When contestants outside the top 64 had departed, a wave of blue energy descended from above, spreading outward.

  Anyone touched by it felt their battle wounds lighten considerably. Though not completely healed, it was enough for them to move normally without major hindrance.

  Team Zhanyu, who had sustained rather severe injuries, all regained their healthy complexions. Sigrid maintained a heavy mood due to the suppression she'd faced from Zeryn. Laurent fared better, simply feeling relieved that everything was over. With his analytical mind, he evaluated that he had performed quite well—not perfectly, but the areas needing improvement weren't too numerous or unattainable.

  Reza glared at Nathan with a scowl. He still couldn't understand how he'd lost control like that. After Nightmare Weaver, he'd acquired an item to guard against mental attacks. The problem was that it had been penetrated by the first attack, leaving him completely vulnerable to the second. Even more unbelievable was that a mere Tier 1 nobody possessed such psychological influence. Despite all his calculations, Reza couldn't believe he'd been defeated by someone no one had rated highly from the beginning.

  Zhanyu stood to one side, indifferent to everything. He was reconsidering his final exchange with Evelyn. That overwhelming power wasn't simply ice-based. He couldn't accept defeat, but facing someone who carried so many mysteries and latent strength served as a wake-up call. No Mana Aspect was omnipotent, not even space or time.

  Nathan experienced relief for the first time after many long days. The residual chaotic energy in his arm nearly vanished completely as the wave washed over him. The remnants from Reza's sword in his chest were also cleansed away. Only now could he dispel his 33% Berserker state. The pressure weighing on both his mind and body disappeared simultaneously, allowing him to exhale long, comfortable breaths.

  His teammates hadn't been severely injured, so they appeared to recover well externally. Only Evelyn seemed inadequately healed. Though her face concealed her condition well, Nathan could detect the slightest trembling in her lips, hands, and those sparkling eyelashes. Even her crystal-like pupils seemed to have lost their magical light.

  She caught his gaze. Both of them, always lying about their conditions, unconsciously shook their heads and smiled. Regardless, they would need to wait until they left this place for complete healing.

  At that moment, above the portal, a sphere containing what looked like an imprisoned storm appeared, descending to hover above the contestants' heads. From it flowed visible currents of various dancing colors through the air.

  "Essence and mana," Zeryn said. "This must be The Advancement Stream."

  The first reward for the best contestants of The Shifting Trials. Cultivation.

  Nathan heard his heart pound in his chest, his breathing becoming more rapid. He recalled the small stream inside the forbidden area of Verdant Spire Sect. What stood before him now must be similar.

  And surely they wouldn't forbid him from absorbing as much as he wanted, unlike last time.

  Zahra smirked, looking at Nathan.

  "Someone's about to feast."

  Only she, besides the distant Keira, knew that Nathan possessed a bottomless pit when it came to mana and essence absorption. Evelyn and Zeryn looked at her questioningly, but she offered no explanation. They would have to see for themselves.

  The first to float up along the flowing currents was Adrian, followed by his team members. Four people were lifted up, positioned closest to the energy sphere. Next came the second team, Keira's team. Zhanyu's four members occupied the third tier.

  Nathan's team was distributed to the four corners of the fifth tier. Clearly, absorption priority would be given according to rank.

  Nathan's face wrinkled when he saw how things were unfolding. He wasn't sure if those above would consume everything before it reached him.

  He closed his eyes, entering a meditative state. After a moment's hesitation, he decided to focus on Spirit Cultivation rather than Physical Cultivation. Choosing his already strongest path would waste the provided mana. The Advancement Stream mixture included neutralizing medicinal ingredients, making it an expensive treasure. Missing it would be foolish.

  Moreover, he felt it was time to advance his Spirit Cultivation. The thought of leveling up his passive skills made his mouth water. Not to mention his mana aspect. He was also drawn to how his teammates and opponents utilized their aspects in battle. Plus, the Lunar Shadow skill orb awaited him.

  With that anticipation, he guided the energy flow into his body. He noticed that the purity of this stream didn't match Alaric's spring. That made sense—in terms of power and potential, Verdant Spire Sect rivaled the entire kingdom of Caelindor, so their infrastructure couldn't be inferior.

  The difference lay in quantity, which was far greater here. Nathan could use that to compensate for quality. He guessed that the organizing committee provided this quality reward because the Empire was involved.

  In a short time, Nathan broke through Phase 4.9, entering Phase 5.0. The speed startled even him. The deficiencies of The Advancement Stream were being compensated by his Tier 2 Physical Cultivation. His skin seemed to obey his commands, pores widening to absorb according to his needs.

  Around him, everyone had seized the moment, absorbing continuously.

  Nathan opened himself fully, using Berserker breathing techniques to increase his speed. Around him once again, the situation that had occurred at Verdant Spire Sect repeated itself. A faint vortex formed around him, disturbing those nearby.

  Zeryn was the first to notice, staring at his friend in disbelief.

  "What kind of absurd absorption rate is that?" he muttered.

  This wasn't the first time he'd seen Nathan cultivate or meditate. He had supervised Nathan during previous uses of Initial Advancing Pills. Perhaps because the absorption process occurred internally, he had never realized the extent of his friend's demand. He wondered if this was why Nathan had struggled to advance—was this the physical issue the elders had mentioned? And was the solution simply to absorb more?

  Evelyn also paused her cultivation, her eyes half-closed in thought. She was becoming increasingly certain of her analysis without Nathan needing to reveal much.

  Zahra shrugged and continued cultivating; her requirements weren't high enough to be affected by Nathan.

  Noticing the increased energy flow, Nathan opened his eyes to look around.

  "Suck in all you want, Nate," Zeryn said with a wide grin.

  "That sounds good, but somehow it becomes dirty coming from your mouth," Nathan grimaced.

  "That's just your dirty mind," Zeryn retorted.

  Evelyn nodded to Nathan, encouraging him to continue.

  "Don't mind others," she advised.

  Nathan looked at her in confusion. Only when she pointed downward did he understand her meaning. He was absorbing so strongly that those below received little benefit. Twelve individuals below fought over the scraps that he consumed so thoroughly.

  Even the organizing committee hadn't anticipated this. True, those positioned higher and closer to the source would have no issues with quality or quantity. However, for even the last contestants to receive nothing was possible only because of Nathan.

  "Cultivation means seizing every opportunity," Nathan murmured. For the first time, he truly understood this saying.

  Considering others was good, but hindering his own path was inadvisable. Let them blame him. He wouldn't miss this opportunity.

  With that mindset, he closed his eyes, absorbing to increase his Spirit Cultivation.

  Tier 1 Phase 5.1.

  Tier 1 Phase 5.2.

  Tier 1 Phase 5.3.

  Nathan sometimes didn't understand why the energy flow kept increasing but didn't open his eyes to check anymore. He clung to every second, trying to utilize every bit. His pores functioned like tiny whirlpools, drawing everything in.

  Nathan didn't realize that most cultivators present had already reached Tier 2 Phase 8 or 9. They had optimized their cultivation levels according to The Shifting Trials' requirements to maximize their success chances. Take Adrian or Zhanyu, they didn't need much more cultivation at this point. What they needed was to solidify their foundation, understand their Aspect, and find the right medicinal ingredients to break through to Tier 3. Absorbing more essence or mana now had nowhere to go and would only make their bodies uncomfortably tense.

  Zeryn had partly stopped cultivating for the same reason; though not yet at Tier 9, he was willing to yield resources to his friend.

  Contestants like Zahra or Keira, having only recently advanced to Tier 2, mainly at Phase 1 or 2, continued meditating uninterrupted like Nathan.

  Thus, the surplus from Tier 2 peak cultivators compensated for Nathan's bottomless demand.

  These cultivators watched Nathan with interest, some annoyed by his unwillingness to share, judging him as attention-seeking. Everyone wondered what a Tier 1 who made the top 64 would become upon reaching Tier 2. What would his Mana Aspect be? Would it be among the Rare types, or a common one with special properties?

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  Their boredom from waiting was replaced by anticipation for Nathan.

  Reza, meanwhile, gnashed his teeth in resentment. He tried to absorb the flow to slow Nathan's progress. His efforts were meaningless unless he destroyed the sphere above. But unlike Lachlan, he lacked the boldness to commit such an earth-shaking act.

  Nathan remained completely immersed in the cultivation process. For the first time, he felt exhilarated seeing himself grow stronger, his spirit expanding with each passing second. Deep in his mind, memories of consuming Initial Advancing Pills with no progress surfaced, reminding him how precious this moment was. In a short time, he had absorbed enough to equal two years of struggle just to reach Phase 2.

  Part of him realized the harsh truth that with sufficient backing, even the least talented could achieve success. Children from wealthy families surely received such benefits. The manipulation of events by Maelivar's leadership demonstrated this. Likely, a significant portion of the top 64 consisted of descendants from great houses. Yet outwardly, everyone judged cultivators from sects and organizations outside to be more talented because they had to fight for benefits rather than receiving them easily. Yet they were clearly outmatched by youths from a single city?

  Nathan couldn't suppress an internal smile. Nevertheless, he had come far with power granted by the system and his choices. Were those decisions perfect, appropriate, or optimal? No, he was certain they weren't. After his conversation with Lachlan, he understood he still had many imperceptible flaws.

  But he was on the path to change.

  Having surpassed Phase 6.0, he was approaching the three most important phases of his life.

  Keira, sitting just below Adrian's team, glanced briefly at the detestable fellow from her sect. Despite her strong aversion, she somewhat respected him. From being the lowest-phase individual to achieving second place, defeated only by her, to being here now. Previously, evaluations from Verdant Spire Sect had clearly indicated Nathan was detrimental, negatively affecting the overall situation. How things had changed.

  Other cultivators were even more surprised upon truly observing that Nathan was at Tier 1 Phase 6.0. Some had always thought he falsified his cultivation level, as many did. But the scene unfolding before them confirmed the opposite. Anyone who had doubted now bitterly realized they were merely equal to a Tier 1.

  And that demand for mana and essence. In their minds, a cultivator requiring so much could only be explained by possessing a terrifying Aspect.

  Nathan's cultivation advanced like a rocket, with the sixth bright point of Novem Nexus fully filled. Finally advancing to the three points at the top.

  Nathan silently urged himself to need more, ceaselessly. The vortex around him once again intensified.

  Emrys Merinor and Ruby Voss frowned more deeply at the scene unfolding. Both had connections to Nathan, so they were reassessing their previous decisions. For Emrys, she hoped to resolve the inexplicable grudge Nathan held against her. Even now, she couldn't deduce the reason for the transformation from a friendly Nathan. Ruby felt somewhat self-reproachful; she hadn't valued Nathan's profession as a chef, leading to her decisive rejection. A mistake that, in her estimation, wasn't too severe and could be rectified.

  Oblivious to everything happening around him, Nathan entered Tier 1 Phase 8.0.

  The point at the center of his brain glowed like a sun within his body.

  His mind drifted along an invisible current.

  The moment of contact with his Aspect had arrived.

  He saw light spots flickering from all directions. The cool, damp sensation of water to the left, its pleasant blue color reflecting in his eyes. To the right was the hot red glow of fire. In the distance came the crackling sound of lightning. Wind blew coolly beneath his feet. Behind him, earth and stone seemed to push him forward.

  Among the starlike spots drifting past, he saw the first anomalies. In one place, covered in spatial distortion, dust particles flickered in and out of existence, woven together, never still. Chaos.

  More expansive was a point moving continuously, ceaselessly between anchor points. Space.

  And encompassing everything was something difficult to perceive. Only when focusing could one see it affecting all the light spots. Time.

  Then he noticed that even his standing position was being influenced by larger factors. Where there is light, there must be darkness. Both Aspects always manifested before his spiritual perception.

  Nathan felt like he was floating on his back in the open sea. The aspects reflected on the water's surface around him. But he couldn't touch them. When he curiously reached out, the light spots moved away with the ripples. He couldn't grasp any of them.

  When he tried swimming toward a desired Aspect like Zhanyu's Space Aspect, that representative point fluctuated wildly, more frantically. He continued to grasp at nothing.

  The same happened with other Aspects. Even the Lightning Aspect he had always aimed for drifted away despite his extensive contact with it when drinking Essence Water and being struck by lightning at Storm Peaks in Moirtah Forest.

  He didn't understand what was happening. The cultivation teachings had never mentioned this. More accurately, this sea of aspects wasn't something a cultivator should see when reaching Phase 8 through the Novem Nexus method.

  If a cultivator had affinity with the Metal Aspect, what appeared would be related images. It could be swords, spears, staffs, anything reflecting past experience. It could be an erupting volcano, an endless storm, or perpetual earthquakes. Each image signaled which Aspect would belong to them.

  That's why Nathan had been convinced Lightning would be his, or the Blood Aspect because he had drunk Vermilion Ape Leader's blood, eaten Crimson Lotus, and consumed wine soaked in Blood Moss. Yet even this Aspect avoided him.

  Phase 8.5...8.6...8.7...

  Nathan began to panic.

  His cultivation was approaching Phase 9, yet he still had no connection with any Mana Aspect. He tried to recall his lessons, something he excelled at, but found no relevant details. Even posts on the Verdant Spire Sect forum about disciples past and present contained nothing resembling his situation.

  Phase 8.9.

  Damn it! he cursed silently.

  After hesitating too long throughout the process, he commanded himself to stop cultivating. But it didn't work. His pores wouldn't contract; the vortices remained as intense as before.

  Fear threatened to consume him. He suspected he had made some mistake in the cultivation process. He needed a master's guidance. He needed Darkan. But the old man wasn't here. Anyone would do. Evelyn could help. Zeryn, with his extensive knowledge, would surely know something about what he was experiencing.

  Outside, the two people he thought of believed he was simply trying to break through based on Nathan's clenched jaw and furrowed brows. Everyone faced problems during cultivation. When breakthrough becomes impossible, one can stop. To Evelyn and Zeryn, Nathan was merely testing his limits, not in trouble.

  But Nathan wasn't experiencing a bottleneck or unable to break through. He wanted to stop. Yet he felt pulled by an invisible force, through the sea of Aspect spots, thrown forward to an indeterminate place.

  Finally, he had to accept entering Tier 1, Phase 9.0 without any connection to an Aspect. Still, he maintained hope. Many cases of Aspects appearing only at Phase 9 weren't rare.

  Thinking this, he calmed his mind, returning to the sea around him. Only to realize he was now floating above the water's surface. Far from the stars above, avoiding even their reflections below.

  In his confusion, he suddenly saw further.

  His inner eyes.

  By normal standards, he should be able to project mana weakly at Phases 8 and 9. Thus, his spirit had partly matured, capable of peering into the spiritual world.

  "Is this my spirit world?" he looked around in marvel.

  The Aspect light spots remained below and above. He couldn't move, only observe. And then, he saw something that made his entire body shudder, if he even had a body here.

  Far from where he stood, a black hole loomed. Strangely, it could bend the light rays emanating from the aspect spots.

  Then he understood what was forcing him to continue, preventing him from stopping. The mana and essence compound flowed directly into that black hole, leaving only a portion to flow into the sea of his spirit world.

  "You're the reason I couldn't level up quickly?" Nathan exclaimed, unclear whether the words left his lips or were merely thoughts.

  He recalled when Darkan examined his body, remembered the conclusion that nothing could be done. Then the words of the white-robed person about a deformed existence within him.

  What was this monstrous black hole? An indescribable discomfort rose within him at not knowing what this unknown entity resided within him.

  When did it appear? Before he came to this world? Or after? Certainly before he had the system? Or had someone placed it there without his knowledge?

  So many questions swirled around him, only to vanish when he saw everything around him brighten.

  He had passed the Phase 9.5 milestone.

  The transformation continued, the sea and starry sky expanding further, their emanating light gradually stabilizing. The light orb of Space Aspect flashed past like comets. The night twisted beside the light. Time influenced everything, flowing away then returning, forming a closed circle. Chaos ensured a balance of creation and destruction, of movement and stillness.

  Nathan stood in his spirit world, completely overwhelmed by the scenery, ignoring the infinite black hole in the distance.

  Beautiful as it was, he still lacked his Aspect.

  Phase 9.6...9.7...9.8...

  Phase 9.9.

  He stood at the threshold of Tier 2. He looked back, partly confused, largely helpless. One part of him had willingly pushed himself here, another was forced.

  Why is it like this? he bitterly asked himself.

  Just when everything was going smoothly, life twisted it away.

  So would he have his Aspect or not?

  The door ahead opened wide, a hand pushing him forward.

  Nathan panicked.

  There truly was an invisible hand pushing him. But the confusion didn't stem from fear. That hand was warm, reassuring rather than pressuring or harmful. Just that action calmed him considerably. As if confirming he was on the right path. His choices weren't wrong at all.

  Turning back to smile at that invisible presence, he spread his arms, embracing the new power that belonged to him.

  Spirit Cultivation, Tier 2.

  The contestants who had been observing from the beginning—some were holding their breath watching Nathan's process. The Advancement Stream had already lasted over an hour. Only a few like Zahra or Keira still maintained cultivation. Even they now opened their eyes to witness the event unfolding before them.

  The Advancement Stream's flow was pouring entirely toward Nathan, providing him the necessary energy to overcome the greatest barrier at Tier 1, Phase 9.9.

  Many held their breath, waiting to see the birth of a new era for a top-tier figure. Such a disturbance surely marked the beginning of a legend. Even Zhanyu, possessing the Space Aspect, couldn't help but be curious. He remembered when he broke through to Tier 2, all of The Thousand Stars Pavilion had to watch. Space became turbulent as if laying out a carpet to welcome him.

  Zeryn trembled with joy. He alone here understood the hardships Nathan had endured. And now his friend had achieved the goal he had always aimed for. Regardless of whether he could reach Tier 3 or 4 with such large requirements, with Tier 2, Nathan had secured at least a peaceful life in this cruel world.

  Evelyn simply smiled. Unlike Zeryn, she knew how formidable Nathan was. The difference was that she never doubted this chef. Regardless of which Aspect he possessed, he would surely bring shock to everyone. He had already done so at Tier 1, so Tier 2 would be no different.

  Keira stopped cultivating, curiously looking at the youth below her. Recalling her recent breakthrough right on the arena floor, she waited. Finally, what she and everyone anticipated occurred.

  A shock wave erupted right at Nathan's position. The event stunned everyone. The energy shockwave occurred not just once, but three times. The first resembled everyone else's, starting from the head. Then Nathan's chest struck loudly, as if his heart were a drum, making everyone shudder. The final part came from his abdomen, announcing the completion of the advancement process.

  "This doesn't resemble the Novem Nexus cultivation method from our sect?" a Verdant Spire Sect disciple beside Keira wondered.

  Similar questions rose from around them. But no one could answer because even the principal didn't know.

  "Strange," Laurent wrinkled his nose. "No smell," he swept his finger through the air then put it in his mouth. "No taste. And clearly no color, no visual indication either. Even space aspect causes spatial disturbances. Time Aspect will slightly affect an individual's time perception. So what is his Aspect?"

  With the space around the portal now small, Laurent's analysis was heard by everyone, who nodded in agreement.

  No color, no smell, no taste, no visual indication.

  Everyone was using all their knowledge to determine if any aspect had such characteristics.

  Keira was similarly perplexed. She remembered her Illusion Aspect had pink powder and various flower scents. Yet the one possessing such a great disturbance showed no distinctive traits.

  While everyone scratched their heads in confusion, only Zeryn and Evelyn wore solemn expressions. They knew what this represented.

  Nathan still had his eyes closed, focusing on stabilizing his breakthrough when the sphere that released The Advancement Stream trembled once, ceasing its supply. It flew straight up into the sky, disappearing from sight.

  REWARD COMPLETED!

  CONTESTANT KINDLY MOVE OUT OF THE POCKET DIMENSION!

  Evelyn moved before even Zeryn, approaching the seated Nathan first. She needed to warn him about the bloodline he carried.

  About the matter of life and death awaiting him once he crossed that portal.