I was back in my quarters less than ten minutes later. I didn't head into the cultivation chamber this time. Instead, I lounged on my couch and tossed back each fruit. Each one tasted slightly different and only some were tasty. By the time I got through the bunch, I wasn't sure it was worth it. I grabbed a glass of water and washed my mouth out. When I pulled up my status screen all my worries were washed away. If I thought I was a monster before then I had evolved.

Name Amari Jackson Level 38 Class [1-Epic]Psionic Paragon Species [2]Human Affiliation Earth:Amara: Ruler Traits [1]Eye of Heaven Titles Beloved by Tao, Big Game, Chosen, First to Ten, Horde Breaker, Leader of the Pack, Monstersbane, One Man Army, Overlord Slayer, Overpowered, Perfect 100, Prime Forebearer, Prime Hunter, Tutorial, Voyager, Limited Titles Pinnacle, Primal Battlefield Tao Strand of Adamance — Comprehension: Middle, Strand of Lucidity — Comprehension: Middle, Strand of Compression — Comprehension: Low Agility 203 (Increase:65%. Potency:130%) Constitution 213 (Increase:70%. Potency:130%) Intelligence 289 (Increase:70%. Potency:130%)) Luck 161 (Increase:85%. Potency:130%) Perception 216 (Increase:70%. Potency:130%) Strength 192 (Increase:70%. Potency:130%) Wisdom 501 (Increase:75%. Potency:130%) Free Points 0 System Credits [1]10,000

It was hard to imagine anything on Earth being much of a challenge now. Not counting Demiplanes of course. I still wasn't sure I could handle the Primal Battlefield. I took a moment to get used to my new attributes before I thought about my options. It was time for me to shift focus. If I continued at my current pace to gain a level I would need to hunt down every animal on the continent. There was still the third but from the limited information, its cultivators were doing alright.

There was already a chain of teleporters leading there. However, there was a third option. I stood up and paced through the room. If I assumed the System operated on a similar logic as video games then the strongest monsters should be beneath the surface. Of course, I would be more likely to find bugs there as well. Which nobody wants. It would also give me a chance to build an underground city. Hell if I took into account the chances of outer space attacks then maybe it would be worth it.

Of course, the idea of being buried alive made that much less appealing. I went back and forth on the idea for a few minutes before I decided this was a situation best solved by my council. I activated Ethereal Convocation and asked everyone to assemble. I entered the boardroom and put my legs up like some sort of movie tycoon. It took nearly thirty minutes for everyone to arrive.

"Greetings Ladies and Gentleman." I started. "I have an that I would like your input on. I would like to explore what's beneath us. Now I can do that part on my own. If there is hospitable land beneath us what do you think about making a city down there?"

Their reactions ranged from disinterest to irritation and I think excitement from Saanite. It was still hard to know. "Well, subterranean cities are relatively common in the multiverse. They aren't popular for humanity though they make great penal colonies and on the off chance you find a mineral vein it could be profitable." Azariah was the first to speak.

Her words immediately doused my flame of excitement. It wasn't that I hated the idea but it sounded a bit evil dictatory. Of course, we did need a prison. Execution couldn't be the punishment for everything.

"Would you be able to reinforce the rock with arrays? We couldn't afford to get a sinkhole situation." Christopher asked. Desbera offered a nod and he leaned back in his seat. "It's not a bad idea. Not too thrilled about the penal colony thing but a bunker city could be great. On the off chance, the monsters on the surface become too much for us to deal with."

"We would need to move more of our warriors down there to fight off monsters," Aaliyah added. "Even you can't be everywhere and that assumes that the monsters are still well under your power. I am not against the idea but it's risky."

The conversation continued like that for an hour before I chimed again. "Alright despite the risk it sounds like everyone here is up for it. I am going to head down and spend a couple of days exploring. If I come across something too dangerous or otherwise think its a bad idea we will hold off on the expansion. For now, though get your people ready. I want a preliminary list of fifty to a hundred guards. Keshaun I want you to see if any of the mortal crafters are interested. Assuming we go through with this I will provide additional merit to people willing to take the plunge."

From there the conversation shifted from what about to how can we do this. Something I appreciated. We went back and forth for another hour before I called the meeting. The final decision would be to prepare a settler's caravan that would be ready to leave when I gave the word. It was also decided that I wait until after things on the second continent were settled. My recent trips had dealt with the majority of strong things but there were murmurs that something would come in search of revenge.

With the decision made, I decided to take a short nap. I wasn't sure how much sleep I would get over the next few days so it was best to get done now. I also sent word to have food sent up. Both for now and that I could pack. We still hadn't figured out how to make food that gave benefits which sucked but we couldn't win at everything.

A few hours later I was up and making my way through the temple city. I made a mental note to come up with a proper name for it later. The small city was dull. It reminded me a bit of camping. We didn't even have enough credits for the water-gathering array which wasn't necessary but it would have made things more comfortable. The city was mostly filled with fighters and then a small handful of doctors who were struggling to figure out how to cope in the new world.

From what I understood the medical textbooks had to be thrown out. Healing pills alone invalidated most of what we knew before. It was just another wing of knowledge that Earth was lacking. There was another benefit of taking the next few days off.

"Hey, Big bro." Trey's laughed as I stepped out of Apportation. "You got to show me how to do that."

I laughed and shook my head. "Not yet, though if you work hard you should be able to get your skills or spells. Now I am told you have something to show me?"

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Trey nodded and held his palm out. At first, nothing happened and I was just about to question it when a small flame appeared. The flame was about as big as his palm but lacked the cohesion of my psychic energy. It was much more dynamic. Before I could react he pulled his hand back and launched it at me like a baseball.

My danger sense didn't so much as try to warn me so I wasn't afraid. I held out my hand and infused it with spiritual energy. The flame hit and dispersed harmlessly. Well almost harmlessly, it was hot enough to singe my hands which when you considered that he wasn't using a skill was impressive.

"Big dog what is this? You got a Tao?" I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face.

"Yes indeed. I got the Strand of Flames. It's mostly offensive though if I work at it I can cook things. Though not very well."

"Okay okay and how much longer till your birthday?"

"Two, so what do you think? Can I go and fight some monsters with you?"

"Hmm not yet but we can do some sparring. The monsters on the island would be a bit too much for you but it would be best for you to wait for me when you get the System. Several of my titles were based on a level disparity between me and the thing I killed."

"Alright bet." He practically shouted before summoning another fireball. I raised an eyebrow at him as he unleashed his attack.

Thirty minutes later he lay on his back with sweat pouring down on his face. "Bro, how are you so fast?"

I chuckled and shook my head. "Attributes mostly that and combat experience. I am impressed you were able to keep going like that. Are you able to imbue that Tao into any weapons?"

He shook his head. "No, I haven't found any fire-attuned items so I can't be completely sure but it only lets me make the flames and control flames that already exist."

"Hmm very interesting. It's a bit more solid than most of mine. The majority of mine affect the mind."

"I had heard about that. Is that why all the beast bodies you bring back look like they are still alive?"

I nodded. "For the most part yeah on occasion I use a sword. What kind of system does Desbera have you on?"

"Mostly meditating on the elements. Fire and water specifically she has the kind Rubik's cube-like sphere that helps you with energy control as well."

"For real? I might have to borrow that."

"Say less I will bring it over next time. So what's next?"

"Hmm, have you confirmed what style of class you want? From what I understand and a few assumptions you have the four rpg options. Warrior, Mage, Rogue/assassin, and support."

He stood up and placed both hands behind his head. "Yeah, I am leaning toward either Warrior or Mage. The energy training has been great but I got to practice with a spear and that was also pretty cool."

I nodded. "Well, how do you see yourself fighting? When it gets serious and you are on your own? Do you want to keep your distance or stay up close?"

"I just don't know. Both seem like a lot of fun."

I nodded. "Well, you have plenty of options. Has Desbera mentioned anything about titles you could try to get?"

"Just two. The Tao related one and one for improving my species before I got the System. I just don't have a lot of money to dip into what you prepared for me. I have to spend it all on baths."

"Oh? Do you have enough materials?"

"Uh it's getting harder to get since some of the soldiers need them too but since they are helping me I don't have any complaints."

"From now on go straight to Azariah to purchase it. I had arranged for some to be made available to you at the moment you got the System but I think this is better. You still need to get the credits. I will make sure she knows not to give you any additional discounts. At least not based on my reputation. Now come on. I want to get another rep in."

We went at it for another hour before he was too exhausted to move. It was hard to determine just how strong he was. I wanted to place him around level five or so but his control over the flames was impressive. He managed to get rather close to hitting me. Despite that, he wouldn't survive in the forest. The rest of the day was spent watching over the baby town. The closest we got to a problem was when another of the alligator-like beasts appeared.

Its level was low enough that guards could deal with it without me. Especially after I released a bit of my aura to frighten it. The next week passed by uneventfully. Romulus, Alexander, and Amahle only made two more appearances and both were to restock before going out again. Despite the lack of action, the week was much better than I thought. It gave me a chance to relax and think. Something that I needed.

The highlight of the break was the sessions with Trey. After a conversation with Desbera, we decided to get him used to killing intent. A process that was just me unleashing more and more of mine. The first time went as well as I'd expected. He nearly pissed himself. Over time he got used to it not enough that he could ignore but enough that it wouldn't stop him from fighting. His danger sense wasn't all that useful and I wasn't sure if that was because he didn't have a Luck attribute or if he just wasn't gifted in that way.

Either way, it didn't matter. His progress was more than good enough for now. That wasn't the only thing of note though. About halfway through the week a weird I started to get a weird feeling. It was a kind of anticipation and I couldn't tell if it was impending danger or some sort of treasure. The feeling got strong enough that I postponed my trip. It was too big a risk if my people were attacked while I was gone.

"Any news?" I called out as I entered the command room. The two guards raised their hands in a military salute before Christopher started.

"No, everything seems fine from what our scouts have said. The forests have been quiet. Neither Amahle, Romulus, or Alexander report encountering anything strange either."

"Maybe I should leave?" I took a seat and rubbed my chin. "Either it's something I am supposed to do or whatever the danger is won't happen while I am here?"

"What if you teleport away and then teleport back? As long as you stay within range of your spell it shouldn't make much of a difference."

"Yeah, that could work. Alright, get everyone ready just in case. I am going to head back to Amara for a bit first."

I left him to get everything arranged but as soon as I entered my capital something was off. The sensation immediately grew more intense. It wasn't a full-blown panic, it was more like a whisper changed to a tap on the shoulder. A short jog brought me into the main building where I found a handful of guards wandering about. I wasn't sure if they were supposed to be on a proper rotation but I didn't care. Chances are if someone was willing to sneak in here then they were here to steal from or kill me. If that was the case what could they do about it? I gave the guards a smile and a wave as I stepped into the elevator.

A few moments later I was inside my cultivation chamber. I took a breath and went through my daily ritual. The Heaven's Pearl was mostly absorbed and there was still no indication of what it did. I couldn't tell if the energy was being absorbed by my body or my soul. Either way, it should be done soon. I then spent an hour in meditation. Lucidity and Adamance were progressing but neither would be ready to advance in the short term. The same was true for Compression.

Lastly, I sat on my mat and placed a 2nd-Realm stone into the slot. I cycled through the Ethereal Codex until the stone was used up. Instead of the energy going into my Dantian, I decided to gamble a bit. I sent about half the energy into the nod on my head. It was hard to know how long until whatever it was doing would be done but I felt like there was progress.

Once I was all finished I spent some time with the egg. It was mostly meditating with the egg in my lap. Which made me think of that thing that happened in High School TV shows. The one where people were supposed to take care of eggs. Only this was real and this egg would turn into a monster.

When I was finished I hopped up and left the building. It was time to put on my explorer hat. I left Amara and headed to the underground entrance I used all those weeks ago. The journey was half as long as last time. I activated Apportation as soon as I was underground. I passed over the entrance to the battlefield. When I stepped out I was officially in unchartered territory.

"Can you hear me?" I spoke through Ethereal Convocation to both Christopher and Keshaun.

"Loud and Clear" They responded one after another.

"Perfect if anything happens let me know. I should be back in about a week." Everything was set up, so it was time for me to do it. I pulled up my map and started walking. I released my Tao field as well just in case there was something down here that could ambush me before I reacted. The map was completely useless. Which was expected for the most part. There were no cities or hubs for it to tell me about. It was a bit like staring at the fog of war effect.

Despite that, I couldn't help but feel excited. I was once again alone and out in the world. A world where I would get to put my strength against someone or something else. When the sounds of scurrying filled the air, a passive sense of danger passed through my mind. I grinned. The new world was amazing.