In an enclosed dark space, a burst of light appeared, lighting up the enclosed dark space.
This place was huge. The end of this place couldn't be seen.
Due to the sudden appearance of light, one can see a vast land with no trees or mountains, only lush green, and verdant small grasses.
The sky above this green land was completely dark without a single shine of light.
At that moment, golden fragments of light began to materialize in the sky, shimmering as they descended and coalesced. Slowly, they gathered together, forming the shape of a young man.
Aiden opened his eyes and took a deep breath. He revealed a fearful expression on his face as he looked at his surroundings.
"Where am I?"
Aiden remembered he had just reached the edge of the Great Star Forest when a golden ray of light shot at him from the sky and landed on his head.
The moment the golden ray of light landed on his head; he lost consciousness. When he woke up again, he was standing in this unknown place.
Looking at the surroundings, there was nothing here other than an endless grass field.
Before Aiden could truly see his surroundings, he heard a series of mechanical voices coming from every direction.
[Welcome to the Land of Eternity, mortal!]
[Congratulations on being selected as the chosen one!]
[Preparing for integrating the System!]
[Starting the integration at the count of three!]
[3... 2... 1]
"Argh!"
Before Aiden could comprehend what was happening or who was speaking to him, a sudden, intense burst of pain surged through his body. It was as if every nerve was being set ablaze, leaving him gasping for breath and unable to move. His muscles tightened, and his vision blurred as he struggled to make sense of the overwhelming agony that consumed him.
As though a barrel of petroleum set fire to his body, Aiden felt a piercing and acute wave of burning pain coming from within his body and assaulting his senses madly. A muffled grunt escaped Aiden's mouth, and he almost let out a tragic cry.
"W-what's going on?"
Aiden was terribly shocked by this sudden turn of events. He forced himself to endure the severe pain in his body.
A bout of golden energy emerged from within his body, engulfing his entire body.
Under the cover of golden flame, one could clearly see blue veins bulging against Aiden's skin surface. His muscles were trembling, his bones were shaking, and wisps of black smoke were coming out of him!
"Ahhh!"
Aiden cried out in pain and agony. He felt like his whole body was about to be ripped apart. Violent spasms went through him. He had never once imagined that this was how extreme pain would feel. It was truly utter misery, where one could neither live nor die!
A few seconds later, the pain Aiden was feeling subsided.
Everything happened within a few seconds, however, Aiden felt as if he had spent a few hours enduring the torturous pain.
[System Integrated Successfully!]
[Congratulations on becoming the host of The Eternal System!]
"The Eternal System?"
"What is this thing?"
[A brief introduction: the main purpose of The Eternal System is to transform the host into a perfect Eternal. The host can obtain a chance to visit another dimension with a major breakthrough in cultivation. The host can live there for one year, and upon returning to the original world, the host can choose to keep three of the things he acquired from that particular dimension.]
[No matter how much time the host spends in a certain dimension, only one day will pass in the original world. Even if the host dies in another dimension, the host will return to the original world alive.]
[There are many other benefits. It requires the host to explore.]
Aiden started digesting the information he obtained just now. For a few minutes, he remained silent, trying to make sense of what had just happened. In truth, more than 90% of what the system explained to him had gone over his head.
Regardless, the system reassured him that he would gradually understand everything as he explored its functions over time. For now, the most pressing matter was to reach Skyler City and find his sister. That was his top priority.
Looking at his surroundings, Aiden took a deep breath and asked, "What is this place? Is this a different world? If it is, then how can I return to my world?"
[This is the Land of Eternity, ruled by the First Eternal.]
[Host can't return to his original world for the time being.]
"What do you mean?"
[With the host's current talentless body, it is impossible for the host to become an Eternal. If the host is ready, then the system will start changing your body?]
"What does that mean now? Are you going to transfer my soul to a different body?"
[No! The host need not worry. The system will grant the host the perfect body needed to become an Eternal. After that, the host can awaken an ability and start becoming stronger like other humans!]
"Oh, really?" Aiden's eyes lit up when he heard this. This was what he wanted the most at this time. If he can awaken an ability, he could start cultivating. At that time, he'll be able to take a step closer to his goal.
"Hurry up and do whatever you want to do?"
[Integration of the Eternal Body will start in three seconds!]
[3... 2...1]
"Ahhh!"
Once again, Aiden felt as if he had fallen into a river of magma, his entire body was ignited. He cried out in pain and agony. He once again felt like his whole body was about to be ripped apart, but this time, the pain was at least two times more torturous than before. He could feel his body constantly being ripped apart and then healing at a rapid speed many times.
While he was being assaulted by great pain, Aiden wasn't aware that his body was currently undergoing a miraculous change. As the small and light flames burned his body, everything, be it his bones, meridians, skin, or blood, was going through changes that ordinary people would find hard to even imagine!
Every single cell!
Every inch of his blood and flesh!
Every single bone!
All of them were being reborn!
After a long time, the changes finally came to a halt. The acute pain also ebbed away like the tide. Aiden collapsed into a heap on the ground, gasping for air and panting heavily!
Sweat and blood covered the ground. It was as though Aiden was lying in a pool of blood. At this moment, he didn't even feel like lifting a finger at all!
It hurt!
It hurt too much!
He felt as if he had gone to hell and come back again!
Even just thinking back to that feeling now gave him lingering fears. He can swear that he never wanted to experience it ever again!
[Integration Successful!]
[Congratulations on obtaining the Eternal Body. You can now start your journey to reach the apex of the universe, surpass every single being, and become an Eternal.]
Aiden didn't have the strength to utter a single word. He lay on the ground, staring blankly at the dark sky, panting heavily and gasping for breath.
If he were to be given a choice, he would never want to endure the same hell of pain again.
After some time, when Aiden finally calmed his breath, he gnashed his teeth and asked: "What is Eternal? Why do want me to become an Eternal?"
[You don't need to know what an Eternal is for now. You are not qualified yet. Just know that, in the entire Universe, there can be only one Eternal who stands above all. Since you've become the master of me, The Eternal System, I'll naturally complete the mission given to me by my creator and do my best to transform you into an Eternal.]
"Then... why me?" Aiden again asked. "I'm a talentless person. I didn't even awaken any ability at the right age. Why did you choose me? Or was it just a coincidence?"
[Correction: You used to be a talentless person, but now, you are not!]
[You being chosen was no coincidence. As for the reason, that will become clear in time.]
"Heh... Hahaha!"
Aiden couldn't help but laugh at his luck. At first, he thought that no matter how much he longed for strength or revenge against the Gray Mansion, he would never get the chance. Yet, to his surprise, the Eternal System had appeared, offering him a way to grow stronger and obtain the strength he needed.
Although Aiden had no idea what the Eternal System truly was or what it was capable of, he was certain of one thing: his life was about to change forever.
"You told me I would awaken my ability after integrating with a body perfect for becoming an Eternal. I've already integrated with the Eternal Body, so tell me, why haven't I awakened any abilities yet?"
[Host can first look at your status panel!]
"Status panel?"
"Is it like those games' interfaces?"
Before Aiden could think or say anything, he saw a light screen floating in front of him. There were many small words written on the light screen.
[Name: Aiden Gray.]
[Race: Human (Mortal), Eternal (0.1%).]
[Cultivation: Third-tier Star Warrior Level 1.]
[Eternal Force: None.]
[Special Physique: Eternal Body (Mortal) (Can be evolved further).]
[Bloodline: None.]
[Innate Ability: Moment Eternity.]
﹂ Spendthrift Function: Locked.
﹂ Eternal Point: Locked.