After some time, I stood beside the green-horned Dryad at the edge of a majestic blue crystal embedded in the center of a glowing clearing. The crystal radiated a mysterious, sacred energy that hummed softly like an ancient lullaby. Its towering presence was not just beautiful—it felt alive.
"This is the Heart Crystal of the Akashic Interface," said the Dryad, her voice light and reverent. "Lord, please place your hand on the fragment to proceed."
I gave a slow nod. Without hesitation, I placed my hand against the cool, gleaming surface of the blue crystal.
The moment my skin touched the crystal, an overwhelming force tried to invade my mind. It surged into my consciousness, attempting to pull me in, to read my soul and history—but it failed.
A system like this couldn't penetrate the mind of a Spiritroot Foundation Stage body cultivator. My soul was tempered, my will like a fortress. Taking control of me was simply impossible.
Suddenly, a distorted voice echoed from the crystal:
[ERROR… CONNECTION FAILED… REBOOTING SYSTEM… ERROR… ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT ADMINISTRATOR…]
Then, the sky shifted.
A blinding light descended from above, splitting the heavens. A divine radiance fell like holy rain, and from its center descended a woman bathed in celestial glory. Her appearance was breathtaking—skin as pale as moonlight, lips the soft color of strawberries, and eyes shaped like those of a phoenix. A radiant golden halo floated above her head, and twin wings—one black, one white—extended gracefully behind her back.
The atmosphere shifted immediately. Even the Dryad beside me straightened and bowed her head.
The woman landed before us silently and stared directly at me. Her gaze pierced through me as though she were reading my past, present, and future all at once.
After a moment of heavy silence, she turned to the Dryad and asked in a crisp, commanding tone:
[What is the situation here?]
"Master," the Dryad replied respectfully, "I was patrolling the outer regions of this planet when I encountered this man. He expressed interest in cultivating here. He appears to be well-known in some parts of the universe, and… I believed he was worthy of assistance. He is far more powerful than I am."
[So you brought a cosmic spiritual entity into the record system without full authentication?]
"Spiritual person?! Master, I didn't realize! Please forgive my ignorance!" the Dryad said, kneeling slightly with guilt.
The woman's golden eyes turned to me again.
[And you… Come with me.]
I remained calm. "Where exactly?"
As a body cultivator, I didn't possess any danger-sensing skills like some spiritual cultivators. I also couldn't measure someone's power unless they actively released their aura. This was my first experience in outer space and everything felt unfamiliar.
[To the Akashic Records. We need to register your soul-bound profile into the Dimensional Tower's main archive.]
Since I didn't sense any killing intent or hostile aura from her, I agreed.
She reached toward the great World Tree beside us and plucked a glowing, emerald leaf. In an instant, it expanded into a massive, ancient vessel shaped like a ship woven from nature itself.
[Get on,] she said simply.
I obeyed.
The ship took off into the cosmos. As we soared past the planetary orbit, I saw layers of celestial realms peel away like veils—three layers of the universe passed in moments.
During the journey, the woman turned her head slightly and asked:
[Which clan are you from? Don't tell me you don't even know your own heritage.]
"I doubt you'd recognize it… but as you asked, I'll answer. I hail from the Red Heaven Clan."
[Hmph. The Red Heaven? Don't lie so carelessly. I sense no trace of fire Qi or heavenly flame affinity from you. At least make your lie believable.]
I raised an eyebrow. "So… you know that clan?"
[Of course I do. The Red Heaven Clan is one of the middle-upper tier factions in this universe. Their ancestor is on the brink of stepping into the Divine Stage. Once that happens, they'll rise to high-tier status—rivaling even the White Tiger Clan and others of similar scale.]
"I see," I said, thoughtfully.
After some silence, she spoke again.
[We're here.]
My eyes widened.
Before us stood a magnificent city orbiting a colossus of divine architecture—a tower that pierced the very fabric of space. It was so tall it seemed to connect the physical realm to the divine sky.
[This is the Dimensional Tower. From here, countless worlds are connected. Listen well: don't speak or offend anyone inside. The beings here are representatives of supreme races and factions. Tread carefully and follow me.]
I nodded silently and followed her.
We ascended to the fifth floor, where a massive crystal—at least ten times larger than the one before—hovered in the center of a floating platform. Its surface shimmered like liquified starlight.
[Place your hand on it.]
I placed my hand without hesitation. A surge of cold light flashed before my eyes, and then…
---
[Akashic Record – Soul-Bound Profile]
Name: David Seraphinus
Race: Human (Spirit-Evolved Variant – Proto-Spirit Vessel)
Age: 70 (Chronological) / 1 (Cultivation Awakening Age)
Realm: Spiritroot Foundation (Stage I)
Cultivation Method: Eternity-Shaping Spirit Vessel Sutra
Tier: Omniversal Forbidden Divine Scripture
Spiritual Status: Soul-Body Conversion – 3.28%
Constitution Type: Spirit-Woven Body (In Progress)
---
Affinity
Primary: Pure Spiritual Essence
Secondary: Soul Law, Void Silence
Elemental Affinity: None – This path transcends elemental systems.
---
Physique
Muscles & bones transforming into spiritual constructs
Cells awakening as Qi-cores
Immunity to aging, fatigue, and physical toxins (Early resistance)
---
Soul Attributes
Soul Depth: Deep-Tier Initiate
Soul Resonance: 4%
Mental Defense: Passive Cloaking (Active)
---
Notable Effects
Stillness Aura: Suppresses chaotic or violent energy in a 10m radius
Can meditate in timeless stasis
Undetectable to divine sense or spiritual probes
Status: Still in Progress
---
The woman read the information, her eyes glinting slightly.
[That's one hell of a powerful technique you're cultivating. Tell me, what kind of primordial inheritance did you receive?]
"I don't know," I said honestly. I hadn't expected the system to analyze me so completely.
[I see. You don't have to tell me. But if you survive the chaos of cosmic war, you could easily rise to become a clan leader at the universal level. Don't let arrogance get the better of you. The universe is vast and full of unpredictable paths. Good luck.]
Her tone was surprisingly sincere. She didn't seem jealous or alarmed. I blinked and asked, "So… is my cultivation technique considered rare?"
[Extremely rare—but also not.] She smiled faintly. [It's rare because only upper-tier clan leaders cultivate techniques at this level. It requires immense resources. Normal cultivators, even if they find such a scripture, usually offer it to their clan or sell it. Success without backing is nearly impossible.]
Then she stepped forward and placed her own hand on the crystal.
---
[Akashic Record – Soul-Bound Profile]
Name: Sylvarielle Nym'Vael
Race: Ancient World Tree Spirit (Sapient Seedform)
Age: 3,211 (Chronological) / 12 (Awakened Consciousness Age)
Realm: Stage 13
Cultivation Method: Verdant Eternum Sutra – Roots of the Living Cosmos
Tier: Forbidden Divine Scripture – Life & Time Branch
Spiritual Status: Seed-Heart Evolution – 7.6%
Constitution Type: Eternal Verdant Vessel
---
Affinity
Primary: Life Essence, Wood Law
Secondary: Time Ripple, Spirit Rain
Elemental Affinity: Earth, Wood, Light
---
Physique
Spirit-imbued wood flesh and immortal leafskin
Sap becomes Liquid Spirit Qi
Root-system senses ley-lines and spirit beasts in 500m radius
Immune to rot, corrosion, and low-tier soul curses
---
Soul Attributes
Soul Depth: High-Tier Spirit Being
Soul Resonance: 9%
Mental Defense: Dreamwood Lattice (Passive)
---
Notable Effects
Bloom of Still Eternity: Speeds natural recovery and Qi flow of allies
Roots can extract memory echoes
Radiates peace; nearby creatures gain intelligence temporarily
---
Progress to Next Stage
Absorb 3 ley-line fragments
Harmonize with a wild spirit beast
Endure 7-day Spirit Rain without forming a canopy
---
[See? This is the power of a typical upper-tier clan holy figure. So don't be discouraged. As a human, you've done exceptionally well.]
She turned to me with a soft smile.
[You'll receive your Akashic ID in two days. Until then, you can rest here. As for visiting my world… I advise against it. It's not suitable for human youths. My clan elders would disapprove, and I must respect their judgment. But here—take this.]
She handed me a shimmering leaf and a pouch of currency.
[As a guardian of humanity, I'll offer you this support. Our race and yours share ancient ties. Until we meet again—farewell.]
I watched her silhouette vanish into the distance.
"…What a woman," I murmured.
Turning back to the vast city, I clutched the leaf and money she gave me. I was alone once more, standing at the edge of a new world.