"Old man, you've always acted so mysterious and vague—ever since I first laid eyes on you, since we met. I don't know if it's just your personality or something else, but you seem to have a real knack for keeping secrets."

"You're just this giant, mysterious eyeball floating in my dreamscape, refusing to reveal your true identity or where you came from. So, how do you expect me to trust you? How can you think I'll just blindly follow along and accept this bizarre projection you've thrown in front of me?"

Lian paused, his voice tinged with frustration. "Besides, I have so many questions. What is this? Is it some kind of magical ability or divine power? And how did you do it? More importantly, how is any of this supposed to help me? Even if you say you don't respect me, and even if, like you claim, you're not one of those gods that demands worship or souls, I find it hard to believe you'll just hand over powers without expecting anything in return. There's got to be something you want from me, right?"

Lian's gaze narrowed as he muttered into the empty air. If anyone had been watching, it would have seemed like he was talking to no one, his eyes clouded with suspicion. But those words, filled with uncertainty and challenge, were directed at the entity he knew as the Heavens Devourer, who seemed to reside within his mind, whispering directly into his thoughts.

A raspy, unsettling laughter echoed in response, hoarse and grating, like a voice carried on the wind. It filled Lian's ears with a sinister tone. "Ah, yes. Very good," the voice rasped. "You're quite sharp, boy. Quite sharp. It's true, I don't need your worship—such a petty thing wouldn't affect me in the slightest. But, of course, there are one or two obligations you'll have to fulfill if I'm giving you this thing."

The laughter subsided, replaced by a more serious tone. "This projection you're seeing—it's something you might call a system. Don't overthink it."

The voice paused, as if weighing its next words. "This system comes from one of the countless universes I've conquered, a tool I acquired from beings far more ancient than you could imagine. It's a form of pathfinder magic, from a world long forgotten. Even the gods who created it were clever, powerful beyond belief. They used it to guide their chosen apostles. The system is meant to serve as a guide, i just modified a thing or two to fit your circumstances, nothing more. You don't need to worry about it too much."

There was a brief silence, broken only by the entity's low, almost contemplative murmur. "As I told you when we met in that other space, no god is going to simply hand over their power. The only way for you to grow stronger is to harness that thing that looks like a white sun. This system will help you do that, and not just that—it'll set you on a smoother path. I can't explain all its functions; there are too many. But this… this is something I'm giving you. Whether or not you're worthy of it is up to you."

The voice grew darker, more intense. "I don't even know if you deserve my goodwill, but I felt it would be a shame if such a thing we're to be wasted. Don't disappoint me, boy. What I'm offering you is something no one else can. My only request from you is don't make me regret it."

Lian squinted as he read the new information displayed before him: Choose a Path. Four distinct paths were listed on the system window.

The first was the Path of Evolution (Devour and Evolve).

The description beneath it explained that this path involved devouring the essence, energies, and powers of other beings in order to evolve and mutate. Power was gained through consumption and constant transformation. It promised rapid growth, versatility, and the potential to mutate into new forms. However, it came with significant risks—there was a high chance of corruption, moral decay, and unpredictable mutations.

Lian's eyes widened as he read this. The brutality of this path shocked him. He had never encountered anything like it before, so he made sure to absorb every detail. While the path of evolution sounded powerful, its dangers made him wary. He wasn't ready to dismiss it just yet, though—he still needed to read through the other options.

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His gaze shifted, and the projection screen followed, scrolling down to reveal the next option: Path of Ascension (Training and Cultivation).

This path involved gradually ascending beyond mortal limits through discipline, cultivation, and inner mastery. It was a steady journey of self-improvement, fostering balance and long-term stability. Growth was slow but reliable, rooted in self-reliance and discipline.

Lian noted that this path was similar to the practices of his world—training one's aura, strengthening the body, gathering energies, and pushing past physical limits. The slow pace aligned with everything he knew about cultivation, making him feel more familiar with this option. Still, he continued reading, taking note of its pros and cons before moving on.

Next, the screen revealed the Path of Divinity (Gifts from Gods).

This path centered around gaining power through divine or elemental blessings from gods or higher beings. Power came swiftly, along with divine protection and versatile abilities. But such power required faith and devotion, leaving one dependent on external forces and bound by moral restrictions.

Lian felt a sense of recognition here. This path reminded him of the divine power wielded by others in his world—like Alaric. It was tempting, but the dependency on higher beings, along with the obligation to follow their will, made him hesitate. He considered it carefully before continuing to the final option.

Finally, his eyes fell on the Path of Transcendence (Fusion with Concepts).

This path involved transcending limits by fusing with universal or cosmic forces, such as time, space, or chaos. Its philosophy was to become one with the very fabric of the universe. Those who mastered it could wield god-like power over reality and the fundamental forces that governed existence.

But the difficulties were immense. Mastery was elusive, and there was a high risk of losing one's humanity along the way. Only a select few could even attempt it, and it often required progress in other paths before it could be fully realized.

After reading about all four paths, a final note appeared on the screen. It stated that while each path seemed distinct at the start—whether it was Evolution, Ascension, Divinity, or Transcendence—they all ultimately shared a common goal: the pursuit of power. Each path was a journey towards transcending mortal limits and achieving ultimate control over oneself and the world. Despite their differing methods and philosophies, the note explained that as one progressed, these paths would eventually converge, allowing individuals to blend techniques and draw from multiple sources of power.

However, the note stressed that the foundation was critical. The path one chose in the beginning would shape the future, and that first step was the most important of all.

Lian carefully reviewed the information from the system window. The different paths were unique, each offering a distinct method of gaining power, which was ultimately the goal. While the approaches varied, it was clear that whatever path one chose would shape not only their journey but also their personality. It was crucial to choose wisely.

For a human like him, however, the most suitable options were clear: the Path of Ascension (training and cultivation), or the Path of Divinity (gaining power from the gods). Both were well-established in his world. The path of transcendence focused on self-discipline and cultivating strength from within, while the path of divinity involved receiving divine blessings.

If his past self had been offered this choice, he would have eagerly chosen to be granted divine power. Being blessed by the gods was considered one of the highest honors in his world, attainable only through unwavering faith and destiny. Divine blessings were extremely rare, as uncommon as finding a phoenix's feather or a Qilin's horn. Those who possessed such power were revered, like Alaric, who had been chosen by the Wind God. Divine power was the ultimate form of strength, often combined with the path of Ascension. Many powerful figures even from ancient texts had harnessed both divine power and their own cultivated abilities.

In the past, Lian would have yearned for such a blessing. But now, after reading the system's explanation of each path, he found himself hesitating. The system had opened his eyes to possibilities he had never known before—paths that weren't widely recognized in this world. He realized that every path, whether it was evolution, ascension, transcendence, or divinity, ultimately led to the same destination: power. And at certain points, the paths might even converge, allowing for a combination of abilities.

He couldn't rush this decision.

The path of divinity had its restrictions, most notably the dependency on the gods—gods who had turned a blind eye to him. Despite his dedication, none had chosen him, leaving him bitter. Alaric, a mere punk in his eyes, had been chosen by the Wind God, yet Lian, despite his relentless devotion, had been ignored. He had spent countless days seeking enlightenment, enduring harsh weather and the mockery of others, but his faith had gone unrewarded.

This growing resentment toward the gods made him question the path of divinity. Was it really worth binding himself to gods who had refused him? He couldn't shake the feeling that relying on them would mean surrendering his fate to their whims. Wouldn't it be better to rely on himself, to forge his own path and ascend through his own efforts?

The path of Ascension, as practiced in this world, offered that possibility. Ancient records hinted that humans had once ascended to the realm of the gods through sheer will and cultivation. Though these records were scarce and unverified, the idea of gaining power through one's own strength, free from any divine chains, resonated with him deeply.

With this in mind, Lian made his choice.

Slowly, deliberately, he pressed his finger against the system window and selected a path.

In the past, he would never have considered passing up the chance to gain divine power. But something had changed within him. His perspective had broadened. He no longer sought the easy path, dependent on the favor of gods. Instead, he chose the rigorous, demanding path of self-cultivation—the path of Ascension.