David braced for oblivion, but instead of being vaporized, he heard the cataclysmic explosion from a safe distance. He opened his eyes to find himself encased in a shimmering layer of energy, floating safely in the air with the artifact spirit, Albert, beside him.
Below, where the spaceship had been, was a mile-wide crater. The force of the blast had scoured the area clean, leaving only molten rock.
"Don't look so surprised," Kael said, his voice dry. "This realm was forged by the Lord. The self-destruction of a mere SSS-grade spaceship is like a firecracker in a vast ocean. It cannot truly damage this place."
With a flick of Kael's wrist, they were back near the blood pond, which David saw had mysteriously refilled, its dark, potent blood swirling once more.
"The blood you initially absorbed was a key, meant to awaken and test your bloodline potential," Kael explained. "Now, this pond will be your training ground. You will use this blood to temper your body continuously. As for the monster corpses you collected, their essence will serve as nutrients to fuel your evolution. The specifics of your bloodline will become clearer as you grow stronger."
Kael's tone grew serious. "Today, you might think I sent you to collect those bodies as a test. It was not. It was a lesson. In this world, nothing is free. Everything has a price, even if it is hidden. This inheritance itself carries a cost you cannot yet comprehend. Relying on others makes you weak. Remember where it got you last time—waiting for a rescue that never came. Vigilance and self-reliance are your greatest assets. Luck is a finite resource."
David felt a familiar loneliness grip his heart, his eyes growing moist. He was, after all, only thirteen.
Seeing the boy's distress, Kael's expression softened slightly. "Do not misunderstand. I am here to guide and protect you on your journey. You are not alone. As you grow stronger and venture into the wider universe, you will find comrades. Family is a matter of fate, but friends are a choice you can make. There may even be reasons for your mother's actions that you do not yet know. To uncover any truth, you need one thing above all else: strength. It is the only language the universe respects. Now, rest. Choose a room. Tomorrow, your true training begins."
Bolstered by these words, David's fighting spirit rekindled. "Spirit, what should I call you? 'House spirit' feels odd."
"My name is Kael. The Lord gave it to me when I first gained consciousness."
"Okay, Kael. Now, let's see what treasures those space rings hold."
He spent the next few hours sorting through nearly a thousand rings. Many were so ancient their contents had turned to dust, but others held astonishing wealth: piles of weapons and armor, exotic fruits, cultivation resources, and spaceship energy cores. He found several A-grade and above spaceships, including one pristine, unauthenticated SSS-grade warship.
Four items stood out:
A black collapsible spear, an SSS-grade weapon radiating deadly intent, far beyond his current use.A suit of SSS-grade armor that could supposedly withstand blows from an Immortal King.A sword crafted from what looked like monstrous scales, also SSS-grade and unusable for now.The new SSS-grade spaceship, a perfect vessel for escape, but too eye-catching for regular travel.
He also found anonymous universal bank cards from the human race—invaluable for someone like him, who lacked the citizenship to open an account and had never owned a penny. He stored the most important items in the largest ring and fell into an exhausted sleep, his life irrevocably changed.
Outside his room, Kael stared into the eternal darkness of the realm and muttered a quiet plea, "I hope he becomes strong enough to help the Lord before it is too late."
The next morning, David awoke to the reality of his new life. Kael had prepared a meal, and after eating, they stood before the blood pond.
Kael pointed a finger at David's forehead, and a flood of knowledge surged into his mind—a profound cultivation technique for tempering both body and soul.
"This divine art is the most critical component of your training," Kael's voice echoed in his head. "It will allow you to fully unlock the potential of your bloodline. You must master it perfectly by the time you reach the Universe Master realm. It will be your greatest asset when you ascend beyond the True God level. Your task now is to absorb all the blood in this pond. Once done, you will enter the virtual arena to hone your combat skills. As for the Law Monument, wait until you experience your first natural enlightenment; it will yield greater benefits that way."
Without hesitation, David plunged into the pond. An agony far worse than the first time seized him, feeling as though every cell in his body was being shredded and his soul was being torn apart. Gritting his teeth, he immediately began circulating the new cultivation technique.
The pain became a cycle: destruction and rebirth. His body was broken down and rebuilt, his soul fractured and mended. He lost track of time, using the energy from the monster corpses he had collected to sustain the brutal process. Though his cultivation level remained at the 9th Star Realm, the raw power contained within his body now felt vast enough to challenge a Universe Realm expert.
The entire process took over three months. Unlike the initial qualification test, this was a deliberate, grueling forging of an unshakable foundation.
Exhausted but radiating latent power, David finally emerged. He stumbled into the house, ate mechanically, and collapsed into a deep sleep. Kael watched, a flicker of respect in his eyes for the boy's endurance.
After breakfast the next day, Kaelled him not to a room, but into a vast, coliseum-like virtual arena.
"Your first opponent will be a simulation of a genius at the 9th Star Realm," Kael announced. "This will show you the gap between raw power and true skill."
A countdown began. David selected his preferred weapons: a sword for his right hand and a spear for his left.
"Begin!"
David surged forward, his sword flashing toward the opponent while the spear was held ready for a decisive strike. But the simulated genius was breathtakingly fast and precise. The opponent's strength felt comparable to a Universe Realm warrior, and his techniques were flawless. David fought defensively, searching for an opening that never came.
In a blur of motion he couldn't follow, he felt a cold, sharp sensation pierce his chest. He looked down to see the opponent's sword embedded in his heart.
The virtual world faded to gray as Kael's voice cut through the shock. "Power is nothing without the skill to wield it. Your body is a masterpiece, but you are still swinging a brush like a club. We will repeat this until you can land a single blow."