"We have a lab now, books, and resources." Levi's smile widened. "I know that Evolutionists are limited by their machinery... but not the magician Alchemists. They can concoct potions so potent they are banned across the universe... this is the path forward for me if I want to reach the later growth stages."

"You're right... But still, not now," Ash'Kral replied. "The Evolutionist path is still great under Solarbound Rank. No need to waste your time on a whole new field of study that is just as complex as array craft."

"I know, but I want to start early." Levi shook his head. "I would rather start now, so when the time comes, I will be somewhat ready."

"You can start by reading books, then." Ash'Kral waved his hand lazily. "Check Azhukar's library, he must have a decent curriculum on the subject."

"How lazy can you be?"

Levi's brows twitched, knowing that the bastard was just too lazy to teach him such a complex subject. But he didn't complain too much. He also knew that books were a great start to get the basics down, and especially to enrich his knowledge of natural treasures and materials used in Alchemy.

***

Sometime later...

Levi exited the dimensional wallet and remained seated on his bed in the studio... he had checked the library, and it was even better than he expected. There were thousands of books in it, and each one spoke of an important subject related to a field of study, history, culture, Laws, Aspects, and such. If Levi hadn't stopped himself, he would have been trapped there, reading nonstop.

When he left the library, he went to the natural treasures storage and picked the treasures he was planning to put for sale or trade. Right now, he had them placed in front of him on the bed.

"Azhukar's treasury isn't lacking in Sun Law-based treasures... but the Void, not so much." Levi held his chin thoughtfully. "I am still in need of three materials for the Void evolutionary formula... hopefully, I can trade up to the Black Slime Syndicate for them."

Levi had already checked the network markets for what he needed, but to no avail... he needed C-grade Void materials, and these weren't sold online unless in the Infinity Shop. However, the CRS Platform store showed treasures based on one's rank.

Levi knew that they had the treasures he required, as he had searched for them, and they appeared darkened and inaccessible. The only thing written on them was: Required rank to unlock... Baron.

"The Infinity Shop even has S-grade treasures on sale, but the conditions to just unlock access to join their auction... sheesh, talk about motivation."

Levi smiled wryly as he closed the dimensional screen of the shop and opened the page for the Black Slime Syndicate.

"Why do you think powerhouses at the last tiers are still fighting on the platform?" Ash'Kral said calmly. "Honor? Attention? Boredom? Maybe, but the real reason is to keep evolving their access to the CRS Platform and Nocturnal Ring. The rarest of treasures are in their hands, and they have a firm grip on them, making it impossible to find them anywhere else but by participating in their Games... if your evolutionary path required that precise treasure, you're destined to keep climbing whether you like it or not."

"Hmm... I don't think it's allowed to buy the treasure and resell it, or buy it for another, right?"

"Not a chance."

"Thought so." Levi nodded.

The platform might allow such transactions to occur at lower ranks due to the massive number of Rifters at its disposal, but not at the higher ends... the Rifters were too few, and it was rare enough to get them in a game. They would never make it easier for them not to partake in the fun.

"You should consider applying for that promotion game right now since you will be given fifteen boundless days to prepare." Ash'Kral advised. "You will be put against powerful Rifters that are as strong as Solarbound Daywalkers without a dominion... but, if you keep delaying it while your soul keeps strengthening rapidly, the pool of contenders will also keep up with your power levels... until you end up against some races that I genuinely don't want you to fight."

"Seriously?" Levi raised a brow in surprise.

"Yes, seriously," Ash'Kral said sternly. "You think once you evolve to the Pathfinder rank, you will be unmatched under Solarbound rank... think again. There are some Lineages that can put you in a chokehold, and you can do nothing about it. Your Sun or Void Forms won't save you in the Boundless Expanse... don't forget, those forms thrive on the environment fitting them, and in the Boundless Expanse or the Death Games, there is no such thing as Void or Sunlight."

Levi was deep in thought... he already expected his forms wouldn't be much use in the games unless he obtained his own Dominion to support them.

That's why he wanted to kick off the promotion game once his soul was strengthened to ensure his victory.

This meant his spiritual prowess was going to increase beyond the norm... possibly even crossing the Blazewarden rank. If this were to happen, his average N level was going to put him against the monsters Ash'Kral warned him about.

Levi just didn't expect that his insane spiritual prowess could be matched in the promotional game and might be his own downfall.

"That was the best-case scenario," Ash'Kral added. "In reality, the system might not find any accessible contenders that share the same level of strength as you, still below Solarbound rank, and available for a promotional game. You will be left stuck in Queue Mode for months, years, or even decades until you either become a Solarbound Daywalker or they find someone for you to fight."

Levi felt a sudden chill course down his spine... he knew that his power level was unique compared to his Growth Stage due to having three Origin Seeds. But the system didn't recognize the other two Origin Seeds, just the one he registered with.

This meant, even if he succeeded in the promotion game and became a Noble Baron, he would still not have a Dominion to contest against the Rifters.

So, he would always be in this awkward state... of being too strong for his rank, but without a Dominion, he was too weak for the upper ranks.

"Ah... how bothersome." Levi rubbed his temples. "I will think about the rest later... for now, I have to get to the Baron rank before such an option is locked for years..."

Besides gaining access to higher-graded treasures, Levi knew that once a Rifter became a Noble in the Boundless Expanse, their treatment changed as well… they received discounts and extra benefits on nearly everything. This would be especially useful when he purchased a commercial store lease to kickstart his business.

Without further ado, Levi brought out the menu for the Nocturnal Ring and went straight to launching a new Death Game.

The moment he pressed the button, he was met this time with only dozens of cards... not hundreds.

"Must be due to the low numbers of Rifters in the promotion game," Levi murmured as he picked one card randomly.

He waited for a few moments with a held breath as the picked card moved to the center and then flipped to show the Death Game's details:

// Game Format: Restrictive Mind Game.

Game Name: The Joker

Participants Number: 10

The Combined Average Power Level: 55...Range (51N_60N)

Ranks Allowed: Teraowner.

Battle Map: The Arena of Gambits

Map Fragments Pot: 0 (Promotion Game... no fragments required)

Prize Pool: High-grade Artifacts(A), Mask of Mirage, Deck of Fate, Laughing Dagger...

Game Title: The Hand of Madness.

Rules of the game:

1- Each player will be equipped with a personal Deck containing 22 cards:

9 Offensive Cards (numbered 1–9)

9 Defensive Cards (numbered 1–9)

1 Jack Card (forces a 1v1 Duel)

1 Queen Card (grants temporary immunity for one attack and heal the Rifter.)

1 King Card (unlocks Ultimate Ability for one round)

1 Joker Card (cancels any card, then transfers ownership to the challenger... unusable until the next round).

2- The game lasts for a maximum of 10 rounds or until one player remains.

3- Each player will be given a personal massive combat room inside a decagon-shaped building...( there will be a small plaza in the center for players to rest and communicate between each round)

3- Each round, there will be five challengers and five challengees... the five challengers are given a choice to challenge another Rifter or Skip. The option to skip is given only once to each challenger.

4- During each challenge, Rifters must pick *two cards* from their Deck to use (any combination allowed).

5- Offensive and Defensive cards determine outcome priority, followed by Special cards (Jack, Queen, King, Joker).

6- The number on the defensive or offensive cards decides the number of used abilities or techniques in that round.

7- The challenge is a turn-based... once a Rifter challenges another Rifter, they are given offensive priority( use offensive card). The challengee can use the chosen defensive card to create defensive abilities based on the number.

6- Card selection is permanent... once used, cards cannot be recovered or replaced.

7- The Joker Card is the game's core mechanic. Once used, it immediately transfers to the opponent who was affected, but becomes dormant until the next round.

(A player can hold multiple Joker Cards, but can only use one per round. The player holding the most Joker Cards at the end of the game is declared the Final Victor, regardless of survival count.)

8- Abilities allowed, but external artifacts, totems, or tools are banned.

9- In case of equal Joker Card count by game's end, a final death battle will be held between the Rifters.

For more information, please open your NR Profile Interface.

Good luck, and remember... only fools laugh last.//

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