Within the Crucible of Weight.
A hidden realm nestled deep within a vast and enigmatic Cosmic Tao Plane, where the very weavings of existence were woven with the terrifying essence of a Primordial Cosmic Tao.
A winged entity, born of pure light, observed in silence as its gaze was fixed on the figure of a lone contender, a possible Ascender, who stood tall despite the weight of numerous white and gold chains coiled around his body.
Chains that should have brought even the strongest beings to their knees seemed like nothing to him.
Each chain was imbued with the weight of the Primordial Cosmic Tao, a weight that grew heavier with every link added. For most, the burden of even three chains would be enough to exhaust a Universal Realm entity.
Far ahead, the figures of various beings, each possessing unique lineages and formidable power, struggled to hoist their chains.
For most, three, five, or at most, nine chains clung to their bodies as they endured the unbearable pressure.
Their forms pulsed with the power and authority of multiple Grand and Lesser Taos as they pulled forward, inch by inch.
Even those who managed to bear nine chains did so at a great cost, their bodies constantly bursting with power just to maintain their bodies straight.
But then, there was Alexander.
Seventeen chains were already wrapped around his body, their radiant glow leaving no space for more, but that did not deter him.
Chains encircled his legs and arms, his upper body, his torso- even his neck bore the weight. And when it seemed there was no place left to wrap another, he raised his heavy hands and secured a final chain around his head.
Twenty-one chains.
The sheer weight of them would have crushed any lesser being where they stood. But not Alexander!
His body began to shine with countless radiant hues- the many Grand Taos he had assimilated pulsed within him, their combined brilliance bouncing off his skin.
His body, which held the Enneagram, a wonder containing millions upon millions of Supermassive Empyreal Galaxies, continued to proliferate, expanding with every passing second. The boon granted by the Wandering Alchemist, Ashmole, was being utilized more and more as it fed this exponential cosmic growth.
And with all this surging power contained within him…
Alexander took his first step.
BOOM!
The ground quaked.
The weight of his single step caused tremors that spread for miles, accompanied by a booming sound that echoed like a titan walking upon the white and gold earth.
…!
Eyes turned.
Even the most powerful Universal Realm entities who had entered the Crucible of Weight could not ignore such an anomaly.
Those who were weaker and far ahead did not dare to turn their heads as even a slight movement would drain their authority and exhaust them. But they still sent tendrils of their wills to investigate the disturbance, seeking to understand what had caused such a boom.
What they saw left them momentarily speechless.
Alexander!
Wrapped in twenty-one chains and radiating a terrifying brilliance akin to a primal beast coming from ancient times!
At first, they blinked, thinking their senses were deceiving them.
But truly…
A being of the same stage as them was moving forward with twenty-one chains weighing him down!
Denial was their first thought, but then, Alexander’s chest began to radiate with an even more dazzling brilliance that supported the rest of his body as his leg rose once more…
BOOM! BOOM!
Left. Right. Left again.
Each step was heavy.
But he took them.
Every single one!
Far behind him, the winged entity born of pure light watched, its gaze heavy as it observed Alexander’s steady advance.
A brilliant light of expectation flickered in its eyes as it whispered softly to itself:
[Master, a worthy Inheritor of your Dreams may have just appeared. If his future actions do not disappoint…]
Its stellar-like eyes, usually devoid of emotion, seemed to resonate with a complex mixture of sadness and expectations.
And the astounding scene continued.
The gazes of other contenders grew more and more incredulous as they struggled to deny what they were witnessing. Yet, as the seconds passed, denial gave way to awe.
They turned to one another, seeking silent confirmation that what they saw was real!
What terrifying monster had risen among them?
What did this being possess that allowed him to bear the burden of all those chains with what seemed like effortless steps?!
At the forefront, a woman with crimson hair and a tight-fitting bodysuit that accentuated her curves stood still.
Nine radiant white and gold chains wrapped around her body.
She had been observing Alexander as he advanced toward her, and with every passing second, he drew closer.
What had felt like mere seconds turned into minutes as before she could even blink, he was already a few meters away.
She was the furthest ahead as her position had been hard-earned and achieved after days of tireless effort.
She would move, exhaust her authority, and then rest for a day or two before trying again. This was the grueling cycle she had endured to get here!
Ahead of her- a hazy, illusory barrier of clouds marked the endpoint. She knew that if she could reach that barrier, the weight she carried would transform into treasures that could potentially grant her entry into the Primordial Cosmic Tao.
And yet…
BOOM!
She blinked.
And somehow, the newcomer, who had not been here for even ten minutes, stood beside her.
And after another step, he pulled ahead.
…!
No resting. No exhaustion from his body. No sign of perspiration or fatigue. As if he were a tireless machine, Alexander simply moved forward. And by the time another minute passed, he was gone!
He disappeared into the mist, with twenty-one chains flickering and resonating around his body.
Waves of white and gold radiance surged from the chains that used to wrap around him, and they shot toward the illusory barrier that lay ahead that he just crossed.
“…”
Silence.
A heavy, oppressive silence hung in the air.
A crucible that had taken others days, weeks, even months to clear…one man had crossed in mere minutes.
And on the other side…
“Hooo…”
Alexander exhaled, his chest rising and falling as he finally stopped.
Even though this was merely his Minor Empyreal Clone, he had expended over 25% of his reserves of authority to achieve this feat.
But the results…
[21 Shards of the Remnant Authority of the Primordial Cosmic Tao are coalescing before you.]
…!
Ahead of him, white and gold singularities manifested, each resembling budding universes and pulsing with unimaginable power.
And his chest began to buzz with vigor as if his very being could not wait to consume the treasures before him!