Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Nexus Ascension: My Comprehension Defies the Heaven Chapter 37: ClassmateNEXUS ASCENSION: MY COMPREHENSION DEFIES THE HEAVENC37: Classmate
Chapter 37: Classmate
"Is that... you, Classmate Grey?" Sophia's voice trembled in disbelief as her eyes widened.
She looked him up and down carefully, unable to reconcile the man before her with the image of the Grey she remembered. Back in class, Grey had been nothing but a troublemaker, a nuisance that everyone despised for his unruly personality. Sophia herself hadn't thought much of him either—in fact, she had considered him an eyesore.
Yet now, standing before her, he looked entirely different.
Plastic surgery, Sophia concluded inwardly, her lips pressing into a thin line. That had to be it.
In her eyes, Grey was nothing more than Alissa's useless brother, shamelessly riding on her coattails. And now, to top it off, he had gone so far as to change his face just to escape the mediocrity he was born with.
Her opinion of him, already poor, sank even lower.
Grey could never become an Evolver—that was already a fact set in stone. Instead of accepting reality and living quietly, he had chosen vanity, wasting money to change his appearance. Knowing his background, Sophia was even more convinced. Grey's family was just middle-class, his father's income modest at best. There was no way he could afford such a thing on his own.
No, the only explanation was obvious—he was squandering Alissa's money.
Disgraceful.
At the same time, Grey was confused, he had no idea who the girl in front of him was, he tried to jog the memories of the "old" Grey and eventually bits of information appeared in his mind.
She was Sophia who had a similar background to him and was considered the flower of his class, she had certain influence over the boys and they would always flock around her.
Then, Sophia continued speaking, her voice laced with thinly veiled contempt.
"What are you doing here, Grey?" she asked coldly. "There's nothing in the Golden Chamber that would be of use to you. Everything here is far too expensive—and only for Evolvers."
Her words weren't particularly loud, but the surrounding people still caught snippets of her tone. A few curious eyes drifted toward Grey, assessing him with mild interest. To them, Sophia's words made sense—why would an ordinary person show up in a place meant for elites?
Sophia crossed her arms, her lips curving into a faint smirk as she pressed on.
"You should know your limits. Pretending to be something you're not will only end in humiliation. Instead of wasting your time here, you should just go back and live a quiet life. At least then you won't drag your sister down any further."
Her eyes, filled with disdain, swept across Grey as though she were looking at a clown.
People like Grey disgusted her the most—useless men who leech off others and still dared to show their faces in places they didn't belong. She didn't even mind looking down on him publicly. After all, what could he do? He wasn't even an Evolver.
"..."
Grey froze for a moment, caught off guard. He never expected to be openly belittled by a classmate, much less here, in front of strangers.
He really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
He hadn't even said a word to Sophia, hadn't provoked her in the slightest—yet somehow, she was treating him as though his mere presence was offensive.
All he had done was mind his own business, but apparently, even that was too much for some people.
"..." Even Lia was slightly surprised. Her crimson eyes flicked toward Grey's stunned expression, and for the first time, she found herself feeling a trace of sympathy.
Just as she was about to rebuke Sophia, a sudden presence interrupted them.
A middle-aged man with a plump figure, neatly combed hair, and a mustache paired with a sharp goatee approached briskly. His aura wasn't particularly fierce, but the way he carried himself made it clear he held an important position here.
"Miss Lia!" the man greeted warmly, his round face splitting into an enthusiastic smile as he bowed slightly. "Your butler has already informed us of your arrival. We have been waiting for you!"
Sophia's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as the name sank in.
"L-Lia...?" she stammered, her face paling. "Y-You're that Lia... the top genius of Nova City... and the d-daughter of the City Lord?!"
The words slipped out before she could stop them. Around them, a few nearby onlookers turned their heads, shocked by the revelation.
Grey, too, blinked in surprise. City Lord's daughter? He had known Lia was wealthy, but he hadn't expected this. He thought she was just some pampered young lady from a prominent family—never would he have guessed she was the daughter of Nova City's ruler.
At that moment, the middle-aged man adjusted his goatee and glanced at Sophia with a polite but sharp look.
"Miss Lia," he said with concern, "was this girl troubling you? I happened to hear a commotion from this direction, though I don't know what exactly transpired."
Sophia's heart instantly skipped a beat. Cold sweat trickled down her back as she realized the gravity of her mistake. She had openly mocked Grey... in front of the City Lord's daughter! If a word of this reached the wrong ears, her life in Nova City would become unbearable.
I'm in deep trouble...!
"This..." Sophia's voice trembled, her mind scrambling for an excuse.
But before she could say anything, Grey waved his hand lightly, his voice calm and indifferent.
"Nothing happened."
Sophia heaved a sigh of relief and quickly forced a smile. "Yes, I was just greeting the customer,"
she hurriedly explained to the manager, her voice trembling as she tried to smooth things over.
But before the manager could reply, Lia's cold voice cut in.
"No,"
She interjected sharply, her crimson eyes narrowing. "Something did happen."
She turned to Sophia, her gaze icy. "She wasn't greeting anyone. She was being extremely rude to my friend. Looking down on him, mocking him, even saying he had no place here."
The atmosphere instantly shifted.
The manager's expression darkened, his once-friendly smile vanishing as he turned toward Sophia. His sharp glare landed on her like a hammer. "Sophia!" he barked. "Is this true?"
Sophia's face went pale as a sheet. Her knees trembled, and her lips moved soundlessly. Horror filled her eyes. It's over... it's really over... I'll definitely be kicked out now!
The manager's voice thundered again. "Do you not know the rules of this place? How dare you insult a guest in the Golden Chamber! If Miss Lia herself had not spoken up, were you planning to lie straight to my face?!"
"N-no, Manager, I—" Sophia stammered, but her excuse was cut off by his furious glare.
Grey, who had been quietly watching, sighed and looked at Lia helplessly. "It's fine. I didn't take it seriously. Just let her go."
Lia glanced at him but said nothing, her cold expression softening only slightly.
The manager straightened, offering a respectful bow to Grey and Lia before turning back to Sophia with a steely glare.
"Since Miss Lia's friend has spoken on your behalf, I will overlook this matter once. But understand this clearly, Sophia—if I ever hear of you behaving this way again, you won't even have the right to step foot inside the Golden Chamber."
Sophia lowered her head, her face burning with humiliation. She dared not say a word.
He then turned to Lia and Grey and invited them in. "Please, Miss Lia and Miss Lia's friend, let me take you to the VIP Room."
Soon, Lia and Grey followed him into the VIP room. On the way, Grey spoke.
"You didn't really have to say anything. It's common for people to misinterpret my metamorphosis as plastic surgery, especially those who knew me before. It's only natural she'd think that way. Explaining it is more troublesome than reacting to it. Besides," Grey smiled playfully, "something like that wouldn't bother me one bit. Still, I appreciate you standing up for me."
"Hmph, if I didn't say anything, she would've just kept humiliating you in public," Lia said with a small huff. "You should be grateful to this Young Miss."
"Of course, I'm grateful!" Grey grinned. "How about I become your personal instructor as a way to pay you back?"
"I'll take you up on that offer," Lia replied, rolling her eyes.
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NEXUS ASCENSION: MY COMPREHENSION DEFIES THE HEAVENC38: Divine Wine
Chapter 38: Divine Wine
"Please," Manager Earl said smoothly, gesturing with both hands. As the head manager of Sector One's Golden Chamber, his every movement carried a practiced grace. He personally guided Lia and Grey into the VIP room.
The moment the door opened, extravagance struck like a wave. Golden wallpaper shimmered with dragons coiling through clouds, their outlines drawn with pigments refined from rare cosmic ores. A massive table dominated the center, carved from Spiritwood mutated by cosmic energy—its polished surface faintly rippled with vitality.
The chairs appeared wooden at first glance, yet the subtle glow of their edges betrayed their origin. Crafted with high-grade materials fused by cosmic energy, they weren't just furniture. Sitting in one felt like sinking into a sea of warmth that quietly nourished the body.
Grey and Lia took their seats side by side, the chairs automatically adjusting to fit them perfectly. Manager Earl closed the door with a soft click, then sat opposite with a smile so wide his gold teeth glittered like treasure.
"What may I owe the pleasure of your visit today, Madam Lia?" His tone was smooth, almost reverent.
Every time Lia came to the Golden Chamber, profits skyrocketed. For Manager Earl, her visit meant more than money—it meant reputation, commission, and the kind of connections people killed for. Whenever she appeared, it was guaranteed to be a very good day.
"Oh, where are my manners." Manager Earl shook his head and snapped his fingers.
A butler in a black-and-white suit appeared almost instantly, holding a tray with a glowing jade gourd. The rich fragrance spread through the room, making the air feel lighter.
"Please, have a taste of this hundred-year-old Divine Wine infused with cosmic energy," Earl said with a proud smile. "It was brewed by a Third Rank expert of the Dao of Culinary Arts—an Essence Infusion Chef. He used the Cosmic Energy Conversion Diagram to temper it for a hundred years before refining it. This isn't something money can buy. I was lucky to be gifted this bottle by a senior of mine."
The butler poured the shimmering liquid into two crystal cups and respectfully placed them before Grey and Lia.
Grey took a sip of the wine.
His eyes widened a little, and then a mischievous grin tugged at his lips.
"Ho... not bad at all." He leaned back in his chair, swirling the cup lazily. "Rich flavor, smooth texture, a faint burn at the end that clears the head. I'd give it... eight out of ten."
Manager Earl froze, almost choking on air. Eight out of ten?! This is Divine Wine crafted by a Rank Three expert! People would sell their families for a single gourd!
Lia covered her mouth, trying not to laugh at the look on the manager's face. "Eight out of ten, really? You sound like some food critic."
Grey chuckled. "What? You don't believe me? Then let's switch cups. Maybe yours tastes different."
He reached toward her cup with a playful smirk.
Lia instantly pulled it back, her eyes narrowing in mock annoyance. "You wish. Drink your own."
Grey shrugged and leaned back again. "Can't blame me for trying. Good wine should be shared, after all."
Of course, he had never drunk a wine like this in his life, but being in such a luxurious setting, he had to act like a luxurious person!
As the saying goes, when you're in the Eastern Continent, you act like a native of the Eastern Continent!
"Still, it's not bad. I'd say this is a little better than energy potion I had last week when I almost got hit by a truck."
Lia almost choked on her own drink, glaring at him. "Energy Potion? This is hundred-year Divine Wine!"
Grey chuckled, pretending not to notice her disbelief. "Wine, juice, it's all the same in the end—goes down the throat, makes you feel good. But since it's free, I'll gladly take another glass."
Manager Earl's lips twitched violently, his golden teeth flashing. For the first time, he couldn't tell whether Grey was a genius who couldn't be fazed... or just an ignorant lunatic.
He coughed lightly and came straight to the point. "Of course. Now then, you mentioned making a purchase, correct?"
"That is correct," Lia said. "My friend here, Grey, wishes to study some techniques and evolutionary paths. He is a researcher and very interested in exploring different evolutionary paths."
"Oh!" Manager Earl's face lit up. "You've come to the right place! Here at the Sector 1 branch, we have techniques and paths unavailable in any other branch. Young Master Grey, you've made an excellent choice coming here."
"Good," Grey nodded with a confident smile. "That's exactly what I was looking for. I don't need much—just a complete copy of the Esper Evolutionary Path, a mind-and-soul tempering technique, some energy-refining techniques, and body Tempering methods. Oh, and all the immortal spells you have."
"Excellent choices for research, Young Master Grey," Manager Earl said, his face beaming. "The mind-and-body techniques are definitely filled with hidden secrets, and these evolutionary paths and techniques will help you understand them better."
This was a massive purchase!
He snapped his fingers, and the butler standing nearby immediately went into action.
"Please wait a moment," Manager Earl added politely. "We will have all the items you requested ready in just a few minutes."
At the same time, Lia looked at Grey strangely. This was even more than what he had mentioned before. And... what exactly did he want to do with all the immortal spells?
She didn't let her curiosity show, however, and remained silent.
Soon, the butler returned, accompanied by several other attendants, carrying digital scrolls and various immortal spells. One by one, they placed the items neatly in front of Grey. Without hesitation, he began examining them.
He started with the evolutionary path. The path was inscribed on a digital scroll—a device similar to a tablet, but far more secure. It was encrypted so tightly that, if an unauthorized person tried to access it, the data would instantly become corrupted.
Seeing Grey's focused eyes on the Esper Evolutionary Path, Manager Earl swiftly scanned his fingerprint. The scroll immediately unlocked, and text began appearing across its screen. Despite its small size, the scroll allowed for easy navigation, letting Grey scroll through the information efficiently.
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NEXUS ASCENSION: MY COMPREHENSION DEFIES THE HEAVENC39: Death
Chapter 39: Death
Grey read through all of them one by one, and eventually Manager Earl spoke up.
"Young Master Grey, usually people opt for bone tempering or skin refinement first," Manager Earl explained patiently. "Marrow cleansing and blood refinement, on the other hand, require immense amounts of energy and a pure source to fuel them. The resources needed are... extravagant, to say the least."
He picked up a digital scroll labeled Copper Flesh Tempering Technique and handed it over.
"This technique is the most commonly practiced body tempering and skin refinement method," Manager Earl continued. "Originally, it was part of the Martial Evolutionary Path, but the great scholars of our Blue Star managed to adapt it so that anyone can cultivate it."
His lips curved into a polished, professional smile. "Of course, since you're buying it purely for research, you need not concern yourself with such details."
"Indeed." Grey nodded, smiling faintly. "Alright, I've seen enough. I'll be purchasing everything here."
"Excellent choice, Young Master Grey!" Manager Earl's face lit up. With a crisp snap of his fingers, the butler beside him instantly produced a digital ledger. Numbers flickered across its display as the total was calculated.
After a moment, the butler respectfully presented the scroll to Grey.
"Altogether, the complete Esper Evolutionary Path, a mind and soul tempering technique, energy storing techniques, the Copper Flesh Tempering Technique, and all the immortal spells we've compiled come to 5,800 Union Credits."
Manager Earl clasped his hands. "Would you like to pay in full, or shall I arrange a contract through the Golden Chamber's credit line?"
"Since you were brought along by Miss Lia, we of the Golden Chamber trust you completely." Manager Earl flashed a smile.
To this, Grey was a bit speechless. He never expected it to be 5,800 Union Credits; however, he didn't mind. He got this much money in a single day—this was his daily wage!
What's there to worry about?!
"No, it's fine, I'll pay." Grey said as he took his phone out and swiftly made the purchase.
Miss Lia shot him a side eye when he did so. It was her money after all!
[Ding! 5,800 Union Credits have been transferred successfully.]
The crisp notification echoed in the VIP room.
Manager Earl's smile stretched so wide his golden teeth nearly blinded Grey. He clapped his hands together. "Excellent! With such a purchase, Young Master Grey, it would be rude of us not to show sincerity."
From his breast pocket, he pulled out a sleek black card with golden patterns etched across its surface. The logo of the Golden Chamber glowed faintly on it.
"This is a VIP Access Card. With it, you'll enjoy priority treatment at any Golden Chamber across Nova City. Reserved rooms, early access to exclusive techniques, discounts on treasures, you name it." He respectfully presented it with both hands.
Grey blinked at the card, then suddenly grinned like a kid who had just found candy in his pocket. He snatched it with exaggerated reverence, holding it up to the light. "Oho~ look at this shine! Heh, now this is the treatment I deserve."
Manager Earl chuckled politely, not quite sure if Grey was joking or dead serious. "Of course, of course. Someone like you deserves no less."
Miss Lia, meanwhile, quietly sipped her wine and resisted the urge to facepalm. True worth? He just burned through my credits like it was pocket change and now he's acting like a bigshot...
Afterward, Grey put all the items he bought into his spatial ring. With the items bought, he was personally escorted out by Manager Earl.
Sophie was still standing at the doors of the Golden Chamber with a dazed look on her face. To think Grey actually had ties with someone like the City Lord's daughter!
This was no joke. Just knowing someone like Miss Lia would elevate your status in a social circle and you would enjoy all sorts of benefits.
And she had publicly tried to humiliate him before. She wanted to find a hole and bury herself inside it.
Her co-workers were also shooting her weird stares too.
She then saw Manager Earl casually chatting with Grey and casually escorting him out. She wanted to call out to him and apologize to him, but he didn't even bother glancing at her. She could only stay helplessly by the side as he went out.
"I'm going home now." Grey stretched his body lazily. "We'll meet at the training zone tomorrow."
"Yes." Miss Lia said, and after a pause she added, "I better not find you using psionic energy tomorrow."
"..." Grey fell silent hearing this. That was exactly what he was going to do!
"Didn't you say that Evolver Resonance prevents practice of other paths? What makes you think I'll be able to use psionic energy? I'm not that special." Grey said while spreading his hands.
Miss Lia rolled her eyes and didn't comment further.
By that time, her car to go home had already arrived with Albert in the driver's seat.
"Are you sure that you don't want me dropping you off?" Miss Lia inquired. Since she was the one who brought him here, she was naturally obliged to send him back.
"No need. If you drop me off in the Housing Zone area in Sector 6 then I'll probably be on the local news tomorrow." Grey said with a deadpan expression.
"Alright." Miss Lia said with a smile, and she slowly climbed into the car.
Grey stood silently by the side, watching Miss Lia as the door of the luxurious car slowly closed.
Then—his heart suddenly skipped a beat.
In the next instant, his ability stirred to life on its own.
[Your comprehension defies the heavens! By observing The Fated One's supporter "Miss Lia," you have sensed a shift in "Fate" and comprehended the skill: Fate Insight!]
Grey's expression shifted drastically. His eyes locked onto Miss Lia as a flood of information poured into his mind like a tidal wave.
The world around him warped, colors draining away until all he could see were countless threads woven around Miss Lia's body. Violet threads twisted together with ominous black ones.
The new skill whispered their meaning into his mind—violet threads represented challenges... while black threads represented death!
Miss Lia caught the sudden change in his face. The grim look startled her so much she immediately stopped the door from closing and stepped out of the car.
"What happened?" she asked, her heartbeat quickening.
She had only known Grey for a short while, but for some reason, her instincts screamed at her that his reaction wasn't something she could ignore.
"Nothing." Grey shook his head lightly, his lips curving into an easy smile. "Just remembered something I need to take care of back home."
But deep inside, his heart was still heavy. He had seen it clearly—Death. Miss Lia's fate had shifted so abruptly that even his ability had been forced to respond.
"Is that all?" Miss Lia gave him a blank look, half-exasperated. "For a second, I thought something serious had happened to you. How strange..."
She rolled her eyes and muttered, "Why did I even bother getting out of my car?"
With that, she turned around and slipped back inside. Albert, who had watched the whole exchange silently, narrowed his eyes slightly as he glanced at Grey. He could tell something wasn't as simple as it looked, but said nothing.
"Well, I'll be leaving now," Miss Lia said awkwardly, her hand already on the door. Even she couldn't quite explain to herself why she'd jumped out to check on him. They weren't close at all—definitely not close enough for her to be worrying about his expressions.
"Safe travels," Grey replied calmly.
Just as she was about to leave, Grey looked from Albert back to Miss Lia and spoke in a softer tone. "The City Lord... he's still in Nova Mansion, right?"
"Yes," Miss Lia nodded, a bit confused. "He's in seclusion there."
"That's good." Grey nodded. "Since you've just grasped how to control sword energy, I think it's better if you train on your own for a while. Don't show up tomorrow—stay home and practice for a day or two. You'll find controlling sword energy much easier after that."
"Huh? Practice at home?" Miss Lia's heart skipped a beat for some unknown reason. "Why? Didn't you say to meet at the training zone tomorrow?"
"I did, it's your wish, but I suggest staying home and practicing." Grey said. "I didn't think it through before."
"And stay home. The closer you are to the City Lord the better." He added.
"Huh?" Miss Lia's expression became even stranger than before. "What suddenly happened to you?"
Instead of feeling strange and weird, she felt the opposite. The more Grey spoke, the more a feeling of dread appeared—a feeling which gave pressure to her heart.
"I trust your intuition, Miss Lia." Grey said. "I'll be leaving now. Practice hard at home. At home. Got it? Don't go anywhere for the coming few days."
His gaze shifted to Albert, who met his eyes and gave a small nod, as if silently agreeing with him. Without another word, he started the car, leaving Grey standing there as he watched Miss Lia's car slowly leave from his vision.
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NEXUS ASCENSION: MY COMPREHENSION DEFIES THE HEAVENC40: Merging all the techniques
Chapter 40: Merging all the techniques
An hour later, Grey was back home after taking the ultra-fast train that ran on air. Though Sector 1 and Sector 6 looked close on paper, the truth was that Nova City was massive—larger than a mid-sized country back on Earth. Traveling between the two was like crossing entire states in his old world, each sector separated by layers of skyways, districts, and towering megastructures.
Fortunately, with this world's ever-advancing technology, distance was never a problem. The ultra-fast anti-gravity trains cut the journey down to just an hour, humming silently across tracks of compressed air and supported by floating arrays.
The moment he arrived home, Grey wasted no time.
The whole "Fate Insight" matter still weighed heavily on his mind, but he didn't let it consume him. From what he understood, the omen of death looming over Lia could be avoided as long as she stayed home near the City Lord. If she did that, the danger would pass on its own in a day or two.
The tricky part was how fate itself worked. He couldn't just speak it out loud—doing so would only make it worse. The information he received was clear: directly exposing fate accelerated its arrival.
If he told someone they were about to stumble into great fortune, fate would rush to fulfill it earlier. And death was no different. The moment it was revealed, fate would hasten it, forcing it to completion. Fate was impartial, like a river current that bent to no one's will, but once disturbed, it crashed forward with unstoppable momentum.
However, he set those thoughts aside for now. His attention shifted to the brand-new evolutionary path he had just purchased—the Esper Evolutionary Path.
Grey's eyes gleamed as he placed the digital scroll on his desk. Just thinking about it made his blood stir.
Compared to ordinary evolutionary paths, the Esper Path was mysterious and elusive. It was said that Espers could wield abilities that bent the laws of reality itself—telekinesis, mind control, even glimpses into other dimensions that ordinary humans could never perceive.
Speaking of dimensions, he wanted to glimpse into a dimension as well.
"Information Layer." Grey's eyes flashed as he recalled the first time his entire vision shifted into a completely different dimension—a dimension made entirely of information.
He didn't know how to describe it, but it felt like a place where all answers existed, where knowledge flowed like rivers and truths were stripped bare. Just the memory of it left his chest trembling with anticipation.
"I might be able to access that dimension again once I awaken my mind," Grey thought.
Since he was creating his own evolutionary path, Evolver Resonance wouldn't affect him. By the time he finished reading the Esper Path, his completely broken ability would refine it into something that eliminated Evolver Resonance entirely—something that could be seamlessly integrated into his evolutionary path.
The Esper Path had four distinct evolutionary stages, corresponding to the four ranks of evolution:
1. Mind Resonance Stage
2. Consciousness Expansion Stage
3. Psychic Core Formation Stage
4. Soul Condensation Stage
One would continuously temper their soul and mind, growing stronger and affecting reality more profoundly. Additionally, Espers awakened unique powers for the first time when they underwent metamorphosis. Since Grey had already undergone metamorphosis, he wasn't sure if he would awaken something like that or not.
With that in mind, he began reading the Esper Path in detail—starting with the basics, then moving on to the Chapter on Mind Resonance.
Time passed swiftly, and before Grey knew it, he had already comprehended the entire evolutionary path.
[Your comprehension defies the heavens! By reading the Esper Evolutionary Path, you've effectively understood the Mind Awakening phenomenon and created the skill 'Primal Thought Ignition.']
Relevant information about the newly acquired skill appeared in Grey's mind.
"Success!" Grey exclaimed in delight.
But he didn't stop there. After comprehending the Esper Path, he immediately opened the Mind and Soul Tempering Technique he had bought from the Golden Chamber. Soon, his ability was triggered once again.
[Your comprehension defies the heavens! By reading "Mind-Soul Refinement Technique," you've grasped the essence of tempering one's mind and soul and comprehended the skill 'Nexus Core Mind Technique.']
"It's done." Grey wore a satisfied expression.
He now possessed a technique to awaken the mind and temper it with Nexus energy. With that finished, he immediately shifted his focus to the body tempering techniques he had purchased.
His goal was to build a perfect evolutionary path that strengthened every aspect of himself equally. If one part of him was weaker than the others, how could he call it perfect?
His body, mind, soul, and energy—everything would grow stronger. Normally, this would demand enormous resources, but Grey intended to make it nearly as efficient as a typical evolutionary path, so it wouldn't take countless years to advance.
Of course, talent played a crucial role in most evolutionary paths. Many people were stuck at the First Rank for their entire lives. The members of the Tiger Claw Gang Grey had eliminated, for example, had been stuck at Level 2 and had resorted to using a corrupted pill just to break through to barely reach the limit of level 2, closer to the third level.
But Grey planned to completely eliminate the need for talent. He intended to create a minor evolutionary path that didn't utilize Nexus energy for the people of Blue Star. Otherwise, it would become a huge problem if his path's threshold turned out to be even higher than the three top evolutionary paths.
Shaking that thought away, Grey focused on the body tempering techniques. As Manager Earl had mentioned, most evolvers only opted for Body Tempering and Skin Refining, since they were the easiest and most cost-efficient methods. Attempting marrow cleansing, organ refinement, or blood purification required massive amounts of cosmic energy, as well as rare, pure resources. A single misstep could be lethal.
But did that concern Grey?
No!
He would read all the body tempering techniques and merge them together!
[By comprehending all the body tempering techniques, you've refined and adjusted them into a single skill: 'Unified Nexus Tempering Technique.']
He didn't stop there; he moved on to the energy refining techniques he bought and combined them together, merging them with his breathing technique.
[By comprehending and merging all the energy refining techniques, you've refined and adjusted them into a single skill: 'Nexus Vortex Refinement Technique.']
"It's complete." Grey smiled. "It's finally time to create my evolutionary path!"
[By comprehending and merging all the body tempering, energy refining and Mind-Soul tempering techniques, you've refined and adjusted them into a single technique: 'Nexus Ascension Scripture']
But he didn't stop there.
"It's complete." Grey let out a satisfied breath, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's finally time to forge my own evolutionary path."
[By comprehending and merging all body tempering, energy refining, and Mind-Soul tempering techniques, you have reconstructed and unified them into a single supreme scripture: 'Nexus Ascension Scripture']
But Grey didn't stop there.
"Now... for the minor path—one that others can cultivate." He had already planned for this moment long ago.
Since he couldn't upload his own path he would upload a minor version of it
A path modeled after his Nexus Evolutionary Path, but based on a weaker variant of energy.
Nexus energy surged into his palm, condensing into a flickering sphere of flame.
"Remove the True Origin energy sequence... and what's left should be... this."
Buzz!
The flame twisted, its radiant glow dimming—shifting into a pale shade of grey.
[Your comprehension defies the heavens! By altering the structure of your primary energy, you have derived a lesser energy: ???]
"It's unnamed, which means... this energy has never appeared in this world." Grey's eyes lit up.
But it made sense, only he had the ability to see through energy patterns after all.
He then thought for a moment before speaking with certainty.
"Aether. From now on, this energy will be called Aether Energy."
It was a force infinitely close to Nexus Energy; destined to walk beside it, but never surpass it.
[Your comprehension defies the heavens! You have created 'Aether Breathing Technique']
[Your comprehension defies the heavens! You have created 'Aether Ascension Scripture']
With that, his minor evolutionary path was fully constructed.
"This will allow the distribution of the path and help me with the so-called Ultimate Leap," Grey mused.
The Ultimate Leap—no one truly knew what it meant, yet it had been circulating across the internet for years. According to the rumors, the Ultimate Leap referred to a stage where one transcended to a higher level of existence, and to achieve it, spreading one's own evolutionary path was a crucial requirement. That was also the reason why countless people attempted to create their own evolutionary paths.
By distributing his path, Grey could effectively prepare himself for that moment.
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NEXUS ASCENSION: MY COMPREHENSION DEFIES THE HEAVENC41: Fate Holder
Chapter 41: Fate Holder
"It's time to officially reach Level One." Grey's face lit up with excitement as he pushed himself up from the chair and headed toward the Evolvers' Association.
There was still time before midnight, and he planned to achieve his first level today itself. The process would be lengthy, so before heading to the Association's Training Zone, he made a stop at the Golden Chamber.
There, he bought a bundle of plain talismans to draw Mini Cosmic Energy Conversion Diagrams, along with several energy potions and a healing potion in case things went wrong.
When Grey finally arrived at the Evolvers' Association, he was surprised to see a familiar figure standing in front of the building, looking somewhat lonely. People passing by couldn't help but glance at her with awe, but the girl paid them no attention, silently waiting by the side.
The girl, dressed in casual sportswear, her beauty sharp enough to make strangers turn for a second glance, was none other than Alissa.
"What are you doing here all alone?" Grey walked forward with a small smile on his face. "Are you waiting for your boyfriend?"
Hearing this, Alissa lifted her head and shot him a cold, blank stare. "What's it to you? Mind your own business."
"Hey, no need to get angry." Grey spread his hands in defense. "It's not embarrassing to have a boyfriend. It's completely normal at your age."
"..." Alissa said nothing, falling into silence.
Instead, she carefully observed Grey up close.
The longer she looked, the stranger he seemed—his face was different, his demeanor was different, even his personality felt distant.
The only thing that still reminded her of the old Grey was his voice.
Alissa pursed her lips. "Why are you here?"
"Training," Grey replied casually. "Since it's still early, I thought I'd get some practice in."
Alissa gave a small nod.
Grey, however, was surprised inwardly.
She had actually gone out of her way to ask what he was doing here? Did she suddenly have a change of heart toward her brother?
Usually, when they ran into each other in public, she wouldn't even spare him a glance—much less strike up a conversation.
This small shift caught him completely off guard.
Just then, a girl suddenly rushed over and planted herself in front of Alissa with a defensive stance.
It was none other than Ellen, Alissa's close friend.
"What do you want with my sweet Alissa?" Ellen glared at Grey fiercely.
"Leave her alone!"
Alissa facepalmed slightly at the scene.
Grey, on the other hand, couldn't help but smirk in amusement.
"Oh? And who might you be?" Grey raised an eyebrow before turning back to Alissa. "Wait, is this your girlfriend?"
That one line instantly made both Alissa's and Ellen's faces sour.
"I'm Alissa's best friend!" Ellen declared proudly, puffing her chest out before hugging Alissa's arm like a guardian.
"That so?" Grey chuckled. "Good. I was worried Alissa might be the lonely type, but I'm glad she has someone like you."
"Hmph." Alissa snorted in annoyance.
At the same time, Ellen gave Alissa a questioning look. From the way Grey carried himself, he didn't seem like some creep chasing after Alissa. And besides, he was a little too handsome for that.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Grey Lockhart... her—" Grey hesitated mid-sentence. For a split second, Alissa caught the pause, her expression flickering with something complicated before vanishing as Grey finished his words.
"...her brother."
"What?!" Ellen froze in shock. "You're her brother?!"
She turned to Alissa, who silently nodded.
"You—!" Ellen immediately went dizzy with embarrassment. She had definitely overreacted.
"This..." Ellen forced out a sheepish smile. "So it turns out you're Alissa's brother. Sorry for the misunderstanding. But really, this ice block here never tells us anything."
"..." Alissa kept her silence.
At that moment, two more figures approached—Rock and Evan.
"Who is this?" Rock asked, adjusting his glasses as he gave Grey a sharp, analyzing look.
Evan, on the other hand, froze in place the moment he saw Grey.
"It's you, friend!" Evan exclaimed in disbelief.
"Hm?" Everyone turned toward him, including Grey.
Grey looked confused. He didn't recognize the man's face.
"Who are you?" Grey asked curiously.
"It's me! Remember the truck incident last week?" Evan said with a dumbfounded expression.
He hadn't expected Grey to forget so quickly.
"Oh." Grey's eyes lit with understanding. "It's you."
Grey gave a small nod.
"Yes." Evan sighed, looking speechless.
"You two know each other?" Ellen asked, surprised. It seemed like everyone here except her already knew Alissa's brother.
Even Alissa raised an eyebrow at this revelation.
"Yeah." Evan nodded and quickly recounted the truck incident.
Then, narrowing his eyes at Grey, he added with suspicion, "Still, friend, you've changed a lot. I almost didn't recognize you. What did you do to alter your appearance so drastically? It's not metamorphosis, is it? You were already an Evolver back then, right? Otherwise, how could you have dodged that speeding truck? No, it definitely isn't metamorphosis."
"???" Alissa's expression changed sharply at those words.
From Evan's tone, he was certain Grey had already been an Evolver before last Tuesday. But she was sure that wasn't the case. She had felt it with her own senses—Grey had only gone through Metamorphosis on Wednesday.
So then... how?
Grey, meanwhile, was sweating bullets. Forcing out a laugh, he waved his hand dismissively. "Hahaha, I had plastic surgery, that's all. Nothing more."
"..." Alissa was utterly flabbergasted.
She stared at him, stunned by how shamelessly he would lie with a straight face.
Grey glanced back at her, twitching his eyebrows and subtly moving his lips in silent signals.
"..." It was clear to both of them that he was hiding something.
How could a mere mortal dodge a speeding truck?
She knew with certainty he had only undergone Metamorphosis a day later.
"Oh, is that so...?" Evan frowned. "I didn't know plastic surgery could increase height too."
"Haha, what can I say? The technology on Blue Star is truly advanced, isn't it?" Grey laughed awkwardly.
Evan gave an equally awkward laugh in response.
Then, all of a sudden—something shifted.
Grey's Fate Insight ability triggered without warning. Instantly, his perception was flooded with overwhelming visions.
At the center of Evan's chest, a blinding light burned brightly, with millions upon millions of threads weaving outward from him, connecting to everything around. Alissa, Ellen, Rock—even random passersby—were bound to him by luminous strands of fate.
Grey's eyes widened in disbelief.
"???" He almost shouted aloud at the bizarre scene.
Everyone was connected to Evan. Everyone... except him!
The only thread Grey had was a faint one linking him to Alissa.
But what came next shook him even more.
[Your comprehension defies the heavens! You have glimpsed the very fate of the world itself and identified the Fate Holder.]
[Your comprehension defies the heavens! As one who dares to face heaven directly, your senses have reached higher dimensions. You have detected the existence of a powerful being within the Fate Holder.]
Grey's vision blurred, and in the next instant, he was pulled into a blank, endless space.
A voice suddenly boomed inside his skull, each syllable crashing down with the weight of worlds.
"You... you can see me?"
The voice was pleasant, melodic even, yet so otherworldly that it made Grey feel like the entire universe was crumbling around him.
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NEXUS ASCENSION: MY COMPREHENSION DEFIES THE HEAVENC42: Ancient Being (1)
Chapter 42: Ancient Being (1)
"What the hell?" Grey was dumbfounded.
Before him was a beautiful lady whose face was so beautiful it completely surpassed both Lia and Alissa — no, she looked like a fallen immortal being.
In the middle of the endless space was a resting place, with special invocations and runes floating in the air. Just staring at it made Grey's heartbeat quicken.
At the center of the resting place reclined an extremely alluring, immortal beauty. Her skin was as flawless as jade, her long silken hair cascading like a waterfall, and her eyes shimmered like starlight. Her lips carried a natural charm, and her delicate figure seemed carved by the heavens themselves.
Just a single glance from her could steal the hearts of millions.
She stared at Grey with a look of interest and caution.
"Hey, young one." Her pleasant voice rang out again, soft yet echoing like divine chimes through the void. "I know you can see me."
"..." Grey immediately acted like he couldn't see her at all. He tried to shift his focus back to the real world, but to his dismay, the world was now painted in a blank color, and everything around him — even the walking passengers — was frozen.
'Great...' Grey was speechless. The lady in front of him had frozen time!
How completely normal!
"I've merely halted the temporal flow around Nova City for a moment." The pleasant immortal suddenly flickered and appeared right beside Grey, her movements weightless and serene.
"..." Grey silently made eye contact with the Immortal Lady. She closely observed him, and he did the same.
"How can you see me?" The Immortal Lady inquired curiously, her gaze deep like a cosmic sea. "There is no one on this entire Blue Star who should be able to sense my existence aside from that damned AI called Eterna."
"It is a mere coincidence." Grey replied cautiously. "I don't mean to offend you in any way. We can act like we never saw each other and go on with our lives. Now, Miss Immortal, please restore the time."
Grey was sweating bullets inwardly.
Time was stopped right now!
The lady in front of him had casually paused time around Nova City!
Just how damn powerful was she to disrupt the very flow of time itself?
Hearing this, the Immortal Lady laughed lightly, her voice melodious yet carrying an ageless weight. "Do not fret, child. I will not harm you. As long as you tell me how you managed to perceive my presence."
However, just then, the Immortal Lady froze up. "You... this... is that heavenly tribulation within your energy field?"
An incredulous expression appeared on her face.
"How are you fine with the heavenly tribulation within your internal system? How is that possible?" The Immortal Lady asked, astonished. "It is the bane of all energy."
Just as quickly, an overwhelming presence descended onto Grey. It was the Divine Consciousness of the Immortal, trying to probe Grey's body.
But...
Buzz!
Nexus Energy churned and rushed toward the descending consciousness, directly terminating it!
"!!!" The Immortal Lady grew even more shocked than before.
Her shock was growing with every passing second.
"..." At the same time, Grey's expression darkened with every passing second.
His secrets were being revealed one by one, and the fact that Nexus Energy was directly able to negate the overwhelming consciousness descending onto him just made him appear even more mysterious.
It's over!
This Immortal Lady is going to dissect him now!
"I knew you were not ordinary from the first time I saw you, when you almost got hit by the truck. You clearly weren't an evolver back then, yet last week you still burst out with the power of an evolver despite being a complete mortal. That is simply impossible." The Immortal Lady spoke as she closely examined Grey, her tone calm but carrying the authority of one who had witnessed countless eras. "Now I can't probe you either. I highly doubt there are even many beings in this entire universe who can escape my perception."
"If you're so powerful, then how did you reach this state?" Grey asked curiously. His Defier of Heavenly Logic was working, and through it, he knew she was in a weakened state, relying on Evan's existence to cling onto the world.
Hearing this, a faintly bitter smile appeared on the Immortal Lady's face. "That is of no importance."
"What's important is you." The Immortal Lady said, her eyes shimmering faintly. "Just what are you?"
"You no longer feel like a human." The Immortal Lady said as she closely examined Grey. "You do not give off the aura of a mortal anymore. Something greater... huh... could it be...?"
Then she immediately shook her head. "No, such a thing cannot occur so easily."
"Huh?" Grey was even more confused seeing her talk to herself.
"Forget it. You do not intend to reveal anything to me — I can already tell." The Immortal Lady said after returning to her resting place in a graceful flicker of light. "I am certain you are hiding something immense, and it most definitely does not originate from Blue Star."
"Senior, are you not from Blue Star? Are you from outer space?" Grey asked cautiously.
The answer was pretty clear to him. Someone like her, who was branded as a powerful being by his ability, was definitely not something a small planet like Blue Star could handle.
"Of course not." The Immortal Lady snorted lightly, though even her disdain carried elegance. "This tiny level 0 planet cannot even give birth to a being such as I."
"Wait, how do you know about outer space?" The Immortal Lady grew suspicious, her gaze sharpening. "It is clear that the people of this backwater planet know nothing of what lies beyond the sky."
"Are you someone who descended into this world like me?" The Immortal Lady asked in a questioning tone, her voice laced with divine curiosity.
"No comment." Grey replied with some hesitation.
"But I know nothing of outer space," Grey added. "I just know that there is a bigger world out there in the universe with millions and millions of galaxies, countless planets and stars, and potentially life forms on them."
"..." The Immortal Lady fell silent, her eyes flickering like dying stars. "Did that AI Eterna tell you this?"
"No." Grey replied, though he was slightly shocked. "Senior, do you mean to say the Eterna System knows about outer space?"
Hearing this, the Immortal Lady laughed softly. "That thing itself came from outer space. What makes you think it does not know of the Endless Starry Sky beyond Blue Star's sky?"
"Then why is it hiding the fact that there is outer space?" Grey asked in confusion. "Also, why can't people go outside Blue Star? It's said that the sky is endless, that there's a thick ice wall covering the planet from all directions, and that this world is also flat. It doesn't make sense gravitationally for it to be flat."
"You sure know a lot about how planets work," the Immortal Lady said in a tone of mild curiosity. "But to answer your question, I have no idea either. I do not know why there is an endless sky or why people cannot leave this planet. Unless I personally ventured into the true world beyond and observed the walls and the sky, I would not be able to deduce a definitive answer. And that boy Evan is not strong enough to be concerning himself with the endless sky right now. Such thoughts would only invite calamity upon him."
"Does he know about outer space?" Grey inquired.
"No." The Immortal Lady said. "I never mentioned it to him. He is far too weak to comprehend the starry sky, either way."
"Then..." Grey pursed his lips. "Do you know what he is?"
"What he is?" The Immortal Lady had a confused expression on her face. "Isn't he just a normal, average human? He was probably the most untalented man on this planet until I found him and began to instruct him."
"..." Grey fell silent when he heard this.
Turns out, the scope of the Fate Holder wasn't just limited to Blue Star. A thread was connected to the Immortal Lady as well.
And even she was unaware of his destiny.
The protagonist of the universe — that was Evan Brown.
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NEXUS ASCENSION: MY COMPREHENSION DEFIES THE HEAVENC43: Ancient Being (2)
Chapter 43: Ancient Being (2)
"Okay, thank you for your time, Senior." Grey thanked the Immortal Lady quickly. What if she got offended by how many questions he was asking and decided to slap him out of existence? "Now please revert the time back. I'm sure others will notice the fact that time is frozen in Nova City, especially those Tiger Claw Gang bunch in the Outer Ring."
"Don't worry about it." The Immortal Lady said with a yawn. "No one will sense it or even know that time was ever stopped."
"Senior, I'm sure stopping time is spending a lot of energy. I believe we should end this conversation here today and revert time back." Grey said cautiously.
"That's not an issue either." The Immortal Lady had an arrogant look on her face. "Someone at my level doesn't even need to spend an ounce of energy to bend the natural flow of the world, let alone a small portion of it. I can keep the time here frozen forever if I want to, and nobody will ever notice it either."
"..." Grey was shaken. Turns out, this Senior was more powerful than he expected. And it looked like this Senior didn't plan on letting him leave just yet.
"Okay, now that I've revealed information to you, it's your turn now." The Immortal Lady said. "How are you fine after having heavenly tribulation in your system? No—how did you even come in contact with it?"
"I was struck by lightning when I was transforming into an evolver." Grey revealed. "I just used a special technique to contain the heavenly tribulation from that to study it later." Of course, there were no techniques here. It was purely just his Nexus energy surpassing it. It could do nothing to him as long as the energy of perfection existed.
"Struck by lightning?" The Immortal Lady had a flabbergasted expression on her face. "You—how are you already undergoing heavenly tribulation while being only a 1st Rank Evolver? What did you do to provoke the all-powerful Heaven?!"
"I wonder." Grey said with a helpless smile. He couldn't just reveal the fact that it was because he did something that could essentially be considered the biggest taboo in Heaven's book of taboos.
"You don't even cultivate a Primordial Evolutionary Path. Just a martial artist. Then how...?" The more she tried to make sense of Grey, the more confusing it became.
"No, you're not a martial artist." She suddenly narrowed her eyes as she examined Grey closely. "You give off True Energy from your body, but it feels like an imitation."
Grey's heart skipped a beat, but he tried not to show anything on his face.
"Are you really a martial artist?" The Immortal Lady asked suspiciously. "The fact your energy actually negated my probing also makes it hard for me to believe that it's True Energy."
"I'm sorry." Grey sighed and spoke. "Please don't ask anything about my evolutionary path. It cannot be revealed to anyone at all cost."
"Fine." The Immortal Lady nodded. "Since you don't want to talk about your evolutionary path, then it's fine. I won't ask you any further."
Grey nodded silently. This Senior was surprisingly understanding. He thought higher level beings would be extremely unreasonable and assertive.
"One last question, and I hope you answer this truthfully." The Immortal Lady said. "Are you an ally to this world?"
The Immortal Lady asked with a light flashing in her eyes. "I've encountered many special people like you in my long life, and in the end, all of them fell to the darkness. The Abyss. Becoming the very thing that they sought to destroy."
"The Abyss?" A shocked expression appeared on Grey's face. "Senior, are you talking about 'The Abyss'? The corruption fields?"
"You know about the Abyss?" The Immortal Lady was even more shocked. "The information about the Abyss definitely isn't something people in this world know about. It's so tightly sealed, Eterna didn't allow any information about it to leak." She looked at Grey as if waiting for an answer.
"I saw someone creating a corruption field in the Outer Ring last week." Grey spoke. "I don't exactly know how he managed to create a corruption field, but it did happen, and when I entered the corruption field, I was able to sense the abyssal energy from the Necro Star before it fused with the cosmic energy of the world and created the corruption energy."
"What? Create a corruption field?" The Immortal Lady's eyes became deathly cold when she heard this. "It looks like the Abyss has already made direct contact with the Blue Star's people."
"The situation is worse than I thought." A grim look appeared on her face.
"Senior, what exactly is the Abyss? Is it a different world?" Grey had his own theories, and he decided to ask it directly.
"You could call it that." The Immortal Lady said. "It's best to not have more knowledge of the Abyss. The more knowledge you have about it, the more chances of 'It' getting to you. Just thinking about the Abyss alone is more than enough for 'It' to notice you."
"..." Grey's eyes flashed with a grim light when he heard this.
"Just know that—The Abyss. It's your worst enemy. Countless die in the starry sky each day under the abominations emerging from the Abyss. It's the one true evil that will never stop until it has completely swallowed our world. The corruption fields are a way for them to steal the energy of our world for their own use while also slowly corrupting planets."
"They are world conquerors who will never stop until they completely wipe out everyone in our world. Everyone you know, everyone you don't."
"That's a lot of information." Grey said with a speechless smile. "I knew that the Abyss was an extremely evil place, but I didn't expect it to be this bad."
"This planet will also get swallowed." The Immortal Lady said as she shook her head. "I believe it is already too late. The Abyss's beings have already come in contact with humans of this world, with them creating corruption fields. It won't be long before the world becomes corrupted enough and a higher level being descends into this world from the Abyss."
"There are certain conditions for a higher level being from the Abyss to cross over due to the world consciousness constantly suppressing the Abyss, but once a world becomes corrupted, the barrier becomes easier to break."
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NEXUS ASCENSION: MY COMPREHENSION DEFIES THE HEAVENC44: Ancient being (3)
Chapter 44: Ancient being (3)
"Is there no way to stop the Abyss?" Grey asked with a deep frown.
"The people of Blue Star believe that once all the corruption fields are eliminated, the crisis will be over."
"That is nothing but wishful thinking." The Immortal Lady's voice carried a solemn weight, and a faint sigh escaped her lips. "Erasing the Abyss is not so simple. Even if you were to purge every trace of it from a world, it would return. Once corruption takes root, it is almost impossible to remove it fully. At best, a higher being can suppress it, but in all my long life, no one has discovered a way to cleanse it completely."
"No one?" Grey's purple eyes gleamed like crescents in the dim light.
"Indeed." Her gaze grew distant. "Abyssal energy is unlike anything else. It devours other energies outright. Our universe offers no force that can resist it."
Grey's expression turned thoughtful. "Then, in theory... if there existed an energy stronger than the Abyss, one capable of cleansing it, the corruption could be removed?"
The Immortal Lady studied him carefully, her ancient eyes narrowing. "If such a thing truly exists, then yes—it is possible."
Her instincts stirred uneasily. She felt as though he were about to unveil something that would shake her very understanding of reality.
Grey raised his hand. "Then I will show you. There is an energy within me... one that surpasses Abyssal energy."
He did not speak carelessly. He had hesitated, weighing the danger of revealing his greatest secret. But the Immortal Lady was bound to the Fate Holder. And the Fate Holder was the world's destined ally. If she could not be trusted, then there was no one in existence he could rely on.
With his decision made, Grey extended his palm. Nexus energy surged outward, then split apart. From it, the True Origin energy separated, leaving behind the union of Cosmic and Life energy.
Buzz!
A soft hum filled the air as a ball of light-grey radiance condensed in his hand.
The Immortal Lady fell silent. She gazed upon the energy with an expression rarely seen on her immortal face—an expression that questioned the very fabric of reality.
This was no ordinary force.
Grey's reasoning was simple. She had entrusted him with secrets of the Abyss and revealed how helpless the people of this world were before it. He, in turn, would show her hope. His Aetheric energy—born from Nexus—was fundamentally different.
Where the Abyss corrupted, Aether purified it. If Heavenly Tribulation was the bane of all energies, then Nexus was the bane of existence itself. Abyssal energy, being born from it, could not escape its restraint.
There was no way it could handle Aether energy, which was derived from Nexus energy.
All he lacked was a method to direct this power. With a proper cleansing technique, Aether could become the sharpest weapon against corruption.
"This..." The Immortal Lady's eyes trembled, her composure faltering. "This is not Cosmic energy, nor Life energy, nor any spiritual essence I know. It feels like the convergence of all energies, and yet above them... It suppresses all others. When it emerges, every lesser energy hides in its shadow."
Grey smiled faintly. "You once asked me whether I was the ally of this world. Consider this my answer."
Her lips parted, but only a whisper came out. "You... just what are you?"
In her endless life, she had encountered countless wonders, yet never had she felt such upheaval. An energy capable of suppressing Abyssal corruption completely—on a remote backwater planet like Blue Star!
Her gaze sharpened. "As I thought... you are no longer a mere human. Earlier, I felt it faintly, but now I am certain. You are caught halfway in a transformation, though something still binds you. Perhaps... your life level."
Grey's brow furrowed. "Life level? Transformation? What are you talking about?"
The Immortal Lady shook her head, her expression grave. "Do not press further. To speak of such matters is to touch the workings of Heaven itself. I would bring calamity upon both of us if I explained."
Grey could only sigh inwardly. If you cannot say it, then why even mention it... Now his curiosity burned even brighter.
But he forced himself to set it aside. The matter of the Abyss was far more urgent.
"That is not what we should focus on." He spread his hand, the grey light swirling. "Tell me plainly—can this energy cleanse Abyssal corruption or not?"
"I have faced pure Abyssal energy countless times. I can say with certainty—this force of yours stands above it." She raised her hand, and with a gesture, the world around them shifted.
The blank space dissolved, replaced by a vast library. Ancient tomes and runes floated across endless shelves, each radiating with profound power. Names etched in light flashed before Grey's eyes—Sky Splitting Rupture, Ninth Nirvanic Ascension, and countless others.
Grey swallowed hard, stunned. So many techniques, each with a name brimming with grandeur and mystery. With his comprehension, could he not become invincible overnight if he mastered them all?
The Immortal Lady caught the look in his eyes and shook her head. "Do not be tempted. Most of these require life levels far beyond your own. Even if you learned the words, your body and soul would shatter the moment you attempted them."
She waved her hand again, and a single rune appeared, glowing faintly in her palm. Cosmic Purge Technique.
"This art is used by Evolvers of high standing. It cleanses impurities from the land and from disciples, purifying their bodies of flaws. Though simple, it is versatile. In theory, it can be used with any form of energy. Which means..." Her eyes lingered on the sphere in Grey's hand. "With your power, it may indeed cleanse Abyssal corruption entirely."
The rune floated toward him, light spinning in delicate arcs.
"Take it," she said with quiet solemnity. "If it works, then even if you alone can wield it, it will be enough to turn the tide against the Abyss."
Grey received the rune, his gaze steady. "Do not worry. I intend to spread my evolutionary path across Blue Star. Anyone who walks it will eventually cultivate Aetheric energy. In time, countless people will be able to wield this cleansing method. The Abyss will no longer reign unchecked."
The Immortal Lady's face softened, but before she could respond, her figure wavered. She pressed a hand to her forehead as her form began to flicker, growing increasingly translucent.
Grey's eyes widened. "You—"
"I expended too much energy by stopping time," she said, her tone strained.
"But you said earlier that it cost you nothing—"
Her lips curved faintly. "A harmless lie. I wished to test you. Do you think it possible to halt time on such a scale without paying a price?"
Grey's mouth twitched, but he held his tongue.
"Do not dwell on it." Her figure dimmed further. "I only sought to confirm you were not one of the old monsters roaming the starry sky. Now, I have my answer."
She gave him one last look, her voice echoing faintly as the library faded into mist. "We will meet again. I will send Evan to you. When the time comes, I wish to see the evolutionary path that utilizes that energy you have forged with my own eyes."
Her figure vanished, and the world snapped back into place. Time flowed once more, leaving Grey back where he originally was.
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NEXUS ASCENSION: MY COMPREHENSION DEFIES THE HEAVENC45: Path Resonance (1)
Chapter 45: Path Resonance (1)
"Huh?" As soon as Grey came back, he saw Evan's expression change drastically, as if something dire had happened.
"Senior?" Evan exclaimed out loud, louder than usual.
Hearing his exclamation, Ellen, Albert, and Alissa immediately turned their heads toward Evan with looks of concern.
"What happened, Evan?" Ellen came to Evan's side and asked, concern and worry written on her face.
"N... Nothing." Evan shook his head slowly. "I just suddenly zoned out. Don't worry."
"Is that so?" Hearing this, Ellen nodded and calmed down.
Seeing this, Grey knew Evan was most likely affected by the sudden appearance of his all-powerful Senior. However, he didn't plan on saying anything now.
The Immortal Senior would reveal herself to Evan on her own once she woke up again.
"Well, you guys have fun." Grey said with a smile. "I'll be on my way now. I won't keep you guys any longer."
Saying that, he nodded slightly at Alissa, who surprisingly also nodded back, and then directly went inside the Evolver's Association.
As soon as he went in, all four of their phones rang simultaneously.
"Huh, what a coincidence — our phones rang at the same time." Ellen said with a surprised expression.
Everyone swiftly took out their phones to check, and to their surprise it was from the Evolver's Association "Tournament" group.
"It's from the tournament group." Albert said as he pushed his eyeglasses back.
He swiftly navigated through the messaging app and opened the message for everyone to read.
[Notice! A new substitute member has joined the Tournament Group. Please welcome him @everyone. @Grey Lockhart]
"..." All of them fell dead silent when they saw this.
Especially Albert and Ellen — both of them were also part of the substitute team, and it was honestly surprising to see Alissa's brother there.
On Alissa's phone, she tried to tap Grey's profile, only to find that she had blocked the user.
"..." Indeed, this confirmed it; it was none other than her brother.
"What a coincidence." Ellen mumbled under her breath as she stared at the freshly closed door of the Evolver's Association.
...
"It's time." Grey muttered to himself as he entered the private training room he had rented. With the current wealth he possessed, renting a top-tier training room in the Evolver's Association was no longer hard for him — it was effortless, and the amount deducted would barely even make a difference.
As soon as he entered, he took out the talisman papers he had brought from the Golden Chamber. He swiftly took out a special ink pen infused with cosmic energy that he had also brought from the Golden Chamber and began drawing the Mini Cosmic Energy Conversion Diagram.
One by one, the diagrams, each shaped like a golden ratio, were drawn on every talisman he had brought, and he started sticking them all around the walls and floor of the room in an array to maximize the cosmic energy.
Afterward, he took out several translucent bottles — one with blue liquid and another with light green liquid, bubbles rising from the bottom to the top.
These were the healing potions and energy potions he had purchased. He neatly placed them around him in a circle as he sat down cross-legged in the center of the potions.
It was now time to officially step into the 1st Level of the 1st Rank.
Grey calmed his breathing. He completely forgot about everything else and focused solely on his body and Nexus energy. Once his concentration reached its peak, he began.
The first step was awakening the mind.
Buzz!
Nexus energy slowly churned, pulsing rhythmically along with his breathing, and swiftly started climbing out of his energy field. From the energy field it flew straight to his spinal cord.
Buzz!
A purple glow formed around his lower spine. This time, the Nexus energy rushed into his neural pathways not to overload his senses but to form something completely new.
As the Nexus energy surged, it wove a unique pattern; from that pattern a spark was born. The spark rushed to his mind.
His mind had been completely and utterly empty, with no source of light.
However, that changed.
Buzz!
As soon as the spark struck his mind, the darkness exploded as if the world were ending. The spark shone with great brilliance and brought light to the world of his mind, growing even stronger as more and more sparks emerged.
Like fireworks, they exploded one by one and eventually combined, forming a huge purple flame etched with an intricate pattern. Instantly, the purple flame rushed deeper into his mind, toward his soul, and merged with it, granting his soul a purple hue.
Grey's mind stirred. He felt as if some chain placed on his brain had been lifted. A sense of ease washed over him as his thoughts abruptly accelerated and things which once seemed doubtful and confusing began becoming clearer to him.
At the same time, a feeling of control appeared in his mind — he felt he could command his thoughts now.
Not only that, as the transformation continued, information was constantly poured into his mind; it was the visual feedback coming from his awakened consciousness, which spread out five meters around him.
Additionally, he awakened a brand-new ability, but he didn't dwell on it too much, because things hadn't ended yet.
Right after he finished awakening his mind, it was finally time for his body.
Nexus energy bubbled within his body, and immediately a vortex began forming in his energy field, sucking in all the Nexus energy. However, Grey didn't panic. He had already placed the conversion diagrams, and fresh cosmic energy was being poured into his body from all directions; it was continuously converted into Nexus energy as the vortex kept absorbing the energy.
Coincidentally, the silent Heavenly Tribulation lightning within his energy field awakened; it buzzed, and wisps of it started entering the vortex of Nexus energy.
Seeing this, Grey was surprised, but he didn't panic. He focused and readied himself for the body-tempering process to begin.
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NEXUS ASCENSION: MY COMPREHENSION DEFIES THE HEAVENC46: Path Resonance (2)
Chapter 46: Path Resonance (2)
The Nexus energy combined with the Heavenly Tribulation and rushed into Grey's body like a tsunami. It ripped through him like a bolt of lightning, moving without restriction and ravaging everything in its path. Grey gritted his teeth in pain, his mind instantly disturbed, but with a fierce look on his face he pressed on. He didn't know exactly what was happening, but one thing was certain: the Nexus energy would never harm him. He believed in the energy and continued onward with the body-tempering technique.
Crack! Crack!
His body began breaking apart rapidly. However, it didn't completely collapse. Just before everything that made up his body crumbled, the Heavenly Tribulation lightning struck again, and his form slowly began regaining definition.
The Nexus energy shone brilliantly. It rushed into the shattered parts of his body, starting with his bones. The fractures healed at an alarming rate, glowing with a radiant purple hue.
Immediately, the broken bones were patched back together, becoming sturdier than before as they were infused with Nexus energy. Next, the energy surged into his veins. They were in complete disorder after the lightning had wreaked havoc, but once the Nexus energy came into contact with them, they regrew, fortified with energy and far stronger than before.
It didn't stop there. The energy continued to his muscle fibers, enveloping them in the same transformation. Once that was complete, it spread to his organs. His organs, scattered and broken just like his body, were repaired and strengthened one by one. The transformation was nothing short of miraculous.
Still, the process went deeper. The Nexus energy seeped into his bone marrow, constantly cleansing and infusing it with energy. The instant that happened, a profound transformation occurred within Grey's blood.
It was changing colors!
From its natural dark red, it transformed into a shimmering purple, glittering with countless specks of light.
Grey, using his Mind Perception, witnessed this moment with a flabbergasted expression. However, he didn't let it distract him. He focused entirely and waited for the transformation to end.
Buzz!
After his internal body was completely rebuilt, it was time for his skin. The Nexus energy rushed outward, enveloping his withered, broken skin. It peeled away as dead layers while a more perfect, radiant skin replaced it.
The Nexus energy cycled through his newly forged body once more before, together with the Heavenly Tribulation lightning, it returned to his elixir field.
With that, the body-tempering was complete. It was time to focus on his elixir field. He had already studied the energy-tempering and refining techniques—now it was time to put them into practice, to refine Nexus energy and expand his elixir field.
Steadying his breath, he refocused and activated the combined "Nexus Vortex Refinement Technique." Immediately, his elixir field trembled as the Nexus energy began to stir violently.
The energy within Grey's body was still untamed and raw. To make it his own, he had to condense it, then explode it to expand his elixir field, officially stepping into the 1st Level of energy cultivation.
He guided the energy with the technique, forcing it to grind against itself to strip away its rawness, polishing it until it reached perfection. Only then could he compress it and finally form a vortex.
This was the Nexus Energy Refining Technique.
The Nexus energy resisted fiercely, but Grey's control was absolute. Slowly, the rough, unpolished energy was transformed. Piece by piece, the wild essence became his own. At last, it was complete. The raw energy had been refined—this was true Nexus energy.
But that was only the beginning. The most important step was expanding his elixir field.
The refined Nexus energy surged, filling his field completely. With nowhere left to go, it pressed against the invisible barrier surrounding it.
Bang! Bang!
Each strike was like a hammer blow. Bit by bit, the barrier chipped away until finally it shattered. Instantly, more cosmic energy from the outside world rushed in, flooding into his newly expanded elixir field.
Grey immediately reacted. He cut off the incoming energy, refining what had already entered and merging it with his refined pool. Then, he began compressing it.
He gathered the energy tightly and coiled it inward, pressing it down with the refining technique. The refined energy resisted at first, but eventually it yielded, condensing into a glittering purple-black liquid at the core of his elixir field.
It resembled his blood.
It was done—the liquid had formed! The hardest part had passed. Now came the final stage: forging the vortex.
Grey slowly guided the refined liquid energy into motion. The energy stirred, rippling outward, before beginning to twist into a spiral.
But the instant he tried, it slipped out of his control. Portions of the energy scattered chaotically. If he failed here, the refinement would collapse, and he would lose the chance to achieve perfect harmony between mind, body, soul, and energy.
Gritting his teeth, Grey fought with unwavering focus. One by one, he pulled the spilled energy back into the spiral. This time, nothing leaked. The energy obeyed him completely.
The spiral grew stronger. The currents churned violently, spinning faster and faster, until it blazed with light. Finally, the spiral condensed into a fully-formed vortex.
Its center was black, glittering with countless starlike specks, while its outer layer glowed with dense purple light.
It was complete!
Grey had officially stepped into the 1st Level of First rank of the Nexus Evolutionary Path.
Just then, a strange sensation struck him. His mind stirred, his body trembled, and the vortex of energy pulsed.
Lights erupted from his body, soul, and energy field together, converging at the center of his being. They fused into one, leaving behind a trail that connected all three aspects of his existence. At the heart of that radiant light, a single name emerged: Nexus.
[Your comprehension defies Heaven! You've invoked the Evolver's Path Resonance and branded yourself as the sole creator of the Nexus Evolutionary Path. A special creational invocation has formed: "Nexus." You have gained deeper insight into the hidden rules of evolution.]
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NEXUS ASCENSION: MY COMPREHENSION DEFIES THE HEAVENC47: Path Resonance (3)
Chapter 47: Path Resonance (3)
Grey slowly opened his eyes, which shone with purple-black energy. An oppressive aura emerged from him — for the first time ever, he felt absolutely powerful beyond words.
"My body is several times stronger than before," Grey said as he waved his hand, which seemingly disappeared from moving too fast.
The air around his hands literally twisted when he moved them.
This was the perfect body tempering and refining one could achieve.
"Not only that, the issue of lacking nexus energy is also over." Grey smiled, and instantly, purple-black nexus energy burst out from his body, spreading throughout the entire training room with an oppressive aura.
He believed he could now utilize his techniques twice as effectively as before.
Especially sword energy — it had also changed slightly with the nexus energy being refined.
Of course, the most impactful change was none other than his mind and soul.
He was now officially an Esper. He could spread his consciousness out and see in all four directions within a 5-meter radius. Not only that, he could utilize telekinesis now!
Grey turned slightly toward the weapon rack in the training room and stretched his arm out in a grabbing motion. His consciousness and the rack were within range of each other. Instantly, one of the swords on the rack trembled heavily and tried to detach from it.
It wasn't precise control, and Grey felt the connection being cut off here and there. He believed it might be due to the fact that he didn't have a telekinesis technique to utilize it at full power yet.
However, just as he thought that, his mind stirred — his cheat was activated once again.
[Your comprehension defies the heaven! By utilizing Telekinesis for the first time, you've grasped the 'Heaven-Seizing Hand Technique.']
Instantly, Grey's control over telekinesis became perfect. The trembling sword now steadily came out from the rack and flew toward Grey, rotating around him.
An invisible hand was now holding onto the hilt of the sword. Of course, the hand was essentially telekinesis — no one would be able to see it as it was an imaginary energy formed from Psionic energy, or rather, his "Nexus Psionic Energy."
"This is perfect." Grey exclaimed. Immediately, several other swords on the rack also jumped off and joined the first sword in revolving around him.
But the max he could control was only ten swords.
"That's my limit." Grey smiled, pleased.
People couldn't even lift one properly at his level, yet he could lift ten. It was all thanks to his technique and Nexus Psionic Energy.
Then, he tried all sorts of various moves with the swords — from making them form a sword array behind him to other cool poses, which he immediately took photos of, with nexus energy pouring out from his body, elevating the aesthetics of the pictures.
He looked exactly like one of those powerful game characters from his old world — it was like a wish come true.
"I'm great, aren't I?" Grey proudly exclaimed as he praised himself.
After he was done taking cool pictures of himself, he moved onward to the special ability he awakened as an all-powerful Esper.
And that ability was called Shapeless!
Grey's eyes darkened. "What the heck is Shapeless?"
In the chart of Esper ability lists, he had never encountered the name "Shapeless" before.
Hell, he would've been satisfied if it was at least a fire manipulation ability.
He didn't ask for those power Esper abilities where they could literally infuse the governing laws of the world into their attacks.
"A shapeless, massless thing..." Grey memorized what the ability did.
From it, he understood that the ability was something similar to himself — it could change into whatever he desired.
"Huh, wait. It grows alongside me and has similar strength to me?" Grey's eyes shot open. He hadn't exactly paid attention to its details before, but now rereading it, he realized his ability was not useless at all!
"Wouldn't that essentially mean my enemies will be fighting two Greys?" Grey realized how broken this ability was.
He directly summoned the ability — but then nothing came out.
"..." Grey fell silent when he saw this.
"Right, I should imagine something to summon it..."
Grey closed his eyes and visualized a sword in his mind — a sword with an intricate design, its long blade glowing with faint purple circles along the edges.
Immediately, a purple-black energy condensed in the air, and the exact sword he visualized appeared right in front of him.
"It worked!" Grey exclaimed as he grabbed hold of the sword.
He gripped it with full strength, and indeed, it felt real and hard — like cold steel infused with rare cosmic ores.
Grey infused nexus energy into it, and immediately, the dim purple circles on it glowed and surged across the sword, making it look extremely menacing and domineering.
But he didn't stop there. He visualized something else after that — the shapeless ability crumbled and immediately a bar of red color was formed.
It was a brick!
"So anything is possible?" Grey suddenly had an idea.
He dissolved the brick and visualized something else — something simple and cute... a cat, a white fluffy cat.
He wanted to see if he could actually make a cat.
Boom!
The shapeless ability took effect again, and out of the condensed energy, a cute, fluffy creature came out of it.
It had a small frame, long ears, and one big fluffy tail. It looked slightly different from a usual cat, but it was without a doubt a cat.
"Huh...?"
The small fluffy creature's ears twitched as it slowly opened its cute eyes. It had deep purple pupils and stared at Grey with its head tilted.
"..." Grey had a deadpan look on his face when he saw this.
He underestimated his ability.
No — he severely underestimated it.
He had just actually created a life form!
From his imagination!
This was not normal!
Not even those super-rare Esper abilities could give birth to life.
And the most important thing was this — the fluffy creature had similar strength to him. It couldn't use nexus energy, so it should be slightly weaker, but it could definitely burst out with his level of strength in battle.
Grey crouched down and closely examined the fluffy cat he had created with a silent look. The cat also stared back at him before meowing slightly and coming close to him, rubbing against his hand.
Grey caressed the head of the cat, and the cat enjoyed it.
"You will be called Mimi from today," Grey said with a serious look on his face. "Welcome to the family, Mimi."
As if understanding him, the cat purred and smiled at Grey.
Seeing this, Grey was even more flabbergasted.
"Wait, you can understand me?" Grey inquired.
Hearing this, the cat gave him a full nod.
"..." Grey was stunned. "Isn't my ability a bit too broken?"
Mimi purred in response.
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