Kaelthar's expression shifted as he processed this information. The Ascendant Path List of Amethyst Star was considered a prestigious ranking, containing the one hundred most powerful Ascendants paths to have emerged throughout the planet's long history.
These paths had stood the test of time and rarely changed. In fact, since Kaelthar had become the planetary lord, no new paths had entered the top rankings.
"To think that this path could make it onto the list," Kaelthar mused.
The Ascendant Path List had remained largely static over the years, a sign of strength of the paths included. The fact that a new path had earned such a high spot on the list was an impressive feat.
NovaSys continued, its voice steady and informative. "In accordance with Article 47 of the Stellar Human Alliance Charter, regarding the policy to support the development of new Ascendant paths, the developer of this path will be awarded 5,000 merit points."
Kaelthar raised an eyebrow. "Five thousand merit points?"
Merit points were the most valuable currency in the Stellar Human Alliance. Issued directly by NovaSys, they were highly sought after. Merit points could be used to upgrade ranks, access resources, and even command NovaSys itself—depending on how many one had accumulated.
The distribution of merit points was strictly tied to an individual's contribution to human civilization. The higher the merit points, the greater the person's impact and privileges.
Kaelthar's mind began to race as he considered the implications of this reward. Merit points in the range of one thousand to two thousand were typically awarded for Ascendant paths reaching the third level of potential. Anything above that was exceedingly rare, and five thousand merit points? That was almost unheard of.
The realization struck Kaelthar hard. He had clearly underestimated the true potential of this Martial Arts Path. If it warranted such a high reward, it was even more remarkable than he initially thought.
After a moment of reflection, Kaelthar nodded decisively. "I agree."
He trusted NovaSys's judgment implicitly. If the system deemed the Martial Arts Path worthy of such a reward, then it was beyond dispute. NovaSys didn't show favoritism; its assessments were always impartial and based purely on merit.
I sat on my bed, still, but my mind was anything but calm. My heart was pounding with anticipation.
And then, the cold, mechanical voice echoed in my mind.
"Dear First-Tier Citizen Michael, the 'Path of Martial Arts' Ascendant Path you uploaded has been evaluated."
My fingers clenched into fists. This was it. The culmination of everything I had lived.
"Dear First-Tier Citizen Michael, according to the evaluation, the theoretical potential of the Martial Arts Ascendant Path is Level Three. It is highly compatible and is valued at 5,000 merit points. Should I distribute them now?"
Five thousand merit points.
My body tensed as those words settled in.
That wasn't just a number—it was a fortune. Merit points weren't simple credits. They were issued by NovaSys itself, the omnipresent intelligence that governed human civilization. They were a mark of achievement. With enough merit points, you could do anything.
I had heard rumors of their true value. In the black market, five thousand merit points could be traded for hundreds of millions in Eclipcoins. Enough to purchase cities and build corporations.
"Merit points have been issued."
I checked my account instantly. A new section had appeared— Merit Points: 5000.
"Time to upgrade my citizenship."
Merit points could buy many things, but the true power they held was something greater. A higher citizen rank meant access to exclusive resources, unrestricted knowledge, and political immunity.
I had studied the system well. Second-Tier Citizens could take out interest-free loans worth tens of millions annually. They had priority in technological enhancements, better living conditions, and, more importantly, power. In a world where survival was dictated by hierarchy, rank was everything.
"Dear First-Tier Citizen Michael, 500 merit points have been used to promote you to Second-Tier Citizen."
A deep satisfaction spread through me. It only took 500 points to ascend to Second-Tier, but the next step… Third-Tier, would demand 5,000.
I wasn't there yet. But I was close.
A sharp ping echoed in my mind. My inbox buzzed with incoming emails.
"Emails?" My brows furrowed. I hadn't expected this.
Without hesitation, I connected to the virtual network. A holographic screen flickered to life before me, displaying my inbox in smooth text.
The age of external devices was long gone. In the vast reaches of human civilization, technology had evolved past the need for physical interfaces. Every citizen, as long as they had the required neural integration, could access the network directly through thought alone.
I willed the first email open.
It was from the Stellar Human Alliance.
Congratulations, Second-Tier Citizen Michael, it read. Your contributions to the advancement of humanity have been recognized. We look forward to further improvements in your Ascendant Path. As a token of appreciation, we have transferred ten million Eclipcoins to your account.
I stopped breathing for a second.
Ten. Million.
My fingers twitched as I checked my bank balance. And there it was. The number had changed. The money was real.
A slow, disbelieving laugh escaped me.
"They're really putting their money where their mouth is," I muttered.
A single Eclipcoin could sustain a lower-class family for half a month. A thouand could change a life. A million could buy land, property, influence.
Ten million?
That was wealth on a level I had never imagined. Enough to live comfortably for centuries, if spent wisely.
I leaned back.
"Ascendant Scholars really are valued differently," I mused.
It made sense. Becoming an Ascendant was one thing. People could buy their way into power, enhance their genetics, develop abilities through sheer wealth. But to create something new—to contribute to the Alliance? That was different. That was what they truly valued.
And now, I had their attention.
I glanced at my account again, a new fire burning in my chest.
With this money, I could rebuild my strength. I could buy the highest-grade nutritional supplements, energy boosters, and cultivation aids. The path back to my peak was inevitable.
I moved on to the other emails. Most were official documents explaining my new privileges as a Second-Tier Citizen.
The main benefits were:
1. Exemption privileges: This included exemptions from conscription, forced immigration, and other actions that involved coercion. I could refuse any of these actions unless I chose otherwise.
2. Legal Immunity (Limited): In any region governed by the Stellar Human Alliance, even if a second-tier citizen committed a crime, local law enforcement had no right to arrest or harm them unless the citizen consented. They also have legal immunity against minor legal disputes, including civil suits or small fines.
3. Purchase permissions: Many valuable resources in the Stellar Human Alliance couldn't be purchased just with money—they required a certain level of citizenship. With his new status, I could now access those resources.
4. Exclusive Job Opportunities: Second-tier citizens have access to high-ranking positions within both governmental and corporate sectors.
5. Priority Healthcare: Citizens of this rank are entitled to priority treatment in medical facilities, including access to the latest treatments, genetic enhancements, and even rejuvenation therapies that are out of reach for lower-tier citizens.
6. Research and Development Support: Second-tier citizens have increased funding and resources for personal research, allowing them to experiment with advanced technologies.
7. Housing and Land Privileges: Priority access to better living conditions, including luxurious housing in cities or the opportunity to own land in prosperous regions, providing a secure and comfortable lifestyle.
8. Virtual World Access: Eligibility to enter the virtual world LAN, granting access to a unique digital realm.
The moment my eyes landed on the last privilege—Virtual World Access—I felt curiosity.
A unique digital realm? What did that even mean? Most of the privileges made sense: financial benefits, political influence, access to classified knowledge. But this… this was something else entirely.
No wonder people were desperate to climb the ranks.
Before I could think further, the cold, mechanical voice of NovaSys interrupted my thoughts.
"Connecting to the virtual world for the first time requires identity verification."
I exhaled sharply and nodded. "Proceed."
The process began instantly.
"Iris verification passed. Clone characteristics verified—negative. DNA verification passed. Life's unique volatility matches the records—verified."
The efficiency of it all made me feel less like a human and more like data being processed. A specimen under the watchful eye of something omnipotent.
"Dear Second-Tier Citizen Michael, please do not resist the process within the virtual world."
And then—darkness.
A weightless sensation overtook me as my consciousness was pulled downward. I could have resisted. But I did not.
Might as well see what this so-called virtual world has to offer.
Then, light.
When I opened my eyes, I stood in an endless expanse of space, a breathtaking void scattered with stars. Below me, a massive planet rotated slowly, its luminous blue surface casting a faint glow into the surrounding abyss.
My breath caught in my throat.
"Is that… Amethyst Star?"
The landmasses, the oceans, the very curvature of the planet—it was a perfect replica of the world I stood on in reality. The realization sent a shiver down my spine.
This wasn't just some crude simulation. It was a one-to-one mirror of the real world.
"Dear Second-Tier Citizen Michael."
I turned sharply, my instincts flaring.
A figure stood before me, draped in pristine white. Neither male nor female, its features were smooth, neutral, unsettlingly perfect.
"I am NovaSys."
So, this was the true face of the system that governed human civilization.
"Allow me to explain the functions of the virtual world. The version you are currently connected to is the Amethyst Star Local Area Network."
With a single gesture, the planet beneath us zoomed in, revealing seven distinct regions.
My gaze sharpened as NovaSys continued.
"The virtual world is divided into six zones."
1. Education and Research Area
"A treasure trove of knowledge," NovaSys explained. "This zone contains virtual libraries, workshops, and training grounds. Citizens can access historical archives, advanced cultivation techniques, and high-level simulations for training."
NovaSys continued.
2. Mission Hall
"This area is dedicated to tasks and assignments issued by the Stellar Human Alliance. Missions range from simple resource collection to complex virtual challenges. Completion rewards citizens with merit points or rare items."
3. Living Area
"A sprawling simulation of urban environments, the Living Area allows citizens to interact socially. Homes, cafes, parks, and even virtual offices exist here, mirroring reality."
I barely paid attention to this. Social interaction had never been my strong suit.