As Tyler approached the pool, he removed his shoes and moved cautiously, mirroring the gentle descent of leaves onto the water's surface. Tyler carefully dipped his toes into the pool, and at that very instant, the Water True Essence attempted to penetrate his skin.

This encounter wasn't a tender caress one would expect of such a calm pond but a formidable onslaught reminiscent of the primordial, unyielding energies of creation and destruction.

For Big Cat, standing nearby, it illuminated the depth of Tyler's cultivation and the stark contrast between the man’s fortified skin and that of an ordinary Qi Transformation cultivator. Even most level 18 or 19 human cultivators would have lost their foot by this immense power.

Yet, this outcome made sense. Tyler's skin had been reinforced by the True Essence of the late Lin Jian, along with multiple tier 1 and tier 2 pills.

The energy here was far denser and more potent than the mist enshrouding the forest, a force he couldn't resist for long, regardless of his current cultivation. Tyler guessed that even Sea Formation cultivators unfamiliar with Water True Essence would be humbled by this natural power.

Throughout his journey in the mist, through delicate manipulation of Qi, subtle soul power application, and the utilization of wind laws, he had redirected the mist, crafting a seamless illusion of the breeze whispering through the forest.

It was a dance of unity with the world, a demonstration of his comprehension of true essence and mastery of wind laws that was only possible due to his divine sense.

However, these tactics held little influence within the pool’s domain. These energies conversed in a language of sheer, unbridled power—a dialogue that demanded equality and reverence, not manipulation and tricks to break through.

Tyler was reminded once more that in the grand tapestry of life, even the most powerful beings must yield to the superior forces governing our universe.

At this moment, Tyler was slowly transcending only being a cultivator; through his divine sense, he slowly evolved into a student of the universe, absorbing the timeless lessons of power, harmony, and equilibrium.

From the sidelines, the resonant voice of Big Cat chimed in. "You already possess such resilient skin... Has it been fortified by another form of True Essence?"

Tyler, struggling to maintain his foot in the water, responded honestly. "Yes, it has. I assisted Lin Jian in achieving his breakthrough to the 4th Soul Shattering, and I was by his side during the process. The encounter was... violent. Surviving it was nothing short of a miracle, especially considering I was still in the early stages of Qi Gathering at that time."

Big Cat's interest was piqued. "You endured such an encounter with the Sword King's True Essence...? Let me ask another question: What technique did you employ to repel Sylvamists and my divine sense? Was it rooted in a sword technique?"

Tyler nodded affirmatively. "Yes, it was. Would you like to see the real thing?"

Big Cat nodded in agreement. "Sure!"

With that, Tyler completely stepped out of the water and harnessed his power. He unleashed a single, fully empowered sword Qi slash toward the humanoid panther. Naturally, the panther remained entirely unaffected by the assault, effortlessly enduring the attack. However, as he concentrated his divine sense on the strike, his eyes widened with comprehension. "So it is true..."

Perplexed, Tyler inquired, "What is true?"

The panther swiftly responded, "It appears that your skin hasn't only been reinforced but has also absorbed a minute portion of those laws. I detect faint traces of sword laws specific to that little Sword King." He paused, pondering for a few seconds. "Do you think it would be wise to temper Daredevil's skin and fur the same way using this pool?"

Tyler wore a slightly puzzled expression. "You're the one who should have the best understanding of him since you're his father. While I acknowledge that our bond is unique because I named him, the connection between a parent and child, where I come from, is pretty hard to break. However, if you'd like my opinion, I believe it's worth the risk. I have a sufficient supply of pills and herbs to aid in his recovery afterward. Besides, based on my observations, he's already at the Qi Transformation stage, so the backlash shouldn't be as severe as what I endured."

Big Cat concurred with Tyler's assessment. They delved deeper into Daredevil's current cultivation status, allowing Tyler to better understand how beasts cultivated and how to effectively heal and care for him in the long term. The process appeared relatively straightforward and more in-depth than Sylvamist’s previous explanation.

As it turns out, Tyler simply needed to ensure that the young cub had ample time to hunt independently, intervening only when he faced genuine peril. Through the natural laws governing this world, they would consume their prey and progress in power, abiding by some of the most fundamental laws of the natural order.

Panthers like them were particularly attuned to the laws of the Hunt and the laws of the Night. However, their Nether Panther lineage had an even deeper connection with the laws of Shadows and Death. According to Big Cat's benefactor, the origins of their species could be traced back to a completely different plane of existence known as the Underworld.

During this simple conversation, Tyler's understanding of the cultivation process of beings other than humans deepened. He began to grasp the intricate interplay between action and the laws of the universe, recognizing how every decision and movement influenced an individual's path.

Additionally, he realized that humans were not the sole inhabitants of this world, which didn't surprise him, given his current discussion with a humanoid panther.

This understanding revealed to Tyler that cultivation was not merely a practice of harnessing energy but an embodiment of one’s journey through life. Each action taken by an individual, each decision made, was not just a momentary event but a brushstroke on the grand canvas of one's existence. These actions and decisions were imprints of one’s path, signifying the alignment with, or divergence from, the universal laws.

Tyler realized that the way beasts cultivated was intrinsically tied to their very nature, instinctual actions, and responses. These creatures did not cultivate in the conscious, deliberate manner of humans. Instead, their cultivation was a natural extension of their existence, a seamless integration of their essence with the laws of the universe.

This, combined with his recent introspection into his past, began to slowly reshape Tyler's approach to life. He had recently vowed to take care of the people he cared about, and shortly after, Tyler learned that everyone he knew in Sword King Mountain was either exiled or killed, leaving him with only Daredevil, a little panther cub he had known for little more than a few hours.

As Tyler pondered the events at Sword King Mountain, he couldn't help but wonder how much of it might be his fault. He reasoned that while Lo Tang's vendetta was clearly his own doing, everything else couldn't possibly be his responsibility.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he asked Big Cat about the reasons behind the events at Sword King Mountain, considering the panther’s access to such information. The humanoid panther nodded at Tyler before revealing that the Ascendant cultivator responsible for those events was his benefactor.

Surprised by this revelation, Tyler's eyes widened, and he asked cautiously, "If your benefactor is the same Ascendant and someone from the Pre-Shattering days, why would he do any of this?"

Suddenly, a sigh seemed to waft in on a breeze from the mist, and through Tyler's divine sense, he detected the soul form of a black man in his 30s with deep purple eyes, simply sitting there in a lotus position. The man wore green robes with purple embroidery and exuded an air of sovereignty. Tyler realized that the man had most likely been there all along, blending in with the surroundings, making him indistinguishable from the trees and, thus, invisible to his divine sense.

Nonetheless, he was there. Every time Tyler tried to detect the man's presence, he'd get the odd feeling that he was part of every blade of grass and leaf while being a towering world tree himself.

Sylvamist and Big Cat lowered themselves to the ground, bowing in respect and reverence for Maximus Freeman's presence. It was clear that they held great respect for him.

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From his seated position, the man spoke. "I originally did not intend to get involved much more than I already have, but what the hell. Who said I can't provide challenges, a little help, and guidance all at once? My name's Maximus, and I assume you're Tyler Reed?"

Tyler froze momentarily, recalling one of the first books he had read about the Shattering. In particular, he remembered a passage about a few individuals who had left an indelible mark on the world since the Shattering occurred. Maximus Freeman, Freedom Incarnate. "Yes, that's me..."

Another sigh escaped the man's soul form. "It's truly been a long time since I met someone new from the old world... All this," he said, gesturing around him, "must be quite overwhelming, huh? I know how much I struggled in the Tutorial, and you didn't even get that."

"Overwhelming doesn't cover it, but having everyone I know here die didn’t make things easier. But I'm figuring things out slowly... I gotta ask, how many people are still left alive from 2036?" Tyler questioned.

Pondering the question for a moment, Maximus answered honestly. "I don't know the exact number; I'd have to ask Lorian, as I'm sure that bookworm is still happily taking notes. As far as I know, though, probably a million. Considering most Sea Formation cultivators can live up to a thousand years and, with the help of various medicines, that can easily be extended to two thousand years, allowing those with lesser talents to break through and live up to ten thousand years with the help of their aperture."

There was a brief pause, giving Tyler time to come to terms with how 10 billion people had been reduced to a million, and Maximus continued, "As for your next question, you'd have to ask Lorian directly. I do no know where any of your friends and family may be or if they survived... Unless they are at the Ascendant stage, of which there are only a few of us."

However, Tyler caught a glimpse of hope there as he recalled another part of that book where he had read Maximus' name. "By Lorian, you mean Lorian Thorne, the Head Record Keeper of the Red Dust?"

Maximus nodded. "Yeah, that old fart was a historian in his past life, and he loved books so much that he became one in this new reality and forged various powers that aligned with such a path. Using that, he's essentially become Big Brother, peeping at everyone's status and well-being to update a treasure he got in the tutorial called the Scroll of Destiny."

Once more, before Tyler could even pose the question, Maximus addressed the thoughts forming in his mind. "If you want to find him, you'll have to go to the Tranquil Lotus Highlands capital. Which, by the way, is in the middle of what was once Tibet and under the protection of that peaceful Daoist."

"Can you read minds or something?" asked Tyler, annoyed.

Maximus laughed in response, saying, "No, but those would be the first questions I'd ask if I were you." He paused. "Now, for the reason behind my little visit. I just wanted to clear things up. I got involved because of a quest that a few others and I received in the tutorial, and that involves putting people like you through challenges or helping them reach their full potential," Maximus said casually.

Shocked by the revelation, Tyler inquired, "People like me?"

Maximus explained the exact details of what had happened to Tyler and how he had gotten stuck, by chance, between the liminal spaces of the different planes of existence and what quest he and 5 others had received at the end of the tutorial.

This new information shocked Tyler once more as he stood silently for a few minutes. So, it was pure luck, and there are probably others like me out there.. He thought.

After sorting through his thoughts, he asked more pressing questions. "If your goal was to help me, why bother killing the only person who's helped me ever since I showed up? Why let Lo Tang force out the few people I liked off the mountain, and why let him kill my servants who had nothing to do with any of this?" His inner world churned with anger as he spoke, sending small shock waves of soul power through the surroundings.

Maximus remained unfazed by the soul fluctuations; he waved them off, shielding those around Tyler from the interaction between them. "Calm down, Tyler. You'll injure the cubs, or at least control your emotions better unless you want to cripple Daredevil."

Realizing the turmoil within his inner world, Tyler swiftly calmed himself down, feeling increasingly angry at the man's apparent carelessness regarding his situation.

Maximus's continued response to Tyler's questions illuminated the complex interplay of power and manipulation at work in their world. "I placed heavy restrictions on Lo Tang to ensure he could present you a fair challenge with the resources at his disposal now, which aligns with the quest I received in the Tutorial. However, his actions against your servants and old Ryuji forced my intervention to limit his actions further. As for the Sword King, his fate was sealed by forces beyond my control," Maximus explained.

Tyler started to get annoyed at the unseen hands forcing him down a specific path. It showed him a world where destinies were often not your own, and actions were often influenced by more significant, hidden agendas without your knowledge.

Maximus delved further into his past conflict with Slaughter Incarnate, shedding light on the Sword King's betrayal of Tyler at the first hint of opportunity.

He unveiled Lin Jian's ultimate plan to exploit Tyler's potential Ascension into the Second Step to break free from his curse. This disclosure painted a picture of desperation and cunning, where alliances were formed and broken in pursuit of personal liberation and power.

Tyler's reaction to these revelations was one of contemplation rather than surprise. He recognized that individuals, especially those in positions of power like the Sword King, often harbored their own objectives and schemes; that was a given. Barely anyone did anything for free, even in the old world.

Tyler had understood that Lin Jian's assistance was not born of selflessness; there was always an underlying motive, likely linked to the man’s gains or what benefits he could provide through his progression within the Sword Sect as he grew more powerful.

If only Lin Jian had known the full extent of the path he chose when he agreed to become a Sword Slave, he might have seen the seeds of his own undoing. But then again, who was Tyler to judge? He had no idea what circumstances led Lin Jian to accept the position of Sword King and become a Sword Slave.

This decision, perhaps out of necessity or ambition, set Lin Jian on a course irrevocably tied to a universe-wide conflict.

The role of a Sword Slave, with its inherent bindings and obligations, was a double-edged sword – it offered power and position but at the cost of autonomy and, ultimately, enrolled him in a conflict older than the Shattering, which would’ve led to his demise eventually.

Tyler's mind swirled with these thoughts, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility settling upon his shoulders. He had unwittingly become a player in a grand scheme that had already affected countless lives and would continue to do so in the future.

No matter how seemingly insignificant, the consequences of his choices and actions could ripple through the world, shaping destinies and altering the course of events for thousands of mortals.

Tyler's personality, however, always had an aversion to the cutthroat world of office politics and the power struggles that often consumed individuals in positions of authority. His decision to distance himself from that game in the military had been deliberate, driven by a desire for a simpler and more straightforward career.

However, the world of cultivation was vastly different from the military or office politics he had known. It was a realm where power, influence, and ambition held even greater sway, and the consequences of one's actions were often far more profound than a mere Corporal's.

Tyler's insignificance might have shielded him from the intricate dance of power and manipulation before the Shattering, but it also left him somewhat unprepared for the complexities of this new world.

As he immersed himself deeper into the realm of cultivation and encountered formidable individuals such as Maximus Freeman, Lin Jian, and Fang Mo, Tyler found himself even more committed to steering clear of political intrigues and power plays, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to completely steer clear of them.

In his view, what truly mattered was the attainment of overwhelming strength, which would serve as his shield against the machinations of others. By becoming stronger, he hoped to render himself immune to the petty political schemes that often ensnared individuals.

This way, he could confront and overcome any challenges rather than being ensnared by the whims of others.

At this juncture, Tyler was frustrated. It marked the first time since his arrival in this world that he felt manipulated and used. He couldn't help but perceive that every step he had taken on his path had been orchestrated by someone else, as if he were a mere puppet dancing in the hands of gods.

Even now, with Maximus's purported quest to challenge individuals like him, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was still dancing to another's tune.

Pursuing power and independence was a noble goal, but it would also require careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a keen understanding of the world he now inhabited. Tyler's journey was far from over, and the challenges ahead would test his resolve and determination like never before.

Maximus left Tyler with some parting words, and their conversation drew to a close. "While the challenges ahead will test your limits, you can be confident that they won't be insurmountable, at least regarding the Veridian Peaks situation. I may intervene if you face overwhelmingly strong foes and are still in America but don't count on it. However, don't assume that I'll handle every problem you encounter if it's of your own making. Be mindful of your actions, as I'd sooner end you and fail the quest than deal with any of that." He paused. “Oh, and feel free to seek revenge towards me for letting this happen. I’ll gladly welcome the challenge when you become an Ascendant. I know I would try to kill me if someone manipulated my life like this.”

With that, the Soul Avatar vanished from Tyler's senses, but a last little message came by from the surrounding mist. "If you want my advice, jump head first into that pond and crush a few Spirit Crystals in your inner world if you have them. Oh, and maybe a couple healing pills. I'm going back to nurture my inner world, so do take care of these little cubs."

The conversation with Maximus had done a few things for Tyler.

One, it solidified his determination to become more powerful, driven by his desire to avoid being entangled in the political schemes and power plays of others. He also solemnly vowed to protect the little furball, Daredevil, at all costs, as he didn’t want to see anyone else die because of their connection to him.

With that in mind, he readied himself, took Maximus' advice, and jumped head first into the pond of Water True Essence.