Time passed, not in battles or breakthroughs, but in moments. Slow mornings. Empty fields. Skies too wide for worries.
Kael wandered the world of Swallowed Star like a tourist with too much time and too many secrets. He slept under starlit skies, ate street food in chaotic cities, and drifted from place to place with a grin and a light heart.
No pressure. No destiny. Just him, the System, and a silent thread linking him to Luo Feng.
Year One – Spiritual Awakening
It started with Luo Feng's first awakening of spiritual force. The moment he felt a pull toward the psychic realm, the System chimed.
[Luo Feng has awakened Spiritual Force: Stage 1]
Choose: Quantity or Quality?
Kael barely hesitated. "Quality."
He sat quietly under a tree, closed his eyes—and the world shifted. Energy, invisible and fluid, surrounded him. His awareness expanded in all directions like light through glass.
He opened his eyes, now subtly glowing.
Perfected Spiritual Sense Acquired.
He could now manipulate objects with his mind like an extension of his body. Not just throw things—but control atoms, distort air currents, nudge insects from leaves.
Kael whistled softly. "Alright, this one's fun."
Year Two – Black God Suit
When Luo Feng earned his first Black God Set, the armored suit that protected from incredible force, the System asked again.
Choose: 1 Trillion copies or 1 Perfect Version?
Kael grinned. "Let's go with quality again."
He received a version of the suit so refined, it responded to his thoughts like a second skin. Sleeker, lighter, stronger. It didn't just protect—it adapted.
"Good taste, me," he muttered as he stepped through a shower of falling rubble in an abandoned ruin. The stones shattered harmlessly on impact with the suit.
Year Three – Spirit of the Plant
Luo Feng stumbled upon a rare treasure: a Spirit of Nature. A sentient plant with immense potential.
Kael perked up. Nature was slow, and so was he. A good match.
[Spirit of Nature detected. Bind resonance?]
Quantity or Quality?
This time, he tried something different.
"Quantity."
His eyes widened.
In his private spatial realm—a side-space gifted by the system—a forest bloomed overnight. A trillion seed variants, each with slightly different potential, arranged in natural harmony. Medicinal, aggressive, sentient, supportive—he could grow what he wanted, when he wanted.
He built a garden. Sat under giant whispering trees. Talked to them sometimes.
They answered.
Year Four – Weapons of Will
Luo Feng began experimenting with flying blades, his spiritual force guiding them like arrows from a thousand bows.
[Acquired Basic Flying Blade Set]
Choose: Quantity or Quality?
Kael was lounging on a cliff when the prompt appeared.
He stared at the sky. "You know what? Let's go crazy. Quantity."
A moment later, his inventory gained access to a vault holding a trillion flying blades—each ordinary, but enough to coat a battlefield.
He tested them.
They moved like a flock of birds, each one sharp and responsive to his will. With them, he could flood a canyon or draw a mural in the sky.
It was messy. It was overkill. He loved it.
Year Five – Friendships and Quiet Power
Kael met Luo Feng face to face in a base city during a martial arts expo.
Luo Feng was kind. A little awkward, but honest.
They sparred, shared noodles, and traded a few jokes.
Kael didn't let on how strong he really was. He disguised his presence using an old cloaking technique from his previous life—one designed to fool even beings beyond Sector Lords.
Luo Feng thought Kael was just a chill guy with decent talent. Nothing special.
They became friends.
"We should train together sometime," Luo Feng said.
Kael smiled. "Sure. But only if you teach me how to cook better eggs."
Now – Planet Level and Kirishima
Years had passed. Luo Feng had grown into a formidable warrior. He was now Planet-level, standing at the edge of his cosmic journey.
And Kael?
He had quietly passed Universe Level 9. His understanding of energy, technique, and spirit had reached heights rivaling ancient monsters.
But he still laughed at bad jokes. Still took afternoon naps. Still wandered markets for strange fruit.
Now, the two of them stood on Kirishima, the mist-shrouded island holding secrets from ancient times.
Luo Feng was focused, eyes scanning the terrain.
"There's something here," he muttered.
Kael nodded, hands in his pockets. "Yeah. I feel it too."
They moved through the underbrush side by side, their paths briefly aligned by fate.
Kael's heartbeat stayed steady. The ground trembled faintly beneath them.
In a few minutes, they would stumble upon Babata, the AI guardian of a cosmic inheritance.
The beginning of Luo Feng's true rise.
And Kael? He was just along for the ride.
Well, mostly.
He tapped his system mentally.
[Target Luo Feng approaching inheritance event: Babata]
Estimated Resonance Gain: Technique, Cultivation Method, Ancient Relics
Choose Multiplier Format: Quantity or Quality?
Kael smiled.
"Let's see what he earns first. Then I'll decide."
He looked at Luo Feng, walking ahead, determined and driven.
"You chase the stars, brother," Kael whispered. "I'll be right behind you. Just… enjoying the view."
They reached the slightly ajar metal doors.
A strange glow spilled through the gap.
Babata stirred.
And history prepared to repeat itself—with a quiet storm watching, unseen.
[End of Chapter Three]