The Evernight Ascension Stairway's 190th stair marked another subtle change in the atmosphere.
No golden-black radiance, no sudden announcement, and no visible reward. Nevertheless, as Ace stepped onto the stone, his Cultivation Heart reacted with unusual intensity.
'THUMP!'
The sound existed only within his perception, yet it seemed to reverberate throughout his soul. For a moment, the pressure became strangely quiet.
Ace could still feel its full weight, but the sensation of being examined became more pronounced than being crushed. It was as if the Stairway had shifted its attention toward the deeper structure of his existence.
His Primordial Foundation remained stable, and his soul remained supported. But the hidden primordial patterns emerged more clearly than ever before.
Ace's breathing slowed as he did not attempt to comprehend the entire structure; instead, he observed.
