Location: The Herb Garden – Beneath the World Tree

  Time: Midnight

  ?The garden was quiet, save for the hum of the energy barrier and the gentle snoring of a colossal nine-tailed fox.

  ?Aris sat cross-legged between the roots of the World Tree. To any observer, he was deep in meditation. In reality, he was scrolling through a holographic interface only he could see.

  ?[Decrypting Void Key Data (Fragment #4)...]

  [Progress: 100%.]

  [Data Recovered: The Cartography of the Lost.]

  ?A star map unfolded in his mind. It showed the locations of the remaining Key Fragments.

  ?Fragment #5: Located in the Sect's Treasury (The Vault of Thousand Weapons). ?Fragment #6: Located in the Abyssal Prison (Sector 666 - The Demon Zone).

  ?"The Treasury," Aris muttered, opening one eye. "Of course. The Myriad Beasts Sect hoards everything. They probably have the Key Fragment sitting on a shelf, labeled as 'Unknown Junk'."

  ?To get into the Treasury, one needed high clearance. Core Disciple clearance.

  ?"Time to level up," Aris decided.

  ?He looked at his status.

  [True Level: 71 (Nascent Soul / Half-Step Divinity Combat Power).]

  [Disguise Level: 25 (Foundation Establishment).]

  ?To enter the Core Disciple Selection, he needed to be at least Level 40 (Core Formation). Jumping 15 levels in one night was impossible for a normal cultivator. It would be suspicious.

  ?Unless... it was a miracle.

  ?Aris looked up at the World Tree. Its leaves glowed with condensed Life Qi.

  ?"Lady Bai," Aris whispered loudly.

  ?The Fox's ear twitched. She didn't open her eyes. "I am sleeping. If the world isn't ending, be quiet."

  ?"I think the Tree is talking to me," Aris said, sounding confused. "It says... it likes my stories."

  ?Lady Bai opened one eye. "The Tree does not talk. It is a plant."

  ?"It wants to give me a present," Aris continued, standing up and walking toward a low-hanging branch. "It says I should eat this leaf."

  ?He reached for a glowing golden leaf.

  ?Lady Bai's eyes widened. "Idiot! That is a Spirit-Source Leaf! It contains 500 years of condensed cultivation! If a mortal eats that, they will explode!"

  ?"But it looks tasty..." Aris grabbed the leaf.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  ?"Don't—!"

  ?Aris stuffed it into his mouth and swallowed.

  ?For a second, nothing happened.

  ?Then, Aris triggered his System Override.

  ?[Visual Effect: Mana Discharge (Green).]

  [Intensity: Maximum.]

  ?BOOM.

  ?A pillar of emerald light erupted from Aris's body. It shot up into the sky, piercing the garden's energy dome and illuminating the entire Myriad Beasts Mountain.

  ?"AAAAHHH!" Aris screamed, flailing his arms. "I'M BURNING! IT'S SPICY!"

  ?Lady Bai scrambled to her feet, shielding her eyes. "He didn't explode? His body is... absorbing it?"

  ?She watched in shock as the massive amount of Qi—enough to kill ten disciples—swirled around Aris. Instead of tearing him apart, it was being sucked into his Dantian like water into a sponge.

  ?[Disguise Update]

  [Level 25 -> Level 30...]

  [Level 35...]

  [Level 40...]

  [Level 45 (Core Formation - Mid Stage).]

  ?The light faded.

  ?Aris fell to his knees, smoking slightly. He burped. A small cloud of green sparkles came out.

  ?"I..." Aris patted his stomach. "I feel... full."

  ?Lady Bai stared at him. She sniffed him.

  ?"You jumped an entire Realm," she whispered. "In ten seconds. And you didn't even meditate. You just... ate a leaf."

  ?She sat back on her haunches, looking at the World Tree.

  ?"The Tree really did like your stories. It blessed you. This is unprecedented."

  ?Aris looked up at her, eyes wide and innocent. "Does this mean I'm strong now?"

  ?"It means you are a freak," Lady Bai grumbled. "But a lucky freak. You are now at the Core Formation Stage. You are eligible for the Core Disciple Selection."

  ?She lay back down, resting her chin on her paws.

  ?"Go to sleep, Han Xiao. Tomorrow, you will register. And if anyone asks how you got so strong... tell them the Fox Goddess blessed you. It makes me look generous."

  ?Aris bowed deeply. "Thank you, generous Goddess!"

  ?He turned away, hiding a smirk.

  ?One miracle down. One Treasury to rob.

  ?Location: The Hall of Administration

  Time: Morning

  ?The news of the green pillar of light had spread. Rumors were wild: A treasure had spawned, a god had descended, Lady Bai had ascended.

  ?When Aris walked into the Hall of Administration, wearing a new, slightly cleaner robe, the clerk stared at him.

  ?"Name?"

  ?"Han Xiao."

  ?"Rank?"

  ?Aris released his aura. A solid, unstable, but undeniable Level 45 pressure filled the room.

  ?The clerk choked on his tea. "Core Formation?! You were Foundation Establishment last week!"

  ?"Lady Bai gave me a snack," Aris shrugged. "It was chewy."

  ?The clerk looked at the records. Han Xiao: The sludge-shoveler. The coward. The Fox's pet.

  ?"I... see," the clerk stamped the paper with trembling hands. "You are registering for the Core Disciple Promotion Trial?"

  ?"Yes."

  ?"The Trial begins in two days," the clerk handed him a gold token. "It is the Tower of Ten Thousand Beasts. You must clear Floor 50 to pass."

  ?Aris took the token.

  ?"Floor 50? Is there a prize for clearing Floor 100?"

  ?The clerk laughed nervously. "Floor 100 has never been cleared. It is guarded by the illusion of the First Sect Leader. If you clear it, you don't just become a disciple... you become a Candidate for Elder."

  ?"Interesting," Aris pocketed the token. "I'll try not to trip."

  ?Location: The Shadows of the Hall

  Time: Immediately After

  ?As Aris left, a figure stepped out from behind a pillar.

  ?It was Liu Yan, the Poison User who worked for Iron-Fist. Her face was pale. She held a communication talisman.

  ?"Master Iron-Fist," she whispered into the stone. "The rat... he advanced. He is Core Formation now. He is entering the Tower."

  ?"Good," Iron-Fist's voice crackled from the warship in Sector 12. "The Tower is an isolated dimension. Accidents happen there all the time. I have contacted my nephew, Iron-Wall. He is taking the trial too."

  ?Liu Yan shivered. Iron-Wall was known as the "Butcher of the Outer Sect."

  ?"Tell Iron-Wall," the Elder commanded. "Do not just fail him. Break him. Make it look like the Tower defenses killed him."

  ?"Understood."

  Wiki Update - The Tower of Ten Thousand Beasts:

  ?Type: Dungeon / Simulation.

  ?Mechanic: Each floor spawns a beast construct. The higher you go, the stronger they get. ?

  Floor 100 Reward: Legend says it grants a wish. Reality: It grants Administrator Privileges to the Sect's defensive grid. Aris wants those privileges.