Emperor Lawrence

Fateful Omen stops at the base of a mountain and looks up.

This is the Path to Heaven Sect, located on the Celestial Firmament Mountain.

The mountaintop is covered by clouds. A long staircase allows for the ascent, at whose end glorious buildings stand. The aura emitted for a moment makes him think of the Divine Plane. It is a beautiful sect, even by the standards of the Inferior Plane, in terms of solemnity alone, it must be in the first position.

This opinion comes from someone who has stepped onto the Divine Plane, it’s a huge compliment.

'Despite the steep staircase, there's a giant line of disciple aspirants. The reputation of the ranker Emperor Lawrence must carry great weight in the hearts of the three kingdoms.'

He walks calmly to the line and positions himself behind the last aspirant. He has waited so long that queuing is nothing.

Before long, someone positions behind him, then another behind that last one, and then another. The cycle repeats over and over as the hours pass, but not everyone is as patient as he is, and at some point, they give up, withdrawing from the place.

'The path to immortality is so long, why step on it if this is all their will?'

Those behind Fateful Omen constantly change until a young man in his twenties remains behind him for half a day. His patience is commendable despite his level 27.

Midway through the queue, the young man decides to speak.

"I heard that the ranker Emperor Lawrence decided not to ascend to the Divine Plane and instead established the Path to Heaven Sect. What do you think? I don't believe these rumors are too far from the truth."

Fateful Omen nods, he's not the only one who has heard such rumors.

"If he is a user of sacred magic, his intentions must not be entirely bad. Though I wouldn't trust him much, there are methods to avoid corruption."

If anything was proven by the evil sects in his previous life, it's that anything is possible if one is willing to pay the price.

"Really? All the sacred magic users I know would pay huge sums to know such a method, they don't-- Ah, right. I'm Nathan, nice to meet you."

When Fateful Omen mentions his name, Nathan is surprised that he left behind his mortal name at such a young age, he simply smiles and shakes his head.

Nathan is a very talkative young man, but Fateful Omen doesn't dislike such people. Because he is someone quiet, who only speaks when necessary, people like Nathan remind him of his youth, when he smiled and marveled at every new thing he found.

'Maybe my parents hoped I would be something like this.'

It's hard not to think about his family, because as an immortal, it's impossible to return to a time when one is a child and there are no worries.

"Tsk, the usual ones."

"Those guys plan to skip the line."

At some point, a group of four men walks past Fateful Omen and Nathan, but they don't stop in front of them, instead, they advance a few dozen steps... until they find their target.

What happens next is intimidation against the weak, not only the target, but also the aspirants around him lack the strength to stop them, so they act arrogantly to forcefully secure their position.

Fateful Omen sighs, casually moves his hand, and then...

"AAAGH!"

The group of four men falls comically and rolls down the stairs. The interesting thing about this is that they are unable to stop, the crowd laughs uproariously at seeing them.

"Legend has it that to this day they're still rolling."

While all the aspirants laugh, Fateful Omen catches Nathan's gaze.

"Big brother, you're amazing."

Fateful Omen is surprised, although it was a casual move, was this young man able to perceive it? His senses are not bad at all.

During the long wait to reach the place of the first evaluation, many took advantage of the situation to sell drinks and food. A true commercial business was positioned on the stairs trying to make money off others' misfortune.

Until they reach the goal.

"It's impossible! The rankers are nothing against me, your magic artifact must--! AAAGH!"

The furious shouts of a man are heard, followed by his pitiful cries as he is seen being flung through the air down to the base of the mountain.

"Learn from his example. We don't care about your background or your achievements, only your future."

Since at the base of the mountain some saw people falling from the sky, they know there is a magic formation that prevents them from dying, so they didn't worry too much about the unfortunate loser.

"Next."

"It's your turn big brother, good luck."

Fateful Omen doesn't need luck, but he still thanks him for the sentiment. He walks towards the place of the first test and is surprised to see a gigantic magic artifact, he had never seen anything like it.

"Place your hand on it and don't remove it until I tell you."

The man behind the magic artifact is elderly, but his level is surprisingly level 146. Other sects would hold him in high esteem, but in the Path to Heaven Sect, he is the evaluator of the first test.

"Hoh..."

Fateful Omen comes back to his senses when the evaluator is surprised by the results.

"Your talent is not only outstanding, but you possess an extraordinary innate ability... Hoh... Interesting, not bad."

He frowns as he sees the man continue to be surprised, as if he could see beyond his talent and discover his true abilities.

'Now that I observe it carefully, this magic artifact is not simple...'

If the gigantic magic artifact can reveal beyond his talent and innate ability, Fateful Omen might have trouble.

"Congratulations, you can enter. Fill out this form, you will need it for the next evaluation."

Fortunately, his bad feeling does not become reality, and the evaluator lets him in.

"Next."

It's Nathan's turn. Fateful Omen feels obligated to wait for his results.

When he sees the evaluator shake his head, he sighs.

'We were not meant to be... it's better this way.'

Nathan sadly looks in his direction, but he had already turned around. Without being able to say goodbye, he descends the staircase with his dream shattered.

'I cannot become attached to immortals of inferior talent, I wouldn't bear to see them die.'

He makes his way to the second evaluation, where everyone sighs or is amazed. Because the evaluator is a beauty with blonde hair and a patch over her left eye.

"I am Golden Green, your evaluator..."

Everyone hands their form to Golden Green, and then a question and answer session begins. Although there are more than 20 aspirants shouting different answers at the same time, she skillfully knows to whom the words and forms belong.

"You, you, you..." She continues pointing to the aspirants until she stops at the last one. "And you, you stay. The rest can continue to the next evaluation."

Only a few are able to understand what just happened.

'The magic artifacts around her must allow her to know who is lying or who has bad intentions.'

Everyone would be surprised if they knew that in reality, those magic artifacts were nothing more than a decoy, Golden Green can detect truths and lies without resorting to such items.

Fateful Omen advances without issues once more, but if this is all, he will not be able to meet his goal. He needs to demonstrate his strength, make his image stick in everyone's eyes to become the number one inner disciple, only then will he enjoy the best resources of the sect!

His desires come true much faster than he thinks.

"A goddess..."

The next evaluation requires the aspirants to overcome four tests, the results of which will determine their ranking for the next evaluation, which is a tournament.

"I've never seen such a beautiful woman in my life, her features are like a dream."

But what draws the attention of all the aspirants are the judges, especially a woman with a long jet-black braid. Serene Will.

They are not the only ones surprised, Fateful Omen is too, but for a completely different reason.

'She and Golden Green... if I can't detect their levels, it means...'

Level 200 or above. That's the reason for his surprise. He can't believe how a sect that is just taking its first steps into the world has managed to recruit two rankers capable of turning the Inferior Plane upside down at will.

But this only serves to fan the flames of his heart.

'I must acquire the position of the strongest disciple. That is the only way to meet my goals.'

The four tests on the platforms evaluate their senses, persistence, talent, and instinct. All the aspirants have a hard time overcoming each of the tests, except for one. Fateful Omen.

Feeling the admiration, envy, and wary glances upon him, Fateful Omen smiles.

'They won't dare to look at me in the same way after the next and last evaluation.'

With the rankings ready, the duels have been fairly determined for the tournament. The only exception is the upper steps, while the young ones compete among themselves for a better ranking, they will fight against the strongest to define the first ten seats.

The sect's strongest disciples.

"Begin!"

Dozens of duels take place at the same time. Different shouts are heard, both of encouragement and suffering, but there is only one winner in each battle.

"One strike again... That aspirant will obtain one of the ten seats, what was his name again?"

"Fateful Omen, one of the few aspirants who has left his mortal name behind."

His name slowly begins to be impressed in the hearts of the spectators, whether they are disciples, as well as the teachers and elders, all have their attention on the talented newcomer named Fateful Omen.

As he reaches the final round.

Everyone expected a fierce battle between Fateful Omen and his opponent, but they only saw the domination of one side.

"Fateful Omen, congratulations. You have obtained the title of the number one disciple and a direct promotion to inner disciple, but do not neglect your training. You have the obligation to defend your seat and accept duels from your fellow disciples, once you successfully defend your position, this obligation will be removed."

"Yes, this disciple understands."

Because even if this obligation is revoked, his reputation would fall if he does not demonstrate his strength from time to time.

It is then that everyone murmurs and Fateful Omen looks toward the source of the commotion.

Serene Will steps onto the platform and walks towards him.

"As expected of the number one disciple, on the first day he managed to attract the attention of the sect's goddess."

For a moment both remain silent in front of each other, then Fateful Omen realizes his rudeness and respectfully greets her by bowing... but unexpectedly she interrupts him.

"You are incomprehensible... What is your origin?"

Although internally Fateful Omen is shocked, outwardly he does not show it.

"I was born in a humble family in a nameless village, I have no special background."

Serene Will blinks curiously and then smiles, "That's fine. The world is broader than I thought, the more I seek answers, the more questions plague me. I will be watching to see how far you can go."

Fateful Omen watches Serene Will's back as she walks away, but there is only one thought in his mind.

'That woman is dangerous... My level is too low. If I want to evade her gaze, I must become stronger as soon as possible! By then, it will not be too late to investigate her.'

The Path to Heaven Sect is accepting new disciples every day and this tournament will be repeated frequently. He will have to make a public demonstration every time a worthy opponent appears, because his current position is not immovable.

Until then, a teacher guides the inner disciples to their dormitories and in the following days, a small tour of the sect is conducted.

'How is this possible?!'

During this time, Fateful Omen is once again surprised by the depth of the Path to Heaven Sect.

'This spiritual herb only grows in the Divine Plane, how is it possible that the Path to Heaven Sect has managed to obtain it?!'

Not only that, he slowly begins to realize that the materials used in the construction of each building could only be found in the Divine Plane. At least, that's how it was according to his memories. Has the Inferior Plane changed? Are the items that were once considered unique to the Divine Plane now growing in the Inferior Plane?

Due to this curiosity, he looks around and then frowns.

"I've separated from the rest."

He is so confident that no one can harm him that he often gets lost in his thoughts and doesn't worry about his surroundings. On more than one occasion this has happened to him, although in his previous life he was not this type of person.

"I've become careless--Who's there?!"

Fateful Omen frowns, as careless as he may have been, it's impossible for a living being to escape his perception, but that's exactly what has just happened!

A trace of vitality, very small, suddenly disappeared.

Such a thing is impossible unless the other party has malicious intentions.

The moment he shows the intention to fight, a beautiful seven-petaled white flower moves from side to side and then... a woman appears in its place.

"How did you discover me? I thought I had hidden well! Who are you? Well, it doesn't matter. I have to go, I was forbidden to talk to the disciples. Don't tell anyone I was here, goodbye!"

The beautiful woman with long emerald hair speaks at an incredibly fast pace, but malice is not perceived on her face, quite the contrary.

He isn't able to say a peep and the woman disappears without a trace.

For the first time in a long time, Fateful Omen feels his heart beat.

"What is your name?"

But to that question, he will not find an answer for a long time.