Chapter 3 Audit

 "Who sent you?" Our op mc's voice reverberated through the space, marking the beginning of his quest for knowledge. 

Prioritizing the origins of the enigmatic system, he sought understanding before anything else unfolded. The response from the system loli was both enigmatic and cautionary.

"You have no authority to know, host. Too much information is not good for your safety." These words, delivered with an air of authority, hinted at a depth of sentience far beyond what our op mc had encountered and read the books long forgotten in his 100 years of life before this. 

This revelation didn't immobilize our op mc. Instead, it stirred an innate proactive instinct within him. 

Rather than lingering on the edge of uncertainty, our op mc pivoted his thoughts toward seeking a solution. 

The realization that his system was sentient, possibly more than any existing literature had suggested, fueled his determination to navigate this uncharted territory with a strategic and resolute mindset.

"I wonder whose presence I shall summon today," murmured our op protagonist, his words resonating softly in the chamber. 

Raising his head, he expanded his divine senses, a web of perception that effortlessly reached out in every direction. 

Swiftly, his discerning gaze penetrated the sanctum, discovering that the esteemed Supreme Elder, alongside other familiar countenances, was deeply immersed in secluded cultivation.

It was a well-known fact that Nero, throughout his extensive existence, had chosen the solitary path, eschewing disciples, friendships, or any semblance of family ties. 

This deliberate isolation spoke volumes of his guarded demeanor, a testament to a life cocooned in self-reliance and mistrust toward others.

"You've led a life devoid of any meaningful companionship, of forging connections with others," our protagonist remarked, acknowledging the desolate journey Nero had trodden. 

However, interwoven within this acknowledgment lay the indomitable spirit of an immortal driven by an insatiable hunger—the relentless pursuit of ascending to unparalleled heights as the preeminent cultivator.

Amidst the solitude of Nero's past lingered the unyielding flame of determination that propelled him forward, an unquenchable thirst for unrivaled strength. 

In the culmination of Nero's journey, his ascent hadn't been in vain. He stood resolute and sovereign, an apex figure, commanding both mortal and immortal realms with a presence that instilled fear and awe. 

Whispers of his existence echoed through the corridors of legends, especially among those privy into the clandestine knowledge of his formidable, shadowy capabilities. 

As our op mc contemplated his next move, a decision crystallized within his mind—to beckon forth the most revered persona within the sect. 

Stepping forward, a breath later, his form dissolved into a spectral nothingness, embracing the art of swift traversal that only few could master at its peak. 

* * *

Elder Atlas Nightfall, an enigmatic figure, had been the guiding hand steering the Immortal Soul Sect for over a million years. 

Yet, despite his immeasurable tenure, he never got the prestigious title of sect master. 

Instead, he remained modestly labeled as an elder, an honor akin to the valiant cultivators who had forged paths before him. 

Those who, upon departure, ascended to the esteemed rank of Grand Elders embarked on a voyage of enlightenment, retreating into seclusion for countless million years.

Within the vast tapestry of this xianxia world, the stages of cultivation stood as pillars of ascension:

1. Qi Gathering Stage = 100 years of longevity

2. Foundation Establishment Realm = 200 years of longevity

3. Golden Core Realm = 500 years of longevity

4. Nascent Soul Realm = 1,000 years of longevity

5. Celestial Ascension = 10,000 years of longevity

6. Dao Manifestation = 100,000 years of longevity

7. Dao Source Realm = 1,000,000 years of longevity

8. Dao Lord Realm = 10,000,000 years of longevity

9. Primordial Realm = 100,000,000 years of longevity

10. True Immortal = infinite lifespan

Atlas Nightfall had traversed the realms to the esteemed position of the Dao Lord Realm, where his essence resonated with cosmic profundity. 

His forthcoming aspiration, set in the mists of a few million years, was to transcend further into the unfathomable Primordial Realm. 

Such a grandiose undertaking would inevitably necessitate the relinquishment of his elder designation for the exalted apex position and become one of the many Grand Elders of the sect. 

However, these plans wavered upon encountering our op mc, a catalyst unforeseen in the grand design of Atlas Nightfall's transcendence.

"You! You are…" Atlas's voice wavered, caught off guard by the unexpected apparition before him. The fragile teacup slipped from his grasp, shattering into a million glittering fragments. 

Standing in the aftermath was the living manifestation of the revered lifelike giant statue nestled at the core of the sect. Draped in robes as pure as snow, the figure exuded an ethereal presence. 

Cascading locks of untamed, snow-white hair framed a face of striking handsomeness, yet there was a solemnity about his gaze—a scrutiny that seemed to weigh the merits of either disassembling Atlas or subjecting him to an unfathomable fate within a simmering cauldron.

"BANG!" The thunderous crash reverberated through the chamber, punctuating Atlas Nightfall's immediate response. Prostrating himself, he bellowed in a voice that resonated like thunder, "This humble one pays respects, sect master!" His form remained bowed in utter obeisance, fearing the dire consequences of any lapse in reverence. 

He dared not lift his head, keenly aware that Sect Master Nero Deathbinder was a figure steeped in legends of unyielding and ruthless authority—a reputation that rendered him a feared and infamous presence across the ages.

"Atlas Caspian Nightfall. A prodigy that can be found once in a million cultivators. In your staggering one million and five hundred thousand years of existence, you've demonstrated remarkable restraint, resisting the allure of instant strength three times. 

Each refusal, a choice threaded with regret, yet your path remains steadfastly guided by principles of righteousness and justice. If I possessed the ability to rewind time, offering you those fortuitous encounters once more, would you accept?" Our op mc's inquiry, tinged with a little bit mastery over the fabric of time and space, held the potential to transport the elder back to those pivotal moments. 

True Immortals, existing beyond temporal constraints, could manipulate timelines without any consequence to themselves.

"I…" Atlas hesitated, grappling with the gravity of these benevolent yet foreboding gifts. 

The disclosure that his deepest secrets were laid bare, known without his conscious consent, sent shivers down his spine.

"I appreciate the sect master's offer, but I must respectfully decline. I've transcended the impetuousness of youth and am resolute in refusing to dwell on the paths already taken. Each past decisions has helped become the person I am today. Stronger," Atlas declared, his voice steady, eyes fixed determinedly upon the floor. Unaware of the sect master's underlying motives for the visit, he was only cognizant of the trillions and trillions of years spent in solitary cultivation before coming out today. 

Nonetheless, tales of Nero Deathbinder, the immortal figure, had long been enshrined in his knowledge.

"Very well then. I entrust the Immortal Soul Sect to your capable stewardship. Know that I shall observe from a distance," our op mc announced, departing the sect's serene grounds. 

Despite the ability to command the sect and summon a hundred wives with a mere thought, such exploitation of power left a sour taste. 

A romantic at heart, he vowed never to exploit power to ensnare the desires of lesser individuals.

Thus began the story of our op mc and how he got 100 wives one after another and ruled the multiverse thereafter.