Chapter 5: The Call of the Mystic Caverns
The day of the expedition dawned with a buzz of activity across Amagon. Alex stood on the outskirts of the capital city, watching as groups of awakeners, each representing different countries within the Solaris Empire, gathered to prepare for the upcoming journey to the Mystic Caverns.
The Mystic Caverns were one of the newly discovered mysterious realms that had surfaced since the spiritual awakening of the planet. These realms were said to contain treasures left behind by the powerful ancestors who once dominated this world before departing for the stars. With the reawakening of spiritual energy, these caverns were now reappearing, drawing the attention of every empire on the planet.
Alex's gaze was calm, but his thoughts were racing. He had been officially selected to join this expedition, though not without controversy. The government representatives of Amagon had been hesitant to allow him, given that the planetary system couldn't measure his potential or capabilities.
The argument had gone on for hours until an elder from the Solaris Academy spoke up. "Perhaps he is following the path of the ancestors," the elder had said. "There are techniques beyond the planetary system, methods our ancestors used before its creation. Let him join. If he fails, it is no loss. But if he succeeds, the benefits for Amagon will be immeasurable."
That was how Alex found himself standing among the geniuses of Amagon, preparing to depart.
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The Structure of the Planet
The world was vast, with fifty empires spread across its surface. Each empire consisted of multiple countries, ruled by governors and overseen by an extraterrestrial overseer. These overseers were sent by the ancestors who had once called this planet home. When spiritual energy began to decline centuries ago, the ancestors left, taking their strongest bloodlines with them.
Before departing, these ancestors had pooled their strength to create the planetary system, a mechanism that reawakened the planet's spiritual energy in cycles. It was this system that allowed the new generation of awakeners to absorb energy, develop cores, and rise in power. The overseers, representatives of the ancestors, ensured that the system functioned as intended and that the empires didn't destroy each other in the struggle for resources.
Solaris was considered a middle-tier empire, weaker than giants like the Empires of Zenith and Aurion. Within Solaris, there were 100 countries, each vying for dominance. Amagon was one of the smaller and less notable nations, rarely producing geniuses who could compete with the likes of Marcus Reid, who hailed from Valtherion, a larger and more prosperous country.
Marcus's father, the governor of Valtherion, had sent him to Amagon for a brief visit when the world awakened, forever changing his life. And that's why he fought with Alex in Amagon country but was defeated by Alex.He went to his country and used his father's power to collect resourece and power up his streanth.Now, Marcus was seen as a top candidate for the Mystic Caverns expedition, representing Valtherion with pride.
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The Expedition Begins
The journey to the Mystic Caverns was a grand spectacle. The 100 countries of Solaris each sent their top geniuses to the meeting point, a sprawling valley surrounded by jagged cliffs and faintly glowing spiritual veins. Massive airships filled the skies, ferrying teams of awakeners from all corners of the empire.
As Alex disembarked from Amagon's modest airship, he couldn't help but notice the stark differences between the countries' representatives. The geniuses from wealthier nations like Valtherion were clad in high-grade spiritual armor, their weapons radiating faint energy. In contrast, Amagon's team looked plain and underprepared.
Marcus, standing among Valtherion's contingent, smirked when he saw Alex. "You really made it here, huh? I thought you'd have been left behind."
Alex ignored him, focusing instead on his surroundings. The air here felt dense, charged with spiritual energy. The Mystic Caverns were still miles away, but their presence was already palpable.
At the center of the gathering stood a grand podium, where Solaris's overseer—a tall, silver-haired figure with glowing eyes—addressed the crowd. His voice echoed across the valley, carrying an unearthly authority.
"Awakeners of Solaris," the overseer began, "you have been chosen to represent your countries in this expedition. The Mystic Caverns hold treasures beyond imagination, relics left behind by the ancestors. But be warned: these caverns are dangerous, filled with traps, beasts, and tests of strength. Only the worthy will emerge with rewards."
The overseer's gaze swept over the crowd, lingering briefly on Alex. For a moment, Alex felt as if the overseer could see through him, sensing his disconnection from the planetary system. But the overseer said nothing, continuing with his speech.
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Testing the Geniuses
Before the expedition could begin, each participant was required to undergo an assessment to determine their starting positions within the caverns. This test would evaluate their cores, stats, and spiritual capabilities.
Marcus stepped forward confidently when his name was called. The assessment involved placing one's hand on a crystal orb, which would measure the radius of their core and their overall potential.
The orb glowed brightly as Marcus touched it. The overseer announced his results: "Marcus Reid, Valtherion. Diamond-tier physique. Core radius: 102 centimeters. Current rank: F2. Potential: Exceptional."
Cheers erupted from the Valtherion contingent, and Marcus smirked, basking in the attention.
One by one, the other participants stepped forward, their results ranging from bronze-tier physiques to a few gold-tier geniuses. Each announcement was met with varying degrees of applause, depending on the country's pride in their representative.
Finally, it was Alex's turn.
He approached the orb, ignoring the skeptical murmurs from the crowd. Placing his hand on the surface, he waited.
The orb remained dark.
Gasps and whispers spread through the audience.
"He doesn't have a core?" someone muttered.
"Is he even an awakener?" another asked.
The overseer raised a hand, silencing the crowd. His glowing eyes studied Alex with interest. "Interesting. Your energy cannot be measured by the planetary system. Tell me, boy, what path are you following?"
Alex met the overseer's gaze calmly. "The path of the ancestors," he said, repeating the explanation given by Amagon's elder.
The overseer's lips curled into a faint smile. "Very well. You may proceed. Let us see if your actions match your words."
The murmurs didn't cease, but Alex didn't care. He had been allowed to participate, and that was all that mattered.
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The Caverns of Chaos
As the participants approached the entrance to the Mystic Caverns, the atmosphere grew tense. The caverns loomed before them, their jagged openings emitting faint pulses of light. Inside, they would face challenges that tested not only their strength but also their adaptability and willpower.
The overseer's voice rang out one final time. "The Mystic Caverns are divided into multiple layers. The deeper you go, the greater the rewards—and the dangers. Be warned: this is not a test of survival. You may die inside. Those who lack the strength to proceed will be ejected by the caverns themselves, but they will leave empty-handed."
With that, the gates opened, and the participants streamed inside.
Alex stayed near the back of the group, observing his surroundings carefully. The cavern walls glowed faintly, lined with veins of spiritual ore that pulsed like a heartbeat. The air was thick with energy, almost suffocating, but Alex felt his Infinite Modus Operandi working quietly, stabilizing his body and keeping him energized.
Marcus, further ahead, glanced back and sneered. "You'd better keep up, Alex. This isn't a place for weaklings."
Alex smirked to himself. "Don't worry, Marcus. I'll be just fine."
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Setting the Stage
As the participants ventured deeper into the caverns, they encountered their first challenge: a series of glowing platforms suspended over a chasm filled with swirling energy. The platforms flickered erratically, forcing the participants to rely on their reflexes and spiritual senses to cross.
Marcus leaped forward confidently, his agility carrying him across the platforms with ease. Behind him, others followed, some struggling but managing to keep up.
When it was Alex's turn, he stepped onto the first platform and felt it wobble beneath his feet. The energy within him surged instinctively, stabilizing his balance and allowing him to move effortlessly. He didn't just cross the platforms—he glided over them, drawing astonished stares from those around him.
As they continued deeper into the caverns, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The true tests—and the true rewards—were still ahead.