In the morning, Niear Cia stepped out of the hotel with one goal in mind — to do good deeds. He didn't really know how to help people, but he knew one simple way: donate food. That idea came from Jian Matthar, the man who inspired him with his kindness.
"If he could get good luck through kindness, then maybe I can too," Niear Cia thought as he walked through the streets.
He began thinking about opening his own restaurant — a place where he could feed others and, at the same time, earn money. That way, he could become rich again and gain blessings by doing good deeds. But there was one problem — he had no idea how to start.
He searched through the entire city for a place to buy property, walking from one end of the street to another. Hours passed, yet he found nothing. Finally, when he returned near the City Hotel, he saw a store that sold houses.
"Looks like my luck was really is bad, because I did many sins," Niear Cia muttered regretfully. "After searching through the whole city, the place I wanted was right next to my hotel."
He entered the shop and approached the counter. "I need a house in the main city," Niear Cia said.
The shopkeeper nodded, handing him a list filled with images and descriptions of houses. Niear flipped through the pages one by one.
There were many luxurious houses — tall, elegant, and grand — but their prices were far too high. If he still had the full amount of money from selling the third-dimensional monster's energy core, maybe he could have bought one. But half of his wealth had already been spent on the caravan trip to Fesian Empire. Traveling between empires was dangerous, and safety came with a heavy price.
"I need a place that's perfect for a restaurant but still cheap," he murmured.
He kept browsing until one property caught his eye — a medium-sized house near the main road, with a 40% discount. The location was ideal for a restaurant, and it was under his budget.
Niear Cia smiled faintly. "This is it. My luck isn't that bad after all."
After finishing the paperwork, he went to visit his new house. It was old but sturdy, with white walls and a wide front area — perfect for customers. Yet, when he saw the neighboring house, he froze.
"Wait… this place is right next to Jian Matthar's restaurant," Niear Cia said, stunned. He let out a bitter laugh. "So, am I lucky or unlucky?"
He stood there for a long time, watching the people coming and going from Jian's restaurant. Then, after a moment of silence, he made up his mind.
"Instead of competing with him, maybe I should join him."
And so, Niear Cia changed his plan. Instead of opening his own restaurant, he decided to work with Jian Matthar. He bought the house anyway and began helping out in Jian's restaurant the next day.
---
Two years later.
Niear Cia stood on the roof of his house, watching the sunrise over the city. "Sigh… two years, and I only advanced to first-dimensional peak stage," he muttered unhappily. His voice carried disappointment.
Living a normal life had slowed his cultivation. He was stuck in 'Resonate Adaption' for now,
It is a process that follows by every dimen human to get stronger.
Many times, he had thought about joining an academy or a Dimen Association. Academies focused on training people in every aspect before allowing them to specialize in one. Dimen Associations, on the other hand, were more like organizations of power — they offered freedom, faction choices, and influence. Some even controlled large territories, rivaling the empire's royal family itself.
But those places weren't cheap to join. Niear Cia couldn't afford them — not until now.
After two years of hard work at Jian Matthar's restaurant, and selling his large amount artifacts, Niear had saved a large amount of money. His resonate adaption had also grown stable. Now, he was finally ready.
That morning, he visited Jian Matthar's home to say goodbye. Jian and his wife looked both happy and sad.
"So you're really leaving?" Jian asked with a gentle smile.
Niear nodded. "Yes. I've learned a lot from you both. Thank you for everything."
They blessed him warmly, like family. During those two years, they had grown close — almost like his uncle Gangron and aunt back in the Cia Empire. Their kindness reminded him of his lost home.
After saying goodbye, Niear returned to his house, packed his belongings into his storage bag, and called for a horse carriage. The journey took almost an entire day, but finally, he arrived at his destination.
A huge white colored stone gate stood before him, engraved with glowing red letters: 'Red Flower Dimen Association.'
"It's real," Niear whispered, staring up at the grand entrance. This was one of the top ten Dimen Associations in the entire Fesian Empire. Dozens of people were entering through the gates — cultivators, merchants, and hopeful students.
Niear had tried joining last year but failed due to lack of money. But now, after saving for two years and selling most of his artifacts, he had 25,000 Dimen stones — enough to finally qualify.
He joined the long line of applicants waiting at the entrance. People around him were talking, laughing, and sizing each other up. When Niear Cia stepped forward, the atmosphere suddenly shifted.
Whispers spread quickly.
"Who's that guy?" one boy said.
"I don't know, but look at his robe," another whispered. "Where he's from?"
"He must be from a rich family," someone added.
They are day dreaming of getting Niear Cia's looks.
Girls, too, couldn't help but notice.
"Look at him…" one said softly.
"I think junior sister likes him," another teased.
"Hehehe, but I have seen first!"
They are also day dreaming of Niear Cia fall for them.
Niear ignored the chatter, pretending not to notice the attention. He moved forward and finally reached the counter. He handed over his money and received a ticket for the entrance test. Last year, he couldn't afford even that — but now, things were different.
Nearby, he saw a young man standing with a bored expression, dressed in a dark green robe. He's Lalin Fie. "where does the test begin?" Niear asked.
The man sighed. "I already told you, I don't know. Why are you asking me again?"
Niear frowned. "You live near the Dimen Association, right? You should know something."
"So what? Go ask Mandal. He's always hanging around here."
Just as he said that, another young man approached. He was handsome, wearing a neat white robe, and carried himself with confidence. Compared to Niear's beauty, though, he was like a diamond before the moon. He's Mandal Jia.
"You guys are too impatient," the man said with a grin. "Wait a bit. An elder will come and explain everything soon."
Back then, when they waited in the long line together, the three began talking. At first, it was just to pass the time — small talk, jokes, random questions. But before long, they were laughing together like old friends.
By the time the line moved forward again, they had already formed a small bond...