"That's it."
Zenkichi nodded, showing he understood. But another problem immediately came to mind.
"Why are you telling me all this?"
His sharp gaze fell on the Ancient One, curiosity clear in his eyes. He wasn't close to the sorceress, so why share such knowledge with him?
"You are from Earth. Others are not."
The Ancient One's voice was calm, yet the reasoning behind it carried weight. To her, while many others were powerful, they were still outsiders. Zenkichi, despite not belonging to this timeline or dimension, still originated from Earth. After thorough research, the Ancient One was certain—even across parallel worlds, Zenkichi's roots were tied to their home.
"This reason is…weird."
Zenkichi blinked, momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected such a simple, almost naïve explanation. A small laugh escaped him—it sounded ridiculous at first, yet there was something profound about it.
"Pure intentions… Could this be the threshold to stepping into the Heavenly Father level? A heart without corruption?"
His thoughts deepened, and an inexplicable clarity stirred within.
"You're a genius."
Seeing Zenkichi's sudden enlightenment, the Ancient One was astonished. She hadn't expected the young man to touch upon comprehension so quickly. This was a rare moment—an opportunity that came once in a lifetime.
With a flick of her hand, the Ancient One formed protective layers around them, shielding both from the interference of the outside world.
"But remember, this step is like a chasm. If you don't truly grasp it, you'll never cross. Like fragile paper—you only need one push, but without it, you'll remain stuck."
Zenkichi was just a step away from advancing to the Heavenly Father realm.
Time passed. One day. Two days.
Throughout that period, Zenkichi remained immersed in comprehension. His consciousness drifted beyond the physical, touching upon the mysteries of the universe itself. His soul seemed to resonate with something vast, as if exploring the boundless void.
The Ancient One watched silently. She wanted to form a bond, to assist him, and to ensure nothing disturbed this crucial moment.
…
"Phew!"
At last, Zenkichi opened his eyes. He exhaled a stream of turbid air—the impurities within his body expelled in one breath.
"You are incredible."
The Ancient One's voice carried genuine awe. Few could remain in realization for days.
"It's a pity though. I still didn't step into the Heavenly Father level—I only touched the surface."
Zenkichi sighed, his words filled with regret. Yet to the Ancient One, they sounded unbearably arrogant, as if this monstrous progress was nothing more than a casual gain.
"..."
The Ancient One fell silent, unsure whether to scold or laugh. Was this man truly complaining about falling short when others would sacrifice everything for even a glimpse of such progress?
"I owe you a favor."
Zenkichi's tone turned solemn as he looked at the Ancient One. He knew well that without the sorceress's protection, his comprehension might have been broken. For that, he spoke plainly, making his acknowledgment official.
"Can I use it?"
The Ancient One's lips curved into a smile.
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Milestone
100 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter.
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