Yone gazed at the blue panel, identical to the one from the previous night, his expression conflicted.
[Host does not need to yell or utter the system's name for activation. Simply thinking about the system will automatically reveal it.]
Yone took note of the information but didn't dwell on it. Instead, he focused on the most pressing questions.
"Everything makes sense so far, but explain what you mean by 'amber extraction,'" Yone asked.
Amber was the primary power system in his past world—the essence of heaven and earth. Cultivating its energy was essential for growing stronger and harnessing its immense power.
Yone had never expected to encounter the word amber again in this life.
From what he had already deduced about this world's power system, people practiced and cultivated martial arts in various forms. Unfortunately, his knowledge was limited, and he lacked detailed information about martial arts here. However, one thing was certain—amber didn't exist in this world. No one in his family had ever mentioned it being forbidden or practiced.
Following his question, the system responded instantly, withholding nothing from its host.
[The Ancient Being who left this inheritance was also from your past world. However, unlike you, who was two steps away from reaching the final cultivation level, he was a supreme being who had mastered all the paths of amber to perfection.]
Here's the improved version of your passage:
The system paused for a moment, giving Yone time to absorb the information before continuing. Its cold, indifferent voice, reminiscent of a heartless human, didn't faze him in the slightest.
[However, since your world possessed no further cultivation levels, the ancient being was unable to extend his lifespan and ultimately died of old age. Before perishing, he ensured that a portion of his power was stored within a void entrance he once stumbled upon—an entrance he believed to be the exit of your world.]
***
Yone, however, felt a sharp sting deep within his soul each time the system mentioned an ancient or supreme being. For a moment, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The sheer amount of information he had received in mere seconds was equivalent to centuries of research.
He and others at his cultivation level had believed they had reached the pinnacle of power, unable to progress any further. Yet now, he was told he was still two cultivation levels away from the true peak.
Two!
Not one or half a step.
It was two steps!
'No wonder I never found any clues about immortality. I'm sure the places where such secrets lie aren't somewhere a weakling like me could even dream of entering,' Yone thought with a bitter smile.
Despite the weight of the revelation, he brushed those thoughts aside, centering himself in the present moment as his emotions gradually stabilized.
Even though he had just discovered that he had been like a frog at the bottom of a well in his past world, he didn't dwell on it. A new opportunity—far greater than anything before—had presented itself after his death.
"So what if I didn't know about the higher cultivation levels? That's all in the past," he mused, his lips curling into a smile as he thought about a few individuals who would kill for the opportunity now in his grasp. Oh, heroes of my world, the so-called righteous old monsters—you'll die as weaklings, never getting a second chance. But look at me.
Yone couldn't help but burst into laughter at the thought.
At that moment, a wave of calmness and satisfaction washed over Yone's soul as he realized he had emerged victorious from their fight—not the other way around.
***
But before he could dwell on the thought, the cold, detached voice of the system interrupted his train of thought once more.
[However, the supreme being of your world didn't fully understand the purpose of that void door. The exit he found wasn't a way out of your world but a passage for your soul. When you died and reached that door, the inheritance detected that you had achieved the highest level of cultivation in your world, and thus it attached itself to you.]
Yone quickly processed the information and asked about a potential loophole. "Then what about those who died before me? Why was I the one chosen?"
[Host was simply the strongest amber master to die after the supreme being. Had another cultivator reached your level and died before you, someone else would be in your place now.]
"Are you calling me lucky, you bastard?" Yone cursed inwardly at the system's blunt phrasing, but he quickly calmed down, knowing there was no point in arguing with something so lifeless.
Still hearing no footsteps from outside his door or on the stairs, he continued asking as many questions as he could, determined to fully understand how this mystical thing operated.
***
"Tom, wake up; today is your talent test! Your brother has already been awake for an hour now"
" Coming, Mom." Tom rubbed his eyes as he woke up from his bed and opened the door with a yawn; however, there was no excitement displayed on his face.
' Brother this, brother that. We are both bound to be weaklings and poor anyway, I don't understand why my parents are giving him more attention and love.' Tom Thought with annoyance and lingering hate.
The sun had just dawned, and it was very early in the morning when the ringing of the Adventure Association bell almost reached its end.
On the other side of the mansion, Yone positioned himself on the wooden floor, breathing in the fragrance of morning dew as he settled into a lotus position. His legs and arms were shoulder-width apart, his back straight. Taking a deep breath, he began his daily meditation.
He used the time while his mother believed he was showering to extend his meditation for a few more minutes.
Though meditation didn't enhance his abilities—since his past world's cultivation didn't work here—it remained a habit. It helped him clear his mind of unnecessary thoughts, allowing him to focus on the ones that mattered most.
One minute passed... then two, three, five...
Yone continued uninterrupted until his mother, accompanied by his brother, knocked on his door.