In an enclosed dark space, a burst of light appeared, lighting up the enclosed dark space.
This place was huge. The end of this place couldn't be seen.
Due to the sudden appearance of light, one can see a vast land with no trees or mountains, only lush green, and verdant small grasses.
The sky above this green land was completely dark without a single shine of light.
At that moment, golden fragments of light began to materialize in the sky, shimmering as they descended and coalesced. Slowly, they gathered together, forming the shape of a young man.
Cyrus opened his eyes and took a deep breath. He revealed a fearful expression on his face as he looked at his surroundings.
"Where am I?"
Cyrus remembered he had just reached the edge of the Great Star Forest when a golden ray of light shot at him from the sky and landed on his head.
The moment the golden ray of light landed on his head; he lost consciousness. When he woke up again, he was standing in this unknown place.
Looking at the surroundings, there was nothing here other than an endless grass field.
Before Cyrus could truly see his surroundings, he heard a series of mechanical voices coming from every direction.
[Welcome to the Land of Eternity, mortal!]
[Congratulations on being selected as the chosen one!]
[Preparing for integrating the System!]
[Starting the integration at the count of three!]
[3... 2... 1]
"Argh!"
Before Cyrus could comprehend what was happening or who was speaking to him, a sudden, intense burst of pain surged through his body. It was as if every nerve was being set ablaze, leaving him gasping for breath and unable to move. His muscles tightened, and his vision blurred as he struggled to make sense of the overwhelming agony that consumed him.
As though a barrel of petroleum set fire to his body, Cyrus felt a piercing and acute wave of burning pain coming from within his body and assaulting his senses madly. A muffled grunt escaped Cyrus's mouth, and he almost let out a tragic cry.
"W-what's going on?"
Cyrus was terribly shocked by this sudden turn of events. He forced himself to endure the severe pain in his body.
A bout of golden energy emerged from within his body, engulfing his entire body.
Under the cover of golden flame, one could clearly see blue veins bulging against Cyrus's skin surface. His muscles were trembling, his bones were shaking, and wisps of black smoke were coming out of him!
"Ahhh!"
Cyrus cried out in pain and agony. He felt like his whole body was about to be ripped apart. Violent spasms went through him. He had never once imagined that this was how extreme pain would feel. It was truly utter misery, where one could neither live nor die!
A few seconds later, the pain Cyrus was feeling subsided.
Everything happened within a few seconds, however, Cyrus felt as if he had spent a few hours enduring the torturous pain.
[System Integrated Successfully!]
[Congratulations on becoming this System's host!]
"System?"
"What is this thing?"
[A brief introduction: A small purpose of this system is to transform the host into the strongest being. The host can obtain a chance to visit another dimension with a major breakthrough in cultivation. The host can live there for one year, and upon returning to the original world, the host can choose to keep three of the things he acquired from that particular dimension.]
[Note: Even if the host dies in foreign dimensions, the host will return to the original world alive.]
[There are many other benefits. It requires the host to explore.]
Cyrus started digesting the information he obtained just now.
For a few minutes, he remained silent, trying to make sense of what had just happened. In truth, more than 90% of what the system explained to him had gone over his head.
Regardless, the system reassured him that he would gradually understand everything as he explored its functions over time. For now, the most pressing matter was to reach Skyler City and find his sister. That was his top priority.
Looking at his surroundings, Cyrus took a deep breath and asked, "What is this place? Is this a different world? If it is, then how can I return to my world?"
[This is a land once ruled by an Eternal.]
[Host can't return to his original world for the time being.]
"What do you mean?"
[With the host's current talentless body, it is impossible for the host to become the strongest being. If the host is ready, the system will start changing your body?]
"What does that mean now? Are you going to transfer my soul to a different body?"
[No! The host need not worry. The system will grant the host the perfect body needed to become the strongest. After that, the host can awaken an ability and start becoming cultivating like other humans!]
"Oh, really?" Cyrus's eyes lit up when he heard this. This was what he wanted the most at this time. If he can awaken an ability, he could start cultivating. At that time, he'll be able to take a step closer to his goal.
"Hurry up and do whatever you want to do?"
[Integration of the Eternal Body will start in three seconds!]
[3... 2...1]
"Ahhh!"
Once again, Cyrus felt as if he had fallen into a river of magma, his entire body was ignited. He cried out in pain and agony. He once again felt like his whole body was about to be ripped apart, but this time, the pain was at least two times more torturous than before. He could feel his body constantly being ripped apart and then healing at a rapid speed many times.
While he was being assaulted by great pain, Cyrus wasn't aware that his body was currently undergoing a miraculous change. As the small and light flames burned his body, everything, be it his bones, meridians, skin, or blood, was going through changes that ordinary people would find hard to even imagine!
Every single cell!
Every inch of his blood and flesh!
Every single bone!
All of them were being reborn!
After a long time, the changes finally came to a halt. The acute pain also ebbed away like the tide. Cyrus collapsed into a heap on the ground, gasping for air and panting heavily!
Sweat and blood covered the ground. It was as though Cyrus was lying in a pool of blood. At this moment, he didn't even feel like lifting a finger at all!
It hurt!
It hurt too much!
He felt as if he had gone to hell and come back again!
Even just thinking back to that feeling now gave him lingering fears. He can swear that he never wanted to experience it ever again!
[Integration Successful!]
[Congratulations on obtaining the Eternal Body. You can now start your journey to reach the apex of the universe, surpass every single being, and become the strongest.]
Cyrus didn't have the strength to utter a single word. He lay on the ground, staring blankly at the dark sky, panting heavily and gasping for breath.
If he were to be given a choice, he would never want to endure the same hell of pain again.
After some time, when Cyrus finally calmed his breath, he gnashed his teeth and asked: "What is this Eternal Body? Why do want me to become the strongest being? Also, what is the relation between this land, which was once ruled by an Eternal, and my Eternal Body?"
[The host doesn't need to know about this land, the Eternal Body, or an Eternal for now. Just know that, in the entire Universe, there can be only a hundred Eternals who stands above all. Since you've become my master, I'll do my best to evolve you into the strongest being out there. This is also one of the missions given to me by my creator.]
"Creator? Who is your creator?"
[The host doesn't have enough authority to know the answer!]
"Then... why me?" Cyrus again asked. "I'm a talentless person. I didn't even awaken any ability at the right age. Why did you choose me? Or was it just a coincidence?"
[Correction: You used to be a talentless person, but now, you are not!]
[You being chosen was no coincidence. As for the reason, that will become clear in time.]
"Heh... Hahaha!"
Cyrus couldn't help but laugh at his luck. At first, he thought that no matter how much he longed for strength or revenge against the Velkyn Mansion, he would never get the chance. Yet, to his surprise, a System appeared, offering him a way to grow stronger and obtain the strength he needed.
Although Cyrus has no idea what the System he obtained truly is or what it is capable of, he is certain of one thing: his life is about to change forever.