Combat Training Facility
"Welcome! To one among thousands or maybe hundreds of thousands of the Combat Training facilities!"
Hul stood before Lian Zu and his female companion with open arms as he spoke with a smile; it was as if he was excited about the duo's reaction after seeing the epic interior of the building. And indeed, the interior was breathtaking; both Lian Zu and the girl, Lan Fan, couldn't help but express admiration.
The building's interior was spacious, similar to its exterior. Countless white glowing energy essences hovered within the hall, serving as lights and completely illuminating the spacious hall from any darkness.
At the center of the hall were over a thousand straight energy lines which went all the way up within the building, each of these lines serving as an elevator as one could see numerous cultivators and Athosians standing on materialized round platforms as they got elevated into whatever type of combat training they wanted.
"Fascinating! Isn't it? Trust me; we haven't even reached the fun part yet. Now let's register your badges; the building's MI, 'Magical Intelligence,' will record your training and later provide you with pointers for your cultivation techniques and realms."
Hul spoke casually as if his words weren't much to think about. But upon hearing the latter part of Hul's sentence, Lian Zu expressed with widened eyes as he paused Hul. He had a doubtful face as he asked.
"I don't mean to interrupt, Brother Hul, but you said something about an MI?! And how it gives us pointers?!"
"Yes. The MI, also known as 'Magical Intelligence,' is a magical consciousness that can analyze, eliminate weaknesses, reform, or, best case, recreate any technique or skill; it can even finish any incomplete cultivation method you can imagine. Amazing, right? What's even fascinating is that there are MIs in every facility in Athos, meaning-
Meaning, one can learn the perfect version of any cultivation method, skill, technique, or mantra without worrying about the slightest side effects; I'm I right, Brother Hul?!"
"...Not bad, but you are correct."
Lian Zu interrupted Hul as he finished the sentence for him. He had a shocked yet enlightened face as he stared at the huge revolving energy ball in the hall's center, the building's MI. Although excited, the one emotion Lian Zu felt the most was fear. The fact that Athos possesses all these mythical capabilities and impossible-to-believe items and creations was one scary thought.
Who would dare ever face Athos with their never-ending reality-shattering power?
Numerous thoughts crossed Lian Zu's mind as he stared at Hul. Thinking that this little kid has the background of a World-Ending superpower was just too unbearable, even for a reincarnate like him with double life experience.
Without knowing the emotional turmoil Lian Zu and his companion were experiencing, Hul brushed past everything as he continued speaking while leading the group, the presence of such creations and impossibilities not fazing him as a citizen the least.
"Anyways, let's continue; I have yet to show you the more interesting part. And as for registering your badges, just say the word 'Register,' and the MI will provide you a holographic keyboard where you can type your names... try it."
With a doubtful and hesitant expression, Lian Zu held his badge as he uttered. "Register." Simultaneously, his square-shaped badge lit, followed by a green-colored holographic keyboard appearing before him. Although hesitant and baffled, Lian Zu stretched his fingers as he entered his name. Not long after, the girl also completed hers.
"Well then, now we go to the training grounds. Mine is usually Sector X999. There are unlimited sectors, as according to the MIs, His Highness, the One Above, sees us as having unlimited potential; therefore, there are unlimited training grounds to match our unlimited potential. I know, right? What a crazy creation."
Hul spoke as they stepped toward one of the many straight energy lines; simultaneously, a large round platform materialized under the trio, timely matching their step. Lian Zu had a shocked face as he fearfully stared at Hul, switching his view to the bright glow surrounding them. He thought as he recollected memories since arriving in Athos.
<Experience Gaining is where you fight real otherworldly creatures at a compressed time of a thousand years, granting you 1000 years of combat experience. You can choose the number of years of experience you want, but the pain and attacks will be multiplied by ten upon every additional thousand years.
Cultivation Advancement focuses on upgrading your cultivation realms. You can upgrade as much as you want, but your cultivation potential will determine how high you advance. If your potential can only tolerate the Star Sovereign Realm, then your body will stop absorbing energy, and you will be brought back.
As for the Arena, it's where cultivators of all ranks and realms compete. You can fight duels, or death matches with the agreement of both parties. But first, please hold your badges and say, 'Register.'>
The leading Dao Child nodded as he and his group held their badges and uttered, 'Register.' Soon after, the group finished typing their names. The burly Dao Child was excited as he stared at the MI; his wish for combat was about to be fulfilled; he then sent a telepathic message to their leader.
'Elder Dao Brother, why don't we use the Arena Section?'
But contrary to his expectations, the leader ignored him as he spoke to the MI.
"We want to use the 'Experience Gaining' training."
<Certainly. There are currently 1000 Sectors open for guests; which sector would you like to visit?>
"Since there are only 1000 sectors, we shall choose the 999 Sector."
<Affirmative. Sending guests to Sector X999. Have a nice training>
The group stepped onto the ascending platforms as they disappeared from the scene. The burly Dao Child had a dissatisfied countenance as they ascended.
________
Outside Athos
The scene was calm as the night breeze swept over the surroundings. Suddenly, the space trembled as it simultaneously shattered; a near-infinite amount of snake-like creatures with eyeless faces constantly emerged from the shattered space as they clustered in the skies.
The creatures were small as the size of a human and had snake-like bodies with black metallic scales; they had three spike-like fins attached to their heads, and their mouths filled with sharp razor fangs opened wide as they screeched loudly.
The loud screening noises of the creatures reverberated throughout the scene as their numbers continued to fill the sky. Hovering before the countless unknown creatures was an elder wearing ancient garments; a massive wave of energy essence revolved around him as he stared at Athos' barrier impassively. With a disdainful tone, he spoke.
"A brat who doesn't know his place. Time to remind the Immortal Realm of us, the Immortal Gate."
_____
Inside the administrative hall of Athos, Fairy Marine sat on her tree-made throne as she stared into the distance as if staring at something. She had a calm and unbothered expression as if not worried the least. She chuckled.
"So, you have chosen death."