[A/N: I just ca to the realization that this Chapter was uploaded out of order! This Chapter should be after the next one. So read 394 and coback here to avoid confusion.]
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Ancestor Seeker and Luna both exited the library normally, simply walking through the doors.
Behind them, the library itself was an architectural impossibility that sohow felt both ancient and futuristic at once.
Its exterior resembled a colossal, weathered monolith of pale marble.
It was etched with runes that shifted between glowing white and deep black depending on the angle of viewing.
Massive pillars frad the entrance, carved with scenes that depicted the birth and death of entire realities, yet the stone looked newly polished, as if ti had never touched it.
"Are you planning to do what I’m thinking?" Luna asked as they stepped forward.
Ancestor Seeker gave a small, enigmatic smile but didn’t answer imdiately.
The grand doors behind them began to close on their own. As the final gap sealed, the entire monolith shimred once, then faded from view, leaving only empty space where the library had stood.
A long line of beings—thousands of them from various races and realms—had been waiting patiently outside. When the doors vanished, a ripple of disappointnt and frustration spread through the crowd.
A tall, four-ard cultivator near the front called out, "Ancestor Seeker! When will it open again?"
Another voice joined in, "We’ve been waiting three cycles!"
Ancestor Seeker paused mid-step and glanced back over her shoulder. Her voice carried effortlessly across the distance, calm and unhurried.
"In a century.... maybe less, who knows."
A collective groan rose from the line, but no one dared argue.
...They knew better.
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As they left the domain of the library, the surrounding landscape revealed itself in full.
True Reality stretched out in a way that made every other realm feel small and crude by comparison.
It wasn’t simply vast—it was more.
The ground beneath their feet was a smooth expanse of quartz. There were distant mountain ranges that pierced into entirely different realms.
The horizon curved in ways that suggested the entire plane was gently curved inward, like the inside of a perfect sphere, yet it never felt confining—only endlessly expansive.
The two won rose into the air, flying at a leisurely pace. The conversation continued, kept deliberately vague.
"So... you really intend to participate?" Luna asked, voice light but curious.
Ancestor Seeker humd softly.
"Hmm, well they have been begging for my participation. And... with Ash, I would like to see him act under real pressure."
Luna tilted her head.
"And how exactly do you plan to pull that off? We’ve been watching him for a while, and he’s clearly stronger than all 18 of their Champions."
A faint smile played on Ancestor Seeker’s lips.
"That’s what makes it exciting. And you’ll be helping , oh Weaver of Alchemy~"
They flew in comfortable silence for a while, the magnificent, ever-shifting scenery of True Reality unfolding beneath and around them.
Eventually they reached their destination, The Academy of All.
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They wasted no ti, teleporting straight into the heart of the Academy of All.
As soon as their feet t the polished floor of the Grand, the Academy’s ancient aura swept over them like a wave.
The hall was a flawless quartz sphere, hanging in an infinite void of drifting constellations. Floating platforms curved into a massive circular table, where all 18 major players were already in place.
Each of the 18 individuals represented the pinnacle of power from their respective factions or organizations across True Reality and the connected realms
In front of each of them hovered a large, projection orb.
If Ash were to examine the projection at this mont, he would imdiately discern the connection.
This was because, during his last visit to the Library of True Reality, he had encountered a book specifically referencing the organisms — The Nine Cosmic Organisms.
Now, within each projection, there appeared a live feed of a distinct individual — eighteen champions in total — each situated within a different Organism.
So were engaged in rigorous training, others imrsed in deep ditation, while several fought fiercely in brutal combat.
These were the selected participants in the grand ga the eighteen had been orchestrating across countless cycles.
As soon as Ancestor Seeker and Luna arrived, the room fell silent.
The first to speak was a tall Dean in black robes, his eyes gleaming like yellow stars.
"Ancestor Seeker," he said, leaning forward a bit. "It’s not often you visit us without warning. And you’ve brought the Weaver of Alchemy... how delightful."
A Clan Matriarch narrowed her eyes with a sharp smile.
"Or... has the great seeker finally decided to join in on the fun?"
Ancestor Seeker gave a small, polite nod to the group, her expression as calm and unreadable as ever.
Luna remained silent at her side, arms loosely crossed, though her gaze swept over the 18 projections with clear interest.
The Dean who had spoken first gestured toward two empty seats that appeared instantly at the table.
"Please, join us. The current cycle nears its end. So far, the 18 Champions are performing... adequately."
Ancestor Seeker walked forward gracefully and took one of the seats. Luna followed, sitting beside her with a faint, knowing smile.
The hall remained silent for a mont, all eyes on the two newcors.
Then Ancestor Seeker spoke, her voice soft yet carrying to every corner of the spherical chamber.
"Minx, you’re right," she said simply. "I’ve decided to enter your little ga... you know, boredom and all that."
A ripple of surprise and intrigue passed through the 18 leaders.
The Matriarch, Minx, leaned forward, her smile widening.
"Well now... I suppose you have brought sothing to put up for stakes as well, no?"
Ancestor Seeker leaned back slightly in her seat, fingers lightly tapping the armrest.
"Of course. If I’m to join, the stakes must be worthy. I offer complete and unrestricted access to my Library — nothing inside will be off limits. Every to, every mory, every forbidden truth. The winner will essentially beco Co-owner to the Library."
A stunned silence fell over the table.
Even the most composed Deans and Clan Leaders shifted in their seats.
The Dean with the star eyes leaned forward, voice tight with barely contained excitent.
"You would open the library... fully?"
Ancestor Seeker nodded once.
"Fully."
Minx’s smile shifted into sothing almost predatory.
"That is indeed a prize worth fighting for," she said, her tone edged with challenge.
"But you must realize that entering this late, it puts you at a considerable disadvantage, unless, of course, you already have a champion in mind among these factions?"
Ancestor Seeker’s faint smile remained, carrying a subtle hint of playfulness.
"Oh, I have my own," she replied smoothly. "But before we proceed, there are three new rules that must be established—for the sake of fairness."
She raised a single finger.
"First—under no circumstances will I select a child from True Reality as my Champion. As I’ve said, my chosen contender is already decided."
A second finger rose.
"Second—the quota of mana stones required for victory must be increased significantly." She paused, elaborating further.
"We are all aware of the scarcity and imnse value of mana stones. However, if the target remains a re 750 trillion, the ga will conclude far too quickly."
Finally, she raised a third finger.
"Third—the organisms.... they must undergo evolutions. Once my Champion enters, he will render your current Champions and the internal beings obsolete. For your own sakes, we should ensure the conditions are equitable, should we not?"
Her final words lingered in the air like a death knell.
The hall erupted into chaos.
Voices rose in outrage — Sect Leaders slamming fists on the table, Clan Patriarchs shouting accusations of arrogance, Deans demanding clarification.
"Preposterous!"
"Haha, Ancestor Seeker, don’t you think that’s a bit ridiculous?"
"Exactly, none of our champions are even much are than the strongest inhabitants of the Organisms...."
Before the uproar could grow, Ancestor Seeker lifted her hand.
The room fell silent mid-shout.
With a casual flick, she conjured a nineteenth projection orb onto the table.
It appeared in the gap between the eighteen already there—larger, sharper, and far more vivid than the rest.
Within it, a live feed of Ash played.
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