Kael Veyran stepped cautiously into the deeper corridors of the ancient temple, the residual glow of the floating crystal fading behind him. Every stone under his boots hummed with latent energy, and he could feel the Infinite Ascension System pulsating against his mind like a heartbeat synced with his own. The first kill had given him a taste of power, but the real trial was only beginning.
[System Notification: Shadow Step Mastery +1 | Perception +2 | XP +50]
Kael smirked, flexing his fingers as he tested Shadow Step again, disappearing from sight and reappearing several meters ahead with a faint whisper of movement. The thrill of newfound power made his heart pound. He could already feel himself growing faster than anyone in this realm could imagine.
A series of steps echoed in the distance, slow and deliberate. Kael froze. Out of the shadows appeared a cloaked figure, its face hidden beneath a hood. Unlike the fire elemental, this presence radiated authority and danger.
[Rival Detected: Tier 1 Cultivator | Recommended: Avoid direct conflict until Level 5]
Kael's pulse quickened, but he didn't retreat. "Level 5? Please… I'm already beyond that in potential." His lips curved into a confident, almost teasing smile. The figure moved with uncanny grace, scanning the hall as if reading invisible scripts. Kael melted into the shadows, silently observing.
The rival stopped near a set of massive double doors, their surface etched with swirling runes. A strange warmth emanated from the seams, and Kael could feel the weight of hidden power behind them. Curiosity overcame caution. He approached silently, Shadow Step making him vanish from view.
[System Notification: Hidden Artifact Detected | Probability of Discovery: 85%]
Kael's eyes widened. An artifact? Here? His mind raced with possibilities: powerful cultivation tools, ancient treasures, or even a relic that could amplify his Infinite Ascension System. He reached out and touched the runes. Energy surged through him like a tidal wave, forcing him back. The system's interface blinked rapidly:
[Artifact Discovered: Celestial Codex | Skill Unlock: Void Manipulation]
Kael staggered, clutching his head as visions flashed before him: infinite skies, crumbling mountains, gods locked in eternal battles, and warriors wielding impossible power. He realized the Celestial Codex was no ordinary artifact—it contained ancient knowledge, combat techniques, and secrets of the universe itself.
His excitement was interrupted by a sudden chill. The cloaked rival reappeared, closer than he had imagined. Their voice, smooth and cold, cut through the temple's eerie silence:
"So… the system has chosen its player. But can he survive what lies ahead?"
Kael didn't flinch. Instead, he held up his hand, now crackling with elemental energy he had absorbed from the Codex. A hint of golden light swirled around his fingertips. "Survive? I'm just getting started."
The rival tilted their head, as if amused, and vanished into the shadows once again. Kael exhaled slowly. Every encounter here was a lesson, a test. Every step deeper into the temple was a climb toward power that defied imagination. He could feel the temple itself responding to him, alive, shaping challenges to push him further.
[System Notification: XP +200 | Strength +10 | Void Manipulation: Skill Level 1]
Kael spent hours exploring, mastering Shadow Step and Void Manipulation, discovering hidden corridors filled with traps, and narrowly escaping elemental guardians that seemed designed to test his reflexes and intelligence. By the time he reached a massive chamber deep within the temple, he was no longer the same boy who had stepped inside.
In the center of the chamber floated a dark orb, pulsing with malevolent energy. Around it, faint whispers tickled his mind, speaking in tongues older than time. The system's interface flared red:
[Warning: Artifact Guardian Detected | Threat Level: Extreme | Recommended: Level 20+]
Kael's pulse surged with excitement rather than fear. This was the moment where he could truly ascend—or fall. A grin spread across his face as he stepped forward, the shadows bending to his will, energy crackling from his fingertips. "Let's see what you've got."
And just as he reached the orb, the chamber shook violently, stone cracking under the pressure, and a deep, resonant voice boomed through the temple:
"Who dares awaken the Celestial Codex?!"
Kael's eyes narrowed. Power, danger, and destiny converged in that moment. And he realized something thrilling: the world was finally starting to take notice of him.