# Chapter 2: Awakening - Part 1 (The Warrior Assessment)
## Morning - August 1st, 2056
The sun hadn't yet risen over Jiang-Nan base city when Luo Yan opened his eyes. He'd barely slept—not from nerves, but from the system interface that had appeared hours ago, still hovering at the edge of his consciousness like a patient predator waiting to be acknowledged.
He'd forced himself to ignore it throughout the night. Today was too important. The Prospective Fighter Combat Examination would determine everything—not just for him, but for Luo Feng, for their family's future.
*First, secure the foundation,* he thought, sitting up carefully to avoid waking Luo Feng in the adjacent bed. *Then explore what this system truly offers.*
Beside him, Luo Feng was already awake, sitting on the edge of his bed with his eyes closed, running through the Five Hearts Toward the Sky cultivation method one final time. His genetic energy flowed steadily—not spectacular, but solid. Reliable.
*He'll pass,* Luo Yan knew with absolute certainty. *The original timeline guarantees it.*
But knowing the future and living it were different experiences entirely.
Their younger brother Luo Hua burst into the room with characteristic energy. "Big brothers! Mom says breakfast is ready! You need to eat before the assessment!"
"We're coming," Luo Feng replied, opening his eyes with a slight smile. He glanced at Luo Yan. "Ready?"
"Ready," Luo Yan confirmed.
Breakfast was simple—congee with preserved vegetables, the same meal they'd eaten a thousand times before. Their mother, Gong Xinlan, fussed over both twins, making sure they ate enough but not too much.
"Don't let nerves ruin your performance," she advised, though her own hands trembled slightly as she served them. "You've both trained hard. Trust your preparation."
Their father, Luo Honguo, sat quietly at the table, his scarred chest visible where his shirt hung open. He didn't speak much these days—the pain from his old injuries made conversation difficult—but his eyes held fierce pride as he watched his sons.
"Make us proud," he said simply, and the weight of those three words settled over both brothers like a mantle.
"We will," they replied in unison.
***
## The Extreme Martial Arts Dojo - Assessment Arena
The arena was massive—a converted warehouse that had been reinforced with alloy walls and state-of-the-art monitoring equipment. Hundreds of prospective fighters filled the space, all wearing identical black training suits, all carrying the same nervous energy.
Luo Yan recognized many faces from the original novel—young people who would become background characters in Luo Feng's story, a few who would die in the wilderness within the year, others who would rise to modest success.
And there, across the arena, was Wei Wen. The third son of a wealthy merchant family, blessed with natural talent and expensive training. In the original timeline, he would score highest in this assessment, earning immediate recruitment offers from both major martial arts organizations.
*Let him have that glory,* Luo Yan thought. *I have no interest in standing out unnecessarily.*
An instructor's voice boomed across the arena: "Prospective fighters! Form ranks by registration number!"
The crowd organized itself with practiced efficiency. Luo Yan and Luo Feng stood side by side, registration numbers 1847 and 1848 respectively.
"The examination consists of three stages," the instructor continued. "Physical fitness evaluation, reaction speed testing, and live combat assessment. Fail any stage, and you're disqualified. Pass all three, and you become official fighters with all associated benefits and responsibilities."
A ripple of nervous energy passed through the crowd.
"First stage begins now. Physical fitness—report to your designated testing stations!"
***
## Stage One: Physical Fitness
The testing station was brutally simple: a punch-force machine, a speed track, and an endurance course.
Luo Yan watched as other prospective fighters went before him, their results displayed on massive digital screens. The passing threshold was clearly marked:
**Punch Force: 900kg minimum**
**Sprint Speed: 25 m/s minimum**
**Endurance: 10km in 30 minutes maximum**
Standard metrics for someone who'd properly cultivated their genetic energy to the threshold of fighter level.
When Luo Yan's number was called, he approached the punch-force machine with calculated confidence.
*The system's masking function is active,* he reminded himself. *No one can detect my true strength. I just need to perform well enough to pass without drawing excessive attention.*
He settled into a proper striking stance—one of the basic techniques drilled into every trainee—and threw his punch.
The machine's sensors flared. Numbers scrolled rapidly across the display.
**PUNCH FORCE: 1,247 KG**
A solid score. Well above the minimum, but not spectacular. Exactly what he'd aimed for.
Around him, other prospective fighters murmured with respect but not envy. 1,247kg was the mark of someone talented and hardworking, but not a once-in-a-generation genius.
*Perfect.*
The speed test went similarly. He ran the designated track with controlled effort, finishing with a result of 28.3 m/s—fast enough to impress the instructors, but still within the realm of normal talent.
The endurance course was last. Ten kilometers through an obstacle course designed to push fighters to their limits. Luo Yan maintained steady pace throughout, finishing in 26 minutes—comfortably under the threshold, but again, nothing that would mark him as extraordinary.
When he returned to the waiting area, sweating appropriately for the effort, he saw Luo Feng completing his own tests.
His brother's results appeared on the screen:
**Punch Force: 1,156 KG**
**Sprint Speed: 26.8 m/s**
**Endurance: 27 minutes, 42 seconds**
Solid across the board. Luo Feng had passed the first stage with room to spare.
Their eyes met across the arena, and both brothers allowed themselves small smiles of relief.
*One stage down,* Luo Yan thought. *Two more to go.*
***
## Stage Two: Reaction Speed Testing
The second stage took place in a specialized chamber filled with automated targeting systems. Prospective fighters entered one at a time, facing rubber projectiles fired at random intervals from concealed launchers.
The test was simple: dodge or block as many projectiles as possible within a two-minute window. The passing threshold was 70% success rate.
Luo Yan entered the chamber when his number was called. The door sealed behind him, and the automated voice announced: "Test beginning in three... two... one..."
The first projectile came from his left. He twisted, letting it pass harmlessly.
The second from behind. He ducked.
Third from above. Side-step.
The barrage intensified—multiple projectiles from different angles, forcing him to think and move simultaneously. His enhanced perception made it almost trivial, but he deliberately let a few projectiles graze him, maintaining the appearance of someone working hard to succeed rather than effortlessly dominating.
When the test ended, his score appeared: **82% SUCCESS RATE**
Excellent, but not unbelievable.
Luo Feng followed shortly after, emerging from the chamber with a score of **79% SUCCESS RATE**—just above the threshold, reflecting the struggle he'd genuinely experienced.
"Two down," Luo Feng said quietly as they regrouped. "One more."
***
## Stage Three: Live Combat Assessment
The final stage was what separated true fighters from those who merely possessed strength and speed: actual combat against monsters.
The arena had been transformed. One section now contained a series of reinforced cages, each holding a low-level monster—beast soldier rank creatures captured from the wilderness specifically for this purpose.
"Each prospective fighter will face one beast soldier rank monster in controlled conditions," the head instructor announced. "You have five minutes to kill or incapacitate your opponent. Instructors will intervene if your life is in genuine danger, but such intervention results in automatic failure."
The tension in the arena became palpable.
Luo Yan watched as the first few fighters entered their designated combat zones. Some succeeded—barely, with injuries and desperate scrambling. Others failed, being pulled out by instructors before the monsters could deliver killing blows.
This was the stage where talent truly showed.
When Luo Yan's number was called, he approached his designated combat zone with outward calm and internal calculation.
The cage opened.
A Beast Soldier rank creature emerged—a mutated wolf, easily twice the size of pre-RR virus specimens, with elongated claws and a jaw that could crush steel.
It growled, low and threatening, yellow eyes fixed on Luo Yan with predatory focus.
*Low-level threat,* Luo Yan assessed instantly. *In Swallowed Star terms, this creature is barely worth noticing. But for a prospective fighter? This should be a life-or-death struggle.*
So he would perform accordingly.
The wolf lunged.
Luo Yan moved—not with his true speed, but with the calculated movements of someone who'd trained hard and was now putting theory into desperate practice. He drew his combat knife, sidestepping the initial attack by the narrowest margin.
The wolf's claws raked past him, close enough that he felt the displacement of air.
*Make it look difficult,* he reminded himself. *Struggle. Sweat. Show effort.*
He engaged the creature in what appeared to be a desperate battle—dodging, parrying, creating opportunities that he then "missed" due to "nerves" or "lack of experience."
The watching instructors leaned forward, analyzing his performance.
"Good instincts," one murmured. "Solid technique. Needs more field experience."
Exactly the impression Luo Yan wanted to create.
After three minutes of manufactured struggle, he finally created an opening and drove his combat knife into the wolf's throat—the killing blow precise and clean, ending the fight.
The beast collapsed.
Luo Yan stood over it, breathing hard (more for show than necessity), his training suit torn in places where he'd allowed glancing hits to create the appearance of genuine danger.
"Luo Yan—PASS," the instructor announced.
He returned to the waiting area, where Luo Feng watched with visible relief.
"Your turn," Luo Yan said quietly.
Luo Feng nodded, face set with determination, and entered his own combat zone.
***
Luo Yan watched his brother face the beast soldier rank creature assigned to him—another mutated wolf, slightly larger than the one he'd fought.
This time, there was no performance. This was genuine struggle.
Luo Feng moved with the instincts of someone who'd trained obsessively, but lacked real combat experience. The wolf was faster than simulation training had prepared him for. More vicious. More unpredictable.
Luo Yan's hands clenched involuntarily as he watched his brother take a glancing blow to the shoulder, then another across his ribs.
*He's going to make it,* Luo Yan told himself. *The original timeline confirms it. But watching him struggle when I could help...*
He forced himself to remain still. To trust the narrative he'd read about in his previous life.
And finally, after four minutes of desperate combat, Luo Feng found his opening. His blade found the wolf's heart in a strike that was more luck than skill—but in combat, luck was often enough.
The beast fell.
"Luo Feng—PASS," the instructor announced.
The brothers reunited in the waiting area, both officially having completed all three stages.
"We did it," Luo Feng said, his voice carrying disbelief and exhaustion in equal measure.
"We did," Luo Yan confirmed.
Around them, other prospective fighters were still being evaluated. But for the Luo twins, the assessment was over.
They had passed.
***
## Results Announcement - Evening
The Extreme Martial Arts Dojo's main hall was packed with prospective fighters and their families when the final results were announced.
Out of 847 candidates, only 312 had passed all three stages.
Luo Yan and Luo Feng stood together as their names appeared on the massive display screen:
**LUO YAN - OVERALL SCORE: 87.3 - RANK: 47**
**LUO FENG - OVERALL SCORE: 84.1 - RANK: 89**
Both passing. Both earning official fighter status.
Their mother wept with joy. Their father stood straighter than he had in years. Even Luo Hua was speechless with pride.
A representative from the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo approached them afterward with contracts and information packets.
"Congratulations to both of you," the representative said professionally. "As official fighters, you're now entitled to standard benefits: monthly genetic energy cultivation resources, access to advanced training facilities, and wilderness hunting privileges with proper team registration."
The representative handed them each a contract. "The Dojo offers recruitment packages for promising new fighters. Review these and let us know your decisions within three days."
After the representative left, the Luo family stood together in the emptying hall.
"You did it," Gong Xinlan repeated, as if still unable to believe it. "Both of you. You actually did it."
"This changes everything," Luo Honguo said quietly. "Fighter status means stable income. Cultivation resources. A real future."
"We'll make the most of it," Luo Feng promised.
Luo Yan nodded agreement, but his mind was already elsewhere—on the system interface that had been patiently waiting all day for his attention.
Tonight, once his family was asleep, he would finally explore what it truly offered.
# Chapter 2: Awakening - Part 2 (System Exploration)
## Late Night - Luo Family Apartment
The celebration had been modest but genuine. Their mother had prepared a special meal—nothing extravagant, but with care and love that made even simple congee taste like victory. Their father had opened a bottle of cheap wine he'd been saving for "when something good finally happens." Even Luo Hua had been allowed to stay up past his usual bedtime, pestering his older brothers with questions about the assessment.
Now, hours later, the apartment was finally silent.
Luo Yan lay in his bed, eyes open in the darkness, listening to the steady breathing of his family. Luo Feng slept soundly in the adjacent bed, exhausted from the day's trials. Across the thin wall, he could hear his parents' quiet murmurs as they discussed their sons' success. Luo Hua had fallen asleep still clutching the magazine about famous warlords he'd been reading.
Everything was peaceful.
Everything was normal.
And Luo Yan was about to shatter that normalcy in ways his family could never imagine.
*System,* he thought, finally allowing himself to engage with the interface that had been waiting patiently since last night. *Full display.*
The translucent panels materialized instantly, glowing with soft blue light visible only to his consciousness:
**[SUPREME HAREM SYSTEM v1.0]**
**[HOST: LUO YAN]**
**[CULTIVATION BASE: PROSPECTIVE FIGHTER (GENETIC ENERGY: 1.2)]**
**[STATUS: AWAKENED]**
**[HAREM MEMBERS: 0]**
**[SYSTEM POINTS: 100]** *(Initial Allocation)*
Below the main display, several expandable functions beckoned:
> **[SYSTEM FUNCTIONS]**
> **[ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP]**
> **[HAREM COLLECTION]**
> **[INVENTORY & SHOP]**
> **[CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES]**
> **[UNIVERSE TRAVEL]**
Luo Yan's heart raced despite his outward calm. This was it. The true beginning of his journey—not as Luo Feng's unremarkable twin brother, but as something entirely different.
He focused on the first option: **[SYSTEM FUNCTIONS]**.
A detailed explanation materialized:
---
### **SUPREME HAREM SYSTEM - CORE MECHANICS**
The Supreme Harem System exists to facilitate the Host's journey toward ultimate power through the formation of genuine emotional bonds with exceptional women across infinite universes.
**PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:**
1. Form deep, authentic relationships with heroines from multiple universes
2. Accumulate power through emotional connections rather than traditional cultivation alone
3. Prevent tragic fates and rewrite destinies across the multiverse
4. Achieve ultimate strength: Universe Master level and beyond
**SYSTEM PHILOSOPHY:**
Power through love is not weakness—it is the ultimate strength. Each genuine bond formed creates resonance that transcends normal cultivation limits. The System rewards authentic emotion, not manipulation or deception.
**WARNING:**
Attempts to artificially manipulate favorability will result in severe penalties. Betrayal of established bonds will cause cultivation regression and permanent System function loss.
---
Luo Yan read the description with growing understanding. This wasn't just a power-up cheat system. It had rules. Expectations. Consequences.
*Good,* he thought. *I have no interest in forcing anyone. Building genuine relationships with beautiful, tragic heroines across multiple universes? That's not a burden—that's a privilege.*
He moved to the next function: **[HAREM COLLECTION]**.
---
### **HAREM COLLECTION - FAVORABILITY SYSTEM**
The System tracks emotional bonds through a favorability measurement ranging from 0-100. As favorability increases, both Host and heroine receive progressive rewards.
**FAVORABILITY LEVELS:**
**Level 1: Stranger/Acquaintance [0-49 Favorability]**
- No rewards
- Basic interaction stage
- Heroine is aware of Host but has no significant emotional investment
**Level 2: Close Bond [50-89 Favorability]**
- Rewards: +200 System Points, +10% Cultivation Speed Boost (permanent)
- Unlock: Basic Bond Technique (allows emotional sensing between Host and heroine)
- Status: Heroine considers Host a trusted friend or companion with romantic potential
- Requirements: Genuine friendship established, trust earned through actions
**Level 3: Deep Connection [90-99 Favorability]**
- Rewards: +500 System Points, +25% Cultivation Speed Boost (permanent, cumulative)
- Unlock: Intimate Link (allows telepathic communication across any distance)
- Unlock: Heart Bind Technique (mutual cultivation benefits, emotional synchronization)
- Status: Heroine is deeply emotionally invested; genuine romantic love developing
- Requirements: Mutual vulnerability, shared experiences, emotional intimacy established
**Level 4: Perfect Harmony [100 Favorability]**
- Rewards: +1000 System Points, +50% Cultivation Speed Boost (permanent, cumulative)
- Unlock: Soul Resonance (perfect understanding, shared power in combat situations)
- Unlock: Eternal Connection Marking (unbreakable bond that transcends death)
- Unlock: Unique Fusion Technique (combines Host's abilities with heroine's unique powers)
- Status: Heroine completely trusts Host; willing to sacrifice everything for their bond
- Requirements: Complete mutual understanding, unconditional love, shared destiny
**ADDITIONAL MECHANICS:**
- Favorability progression is natural and cannot be artificially accelerated
- Each heroine has different personality and requirements for favorability increase
- Tragic heroines with painful backgrounds may progress faster due to emotional vulnerability
- Acts of heroism, emotional support, and genuine understanding increase favorability
- Betrayal, manipulation, or dishonesty cause severe favorability penalties and potential bond breaking
**SPECIAL NOTE:**
Once a heroine reaches Level 4 (Perfect Harmony), the bond becomes eternal and unbreakable. The heroine will never betray the Host, and the Host gains permanent access to unique abilities based on her cultivation system and personal powers.
---
Luo Yan absorbed this information carefully. The math was simple but staggering:
*50% cultivation speed boost per heroine at max favorability. In a universe as vast as Swallowed Star, where the gap between each major realm is astronomical, that's the difference between taking decades to advance versus taking years. Or months.*
*Ten heroines at Perfect Harmony? That's a 500% cultivation speed boost. I could reach Universe Master level in a fraction of the time it would take Luo Feng.*
But more importantly, the system wasn't just about power. Each bond would grant unique abilities—fusion techniques based on the heroine's own powers.
*Qian Renxue's Angel God inheritance. Bibi Dong's Rakshasa God powers. Medusa's transformation abilities. The possibilities are endless.*
He shifted focus to the next critical function: **[INVENTORY & SHOP]**.
The Shop interface opened, displaying categories:
> **CULTIVATION RESOURCES**
> **BLOODLINE CATALYSTS**
> **TECHNIQUES & SKILLS**
> **EQUIPMENT & ARTIFACTS**
> **SPECIAL ITEMS**
Luo Yan navigated to **BLOODLINE CATALYSTS** and his breath caught.
The list was extensive, ranging from basic genetic optimization serums to god-tier bloodline transformations. Each item had a point cost displayed beside it:
- Basic Genetic Enhancement Serum: 10 Points
- Advanced Bloodline Catalyst (Planetary Level): 100 Points
- Elite Bloodline Catalyst (Stellar Level): 500 Points
- **Domain Lord Level Bloodline Catalyst: 1,000 Points**
- World Lord Level Bloodline Catalyst: 5,000 Points
- Immortal Level Bloodline Catalyst: 25,000 Points
But beside the Domain Lord Level Bloodline Catalyst, a special notification pulsed:
**[FIRST-TIME PURCHASE PROMOTION: 90% DISCOUNT]**
Luo Yan's eyes widened.
*1,000 points reduced to 100 points. That's... exactly what I have.*
He read the item description:
---
**DOMAIN LORD LEVEL BLOODLINE CATALYST**
A concentrated essence containing complete Domain Lord level genetic optimization. Upon consumption, the Host's bloodline will evolve to Domain Lord tier, with all associated benefits:
- Physical body strengthened to Domain Lord standard
- Genetic energy capacity increased exponentially
- Lifespan extended to 10,000+ years
- Access to Domain Lord level techniques and abilities
- Cultivation speed permanently increased
**WARNING:** Consumption will cause temporary physical transformation. Host should ensure privacy during evolution process (estimated 6-8 hours). Extreme pain during transformation is normal—do not panic.
**CURRENT COST:** 100 Points (90% First-Time Discount Applied)
---
Luo Yan's mind raced. Domain Lord level bloodline meant his body would be equivalent to someone who'd cultivated for centuries, achieved mastery over entire star systems, and touched the threshold of immortality.
In the Swallowed Star universe, Domain Lords were powerful enough to destroy planets with casual attacks. They commanded respect across entire galaxies.
And in Douluo Dalu? Where the peak was roughly equivalent to Planetary level?
*I would be a god walking among mortals.*
But more importantly, with the System's **Power Level Masking** function, no one would know. He could appear as weak as he wanted while possessing overwhelming strength.
*The perfect foundation for what I need to do.*
His finger—mental projection—hovered over the purchase option.
*This is it. The point of no return. Once I consume this catalyst, I'm committed to this path. No more being Luo Feng's unremarkable twin. No more hiding behind mediocrity.*
*I become something more.*
He selected: **[PURCHASE]**.
**[CONFIRMATION: DOMAIN LORD LEVEL BLOODLINE CATALYST PURCHASED]**
**[SYSTEM POINTS: 100 → 0]**
**[ITEM TRANSFERRED TO INVENTORY]**
The catalyst appeared in his Inventory—a crystalline vial containing swirling golden liquid that seemed to contain miniature galaxies.
But before he could examine it further, another notification appeared:
---
**[NEW SYSTEM REWARD UNLOCKED]**
**Congratulations! For making your first purchase, you have received bonus abilities:**
**1. POWER LEVEL MASKING (Passive)**
- Automatically conceals Host's true cultivation level
- Host can project any cultivation level from "normal human" to current actual level
- Cannot be detected by beings below Universe Master tier
- Adjustable at will through mental command
**2. DUAL CULTIVATION TECHNIQUE (Active)**
- Allows mutual cultivation with bonded heroines
- Both Host and heroine benefit from each other's cultivation sessions
- Accelerates favorability progression through intimate connection
- Increases cultivation efficiency by 30% when practiced with Perfect Harmony level partners
**3. CROSS-UNIVERSAL ADAPTATION (Passive)**
- Host's body automatically adapts to different universe power systems
- Can cultivate using any universe's energy type (Dou Qi, Spirit Power, Profound Energy, etc.)
- No conflict between different cultivation systems
- Allows simultaneous advancement in multiple systems
---
Luo Yan stared at the notifications with something approaching awe.
*The System isn't just giving me power. It's giving me the tools to succeed in every universe I visit. The masking ability solves the problem of hiding my strength. The dual cultivation technique provides both power advancement and relationship building. And cross-universal adaptation means I'm not limited to genetic energy—I can practice Douluo Dalu's spirit power cultivation, Battle Through the Heavens' Dou Qi, everything.*
*This is better than I could have imagined.*
He carefully extracted the Domain Lord Level Bloodline Catalyst from his Inventory. The vial materialized in his physical hand, surprisingly warm to the touch, the golden liquid within pulsing with barely contained power.
*No time like the present,* he thought.
But first, he needed to ensure no one would interrupt him.
Luo Yan sat up carefully, moving to his desk where he wrote a simple note:
*"Entered deep cultivation seclusion. Do not disturb for 12 hours. —Luo Yan"*
He placed the note where Luo Feng would see it if he woke, then returned to his bed and activated the System's **Privacy Barrier** function—a minor ability he'd noticed earlier that would prevent sound from escaping his immediate area.
*Ready.*
He uncorked the vial. The scent that emerged was indescribable—like lightning and starlight and the void between galaxies all compressed into breathable form.
*Here goes everything.*
Luo Yan drank the catalyst in one smooth motion.
---
## The Transformation
For three heartbeats, nothing happened.
Then the pain began.
It started in his stomach—a burning sensation like swallowing molten metal. Then it spread, racing through his bloodstream like liquid fire, reaching every cell in his body simultaneously.
Luo Yan bit down on his pillow to muffle the scream that wanted to tear free.
*System, you said extreme pain was normal—*
His thoughts fragmented as the transformation intensified. His bones began restructuring, becoming denser, stronger, infused with energy that shouldn't exist in human physiology. His muscles tore and reformed, fiber by fiber, each one now capable of generating force that could shatter steel.
His genetic energy surged, expanding from the modest 1.2 of a prospective fighter to something incomprehensibly vast. The Five Hearts Toward the Sky cultivation method he'd been practicing became a joke—his body was now operating on principles that transcended basic genetic cultivation entirely.
His cells were transforming at the molecular level, each one becoming a miniature universe unto itself, capable of storing and processing energy far beyond normal human limits.
The pain lasted for six hours.
When it finally ended, Luo Yan lay gasping on his bed, drenched in sweat that carried an odd golden sheen. His body had expelled impurities—years of accumulated cellular waste, genetic defects, everything that had limited his potential.
He sat up slowly, testing his new body.
The difference was staggering.
He could *feel* the power coiled within him now—not the modest genetic energy of a fighter or even a warlord, but something vast and terrible. His perception had expanded exponentially. He could sense the genetic signatures of his family members sleeping nearby, could feel the ambient energy flowing through Jiang-Nan base city, could even detect faint traces of monsters in the distant wilderness.
*Domain Lord level,* he thought with wonder. *This is what it feels like.*
He stood, moving to the small mirror in their shared room. His reflection looked mostly the same—same face, same build—but there was something different about his eyes. They held depth they hadn't possessed before, like looking into wells that went down forever.
*The masking function,* he remembered.
He focused, willing the System to conceal his true cultivation level. Immediately, the pressure that had been unconsciously radiating from him vanished. His genetic energy signature dropped to exactly what it had been before consuming the catalyst—1.2, prospective fighter level.
*Perfect. To anyone who scans me, I'm just a newly minted fighter. No one will know the truth.*
He tested his control, carefully moving through basic combat forms. His body responded with terrifying efficiency—each movement precise, powerful, yet completely controlled. He could destroy this entire apartment building with a casual gesture, yet he could also move with such delicacy that he wouldn't wake his sleeping brother five feet away.
*This is the foundation I needed,* Luo Yan thought with satisfaction. *Now I can begin the real work.*
He returned to his bed and summoned the System interface again. Time to explore the final critical function: **[ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP]**.
---
## The All Heaven Chat Group
The interface for the chat group was different from the other System functions—less mechanical, more organic, like it was tapping into something that existed beyond the System itself.
**[ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP - ADMINISTRATOR: LUO YAN]**
**[STATUS: INACTIVE]**
**[MEMBERS: 0]**
**[AVAILABLE CONNECTIONS: INFINITE]**
**[ACTIVATION REQUIREMENT: HOST MUST INITIATE FIRST CONNECTION]**
Below the main display, an explanation appeared:
---
### **ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP - MECHANICS**
As Administrator and Group Leader, the Host possesses unique authority to connect individuals across infinite universes into a shared communication network.
**MEMBER SELECTION CRITERIA:**
Members are automatically selected based on the following parameters:
- Protagonist-level destiny (individuals who carry the weight of their universe's narrative)
- Early cultivation stage (to allow maximum growth and relationship development)
- Compatibility with group dynamics
- Potential for mutual benefit through knowledge exchange
**ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEGES:**
- Unrestricted universe travel to any member's world
- Ability to mute, remove, or add members
- Access to member status information (cultivation level, current situation, emotional state)
- Priority in resource distribution and assistance
**GROUP BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS:**
- Knowledge exchange across different cultivation systems
- Mutual assistance during critical moments
- Access to Administrator's guidance and protection
- Potential universe travel with Administrator permission
**RESTRICTIONS:**
- Administrator cannot directly reveal future knowledge to members (preservation of destiny)
- Cannot force members to act against their will
- Must maintain "helpful leader" persona (overtly malicious actions will result in System penalties)
- Cannot interfere with major destiny events unless member's life is in genuine danger
**SPECIAL NOTE:**
The chat group exists outside normal spacetime. Members can communicate regardless of time differences between their universes. All communication is automatically translated and comprehensible.
---
Luo Yan considered this carefully. The chat group wasn't just a communication tool—it was a networking system that would give him legitimate reasons to visit other universes, build relationships with protagonists, and most importantly, position himself near the tragic heroines he wanted to save and seduce.
*If I'm the helpful group leader who assists Tang San during critical moments, it's only natural that I'd be around when he encounters Qian Renxue, Bibi Dong, Hu Liena, and the others.*
*If I help Xiao Yan with his cultivation struggles, of course I'd coincidentally be there when he meets Queen Medusa during her transformation.*
*The chat group gives me perfect cover for everything I want to accomplish.*
He focused on the activation command: **[INITIATE FIRST CONNECTION]**
A new interface appeared, showing countless threads of light spreading across infinite darkness—each thread representing a potential member, a protagonist carrying the weight of their universe's story.
The System highlighted several threads that pulsed with particular brightness:
**RECOMMENDED FIRST CONNECTIONS:**
1. **Tang San** - Douluo Dalu Universe
- Current Status: Age 12, Awakened Blue Silver Grass, Training at Nuoding Academy
- Cultivation: Spirit Master Rank 13
- Situation: Struggling with low-tier martial soul, hiding Tang Sect techniques
- Compatibility: 95% (Excellent)
2. **Xiao Yan** - Battle Through the Heavens Universe
- Current Status: Age 15, Recently humiliated by Nalan Yanran
- Cultivation: Dou Zhe 3-Star (recently recovered from "genius waste" period)
- Situation: Seeking strength to reclaim honor, secretly training with Yao Lao
- Compatibility: 92% (Excellent)
3. **Shi Hao** - Perfect World Universe
- Current Status: Age 8, Recently expelled from Stone Village
- Cultivation: Cave Heaven Realm (Early Stage)
- Situation: Lost Supreme Bone, seeking to regain power
- Compatibility: 88% (Very Good)
4. **Yun Che** - Against the Gods Universe
- Current Status: Age 16, Recently reincarnated
- Cultivation: Elementary Profound Realm 10th Level
- Situation: Adapting to new life, protecting little aunt
- Compatibility: 90% (Excellent)
5. **Ye Fan** - Shrouding the Heavens Universe
- Current Status: Age 22, Recently arrived in cultivation world
- Cultivation: Bitter Sea Opening (Early Wheel Sea Realm)
- Situation: Struggling to understand cultivation, seeking survival
- Compatibility: 89% (Very Good)
Luo Yan studied each option carefully. The System recommended starting with Tang San, and the logic was sound—Douluo Dalu had a relatively simple power system compared to the others, making it an ideal first universe to visit.
More importantly, Tang San's world contained his primary targets: Qian Renxue, Bibi Dong, Hu Liena, and others.
*Tang San first,* he decided. *Establish the pattern, build trust, then gradually add the others.*
He selected Tang San's thread.
**[INITIATING CONNECTION TO: TANG SAN - DOULUO DALU]**
**[ESTABLISHING CROSS-UNIVERSAL LINK...]**
**[CONNECTION STABLE]**
**[TANG SAN HAS BEEN ADDED TO ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP]**
**[YOU ARE NOW GROUP LEADER]**
---
## Douluo Dalu Universe - Tang San's Perspective
Tang San sat cross-legged in his dorm room at Nuoding Academy, practicing the Purple Demon Eye technique as he did every dawn. The other students were still asleep, giving him precious privacy for cultivation that couldn't be explained by normal Spirit Master standards.
He was twelve years old, physically. Mentally, he carried decades of experience from his previous life as an outer sect disciple of the Tang Sect. The memories of his death—jumping from the cliff after being discovered reading the forbidden techniques—still haunted him.
But this new life offered opportunities his old one never had. Spirit power. Martial souls. A world where strength was respected and cultivated openly rather than hoarded by sects.
His Blue Silver Grass martial soul was considered trash by everyone who'd seen it. But Tang San knew better. With his Tang Sect techniques and the hidden potential he sensed within his martial soul, he could rise. He would rise.
He was just finishing his meditation session when something impossible happened.
A translucent interface materialized before his eyes, glowing with soft blue light.
Tang San's eyes snapped open, hands moving instinctively to defensive positions. But there was nothing to defend against—the interface seemed to exist only in his perception, invisible to the physical world.
Text appeared on the glowing panel:
**[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]**
**ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP - CONNECTION ESTABLISHED**
**[GROUP LEADER: LUO YAN - SWALLOWED STAR UNIVERSE]**
**[YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS FOUNDING MEMBER]**
**[WELCOME TO THE ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP]**
Tang San's mind raced. *System? Chat group? Swallowed Star Universe? What is this?*
His first instinct was to suspect an enemy attack—some kind of spirit ability designed to invade his mind. But he could feel no hostile intent, no attempt to control or harm him. Just... information, waiting to be acknowledged.
A new message appeared:
> **[LUO YAN - GROUP Leader]**: Welcome, Tang San. I know this seems impossible, but I assure you it's real. I'm Luo Yan, from a universe completely different from yours. This chat group connects us across impossible distances, allowing communication and mutual assistance between talented individuals from separate realities.
Tang San read the message three times, his Tang Sect trained mind analyzing every word for deception or hidden meaning.
*Different universe? That's... actually not impossible. In my previous life, I knew the Tang Sect had legends about other realms, other worlds beyond our own. But direct communication across them?*
He composed his response carefully:
> **[Tang San]**: This is real? Not an illusion or spirit ability?
The reply came almost instantly:
> **[Luo Yan - Group Leader]**: Completely real. I understand your skepticism—I'd react the same way. To prove this is genuine, let me tell you something no one else knows: You're not originally from this world, are you? You carry memories of another life. A life that ended at the edge of a cliff, surrounded by those who viewed you as a traitor.
Tang San's blood ran cold.
*How could he possibly know that? I've never told anyone. Not a single soul in this world knows about my reincarnation.*
> **[Tang San]**: ...How do you know about my past life?
> **[Luo Yan - Group Leader]**: Because crossing between worlds leaves traces that certain abilities can detect. I don't know the details of your previous life, only that you carry memories that don't belong to this timeline. Am I correct?
Tang San was silent for a long moment, then typed:
> **[Tang San]**: Yes. You're correct. I reincarnated from another world.
> **[Luo Yan - Group Leader]**: Then you understand that impossible things are possible. The chat group is one such impossibility. It exists to connect people like us—those who carry extraordinary destinies, who struggle against fate, who seek to rise beyond their limitations.
Tang San felt something shift in his chest. For twelve years, he'd carried the secret of his reincarnation alone. The loneliness of being someone who didn't truly belong to this world had been a constant weight.
And now, someone was offering connection. Understanding. Shared knowledge across impossible distances.
> **[Tang San]**: What is the purpose of this chat group?
> **[Luo Yan - Group Leader]**: Mutual assistance. Different universes have different cultivation systems, different techniques, different approaches to power. By sharing knowledge, we can all grow stronger faster. I have insights from my universe that might help with your Spirit Master cultivation. You might have techniques that could benefit me.
It made sense. Perfect sense, actually.
> **[Tang San]**: Who else is in this group?
> **[Luo Yan - Group Leader]**: Right now, just you and me. I'm building the group carefully, adding members who I believe will genuinely benefit from the connection. Eventually, there will be others—individuals from their own universes, each with unique knowledge and abilities to share.
Tang San considered this. *A network of talented cultivators from different worlds, sharing knowledge. If this is legitimate, the potential is staggering. The Tang Sect's hidden weapons combined with different universe cultivation systems? I could become stronger than I ever imagined.*
> **[Tang San]**: What do you want in return for this opportunity?
> **[Luo Yan - Group Leader]**: Honesty. Genuine participation. When others join, I expect you to treat them as brothers-in-arms, not competitors. The group succeeds when all members succeed. I'm not asking for servitude or absolute loyalty—just good faith cooperation.
Tang San nodded to himself. *Fair terms. Almost too fair.*
> **[Tang San]**: I accept. Thank you for this opportunity, Group Leader Luo Yan.
> **[Luo Yan - Group Leader]**: Call me Luo Yan. We're partners in this, not master and subordinate. Now, tell me about your current situation. What challenges are you facing? What are your cultivation goals?
And so Tang San began to explain—his trash-tier Blue Silver Grass martial soul, his hidden Tang Sect techniques, his struggles at Nuoding Academy, his dreams of rising to become a powerful Spirit Master despite everyone's low expectations.
Luo Yan listened, asked thoughtful questions, and offered insights that revealed surprising understanding of Spirit Master cultivation despite being from a completely different universe.
The conversation lasted until dawn fully broke and other students began stirring in nearby rooms.
> **[Tang San]**: I should go. Classes start soon.
> **[Luo Yan - Group Leader]**: Understood. The chat group is always accessible through thought—just focus on it and the interface will appear. I'll check in regularly. If you need urgent assistance, don't hesitate to call for help.
> **[Tang San]**: Thank you, Luo Yan. This changes everything.
> **[Luo Yan - Group Leader]**: That's the idea. Talk soon, Tang San.
The interface faded, leaving Tang San alone in his room with thoughts racing.
*A chat group connecting different universes. Knowledge from worlds beyond my own. This is the opportunity I've been waiting for.*
*With this, I can truly rise beyond everyone's expectations.*
---
## Back in Swallowed Star Universe - Luo Yan's Perspective
Luo Yan closed the chat interface with deep satisfaction.
*First connection established. Tang San is intelligent, cautious, and motivated—exactly what I need in a group member. More importantly, he now trusts me as the helpful group leader who's offering knowledge without demanding anything unreasonable in return.*
*Perfect foundation.*
He checked the System notifications:
**[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: FIRST MEMBER RECRUITED]**
**[REWARD: +50 SYSTEM POINTS]**
**[UNIVERSE TRAVEL TO DOULUO DALU NOW AVAILABLE]**
**[CURRENT SYSTEM POINTS: 50]**
Luo Yan smiled in the darkness of his room. Everything was falling into place.
He had power—Domain Lord level bloodline hidden behind perfect masking.
He had tools—dual cultivation technique, cross-universal adaptation, unrestricted travel.
He had access—direct connection to Tang San's universe, where his primary targets awaited.
And most importantly, he had time. The warrior assessment was complete. His family believed he would enter cultivation seclusion for a while. No one would question his absence for days or even weeks.
*I could leave right now,* he thought. *Travel to Douluo Dalu, begin positioning myself near Qian Renxue.*
But caution made him pause.
*Not yet. First, establish a few more chat group members. Build the network. Make my eventual travels seem natural and justified rather than suspicious.*
He opened the connection interface again, studying the other recommended members.
*Xiao Yan next,* he decided. *Then gradually add the others over the coming weeks. Build trust. Create relationships. Establish myself as the reliable group leader.*
*Then, when I finally visit their universes, I'll already have legitimate reasons to be there.*
He selected Xiao Yan's thread.
**INITIATING CONNECTION TO: XIAO YAN - BATTLE THROUGH THE HEAVEN**
# Chapter 2: Awakening - Part 3 (The Network Expands)
## Battle Through the Heavens Universe - Xiao Yan's Perspective
The night was deep over Wutan City, and Xiao Yan sat alone in his room, staring at the broken jade pendant hanging from his neck.
Three years ago, he'd been a genius. The pride of the Xiao family. A prodigy whose Dou Qi cultivation advanced faster than anyone had seen in generations.
Then, overnight, everything had stopped.
His Dou Qi wouldn't increase. His cultivation stagnated. The genius became a joke—a cautionary tale about early success breeding complacency.
The worst part had been Nalan Yanran's visit. His fiancée, arriving with her teacher to publicly annul their engagement because he was no longer worthy of her. The humiliation had burned deeper than any physical wound.
But that was before he'd discovered the truth.
The jade pendant—his mother's final gift—contained a soul. Yao Lao, a legendary alchemist who'd been reduced to a soul form, trapped within the ring after a catastrophic betrayal. For three years, Yao Lao had been unconsciously absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi to sustain himself.
Now, with the truth revealed, they'd formed a partnership. Yao Lao would teach him alchemy and cultivation techniques that surpassed anything the Dou Qi continent had seen in centuries. In return, Xiao Yan would help him eventually restore his body and seek revenge against those who'd betrayed him.
It was a new beginning. A chance to reclaim everything he'd lost.
Xiao Yan was reviewing the Flame Mantra technique Yao Lao had taught him when something impossible happened.
A translucent blue interface materialized before his eyes.
"What the—" He jerked backward, Dou Qi flaring instinctively in defense.
"Xiao Yan?" Yao Lao's voice emerged from the ring, concerned. "What's wrong?"
"There's something... some kind of interface appeared in my vision," Xiao Yan said, studying the glowing panel warily. "Can you see it?"
There was a pause. "No. But I can sense unusual energy fluctuations around you. Describe what you're seeing."
Xiao Yan read the text aloud:
**[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]**
**ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP - CONNECTION ESTABLISHED**
**[GROUP LEADER: LUO YAN - SWALLOWED STAR UNIVERSE]**
**[YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS GROUP MEMBER #2]**
**[WELCOME TO THE ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP]**
Yao Lao was silent for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice carried shock. "All Heaven Chat Group? Swallowed Star Universe? Xiao Yan, this is... I've read ancient texts mentioning cross-universal communication, but they were legends. Myths. This shouldn't be possible."
"Should I respond?" Xiao Yan asked, still cautious.
"Let me examine the energy signature first," Yao Lao said. A moment later: "It's... clean. No hostile intent. No signs of soul manipulation or control techniques. Whatever this is, it doesn't appear to be an attack."
A new message appeared on the interface:
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Welcome, Xiao Yan. I know this seems impossible, but I assure you this is real. I'm Luo Yan, from a universe completely different from the Dou Qi continent. This chat group connects talented individuals across infinite realities, allowing knowledge exchange and mutual assistance.
Xiao Yan read the message twice, then looked at the ring. "What do you think, Teacher?"
"Respond carefully," Yao Lao advised. "If this is genuine, the implications are staggering. Knowledge from different universes could advance your cultivation beyond anything I could teach alone."
Xiao Yan composed his response:
> **[Xiao Yan]**: This is really cross-universal communication? Not some kind of trick or soul technique?
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Completely real. To prove it's genuine, let me tell you something: You're not alone in your cultivation, are you? There's someone hidden, someone who exists as a soul rather than a physical body. Someone who's been teaching you secrets that go beyond normal Dou Qi continent techniques.
Xiao Yan's blood ran cold. "Teacher, he knows about you!"
"Impossible," Yao Lao hissed. "My soul is perfectly concealed. Even Dou Zun level experts couldn't detect me unless I revealed myself deliberately."
> **[Xiao Yan]**: How do you know about... him?
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Because I can sense energy signatures that transcend normal cultivation. I don't know the details—who he is, what happened to him—but I can detect the presence of a soul-form entity attached to you. Am I correct?
Xiao Yan exchanged a long look with the ring, then typed:
> **[Xiao Yan]**: Yes. You're correct. There is someone helping me.
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Then you understand that impossible things are possible. This chat group is one such impossibility. It exists to connect people like us—those who carry extraordinary destinies, who've faced humiliation and loss, who struggle to rise beyond their limitations.
Something in those words resonated deeply. *Extraordinary destinies. Humiliation and loss. Struggle to rise.*
That described Xiao Yan's life perfectly.
> **[Xiao Yan]**: What's the purpose of this group?
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Knowledge exchange and mutual support. Different universes have different cultivation systems. By sharing insights, we can all grow stronger faster. I already have one other member—Tang San, from a universe called Douluo Dalu. He practices Spirit Master cultivation, which is completely different from your Dou Qi system or my genetic energy cultivation.
"Multiple universes," Yao Lao murmured. "Multiple cultivation systems. Xiao Yan, if this is legitimate, you must join. The knowledge alone could be invaluable."
> **[Xiao Yan]**: What do you want in return?
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Honest participation. When you discover something useful, share it. When others need help, offer what assistance you can. No servitude, no absolute loyalty required—just good faith cooperation between people seeking to rise above their circumstances.
Xiao Yan considered this. The terms seemed almost too generous.
> **[Xiao Yan]**: I accept. Thank you for this opportunity, Group Leader Luo Yan.
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Just call me Luo Yan. We're partners, not master and subordinate. Now, tell me about your current situation. What challenges are you facing?
And so Xiao Yan explained—the three years of stagnation, Nalan Yanran's humiliation, his discovery of Yao Lao, his vow to become strong enough to defeat her in three years when they'd agreed to have their rematch.
Luo Yan listened, asked thoughtful questions, and even offered some insights about energy cultivation that made Yao Lao emit surprised sounds from the ring.
"This Luo Yan understands principles that transcend specific cultivation systems," Yao Lao commented. "His universe must have profound knowledge."
The conversation continued until Xiao Yan's exhaustion caught up with him.
> **[Xiao Yan]**: I should sleep. Tomorrow I begin serious training with my teacher.
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Understood. The chat group is always accessible—just focus on it and the interface appears. I'll check in regularly. If you ever need urgent help, don't hesitate to ask.
> **[Xiao Yan]**: Thank you, Luo Yan. This changes everything.
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: That's the idea. Rest well, Xiao Yan.
The interface faded, leaving Xiao Yan staring at the ceiling with racing thoughts.
"Teacher, what do you think?" he asked the ring.
"I think," Yao Lao replied slowly, "that you've been given an extraordinary opportunity. Use it wisely."
---
## Swallowed Star Universe - Luo Yan's Perspective
**[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: SECOND MEMBER RECRUITED]**
**[REWARD: +50 SYSTEM POINTS]**
**[CURRENT SYSTEM POINTS: 100]**
Luo Yan smiled as the notifications appeared. Two members now. Tang San and Xiao Yan—both at the beginning of their legendary journeys, both eager for knowledge and power.
*Perfect.*
He checked the time. Nearly 4 AM. His family would wake in a few hours, but he'd prepared for this—the note explaining his cultivation seclusion would buy him time.
*Add a few more members,* he decided. *Build the network foundation, then begin planning my first universe visit.*
He opened the connection interface again, studying the remaining recommended members.
*Shi Hao, Yun Che, Ye Fan. All of them carry protagonist-level destiny. All of them are at early stages where guidance would be most valuable.*
*But I should space out the additions. Make it seem organic rather than rushed.*
He selected Shi Hao's thread.
---
## Perfect World Universe - Shi Hao's Perspective
Stone Village was quiet in the deep of night. The ancient willow tree at the village center swayed gently, its divine consciousness barely stirring.
Inside a modest house, eight-year-old Shi Hao lay awake, his small hands clenched into fists.
He'd been expelled from the great Stone Clan just weeks ago. Cast out because his Supreme Bone had been stolen, transplanted into his cousin Shi Yi by his own aunt. The genius who'd been born with heaven-defying potential had been reduced to an ordinary child—or so everyone believed.
But Shi Hao refused to accept that fate.
The villagers of Stone Village had taken him in, and the mysterious willow tree—which he called Big Sis Willow—had been secretly helping him cultivate. His body was recovering, growing stronger through the village's harsh training methods and the divine beast milk the hunters brought back.
He would rise again. He would reclaim everything that had been stolen.
That was when the interface appeared.
Shi Hao sat up immediately, his young face showing intelligence beyond his years. "What's this?"
The blue panel glowed softly:
**[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]**
**ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP - CONNECTION ESTABLISHED**
**[GROUP LEADER: LUO YAN - SWALLOWED STAR UNIVERSE]**
**[YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS GROUP MEMBER #3]**
**[WELCOME TO THE ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP]**
Shi Hao read the text carefully. He might be eight years old, but he'd been raised in the great Stone Clan before his expulsion. He understood that the world contained mysteries beyond normal comprehension.
*Different universes? Chat group? This is...*
A message appeared:
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Welcome, Shi Hao. I know you're young, but I can sense you carry intelligence and determination beyond your years. This chat group connects talented individuals across infinite universes. You've suffered a terrible injustice—having your Supreme Bone stolen by family. This group offers you knowledge to help you rise beyond that loss.
Shi Hao's small hands clenched tighter. *He knows about the Supreme Bone theft.*
> **[Shi Hao]**: How do you know what happened to me?
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Because I can sense destiny and potential. You carry the weight of someone who's meant to rise to incredible heights, despite the theft that should have crippled you. Am I wrong?
> **[Shi Hao]**: No. You're right. I will rise again. No matter what they took from me.
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: That's the spirit. The chat group exists to help people like you—those who refuse to accept unjust fates. I have two other members already: Tang San from Douluo Dalu universe, and Xiao Yan from Battle Through the Heavens universe. Both have faced their own trials. Together, we share knowledge to grow stronger faster.
Shi Hao's young face set with determination.
> **[Shi Hao]**: I want to join. I'll share what I learn, and I'll help the others when I can.
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Welcome to the group, Shi Hao. Rest for now—you're still young and need proper sleep for cultivation. We'll talk more tomorrow.
> **[Shi Hao]**: Thank you, Group Leader Luo Yan.
The interface faded. Shi Hao lay back down, but his eyes remained open, staring at the ceiling with renewed determination.
*A group of people from different universes, all seeking to rise beyond their circumstances. With their help, I'll definitely reclaim what was stolen and surpass even the Supreme Bone's potential.*
---
## Continued Connections
Over the next hour, Luo Yan established connections with the remaining recommended members.
**Yun Che** from Against the Gods received his invitation while recovering from injuries in the Xiao Clan household, his unique circumstances—reincarnation from modern Earth into this cultivation world—making him immediately receptive to the concept of multiverse communication.
**Ye Fan** from Shrouding the Heavens accepted his connection while struggling to understand the cultivation system he'd only recently been exposed to, desperate for any advantage that might help him survive.
By the time dawn began breaking over Jiang-Nan base city, the All Heaven Chat Group had five members:
**[ALL HEAVEN CHAT GROUP - MEMBER ROSTER]**
**GROUP LEADER:**
- Luo Yan (Swallowed Star Universe)
**MEMBERS:**
1. Tang San (Douluo Dalu Universe) - Spirit Master Rank 13
2. Xiao Yan (Battle Through the Heavens Universe) - Dou Zhe 3-Star
3. Shi Hao (Perfect World Universe) - Cave Heaven Realm
4. Yun Che (Against the Gods Universe) - Elementary Profound Realm 10th Level
5. Ye Fan (Shrouding the Heavens Universe) - Bitter Sea Opening Stage
---
## The First Group Conversation
Luo Yan initiated the first group discussion just as dawn broke:
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Good morning, everyone. Now that we have five members, I thought we should have a proper introduction session. Each of you can see this message, and you can communicate with each other freely. Think of this as a meeting between allies from different worlds.
> **[Tang San]**: Other members have joined? That's wonderful. I'm Tang San from Douluo Dalu. I'm twelve years old, training to become a Spirit Master.
> **[Xiao Yan]**: Xiao Yan from Battle Through the Heavens. Fifteen years old. Dou Qi cultivator. Pleased to meet everyone.
> **[Shi Hao]**: I'm Shi Hao from Stone Village. I'm eight, but I'm strong! I'll definitely help everyone!
> **[Yun Che]**: Yun Che, sixteen years old, from the Azure Cloud Continent in Against the Gods universe. Looking forward to working with all of you.
> **[Ye Fan]**: Ye Fan here, twenty-two years old, from... well, it's complicated. Let's just say I'm new to cultivation and grateful for any guidance.
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Excellent. Now, let me explain how this works. Each of you practices different cultivation systems—Spirit Power, Dou Qi, Ancient Body Cultivation, Profound Energy, Wheel Sea Cultivation. Despite these differences, the fundamental principles of cultivation share commonalities. By discussing our different approaches, we can all find insights that improve our own practices.
> **[Tang San]**: That makes sense. In my universe, Spirit Masters focus on spirit rings and innate martial souls. But perhaps the energy circulation principles share similarities with your systems?
> **[Xiao Yan]**: In Dou Qi cultivation, we circulate energy through meridians following specific patterns. Is that similar to your Spirit Power flow?
> **[Tang San]**: Very similar! We also use meridian pathways. The main difference seems to be the energy source—your Dou Qi versus our Spirit Power.
The conversation flowed naturally from there. Each member described their cultivation basics, and Luo Yan guided the discussion, pointing out commonalities and differences that could benefit them all.
He played the role of knowledgeable leader perfectly—offering insights without revealing too much, asking questions that prompted deeper thinking, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and genuine cooperation.
---
## Establishing Trust
After an hour of discussion, the group had bonded considerably. They'd moved past initial wariness into something approaching camaraderie.
> **[Shi Hao]**: This is amazing! I never thought I'd be talking to people from other universes!
> **[Ye Fan]**: It's certainly surreal. Group Leader Luo Yan, how is this even possible? What technology or technique allows cross-universal communication?
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: The truth is, I don't fully understand the mechanism myself. This ability was passed down to me from my master, who studied ancient texts about the multiverse. I can establish connections and maintain the group, but the underlying principles are beyond my current comprehension.
It was a careful lie—blaming a fictional master rather than revealing the System—but it satisfied their curiosity without raising suspicion.
> **[Xiao Yan]**: Regardless of how it works, I'm grateful for it. Group Leader, Teacher Yao Lao wants me to thank you. He says the cultivation insights you've shared transcend specific systems.
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Teacher Yao Lao? You have a teacher helping you?
> **[Xiao Yan]**: Yes. He's... it's complicated. He exists as a soul attached to my ring. He's been teaching me alchemy and advanced Dou Qi techniques.
> **[Tang San]**: I understand complicated teacher situations. My knowledge comes from... unconventional sources as well.
Luo Yan smiled inwardly. Both Tang San and Xiao Yan were dancing around their reincarnation secrets, unwilling to reveal everything yet. That was fine—trust took time.
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Everyone has their secrets. The group doesn't require complete transparency—only honest cooperation when it matters. Now, let's establish some basic rules.
He outlined simple guidelines: daily check-ins, sharing significant cultivation breakthroughs, offering help when asked, maintaining respect for each other's privacy.
The members agreed readily.
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Excellent. One more thing—as Group Leader, I have the ability to travel between your universes if needed. If anyone faces a crisis they truly can't handle alone, I can provide direct assistance. But I won't interfere unless genuinely necessary. Your journeys are your own.
> **[Tang San]**: You can physically travel to our universes? That's incredible.
> **[LUO YAN - Group Leader]**: Yes, though I'll only do so in emergencies or by invitation. I don't want to disrupt your lives unnecessarily.
> **[Yun Che]**: That's reassuring to know. Having a powerful ally who can cross universes... that could be invaluable.
*Perfect,* Luo Yan thought. *The seed is planted. When I eventually visit their universes, it will seem natural—the helpful Group Leader checking on his members.*
---
## The Day Progresses
The chat activity gradually decreased as members returned to their daily responsibilities. Tang San had academy classes. Xiao Yan needed to train with Yao Lao. Shi Hao had village training. Yun Che and Ye Fan had their own obligations.
Luo Yan closed the interface and finally allowed himself to properly rest. The Domain Lord bloodline transformation had been exhausting despite his enhanced body, and establishing five connections in one night had drained his mental energy.
He slept deeply, dreamlessly, his body continuing to adapt to its new power level even in unconsciousness.
When he woke, it was afternoon. The apartment was quiet—his family out for the day, probably celebrating the twins' success at the warrior assessment.
Luo Yan sat up, immediately checking the System notifications:
**[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: FIVE MEMBERS RECRUITED]**
**[REWARD: +100 SYSTEM POINTS]**
**[BONUS ACHIEVEMENT: GROUP FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED]**
**[REWARD: +50 SYSTEM POINTS]**
**[CURRENT SYSTEM POINTS: 250]**
**[NEW FUNCTION UNLOCKED: UNIVERSE TRAVEL - FULL ACCESS]**
**[YOU MAY NOW TRAVEL TO ANY MEMBER'S UNIVERSE AT WILL]**
Luo Yan opened the Universe Travel interface. Five destinations glowed invitingly:
- **Tang San's Universe** (Douluo Dalu)
- **Xiao Yan's Universe** (Battle Through the Heavens)
- **Shi Hao's Universe** (Perfect World)
- **Yun Che's Universe** (Against the Gods)
- **Ye Fan's Universe** (Shrouding the Heavens)
Each destination included detailed information about local power scaling, current timeline, and major events approaching.
He focused on Douluo Dalu:
**DOULUO DALU UNIVERSE - CURRENT STATUS**
**Timeline:** Year 2641 of the Douluo Calendar
**Current Arc:** Tang San's Nuoding Academy period (Age 12)
**Approximate Power Scaling:**
- Peak of this universe: Limit Douluo (Level 99) + God-tier beings
- Host's current strength equivalent: Level 95-99 Douluo (near absolute peak of mortal realm)
**Major Figures Currently Active:**
- Qian Renxue: Disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe in Heaven Dou Empire (Age 21)
- Bibi Dong: Pope of Spirit Hall (Age 40)
- Tang San: Training at Nuoding Academy
- Other notable figures in various locations
**Recommended Entry Point:** Star Dou Forest (remote location, low chance of detection)
**Estimated Time Dilation:** None—time flows equally across connected universes
Luo Yan read everything twice, his strategic mind processing the information.
*Qian Renxue is already established as Crown Prince. She's been maintaining her disguise for years at this point. That means she's deep in her mission, isolated, lonely.*
*Perfect timing for a mysterious stranger to appear in her life.*
He checked his current resources:
- 250 System Points
- Domain Lord level bloodline (masked)
- Dual Cultivation Technique
- Cross-Universal Adaptation
- Power Level Masking
- Full Universe Travel access
*I have everything I need. The foundation is established. The chat group provides cover for my presence in other universes. My power is overwhelming but hidden.*
*Time to begin the real work.*
He stood, moving to his small desk where he wrote a more detailed note for his family:
*"Family—I've entered deep cultivation seclusion to consolidate my gains from the warrior assessment. I may be unreachable for several days or even weeks. Don't worry about me. I have sufficient supplies and I'm in a safe location. Trust that I'm working hard to secure our family's future. I'll return when my breakthrough is complete. —Luo Yan"*
He placed the note prominently on his bed where Luo Feng would find it, then activated the System's spatial isolation function—a minor ability that would make his room appear empty and undisturbed even if someone checked on him.
*Everything is in place.*
Luo Yan opened the Universe Travel interface one final time, his finger hovering over the Douluo Dalu destination.
*Qian Renxue. The Angel Princess hiding as Crown Prince. Lonely, desperate for her mother's love, carrying pain she can't share with anyone.*
*I'm coming.*
He selected the destination.
**[UNIVERSE TRAVEL INITIATED]**
**[DESTINATION: DOULUO DALU - STAR DOU FOREST]**
**[DEPARTURE IN: 3... 2... 1...]**
Reality fractured around him. Colors bled together. Space folded in ways that human perception wasn't designed to process.
And Luo Yan vanished from the Swallowed Star universe, beginning his first journey into the multiverse he would eventually conquer—one beautiful, tragic heroine at a time.
---
**END OF CHAPTER 2**