Chapter 124: The Summoning Ritual
Before Victor could question him further, Vladimir suddenly turned and began walking toward the far end of the palace grounds.
"But before that, come with me. I want you to learn something mind-blowing."
Victor quickly followed, his curiosity growing stronger with every step. "What is it?"
"You’ll know soon."
The two walked across the vast palace grounds for several minutes. Eventually, several familiar figures appeared ahead of them, approaching from the opposite direction.
Victor immediately recognized them as his other senior brothers and sisters. Among them was an elegant elf with long silver-green hair and an exceptionally refined appearance.
Leon Veilmore.
The Third Disciple of Cristofer Alehandro.
Leon glanced at Vladimir before letting out a helpless sigh. "You’re already taking him there?"
Vladimir grinned. "Why wouldn’t I?"
"You should at least give him some time to rest," Leon replied. "If you exhaust him too much beforehand, the result might be worse."
Vladimir immediately shook his head. "You don’t know this little monster."
He pointed toward Victor with an amused expression. "I’ve personally seen him fight. His body is practically abnormal. He’s completely fine."
Victor’s mouth twitched at the nickname.
Little monster?
He decided not to comment and instead looked toward the group. "Senior Brothers and Sisters, can someone please tell me what’s going on?"
Leon exchanged a glance with Vladimir before smiling.
"You’re going to learn the Summoning Technique."
"Summoning Technique?" Victor repeated curiously.
Leon nodded. "And you’re going to participate in the Summoning Ritual."
Victor frowned slightly. "What exactly is that?"
Leon began explaining, "The Summoning Ritual is one of the most important traditions among the major races in the universe. When you perform the ritual, your soul will establish a connection with an Astral World."
"An Astral World?" Victor asked.
Leon nodded again. "We don’t actually know what the Astral World truly is. Some ancient experts believe they are countless independent dimensions bounded together. Others believe that is a fragment of some greater existence. There are even theories that the Astral World exists outside the normal boundaries of the universe."
Victor’s interest immediately increased.
"Then what happens after the connection is established?"
"You summon a creature from there."
Leon smiled faintly. "The creature you summon becomes your lifelong partner."
Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly. "And its strength?"
"That depends entirely on the Astral Level you connect with."
Leon continued, "The higher the Astral Level, the stronger the creature’s innate potential will generally be. Some people summon ordinary beasts. Others summon terrifying creatures capable of eventually becoming Universal beings."
Victor’s expression changed slightly. "Universal beings?"
"Yes."
Leon’s expression became solemn. "Of course, those creatures are extraordinarily rare. Your summoned partner doesn’t instantly possess that level of strength. Its future potential depends on its bloodline, talent, comprehension, the resources you provide, and its own evolution."
Vladimir suddenly chuckled.
"And there’s something else."
Victor turned toward him.
Vladimir’s grin widened. "The higher your summoned creature’s potential is, the more valuable you become in the eyes of the higher societies of the universe."
Victor immediately understood.
"So that’s why you said the summoned creature may determine how I’m valued in higher society?"
"Exactly," Leon replied.
"In the universe, talent is respected. Bloodlines are respected. Strength is respected. But a powerful Astral Summon is also considered an enormous symbol of potential."
Leon’s expression became serious.
"If you summon something extraordinary, countless factions may compete to recruit you. If you summon something truly unprecedented, even some ancient powers may take notice."
Victor looked toward the massive ritual hall in the distance.
For the first time since arriving in the Elven Empire, he felt a different kind of excitement.
The Eternal Body Cultivation Technique had given him unimaginable potential. The Universal Battlefield had given him countless opportunities to acquire Evolution Points.
But this was different.
This could give him a companion that would walk beside him for his entire journey.
Victor’s lips slowly curled into a smile. "So..."
He looked toward Vladimir. "When does the ritual begin?"
Vladimir’s sinister smile returned.
"Right now."
Victor’s expression froze. "Right now?"
Vladimir nodded. "Master wanted you to stabilize your mind first, but you’ve already reached the Seventh Layer of the Eternal Body Cultivation Technique. Your soul is stronger than most people can imagine. There is no reason to keep delaying it."
Leon sighed helplessly. "That’s Senior Brother for you."
The other disciples also began smiling, clearly amused by Vladimir’s impatience.
Victor suddenly felt that he had somehow walked straight into a trap.
Yet despite that feeling, his eyes were burning with anticipation.
An Astral World.
An unknown creature.
A lifelong companion.
And potentially, a being with limitless future potential.
Victor clenched his fists and looked toward the ancient ritual hall.
Inside his palace, Cristofer looked toward his disciples with a strange expression.
"Those brats couldn’t wait even a little longer. Actually, I also want to know what this little new disciple of mine will summon today. Can he reach the seventh Layer? Is his potential really that great?", he himself only summoned a creature from the sixth level.
A faint smile appeared on his face as anticipation flickered through his eyes.
Soon, the nine of them arrived in front of a majestic ancient building.
The structure towered above them like a divine temple. Mysterious patterns covered its walls, and an ancient aura seemed to linger around it, as though the building had existed for countless ages.
Sofia looked toward Victor.
"Victor, after learning the technique, your mind will be connected to the Astral Realm. There are nine known levels, and the higher your potential, the higher you can ascend."
She continued seriously, "After reaching the highest level your ability allows, you will find countless creatures roaming there. Don’t be in a hurry to make a contract. Even among creatures from the same level, there are different grades, so choose carefully."
Everyone nodded.
Victor thought for a moment before asking, "Do we have a specific criterion for this potential you’re talking about, Second Sister?"
"We’re not actually sure how the Astral Realm measures potential," Sofia answered. "However, there is a commonly accepted theory."
"It’s based on the amount of energy your body can store compared to an ordinary being of the same realm. If a common person is used as the anchor, then the difference between their energy reserve and yours is considered an indication of your potential."
Victor’s eyes flashed.
"Energy reserve?"
A devilish smile almost appeared on his face, but he suppressed it with considerable difficulty.
The others mistook his expression for nervousness.
"Don’t be nervous," Vladimir said with a reassuring smile. "Even if you fail to summon a powerful creature, you’re still Master’s disciple. There’s no pressure."
Pressure?
Victor almost blurted out a laugh.
He nodded innocently. "Thank you, Senior Brother. Now, where is the technique?"
Vladimir took out a crystal and handed it to him.
"Put it on your forehead."
Victor did as he was told.
The moment the crystal touched his forehead, an enormous amount of information surged directly into his mind.
A complete cultivation technique appeared within his consciousness.
[Ding! You have learned the Astral Summoning Technique.]
Victor’s eyes flickered as he immediately contacted the system.
"System, can I evolve it?"
[Ding! It will require 3 trillion Evolution Points.]
[Ding! The direction of evolution cannot be determined in advance. This technique also originates from a source similar to the Eternal Body Cultivation Technique.]
Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Then he smiled.
"Evolve it."
[-3 Trillion Evolution Points.]
[Ding! Your Astral Summoning Technique has evolved into the Astral Communication Technique.]
[Astral Communication Technique: After entering the Astral Realm, you can communicate with Astral creatures. You can also accurately determine which creatures possess greater potential.]
Victor’s eyes immediately lit up.
"Good."
With the evolved technique, the greatest uncertainty of the ritual had practically disappeared.
"Let’s enter."
Victor looked toward Sofia. "What should I do now, Senior Sister?"
"Go and sit in the center."
Sofia pointed toward the center of the massive ritual formation. "Then circulate the Astral Technique. It should take some time to establish a connection with the Astral Realm."
She paused before continuing, "After the connection is established, you will arrive at the First Level. With your potential, you shouldn’t feel much fatigue there. Ascend to the Second Level immediately and continue ascending until you reach a point where you feel you can no longer proceed."
"That will be your limit. Once you reach it, choose a beast from that level and establish the contract."
Victor nodded before asking, "What’s the highest level someone has ever reached?"
"The records say the highest anyone has ever reached is the Seventh Level."
Sofia’s expression became solemn.
"Even the creatures from that level are terrifying. They are born in the Black Hole Realm and can reach the Universal Realm at an astonishing speed."
She looked at Victor seriously.
"Their summoners are all revered existences throughout the universe, even though the summoners themselves may be weaker than their contracted creatures."
"One more thing, when you enter the astral world, your soul body will radiate light according to your potential. Each higher level you ascend, the glow will reduce considerably. Once all the glow is completely gone, you will know that you can’t ascend any furthur."
Victor’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"Understood."
"Best of luck, Junior Brother," Sofia said.
"Thanks, Senior Brothers and Sisters."
Victor walked toward the center of the ancient ritual formation and slowly sat down.
As he closed his eyes, the massive formation beneath him began to emit a faint glow.