As Michael stared at the privileges listed before him, his attention was drawn to one in particular: access to the virtual world. Before he could delve into the details, the cold, mechanical voice of NovaSys echoed in his ears.

"Connecting to the virtual world for the first time requires identity verification," NovaSys announced.

Michael raised an eyebrow but nodded, curiosity sparking within him.

"Applying to connect to the virtual world."

The verification process began, a series of checks ensuring his authenticity.

"Iris verification passed. Clone characteristics verified—negative. DNA verification passed. Life's unique volatility matches the records—verified."

Michael stood still, letting the procedures unfold, though the sterile efficiency of the checks made him feel like a specimen under scrutiny.

"Dear Second-Tier Citizen Michael, please do not resist the process within the virtual world," NovaSys instructed before Michael's vision suddenly went black.

His consciousness sank rapidly, and though he could resist this overwhelming pull, he refrained. Might as well see what this so-called virtual world has to offer, he thought.

When he opened his eyes again, Michael found himself standing amidst a vast starry expanse. Beneath him was a luminous blue planet, slowly rotating in all its grandeur.

"Is that... Amethyst Star?" Michael muttered, his pupils narrowing as he recognized the planet's contours. The continents and oceans mirrored the real Amethyst Star with uncanny precision.

"Dear Second-Tier Citizen Michael," a voice interrupted his musings.

He turned to see a figure in a pristine white dress, its features genderless. It gazed at him with a neutral, almost unsettling calm.

"I am NovaSys," the figure introduced itself. "Allow me to explain the functions of the virtual world. The version you are currently connected to is the Amethyst Star Local Area Network."

NovaSys gestured towards the planet below, which zoomed in to reveal seven distinct regions.

"The virtual world is divided into six zones :

1. Education and Research Area

• A treasure trove of knowledge, this zone is filled with virtual libraries, workshops, and training grounds.

• Citizens can access historical archives, advanced cultivation techniques, and virtual simulations for training. It’s a favored destination for scholars and Ascendant Path developers.

2. Mission Hall

• This area is dedicated to tasks and assignments issued by the Stellar Human Alliance.

• Missions range from simple resource collection to complex virtual challenges.

•Completing missions can earn citizens additional merit points or rare items.

3. Living Area

• A sprawling simulation of urban environments, the living area allows citizens to interact in a social setting. Homes, cafes, parks, and virtual offices are meticulously designed to replicate reality.

• Citizens can host meetings, relax in shared spaces, or even create personalized virtual homes. It's also a place for leisure and informal gatherings.

4. Trading Area

• The Trading Area is a marketplace bustling with activity. There are countless items displayed here. Real-time auctions and trade negotiations occur here, making it a hub of economic activity.

5. Arena Area

• The Arena Area is where competition thrives. Citizens can engage in virtual combat simulations to test their skills, strategies, and pathways.

• It includes ranked duels, team battles, and even large-scale war simulations. Performance here can earn citizens reputation points and rewards.

6. Central Area

•The heart of the virtual world, this area is a gathering place for announcements and displays of prestige. The towering Amethyst Star Ascendant Path Ranking stands here, showcasing the top 100 Ascendant Paths.

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• Citizens gather to celebrate milestones or witness significant events."

As NovaSys mentioned each area, parts of the planet magnified to display their details.

Michael's attention was drawn to the bustling 'Central Area,' where a towering stone tablet stood amidst a sea of people.

"That is the Amethyst Star Ascendant Path Ranking," NovaSys explained. "It records the 100 most powerful Ascendant Paths in Amethyst Star's history."

Michael's interest piqued. "What rank does my Martial Arts Path hold?"

NovaSys paused briefly before replying, "The Martial Arts Path developed by Citizen Michael is ranked 57th."

Michael nodded, his expression calm, though his mind whirled. Fifty-seventh? It wasn’t bad, considering the Martial Arts Path was something he had spent just 25 years crafting in the martial arts world.

Amethyst Star had nearly 220,000 years of recorded history, filled with brilliant minds and groundbreaking Ascendant Paths. It was no small feat to place within the top 100.

Moreover, Michael hadn’t yet submitted the advanced stages of his Path—Titanium Will and Heavenly Ascension. He was certain that once these stages were added, his ranking would soar even higher.

"The ranking will be updated tomorrow," NovaSys informed him. "Would you like to hide your citizen ID number from public view?"

Michael considered this carefully. In the Stellar Human Alliance, a citizen’s ID number was their true identity—unique and irreplaceable. Revealing it would invite unnecessary attention.

"Hide it," Michael decided.

Better to lay low for now. The ranking must carry immense prestige, and attracting too much attention could be dangerous in my current state.

Having familiarized himself with the virtual world’s basics, Michael exited.

"Is it dawn already?" he murmured, glancing at the sky.

Back in his quarters, he browsed the virtual mall. The selection amazed him. Eerything from advanced genetic medicines to restricted resources was available, with prices to match their exclusivity.

Michael's search soon landed on Advanced Nutrient Solution.

"Nutrient solution, huh?" he mused, reading the description.

Low-level solutions could sustain a normal person for a month without food or water. Intermediate and advanced versions, however, were designed for high-energy users and exotic beasts.

"The advanced one will do," Michael decided, his thoughts focused on recovering his strength quickly.

Ordinary humans could never withstand the sheer energy contained in nutrient solutions of such high quality. For most, even a single drop would cause irreversible damage to their bodies.

Michael stared at the screen, hesitating for a moment. "Let’s try it first," he muttered and selected one bottle of advanced nutrient solution.

With a click, he confirmed his purchase.

The price appeared on the screen: 300,000 eclipcoins.

Michael couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath. That was the equivalent of an ordinary citizen’s income for thirty years—assuming they saved every penny without spending on food, shelter, or other necessities.

Advanced nutrient solutions of this caliber weren’t just expensive—they were a restricted resource. If not for his recent promotion to second-tier citizenship, he wouldn’t even be able to see the option in the catalog, let alone purchase it.

As the transaction finalized, Michael leaned back in his chair, his mind drifting. "My current strength... it probably places me at the Mid second-level ascendant rank," he mused, glancing at his hands.

The Stellar Human Alliance had detailed classification standards for ascendants. According to that information, Michael made a framework:

Early first-level ascendant: Equivalent to the Early to Mid Meridian Strengthening Stage in martial arts.

Mid first-level ascendant: Equivalent to the Meridian Strengthening Stage in martial arts.

Late first-level ascendant: Comparable to the Early Stone Core Stage in martial arts.

Early second-level ascendant: Comparable to the Late Stone Core Stage in martial arts.

Mid second-level ascendant: Comparable to Early Titanium Will Stage, where Michael currently stood.

The Heavenly Ascension Stage was comparable to third-level ascendant.

A third-level ascendant wasn’t technically a "city destroyer," but they could achieve such devastation with time and effort. A casual strike could level towering buildings hundreds of meters high unless countered by equally powerful ascendants or advanced weaponry.

The advanced nutrient solution would take half a day to arrive. High-grade resources like this were allocated from major cities, requiring special permissions and logistical arrangements.

“Half a day...” Michael murmured, considering how to make the most of the waiting time. His eyes scanned his surroundings—the cramped dormitory room he currently occupied. It was barely sufficient for everyday living, let alone for rigorous martial arts practice.

"It’s time to get a proper place," he decided.

He opened the virtual marketplace and began browsing real estate options. Aurora Grove caught his attention almost immediately.

Located in the serene suburbs of Neo Astralis City, Aurora Grove was a high-end residential area designed for those who valued tranquility and nature. Unlike the bustling city center, which was crowded and noisy, Aurora Grove offered open spaces, clean air, and lush greenery.

In the interstellar age, the truly powerful and influential avoided city centers, preferring secluded communities like Aurora Grove, where privacy and peace were guaranteed.

Michael studied the property details. The houses ranged between 10 million and 15 million eclipcoins, a staggering sum by ordinary standards. But as a second-tier citizen, he was eligible for a 40% discount, a privilege granted to higher-ranking contributors to human civilization.

The pricing didn’t surprise him. In the Stellar Human Alliance, citizenship ranks couldn’t be inherited—they had to be earned through significant contributions. The perks were a way of rewarding those who advanced civilization.

“This is the one,” Michael decided after some browsing. He selected a 10-million-eclipcoin house, optimized for physical training and cultivation. It featured reinforced walls, soundproofing, and a private yard for practice—perfect for his martial arts.

.......

Michael wasted no time. He booked a shuttle to the suburbs, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. The towering skyline of Neo Astralis City faded into the distance as the shuttle sped toward the outskirts.

When he arrived at Aurora Grove, he was struck by its beauty. The houses were modern yet blended seamlessly with the natural surroundings. The streets were wide and quiet, lined with trees and flowers that swayed gently in the breeze.

Standing before the property he’d chosen, Michael felt a sense of satisfaction. The house was spacious, with an open courtyard and a private training hall. The interior was sleek and minimalistic, designed with both comfort and functionality in mind.

“This will do nicely,” Michael murmured, running a hand over the smooth surface of the wall.

The transaction was smooth, thanks to his citizenship status. With the discount applied, the total came to 6 million eclipcoins, a hefty sum but worth every bit.

Sitting in the underground training room, Michael leaned back with a satisfied expression. The serene environment and state-of-the-art facilities met all his expectations.

"You get what you pay for," he muttered, glancing around the luxurious space.

Suddenly, he remembered the purchase he had made earlier. "Oh, I need to update the delivery address." Opening the shopping mall app, he quickly changed the destination of his advanced nutrient solution order to his current address.

Half a day later, a courier arrived at Aurora Grove, stopping in front of Michael’s residence. The man handed over a sealed alloy box.

"Hello, Mr. Michael. This is your item. Please verify your fingerprint to unlock it," the courier said before departing.

Michael ran his finger across the top of the box.

"Fingerprint verification passed," a mechanical voice chimed. As the alloy box opened with a soft hiss, Michael gazed at the bottle of advanced nutrient solution inside.

He held the bottle in his hand, his eyes reflecting a mix of anticipation and determination. "Let’s see how effective this really is."