Alex wanted to know exactly how strong he had become, so he tapped the Attribute icon on the glowing interface.
[Strength: 2000 kg]
[Speed: 20 m/s]
[Defense: 2000 kg ]
The numbers told him everything. His current power was roughly equal to a level one martial warrior.
In this world, normal people used combat arts and genetic serums to reach astonishing physical limits before challenging the tower. Even without breaking through, a talented fighter could develop one thousand kilograms of raw strength. But once someone officially stepped into level one martial warrior, their strength instantly doubled.
A top level one martial warrior had a base strength of two thousand kilograms. Alex had just woken up from a two-year coma and already reached that level.
That alone proved one thing. His base strength before cultivation wasn't anywhere near one thousand kilograms. His breakthrough to level 1 must have multiplied his foundation far beyond the norm.
He would understand the specifics after reaching level two.
Alex exhaled deeply and considered his next steps. With twenty-five days left before the Ascension Tower trial, he had enough time to grow stronger. But raw power wasn't enough. He needed control over them too.
For that, he would practice the basic sword technique.
His room was large enough to train in, and he preferred solitude for now. There was a training ground outside, but he didn't want to see or speak to anyone. All he wanted was strength. And afterward, he wanted to find his father and make his family happy again.
He had never experienced the warmth of a parent's embrace in his previous life. Betrayal was all he knew. But in this world, he had a mother who genuinely loved him. He cherished that more than he could ever express.
Alex searched the room for a sword, but none were present. With a sigh, he opened his door.
Two maids were standing outside, as they always were.
"Could one of you bring me a training sword?" Alex asked politely.
"Of course, young master. But you shouldn't be training right now. Your body is still recovering," one maid said, her voice filled with concern.
Both maids had taken care of him for the past two years. Naturally, they cared deeply for him.
"I'll be fine. Please bring the sword," Alex replied with a gentle smile.
One maid immediately withdrew a wooden sword from her storage ring and handed it to him.
"Thank you." Alex accepted it and closed the door.
He needed to learn control. Otherwise, he would end up like a superhuman child who crushed everything he touched.
He steadied his breathing and began practicing.
"Slash. Chop. Thrust."
Each movement echoed through the room. Rumor said that mastering the ninth level of the basic sword technique could awaken sword intent. But such a thing had never been recorded. Most martial artists abandoned basic martial arts the moment they gained access to higher-level techniques. No one pushed the basics to their limit.
Three hours passed before a knock sounded on his door.
Alex opened it.
His mother stood there, her expression filled with worry and a hint of anger.
"Why are you pushing yourself so hard?" she scolded softly.
It seemed the two maids had informed her after hearing the sound of continuous sword training.
Alex scratched his cheek awkwardly. He had been so focused he completely forgot the time.
"Sorry, Mom. The doctor said I could do light exercise. I didn't mean to overdo it. I'll be more careful next time."
Her expression softened.
"Go take a shower. I'll have food sent to your room."
She didn't look closely at him; otherwise, she would have noticed subtle changes already appearing in his physique.
"Alright, Mom," Alex said with a bright smile before heading to the bathroom.
Elizabeth turned to leave, her voice carrying a cold edge.
"If anyone dares to bully him, inform me immediately."
Alex stepped into the shower and let the cold water wash away sweat and fatigue. His entire body relaxed instantly.
He also remembered he hadn't checked his system during the three hours of practice.
[Cultivation Base: 5000/5000 (+17700)]
There was a breakthrough button. Alex tapped it without hesitation.
A wave of power surged through him.
[Breakthrough to level 2]
[Cultivation Base: 10000/10000 (+12656)]
Before breaking through again, he checked his new attributes.
[Strength: 4000 kg]
[Speed: 25 m/s]
[Defense: 4000 kg]
His strength and defense had doubled again. A level two martial warrior normally had only around three thousand kilograms of strength. His cultivation system was far superior to the martial path of this world.
He pressed the breakthrough button again.
[Breakthrough to level 3]
[Cultivation Base: 20000/20000 (+2700)]
New attributes:
[Strength: 6500 kg]
[Speed: 30 m/s]
[Defense: 6500 kg]
Another two thousand five hundred kilograms of strength. Even higher than before.
He broke through again.
[Cultivation Level: 4]
[Cultivation Base: 22713/40000]
[Strength: 9500 kg]
[Speed: 35 m/s]
[Defense: 9500 kg]
He was now comparable to a level nine martial warrior. Just slightly inferior. And he achieved all this in only three hours. Something countless low-talent individuals needed months or years to accomplish.
Alex couldn't stop the smile forming on his lips.
"I'm going to crush the Ascension Tower."
Those who reached the sixtieth stair needed at least one thousand kilograms of strength. Those who reached the seventieth needed fifteen hundred plus immense mental fortitude.
And the ninetieth stair? Only one or two people in the entire history of the world had reached that far. Their exact strength was classified as top-level secrets.
But Alex was certain. Even those legendary monsters didn't match a level nine martial warrior in raw physical power that time.
His only concern was mental power. Climbing the tower required both physical and spiritual strength.
"I need to find a technique that strengthens the mind," Alex thought as he stepped out of the shower.
Food was already waiting on his table.
He ate while glancing at his status.
[Name: Alex Moriarty]
[Cultivation Talent: Pseudo]
[Cultivation Level: 4]
[Cultivation Base: 22800/40000]
[Energy Absorption: 4/s]
His energy absorption increased with each breakthrough. Even better, his cultivation base didn't reset after each breakthrough. It continued from where it left off. Meaning the cultivation base represented his current energy reserves.
At this rate, he needed seventy-five more minutes to break through again.
He didn't know whether the system absorbed energy from the cosmic crystal or the environment.
"Well, who cares? Time to sleep. I'll train properly in the morning."
His power had grown too quickly. He needed to adapt.
He finished eating and went straight to bed. If he practiced more, his mother would only scold him again.
The Next Morning
Alex woke up feeling refreshed.
He immediately checked his panel.
[Cultivation Base: 40000/40000 (+10000)]
"Breakthrough."
His suspicion was confirmed. The system was absorbing energy from the cosmic crystal. If it absorbed from the environment, the energy reserve would have increased far beyond ten thousand units during an eight-hour sleep.
The crystal's maximum capacity was exactly fifty thousand it seemed.
He pressed the breakthrough option.
A surge of overwhelming strength filled his body.
[Cultivation Level: 5]
[Strength: 13000 kg]
[Speed: 40 m/s]
[Defense: 13000 kg]
A new day, a new adventure was waiting for him.