After resting for a while, Alex activated his Universe Bracelet.
The world around him dissolved into flowing streams of light. The next instant, Alex stepped into the Virtual Universe.
Even though he knew this place was nothing more than a constructed reality, it felt no different from the real world. Solid ground pressed beneath his feet, ambient noise filled the air, and the faint scent of alcohol and smoke drifted into his senses. This virtual reality was so advanced that it replicated taste, touch, and sensation with terrifying accuracy, nearly indistinguishable from reality itself.
Alex headed straight for a bar.
The moment he pushed open the door, a wave of noise rolled over him. The bar was packed with countless people.
Even though it was the virtual universe, people in the dark still drank freely. Some raised crystal glasses filled with burning crimson liquid, others sipped shimmering blue brews that released faint mist with every breath. As the drinks went down, everyone's expressions changed.
Alex swept his eyes to his surroundings once before he moved directly to the counter.
A bartender was standing behind the counter. He was wiping a glass with smooth and unhurried movements.
After Alex reached the counter, he didn't waste time and said, "I'm looking for information. Give me information on everything related to the Celestial Path."
The bartender's hand paused for a fraction of a second. His silver eyes flickered, and then he nodded. "Ten thousand UC."
Alex didn't hesitate. He raised his wrist and completed the transfer instantly.
"Done."
The bartender gave a faint smile. With a light tap of his finger on the counter, a stream of data was transmitted directly into Alex's Universe Bracelet.
"Information delivered," the bartender said.
Alex felt the data settle into his bracelet's storage. Without another word, he turned away from the bar and soon returned to the real world.
As he looked into the information of the Celestial Path, he couldn't help but raise his brows.
The Celestial Path was a name that had risen only within the past ten thousand years. It was a force that could be considered young when measured against the countless powers of the universe. Yet despite its short history, no one dared to underestimate it.
Unlike traditional empires, sects, or cosmic civilizations, the Celestial Path was not bound to a single race, galaxy, or ideology. It was a transcendent organization that existed above conventional power structures, moving silently through the universe while gathering elites from every corner of the cosmos.
What made the Celestial Path terrifying was not its short age, but its standards.
Only true monsters with overwhelming talent, potential, or unfathomable backgrounds were qualified to even come into contact with it. In just ten thousand years, the Celestial Path had already produced multiple Great Saints and even Saint Kings.
Bloodline, background, and origin meant nothing to the Celestial Path. Only potential, will, and survival mattered.
And this is where Celestial Path Assessment comes into play.
The Celestial Path Assessment is the only gateway into this mysterious force.
It was an event held at irregular intervals. Every assessment was different, but one thing never changed—the danger.
The assessment was not a simple test, but a brutal trial of survival.
After reading through the information, Alex quickly lost interest in this force. Although it sounded grand and awe-inspiring, he had a faint feeling that the Celestial Path was nothing more than a vast meat grinder for geniuses.
Of course, this was just a feeling and nothing else.
---
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
While Alex was cultivating quietly in his presidential suite, a soft vibration came from his Universe Bracelet. A notification screen unfolded before his eyes.
Fritz has arrived at Golden Sun World.
Alex opened his eyes and rose to his feet without hesitation.
Moments later, he was already flying through the city's sky lanes, streaks of golden light trailing behind him as Blazing Sunfall City rapidly receded into the distance.
After flying for about an hour, Alex descended smoothly outside the spaceport.
Very soon, he spotted Fritz immediately.
Fritz stood near the docking area, dressed in a long dark coat. Despite the crowd flowing around him, he seemed completely out of place.
"Hey, Fritz..."
From afar, Alex waved his hand and attracted Fritz's attention.
Fritz turned, and when he saw Alex, his expression eased slightly. Then he walked towards Alex as well.
"You're late. I was starting to wonder if you'd forgotten about me."
Alex let out a short chuckle. "How could I? Anyways, how was your journey here?"
"It was alright. The route was crowded. Too many people are heading toward Golden Sun World lately."
"Indeed. It's all because of the Celestial Path Assessment."
"Oh! You heard about the Celestial Path Assessment as well?" Fritz suddenly turned and asked.
Alex glanced at him, wondering why Fritz reacted like this.
"I found out about it recently."
"And?" Fritz asked. "What do you think?"
Alex shook his head. "It's not for me. Sounds like a grand name for a death match."
Fritz laughed softly. "Your instincts are still as sharp as ever. That's exactly how this Celestial Path Assessment is. Still, plenty of people are lining up to throw their lives into it."
"For some, that risk is their only chance. But I don't need that path." Alex shook his head and said.
Soon, they exited the spaceport together and headed back toward the city. The towering skyline of Blazing Sunfall City gradually filled their vision once again.
"Where are you staying?" Fritz asked.
"In a restaurant complex," Alex replied. "Presidential suite. There is plenty of space."
Fritz raised an eyebrow and sighed. "You haven't changed at all. Always picking the most expensive option, no matter where you go."
Alex smiled faintly. "Well, that was in the past. In my past life, comfort mattered the most to me. But the same is not true in this life. Even if it's a hut, I can stay there for a long period."
Before long, they arrived at the restaurant. After settling Fritz in and taking care of a few formalities, the two finally sat down in the private lounge, each holding a drink infused with dense spiritual essence.
Just this drink was enough to make any Spirit Martial God enter the realm of True Divinity. Of course, comprehension of Dao matters the most.
It was finally now, Alex asked, "Tell me honestly, Fritz. Do you know something interesting about the Celestial Path Assessment?"
Fritz looked into Alex's eyes for a moment, then nodded. "Actually, the Celestial Path Assessment is an opportunity for anyone who wants to become an Immortal. But that opportunity comes at the cost of the destruction of more than a dozen worlds."
