"Mental Stairway Trial," I muttered, my expression turning serious as I focused on the information unraveling in my mind.
This was no ordinary trial—it was specially designed for cultivators at the peak of Tier 1. Anyone below or above that level was strictly forbidden from participating.
Only at the precise peak could one attempt the trial. Those who passed it would receive a rare and coveted reward: the Mental Origin. A treasure capable of fortifying willpower and immensely aiding the formation of a mental space.
To break through into Tier 2, a cultivator must create this mental space. Only then could they undergo a deeper evolution, ascend into the next tier and finally gaining the ability to store Aether within their mental space.
I had one year to reach Tier 1's peak.
To a normal person, this feat would take twenty years—slowly accumulating and refining Aether into their blood vessels and physical body. That was the path of the ordinary.
A genius would reach the same stage in just ten years—half the time. And the geniuses among geniuses? They would do it in five.
The difference between the ordinary and the exceptional was made painfully clear in the span of those years.
Yet I wasn't concerned. Not even slightly.
Why?
Because the blood of the Cardinal Royal Family flows through my veins. With such a lineage, cultivation speed and talent were never in question. Reaching Tier 1 peak within a single year wasn't just possible—it was expected.
And in truth, I felt confident I could accomplish it in even less time.
After talking for a while longer—just casual chatter filling the hours—we eventually stood up. With a flicker of energy, we vanished.
And reappeared on a secluded floating island within the Imperial Planet.
It was a breathtaking sight. Waterfalls cascaded from green mountains, rainbow arches stretched across the misty skies, and birds soared peacefully through the air. The entire island seemed suspended in an endless sea of clouds.
This was Falling Cloud Immortal Island, a realm of dreamlike tranquility. A sanctuary for me and my sisters.
Three distinct regions had been built here, tailored to each of my sisters' preferences.
The first was a black bamboo forest, with a tranquil waterfall that emptied into a serene lake. In the center of that lake stood an ancient, obsidian pavilion, exuding a quiet, mysterious serenity. This was Elizabeth's residence.
The second region was a realm of eternal snow. A lone mountain towered skyward, blanketed in white. At its peak sat a golden-green pavilion beside a hot spring. Immortal mist wrapped around the mountaintop like a veil. This ethereal place belonged to Valentina, my eldest sister.
She had always acted more like a mother than a sister—gentle, loving, and endlessly protective. Especially toward me.
But…
"Because of my foolishness… I quarreled with her."
I had left this place out of petty anger, choosing to live far away on Planet Nexus. Not out of desire—but pride and regret.
It wasn't until Elizabeth and Rose pursued me relentlessly after the Awakening Ceremony that I finally agreed to return.
Even then, the real reason I came back… was guilt.
I said things I shouldn't have. Harsh words that might've hurt her deeply.
When I see her again… I'll apologize. I have to.
As those thoughts churned within me, my gaze drifted to the third region of the island.
It was a realm of mountains and rivers. Atop a tall peak stood a magnificent temple, surrounded by a celestial garden of glowing light and ancient marble pillars. The structure, crafted from gold and white marble, shone like a beacon—holy and majestic.
Still as awe-inspiring as ever…
My sisters' residences weren't just beautiful—they were realms unto themselves.
We descended upon Elizabeth's residence, settling into a small pavilion in the center of the lake, surrounded by peaceful trees and the gentle sound of water.
After a while, Elizabeth stood up.
"I'm going to get a cultivation technique for you," she said calmly, then flew toward the Nexus Library—a towering, sky-piercing spire of white marble floating in the heavens.
Watching her vanish into the clouds, I sank into thought.
Cultivation techniques…
They were the foundation of every cultivator's journey—essential for manipulating and refining Aether, be it for soul cultivation, physical refinement, or energy control.
A good technique defined one's path. It dictated attack, defense, and the unfolding of miraculous abilities. Mastery required time, comprehension, and talent. Those with high comprehension could unlock techniques quickly—and were considered prodigies.
Scriptures, techniques, and mantras were all methods to manipulate Aether and govern the complexities of one's elemental or law-based path. But talent alone wasn't enough. Experience, wisdom, and creativity were just as critical.
Some, through insight born of life-and-death trials, even forged entirely new techniques unique to themselves.
Then there were mantras. These were no ordinary arts—they were immortal art, accessible only after reaching Tier 5. They allowed a cultivator to transcend mortality itself and step into the realm of true immortality.
Two kinds existed: those created by ancient beings of immense power, and those created by oneself.
The latter… were extremely rare.
Throughout history, only a handful had ever forged their own mantra. And every one of them became legends—so valuable that sects, factions, empires and forces would do everything to take them under their banner.
' One day, I will create my own mantra,' I vowed silently. My eyes grew cold and resolute.
Seeing xiao eyes rose bite's her lower lip as her calculating eyes contains some hidden emotions.
But before anyone could notice her expression, it was gone.
Inside the Library of Nexus, Elizabeth moved silently between floating bookshelves. Her gaze scanned ancient Books, jade slips, scrolls—some old as time itself.
The library was vast, boundless. A sacred temple of knowledge and mystery.
Here lay secrets of the universe, forgotten truths, techniques lost to time, and mantras even the royal ancestors could never access.
Only those chosen—like xiao and his sisters—had unrestricted entry. The library itself was created by the Three Founding Ancestors of the Cardinal Royal Family. Now, it floated within Falling Cloud Immortal Island, under the siblings sole authority.
Every book and scroll bore powerful runes that sealed their contents. Unless one's strength met the requirements, the knowledge within remained locked away.
Elizabeth's fingers paused on a specific scroll, then a book… and finally, a jade slip.
"These should be the ones," she whispered to herself.
She flew from the library and returned to the pavilion, handing the items to xiao.
I took them in hand and immediately began reading, eyes narrowing in focus.
Rose, meanwhile, gave Elizabeth a look of concern.
"Are you sure about this?."
"I'm not certain. But it's worth letting him decide," Elizabeth replied calmly. "He can choose to accept—or not."
"Still… those techniques are dangerous. Risky. Cultivating all three could go horribly wrong."
"I know," Elizabeth said, her voice grave. "But you felt it too, didn't you?"
Rose hesitated… then nodded.
"That aura…"
Even though it was faint, nearly undetectable, both of them had sensed it—that fleeting, transcendent aura. A phenomenon far beyond their level.
They couldn't fully explain it, but they understood what it meant.
Xiao possessed terrifying potential.
"Still… this complicates everything," Elizabeth said, her tone darkening. "It's beyond our ability to control."
"Doesn't matter," Rose said, confidence blazing in her voice. "With the Founding Ancestors and the Primogenitor alive, even if the heavens collapse or the universe ends… nothing can touch us."
She beamed.
"Besides, to possess that kind of potential as a mere mortal… my brother is amazing."
"Yeah… Xiao'er is too OP," Elizabeth agreed, smiling warmly.
For a moment, the weight on their hearts disappeared. They even forgot the terrifying power their family truly wielded.
As I continued reading the three techniques Elizabeth had brought me, I kept an ear on their conversation.
Aura? What aura? What are they talking about?
I couldn't understand it, not yet. Maybe it was related to my talent… maybe something even deeper.
Transcendent aura… Could it be tied to the [Great Beings]?
A thousand thoughts raced through my mind.
But in the end, I shook them off.
It's beyond me for now. Focus.
My eyes locked onto the techniques.
One was for attacking.
One was for body refinement.
And the last—was for soul cultivation.
All three valuable and demanding technique.
And exactly what I needed.