Inside the test tube was a luminous, dark violet liquid that shimmered faintly under the light.

"Truly deserving of its price—three hundred thousand per bottle," Michael murmured.

Without hesitation, he uncapped the bottle and drank the Advanced Nutrient Solution in one smooth motion.

Gulp.

The liquid slid down his throat, cool at first, but a moment later, an intense heat erupted within his core. It felt as though a furnace had ignited in his body, and waves of energy surged through his limbs, threatening to tear him apart.

"Refine," Michael whispered, quickly assuming a cross-legged position on the ground. His breathing slowed as he focused inward, guiding the raging energy within. The terrifying force flowed through his meridians, crashing like a tidal wave. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he directed the energy to merge with his internal reserves.

Time passed in a blur.

An hour later, Michael opened his eyes, now sharp and gleaming with vitality.

"I’ve entered the Heavenly Ascension Stage," he muttered, his voice filled with satisfaction.

"It seems I'll need at least five more bottles to restore my full strength," Michael estimated, gauging the depth of his reserves. With decisive intent, he placed an order for five more bottles.

Two days later, Michael finished digesting the additional Advanced Nutrient Solution. Every last drop of energy had been absorbed, and his strength was now fully restored.

.........

Ascendant Association

A sleek black hovercraft hummed quietly as it glided to a stop. Michael stepped out, his expression calm but tinged with curiosity as his eyes swept across the unassuming white building before him.

“So, this is the Ascendant Association,” he muttered. The building was understated to the point of blending into its surroundings, with no signs or banners to identify it. Yet Michael could feel an invisible pressure emanating from it.

"Mr. Michael?" A young man in a sharp black suit approached him tentatively.

"That's me," Michael replied with a nod.

"Welcome. Please follow me," the man said, introducing himself as Ethan Cole. He was an Ascendant Association staff member tasked with guiding Michael through the certification process.

Ethan led the way, occasionally glancing at Michael from the corner of his eye. He’s so young, Ethan thought, trying to suppress his surprise. And yet, he's already an Ascendant?

The two entered the building and soon reached an elevator. Inside, Ethan began explaining. "Before the certification process is complete, all ascendants are required to undergo a strength assessment. The results will determine your official rank, which will be reflected on your Ascendant Certificate."

Michael simply nodded. He already knew the procedure, but Ethan's professionalism kept the conversation brisk.

After a short ascent, the elevator stopped with a chime, and the doors opened to reveal a corridor lined with doors. The walls gleamed with a metallic finish, and the air carried a faint scent of antiseptic.

“This way,” Ethan said, leading Michael to the innermost room.

Stopping at the door, Ethan gestured toward it. "This will be your assessment room."

Michael raised an eyebrow, glancing at the plain exterior. “This is it?”

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Yes and no,” Ethan replied cryptically. Pushing the door open, he revealed a minimalist room with a single centerpiece: a sleek, silver capsule. Its surface shimmered under the room's fluorescent lights.

“This is a virtual world cabin,” Ethan explained. “The assessment will be conducted entirely in the virtual world.”

Michael’s gaze lingered on the capsule, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

“Why not in the real world?” he asked.

Ethan smiled knowingly. “Ascendants like you can easily destroy buildings—or even entire cities. Can you imagine the cost of resources to assess someone of your caliber in the real world? Instead, we use this cabin to scan your body and create a virtual model that replicates your strength, down to the finest detail.”

Michael nodded in understanding. The logic was undeniable. A single careless strike from a powerful ascendant could obliterate their surroundings. By conducting the assessment virtually, not only was the process safer, but it also allowed for more comprehensive tests—simulating battles, landscapes, or even entire star systems.

"Impressive."

"Please, lie down inside," Ethan instructed. "Once the scan is complete, you’ll enter the virtual world where your assessment will begin."

Michael complied, reclining into the cushioned interior of the cabin. The lid began to close, and the last thing he saw was Ethan’s reassuring smile.

"Good luck, Mr. Michael," Ethan said before the lid sealed shut, and the world went dark.

...........

A faint vibration rippled through the air.

Michael’s skin tingled slightly before a soft, mechanical voice spoke in his ears.

"Replication complete. Please connect to the virtual world, Ascendant."

Opening his eyes, Michael found himself in a strange, pristine environment. Standing before him was a stern man with sharp features.

"Welcome to the world of assessment," the man said.

Michael’s brow furrowed slightly as he assessed himself. He clenched his fists, feeling the familiar flow of internal energy through his meridians. His domain shimmered faintly around him, its presence undeniable. It was a perfect replication of his real-world body.

“The Stellar Human Alliance’s methods are terrifying,” Michael thought, a flicker of unease crossing his mind. “To replicate everything so perfectly... it’s as if I have no secrets left.”

But then his thoughts shifted, and his gaze turned inward. He focused deeply on the recesses of his mind—the space where the Otherworldly Passage resided.

"Strange," he muttered, his eyes narrowing. The place where the passage should have been was empty.

“Even with their advanced technology, they couldn’t replicate it? Or... they don’t even know it exists?” Relief washed over him, but it was tinged with caution. If they’re unaware of the passage, I must ensure it stays that way.

"Ascendant, please choose your assessment scenario," the stern man interrupted his thoughts.

Michael looked up, and scenes flickered into view before him: a desolate desert with endless yellow sands, an ancient forest filled with towering trees, and a futuristic cityscape brimming with skyscrapers.

“The forest,” Michael decided, pointing toward the ancient forest with towering trees.

The stern man nodded, and with a wave of his hand, the surroundings morphed. Soil replaced the floor with towering trees stretching infinitely in all directions, while a blazing sun loomed overhead.

"Based on your energy readings, the assessment will begin at the First Level Ascendant stage," the man explained, his tone matter-of-fact. "You will face an opponent at this level. Defeat him to proceed to the next stage. Do you understand?"

Michael nodded. “Understood.”

The man disappeared without another word, leaving Michael alone in the forest. Not far away, the soil stirred. Grains swirled upward, forming a humanoid shape that solidified into a tall, broad man.

"Die for me," the figure growled, charging forward with unrestrained aggression.

Michael’s expression remained indifferent. "Faster than a typical Meridian Strengthening martial artist, but still no threat," he murmured.

The figure lunged, but before it could even raise its fist, its eyes dimmed. Without moving a muscle, Michael had crushed its spirit with a mere flicker of his mental will. The figure crumbled back into soil and was swept away by the wind.

A low hum signaled the start of the next round. The soil churned once more, reforming the same figure. This time, however, its aura was stronger, nearing the peak of a Meridian Strengthening martial artist.

Michael didn’t bother waiting. His gaze sharpened, and the opponent disintegrated before it could take another step.

Round after round, the process repeated. Each opponent grew stronger, their aura more menacing. But it made no difference. Michael crushed the first six effortlessly, his movements calm, efficient, and decisive.

Then came the seventh.

The sand figure materialized again, but this time, its demeanor was different. Its eyes glinted with intelligence, and it stood still, measuring Michael carefully.

“An Ascendant who specializes in mental attacks, are you?” the figure sneered. "This time, I’ve strengthened my soul defenses. I’m immune to 78% of your mental assaults." A cruel smile curled on its lips. "Let’s see how you fare now."

Michael raised an eyebrow, unfazed. It has emotions? How amusing.

The figure strode forward with confidence, its posture exuding arrogance. "Die for me!" it roared, its voice echoing across the forest.

In the blink of an eye, Michael vanished.

The next moment, his hand was wrapped tightly around the figure’s neck. Its body trembled as Michael’s grip tightened, and with a swift motion, he twisted sharply.

Crack.

The figure froze, disbelief etched on its face.

"Who told you I only rely on mental attacks?" Michael asked, his tone calm, almost bored. He released the lifeless form, watching as it crumbled into soil once more.

"For those who walk the martial path," Michael murmured, brushing grains of soil from his hand, "the body is the foundation. Strength flows from it. Spirit will is merely an extension of that power."

The figure’s voice echoed faintly as it disintegrated. "You... you’re not a Ascendant like a Psyc Master?"

Michael shook his head, stepping back as the wind carried the last of the soil away. "No," he said quietly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I am far more than that."

Psyc Masters were known for their uncanny mental attacks. They possessed frail physical bodies. Even those who attempt to supplement their weakness through genetic enhancements or dual-path Ascendant training rarely achieve true balance. Their bodies remain fragile, a fatal flaw they cannot entirely overcome.

.............

In the quiet halls of the Ascendant Association, Ethan Cole stepped out of the assessment room and returned to his workstation. His thoughts lingered on Michael, his curiosity growing with every passing moment.

"I wonder what level Mr. Michael's Ascendant rank will reach," Ethan mused, his eyes fixed on the display screen before him.

The Ascendant Association had strict rules to safeguard the privacy of Ascendants. Battle scenes during the assessment were never shown, even to internal staff. The only visible indicator of progress was the number of illuminated beams on the central display. Each beam corresponded to a stage the Ascendant had successfully passed.

Ethan leaned forward slightly, his fingers drumming on the desk. "Just how strong is he?" he whispered to himself.

His musings were interrupted by the sudden approach of a figure.

"Ethan, has Mr. Michael begun his assessment?"

Ethan turned swiftly, startled to see the president of the Ascendant Association standing behind him. The president’s presence was unusual; someone of his stature rarely involved himself in individual assessments.