David's consciousness snapped back to the virtual arena's starting platform, where Kael stood waiting.
"Using both a sword and a spear is a clever tactic for creating long-range opportunities," Kael began, his tone analytical. "But that strategy only works if your enemy is weaker or less experienced. Against a superior foe, you'll never get the chance for a sneak attack. You're trying to master too much at once. A true warrior perfects one weapon until it becomes an extension of his own body. Choose: the sword or the spear."
"I choose the spear," David said without hesitation.
"Good. For now, forget the sword. We will begin with a martial art known as the Spear of Destruction. It is a foundation, designed to harness the spear's innate nature. In time, as your style evolves, you may create your own art. But first, baby steps. Your regimen will alternate: three months in the blood pond tempering your body, followed by three months in the virtual arena honing your skill."
David immersed himself completely in the grueling cycle. The secret realm fell into a rhythm of intense, focused peace.
Two Years Later
A sudden tremor in the fabric of the realm jolted Albert. He appeared instantly beside the blood pond, where David sat immersed in cultivation. A terrifying, profound aura radiated from the young man—a law so rare and powerful that Albert's spectral form seemed to flicker in recognition.
"The Law of Destruction," Kael whispered, a mix of awe and satisfaction in his voice. "A supreme law... The Lord's plan unfolds. Once he fully cultivates this power, it will be of great aid. He is our greatest hope. I must be patient."
As he watched, the spatial energy around David twisted, and a second, equally formidable aura bloomed.
"Impossible! The Law of Space? Two supreme laws awakening simultaneously in one person?" Kael stared, his anticipation for David's future growing exponentially.
Within his meditation, David was absorbing the vast knowledge of the Law of Destruction when a second, innate understanding surged from the depths of his soul—the Law of Space, as if it had been branded there at birth. Though he didn't understand its origin, he recognized the opportunity. He greedily absorbed the insights, pushing his comprehension as far as his current strength would allow.
When the cosmic movement of the laws finally settled, David opened his eyes. His cultivation had broken through to the Universe Realm.
Karl materialized before him. "What are your gains? Did you receive a law diagram?"
"I could have absorbed more, but I did get something," David replied, focusing inward. "A... Chaos Law Diagram."
"Excellent! The diagram is a guide. You must now follow it to comprehend all the laws it contains. Come, it is time for the Law Monument Room."
This was David's first time entering the sacred room. He remembered stories of the law monuments at human headquarters, accessible only to the absolute elite—like his mother and the sister he'd never met. Perhaps my lack of talent was the reason she discarded me, he thought bitterly, shaking off the painful memory.
The room took his breath away. The air itself thrummed with the essence of three thousand laws, from the most inferior to the supreme. In the center stood a magnificent monument that seemed to contain the universe itself.
"Before you begin," Kael instructed, "clear your mind of all fatigue. Do not force anything. Let the diagram guide you, but be open to other laws that may call to you; they may prove useful. I will also impart a movement technique, Space Flow, which uses your space law to enhance your speed and can even form blades of spatial energy."
David sat before the monument and activated his Chaos Diagram. The path became clear: 108 patterns to master. The first 33 were dedicated to Space Law, while the later ones hinted at the even more mysterious Time Law. His Law of Destruction manifested as a single, complex map that intriguingly wove Space Law into its fabric.
And so, David's life fell into a triple pattern: combat practice in the arena, brutal body tempering in the blood pond, and deep law comprehension before the monument.
Five Years Passed
Seven years had now passed since David first arrived in the secret realm. He was now a young man of twenty, his cultivation at the peak of the Domain Realm, a single step from becoming a World Master. His bloodline had evolved to a terrifying level 9,000, making him virtually invincible beneath the Immortal Realm.
In terms of law comprehension, he had mastered ten patterns of Space Law and two profound patterns of the Law of Destruction. The Space Flow technique allowed him to move in the blink of an eye, and he could now form small but lethally sharp spatial blades. The Spear of Destruction had unlocked an unexpected understanding of the Law of Darkness, adding a new dimension to his attacks.
Kael appeared as David finished a meal. "Our time in isolation is over. True strength is forged in battle, not just in practice. You will now go to a battlefield where different races fight for survival. You must learn whom to trust. I will only intervene in true life-or-death situations, as I must conserve my strength. Do not rely on me lightly."
"The secret realm is now bound to your soul. You can enter it at will if in mortal danger. Prepare yourself mentally. As for your identity, your appearance has changed over seven years. Your blood was drained, so blood-based tracking won't work, and your soul has been completely transformed. You are safe. If any problem arises that you cannot handle, I will be there."
Though initially anxious about facing his past, David felt a wave of relief at Kael's assurances. It was time to prepare.
He sorted through his mountain of space rings. He selected a dark-colored, triangular S-grade spaceship; using an SSS-grade vessel would be like painting a target on his back for every greedy pirate in the galaxy. An S-grade ship would mark him as a scion of a powerful family that offered protection.
He imprinted his soul mark on the ship, feeling a connection snap into place. For armor, he chose an A-grade set, as higher grades were too demanding for his current realm. He pricked his finger, letting a drop of blood fall on the armor case. The dark armor with red stripes flowed over his body, fitting perfectly and able to appear or disappear with a thought.
Finally, he gathered the anonymous universal bank cards. This unmarked currency was his key to moving through the human world without having to sell his precious treasures from the realm.
He was ready.