Successor and Leveling up

It was night atop a shattered mountain range.

Three figures stood where the peak once proudly reached into the sky—now reduced to jagged rubble and smoldering ruins. The moonlight flickered across broken stone, and one of the figures, cloaked in a dark robe, stepped forward with a twisted smile.

"Haha... finally, that useless master of mine is gone," the man said, his voice deep and filled with triumph. "Hahaha!"

A younger disciple behind him shuddered at the sound and asked hesitantly, "Uhm… Senior Brother Icarus, do you really think Master is gone for good?"

The mood shifted instantly. A chilling aura filled the air as Icarus snapped his head toward him.

"Fool. Do you think anyone could survive this?"

He pointed ahead. Nothing remained of the once-sacred temple—only collapsed rubble, scorched earth, and the eerie silence that follows destruction.

The third figure, quiet until now, looked on thoughtfully. His eyes narrowed behind a half mask. You're too naive, Icarus… This arrogance will be your downfall someday.

He bowed slightly. "Senior Brother, I will inform Senior Sister of this… incident."

Icarus's eyes darkened at the mention of her, but he quickly masked his expression with a broad smile and outstretched arms.

"Brothers, in Master's absence, the time has come. I shall begin the Ritual of Succession. Our sect will no longer cower in obscurity. With strength and vision, I will lead us to dominate the Central Plains."

The two disciples in front of him—twin brothers known across sects as Lucian and Leviathan—stood still, processing the bold declaration. Ruthless and loyal only to one another, they were infamous: Lucian for his cold intellect, and Leviathan for his quiet obedience.

Lucian chuckled. "So this is your move, Icarus. Very well. I hope your ambition doesn't crush you."

"Let's go, Leviathan. The Eternal Nox Forest awaits."

The silent twin nodded and followed.

Once they vanished into the trees, Icarus scowled. "Hmph. That girl thinks she can compete? This sect will be mine. Soon enough."

He departed, leaving only wind and ash behind. But from the shadows, a fourth figure stirred.

A silhouette standing still beneath a crooked tree.

So, Icarus wasted no time... But Master Joe, where have you gone?

Meanwhile, the very man they sought—Joe—was elsewhere, far from their suspicions. Deep within a chamber designed for cultivation, he sat surrounded by thick black mist. His skin glistened with sweat and streaks of dark blood.

"Phew... Finally," he muttered, eyes glowing faintly. "The first step toward building an indestructible body is complete."

He had spent three weeks in solitude refining his vessel—this new body, weak and full of impurities. It had taken more time than expected.

This body was worse than I thought... I'll need far more resources to reach even the Silver Body Realm.

Though disappointed, he still felt a flicker of satisfaction. This world used the same foundation for body cultivation as his previous one—familiar, yet ripe with deeper potential at higher tiers.

With slow, deliberate steps, Joe opened the heavy doors. A rush of cold air met him—and with it, two startled guards who leapt to attention at the stench of sweat and faint copper.

"Young Master Travis!" one of them ran up in panic. "You're bleeding—let me carry you!"

He barely got the words out before the older captain struck the back of his head with a sharp thwack.

"Silence, fool."

The captain stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Congratulations, Young Master. You've reached the late stage of the Body Cleansing Realm."

As he straightened, his eyes lingered on the boy's expression—calm, proud, composed. Nothing like the brat they once knew.

Remarkable... Has he really changed this much in three weeks?

Joe offered only a curt "Mhm," and began walking toward his quarters.

The captain stepped beside him. "Allow me to escort you, Young Master."

Joe paused briefly. "You're my senior. No need to be so formal. Just call me Travis. Feel free to advise me as you see fit."

The old man blinked in surprise, then chuckled. "Hah! You jest, Young Master. But perhaps you can learn something from an old guard's experience."

As they walked, Joe listened carefully as the captain explained.

"In this kingdom, body cultivation is divided into four main realms. Each realm has three stages—early, middle, and late."

"You've just completed the late stage of the first realm—Body Cleansing."

Joe nodded.

"The next realms are Bone Refinement, then Flesh Forging, and finally, the Silver Body Realm. Few nobles reach that far. It's a mark of monsters."

Joe smiled slightly. Then I'll become one.

They soon reached his chambers.

"Thanks for the insight," he said. "Before you go, please inform my father that I'd like to speak with him tonight—if he's available."

The captain nodded, trying to mask his astonishment.

What's going on with him? That wasn't a request. It was a command. Just like the Duke himself…

The man bowed once more before leaving.

Inside the room, Joe—now Travis—sighed in relief. "Finally… a proper bath."

As warm water steamed behind him, he thought back on the old captain. Cameron, wasn't it? That man might be more useful than I thought.

He closed his eyes.

Tonight, he would meet the Duke.

And everything—training, knowledge, politics—would begin to accelerate.