
"Kill her!"
"Kill that priestess!!"
The Ten Gods Sect members charged towards the girl.
In an instant,
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Whether Void Wanderer or Transcender, any Ten Gods Sect member was instantly reduced to bloody mist. The Present Tense Arena was enveloped in a crimson fog.
Only the girl remained unharmed.
The Eastern Special Zone members gasped.
The woman with glasses' pupils constricted.
"This is…"
[Elimination Mission · Complete]
[Points Acquired: 15000]
Mei approached and removed the girl's hood, revealing her pure white, shoulder-length hair and ruby-like eyes.
The Demon God sigil on her forehead slowly faded.
"What's your name?"
"Chloe."
"Let's go."
With those few words, Mei turned to leave, the girl following without hesitation.
The priestess had appeared.
Mei's second phase of the ritual was complete, signifying the completion of her second Upgrade Task.
[Upgrade Task 2 · Complete]
[Guaranteed Hit · Level Up]
[Guaranteed Hit · LV3]
—
[Ability: Guaranteed Hit]
[Level: LV3]
[Description: Each attack has a 20% chance of triggering a guaranteed hit effect.]
—
Those who remained were still in shock.
Levitra looked at the lingering crimson mist in the arena, his expression grave. The moment Mei had made her move, he'd felt a chill, unable to react.
"Her strength is immense."
As for just how immense, Levitra wasn't sure. The thought of competing with someone like this for Demon Godhood made things interesting.
"Ha ha,"
Levitra chuckled nervously. "We're going to die a very unpleasant death."
...
The Yuan clan's aspirant is incredibly powerful!
Within a day, news of the Present Tense Arena attack spread throughout the Eastern Special Zone, everyone aware that the Yuan clan had a formidable aspirant.
However,
Rumors often become exaggerated. Soon, stories emerged of Mei instantly eliminating hundreds of high-ranking Ten Gods Sect members in the arena.
Aside from the questionable number of high-ranking members, even if true, the Eastern Special Zone couldn't have allowed hundreds to infiltrate undetected.
Unless everyone in the Eastern Special Zone was blind.
In reality, the Ten Gods Sect only had one peak Tier 2 member—the middle-aged man who unleashed lightning—and about twenty ordinary cultists.
Including Void Wanderers and other miscellaneous individuals, there were barely more than fifty people.
In the four special zones, peak Tier 2 strength was considered exceptional; only a handful possessed overwhelming power exceeding Tier 2.
Under normal circumstances, those individuals wouldn't show up.
Even disregarding numbers, Mei's ability to instantly eliminate a peak Tier 2 powerhouse was truly daunting to other aspirants.
The ascension ritual hadn't even reached the third phase, yet some aspirants in the Eastern Special Zone were already considering withdrawal. It wasn't a lack of effort; their opponent was truly terrifying.
Major cults and alliances had secret bases within the four special zones, but they weren't reckless enough to establish their headquarters there.
This was, after all, the main base of the orderly faction.
...
Somewhere in the Western Zone.
A Ten Gods Sect base.
"Aurelia…"
An old man with silver hair and a furrowed brow looked troubled, examining newly acquired intelligence. "A remarkably powerful aspirant in this ritual."
"Patriarch, all heretics deserve divine judgment."
Beside him,
A cold-faced inquisitor of the Ten Gods Sect delivered his proposal without emotion. As an inquisitor, he was the Sect's sharpest blade, ready to judge all heretics.
The Ten Gods Sect couldn't completely stop the ascension rituals in the four special zones; they could only continuously eliminate potential aspirants.
They'd done this countless times.
The Patriarch nodded.
"Arrange for someone…"
Rumble!
Before he finished, thunder boomed from the sky. Instantly, the Patriarch and the inquisitor's expressions changed drastically, swallowed by an endless surge of lightning.
Boom!
A massive thunderbolt struck, obliterating the entire Ten Gods Sect base, leaving only a vast crater.
The Ten Gods Sect base, along with all its members, was completely annihilated. Whether inquisitor or patriarch, they were powerless against this destructive force.
Mei had been constantly monitoring the planet and its events, immediately noticing any clues related to the third phase of the Main Mission.
She dealt with anyone troublesome enough to seek her out; she disliked unnecessary complications. Eliminating threats preemptively was simple for Mei, requiring only a thought.
Of course,
If it didn't concern her, she ignored the squabbles of various cults and the four special zones. Accidental entanglements were a different matter.
...
Back at the courtyard,
Chloe recounted her experiences without reservation, including joining Transcendent Space after entering Hyperdimensional Space and her unwavering determination to follow Mei.
She remained a quiet girl, but her eyes held a vibrant spark. No one was more suitable to be Mei's priestess.
Chloe's presence was a miracle.
Her loyalty to Mei, if quantifiable, would be permanently fixed at 100%, unwavering under any circumstance.
Mei gave straightforward instructions. "From today, you are my priestess. You will perform the subsequent rituals of my ascension."
Chloe nodded.
"I will not disappoint you."
Suyi was unaware of Hyperdimensional Space and Transcendent Space; he only knew Chloe's background as a member of the Ten Gods Sect, a persistent concern.
Mei offered no further explanation. She simply commanded, "The Eastern Special Zone might object to Chloe's background. The Yuan clan will handle it."
Suyi nodded.
"Not a problem."
The conversation ended.
Suyi watched Mei leave, sighing.
"Today's youth are truly domineering."
He understood perfectly.
Mei possessed the power and the right to act thus. He even found Mei's demeanor admirable—the very bearing a future Demon God should possess.
The ascension to Demon Godhood comprised ten ritual stages:
Stage One: Demon God Sigil.
Stage Two: Binding the Priestess.
Stage Three: Blood Oath.
Stage Four: Unique Self-Awareness.
Stage Five: Fundamental Self-Awareness.
Stage Six: Conceptual Self-Awareness.
Stage Seven: Ascension Ritual.
Stage Eight: Ritual Conclusion.
Stage Nine: Descent of the Demon God.
Stage Ten: Replacing the Demon God.
Ten steps, sequential and crucial. A single mistake would halt the entire process, the difficulty increasing exponentially, the success rate approaching zero.
Few have ever reached the final stage over countless years—the most crucial step: a Demon God bestows the ritual, and the aspirant takes their place.
The number of Demon Gods is fixed at ten; ascension requires this replacement. This is why the Ten Gods Sect so vehemently opposes the ascension ritual.
The Ten Gods Sect's creed: Anyone who dares challenge a Demon God is unforgivable.
Of course,
Few have ever succeeded in this final step—slaying a Demon God with a mortal body. But Demon Gods are Demon Gods precisely because they transcend humanity.
Not just the Ten Gods Sect, but many cults and alliances worshipping Demon Gods view the ascension ritual as heresy. Subsequent troubles are inevitable.
The third stage, the Blood Oath, is a battle royale among the aspirants, a bloody demonstration of strength; the defeated die.
The Blood Oath was scheduled for seven days later, with all aspirants participating.
But in reality, the slaughter had already begun before the Blood Oath. Certain families and factions had launched preemptive strikes, aiming to eliminate aspirants before the official event.
Mei's prominent display at the Present Tense Arena made her a target, unsurprisingly. However, such minor inconveniences were nothing to Mei.
...
Within a void energy-constructed consciousness space, high-ranking members of the Ten Gods Sect sat with grave expressions, the atmosphere tense. Every individual present held at least the rank of Patriarch.
At the head sat the Sect Leader, the highest authority of the Ten Gods Sect. Twelve others were core Patriarchs.
Each Patriarch was responsible for a base and was undoubtedly powerful. The Ten Gods Sect should have had fifteen Patriarchs.
Unfortunately,
Three Patriarchs had died in a short span, all under the same circumstances: while deciding to deliver divine judgment upon Mei, an unknown force had instantly annihilated their entire bases.
The Ten Gods Sect had suffered heavy losses.
Realizing the severity of the situation, the Sect Leader and the Patriarchs hastily convened in the consciousness space to discuss countermeasures. The situation was dire.
They realized Mei was the key; the three Patriarchs' deaths all occurred after they decided to judge her.
Their faces paled.
"We're being watched, observed without restraint!!"
"This must be connected to the Yuan clan's aspirant!"
"Postpone any judgment on her."
"Remember, do not mention her in the physical world. The Ten Gods Sect cannot currently confront this force."
Each Patriarch was on the verge of Tier 3, yet three had been annihilated before this unknown power.
This terrified the Patriarchs.
"Could it be the puppet masters of the Eastern Special Zone?"
"Possible."
"Perhaps it's not the puppet masters, but her own power. She is incredibly strong, isn't she? One of our inquisitors died at her hands."
"Impossible!"
Finally,
The Sect Leader commanded,
"In short, postpone any judgment on her. Don't provoke her; it benefits us in no way."
One Patriarch was unconvinced.
"Is that all we do?"
Mei was a powerful heretic, and the deaths of three Patriarchs who had targeted her had intensified the Sect's hatred.
"Of course not,"
the Sect Leader stated. "We don't need to act. Others in the Eastern Special Zone will deal with her for us."
Aside from the rivalry between the four special zones, factions within the Eastern Special Zone also competed for ascension, making mutual attacks commonplace.
The Yuan clan's prominence would attract considerable attention.
Eastern Special Zone.
After the Present Tense Arena incident, aspirants who witnessed Mei's power felt immense pressure. Forced by this pressure, rival factions unexpectedly started cooperating.
0-Point Elite Academy and the Void Agency initiated a collaboration, exchanging advanced Self-Awareness research. Aosta and Levitra benefited greatly.
They not only gained new Self-Awareness structures but also underwent the latest Self-Awareness enhancement experiments, significantly increasing their strength before the Blood Oath.
Unbeknownst to them, all their actions were under Mei's observation. Astran keenly sensed the rising tension.
To improve his abilities, Astran repeatedly sought Mei's guidance. He had witnessed Mei constructing and expanding her Self-Awareness, a breathtaking spectacle.
While ordinary people considered Self-Awareness construction like building with blocks, Mei's Self-Awareness combinations were like the most intricate machines; tens of thousands of practical Self-Awareness formed unprecedented structures with exquisite precision.
This was the primary reason he followed Mei; he believed the ascension ritual was a mere formality; Mei was destined to become a Demon God.
Those others were clueless about the nature of their opponent.
By a vending machine.
Fshhh!
Luo Changkong opened a soda. A young Void Wanderer stood beside him, a fellow member of the Raitei Legion.
"It's practically certain that only the power of a Demon God can threaten this world, but the cause and origin are unknown—that's the main objective of the third phase."
"I see."
Luo Changkong understood.
Someone in the Legion had already strategized for Phase Three of the Main Mission, while he was still struggling to create his practical Self-Awareness set—a challenging task.
"The Ten Gods Sect might have clues."
"I'll try to contact them again."
Luo Changkong felt a headache coming on.
He'd just escaped the Ten Gods Sect and now wanted to infiltrate it again. Regardless, he'd learned something significant during his infiltration: the ascension ritual.
If there was anything closely related to the Demon Gods, it was the ascension ritual—currently their only path forward.
He wasn't sure if it was related to the third phase of the Main Mission, but it was worth investigating, lest he miss a crucial lead.
So far, Luo Changkong only knew about the ascension ritual from the Ten Gods Sect; the details remained a mystery.
Furthermore, the Eastern Special Zone was teeming with Tier 2 powerhouses, making intelligence gathering incredibly difficult for novice Void Wanderers, let alone obtaining information about the ascension ritual.
This is where information-gathering and precognitive Void Wanderers were crucial. Their presence would greatly ease intelligence gathering.
Just then,
A convoy of vehicles approached. Luo Changkong tensed.
"They're here."
Reliable intelligence from Legion members indicated that the ascension ritual was about to enter its next phase, with all aspirants gathering in the Eastern Special Zone today.
Luo Changkong and his group waited here, hoping to infiltrate the ritual and gather information.
A Void Wanderer narrowed his eyes, recognizing the convoy.
"The Yuan clan."
Approaching the arena, Mei and her group were about to enter when they bumped into another passerby—France, an aspirant from the superposition research institution.
A blond young man with mid-Tier 2 strength.
Seeing Mei, France enthusiastically greeted her.
"Aure…"
But Mei completely ignored him, walking straight past as if he didn't exist. The smile froze on France's face.
However,
What surprised the superposition research team was France's continued pursuit of Mei. His eyes, however, had become strangely unnatural. A second later, as his foot touched the ground, an intense void energy fluctuation erupted.
Boom!
France launched himself at Mei like a cannonball, his killing intent palpable. This shocked the superposition researchers.
"France!!!"