Advancement

Ethan's POV

I carefully covered the small entrance of the cave with a nearby rock, ensuring no dangerous creatures or unexpected presences would notice me and ambush me during my ascension. 

Settling myself cross-legged in the shallow part of the pool inside the cave, I closed my eyes and slipped into deep silence. I focused inward, immersing my consciousness in the depths of my soul space where the Eternal Eclipse Ascension technique's first layer resided. My attention turned to the intricate process of ascension described in the technique.

Unlike typical methods of forming a magical dimension, the Eternal Eclipse technique involved creating a unique eclipse dimension, an essential foundation for the upper ascension realms. I revisited the detailed instructions carefully and prepared myself to execute each step with precision.

After reviewing the process thoroughly, I retrieved the lotus bud, its surface glowing faintly in the dim light of the cave. With dark energy cloaking my hand, I crushed the bud, watching as it dissolved into shimmering dark particles.

Emerging from the remains was a small black pearl, no larger than a quail egg, its rough surface etched with dazzling, intricate black patterns.

I knew instinctively that its energy was volatile and corrosive and deadly to any ordinary human who might attempt to handle it. Even with my mastery of dark magic, I dared only hold it while wrapped in layers of dark magical power.

Fixing my gaze on the ominous pearl, I swallowed it, guiding it carefully down to phase near my heart. Encasing it in magic power, I steadied myself and urged the pearl's deep dark essence to flow out in a controlled stream.

This essence, potent and primordial, began laying the groundwork for the eclipse dimension's formation.

I started muttering the chants of the Eternal Eclipse Ascension technique's first layer, my voice steady yet resonant. By some unfathomable law, the surrounding dark elemental energy surged into my body like a flood from a broken dam.

Despite the overwhelming influx of power, I maintained my composure, directing the energy into my mana veins with deliberate care. The strain was undeniable but manageable.

I was well aware of the dangers. More than sixty to seventy percent of acolytes attempting breakthroughs met their demise, unable to handle the violent elemental power overwhelming their frail mana veins and fragile soul sense.

This often resulted in catastrophic internal damage, with some cases leading to the unstable collapse of their newly formed magic dimension, erasing their very existence.

Yet, I faced no such issues. My mana veins and magic power was refined through years of rigorous training and battle, were far stronger and wider than those of the average acolyte. My soul sense was tempered and resilient, forged by the high-grade arts I had diligently practiced.

Unlike others, my magic power was not only refined but dense, a testament to the constant combat and hardships I had endured in recent years in the dark forest.

Confidence surged through me as the wild elemental energy coalesced in my mana pathways near my heart. Slowly, it gathered into a concentrated dark sphere. As the sphere expanded, I sensed that its growth occurred in a higher dimension, leaving my physical body untouched.

From the outside, thick black clouds of dark elemental energy rolled around me, shrouding my form. My crimson pupils glowed ominously in the darkness, a sight that would have terrified any observer.

However, as the sphere expanded and the eclipse dimension's outlines began to take shape, the process abruptly halted. The gathered energy proved insufficient in quantity and quality for the next phase.

I had anticipated this and so I directed the dark pearl into the centre of the forming dimension. With careful precision, I detonated it, releasing a massive surge of pure dark essence.

This essence, far superior to ordinary elemental energy, infused the process with renewed vigour, accelerating the formation of the eclipse dimension. I marvelled at the profound difference this higher-grade energy made.

Dark essence was indeed a rare and precious resource, and now I understood why it was so highly sought after by dark mages and demons.

The entire process spanned several hours. By the end, my excitement was uncontainable. The result before me was astounding as my unique dimension marked the completion of the Eternal Eclipse Ascension technique's first layer.

The dimension seemed to be endless with dark mist hovering in the sky and a surging dark ocean of elemental energy. Its environment without any sound or life looked similar to the simulations of lifeless planets I had watched in my previous life.

But my excitement didn't go down as at only thirteen years old, I had achieved a feat surpassing even the legendary grade talent bearer the Divine Brilliance Emperor of the Luminous Cradle Empire, who had reached the Elemental Sea Mage rank at the age of eighteen. 

As I mentally prepared to leave the dark forest and make my mark on the world, I caught a glimpse of something in the pool's reflection. A figure loomed behind me. My body froze on the spot, the exhilaration from my success instantly replaced by a cold dread as I saw something I could never have expected to see.