After examining all the orbs floating before him, Lein finally realized that each orb was a tangible representation of the attributes listed on the [Tree of Life] status panel. These orbs were not merely aimless floating objects; they were the core of the system sustaining the Divine Sky Realm's existence.
"So, each orb represents an attribute, huh!?" Lein muttered, a tone of revelation in his voice. His eyes lit up as he gazed at the five floating orbs, each emitting unique energy that symbolized a different attribute.
However, one other object caught his attention. At the center of the cluster of orbs, a pentagonal stone stood upright, about one meter tall. Above the stone, a transparent sphere floated gracefully, reflecting a faint golden glow. Lein stepped closer, his curiosity growing with each step.
Lein extended his hand toward the transparent sphere, and a description appeared before him.
- Tree Cores: (Tree Level Core), (Resource Core), (Protection Core), (Energy Quality Core), (Luck Core)
*Please select a tree core to upgrade.
He carefully studied the description. Each word on the panel began forming a clearer picture in his mind.
"So, I need something called Realm Crystals to upgrade this tree's attributes," he murmured, nodding slowly as he began strategizing.
Lein realized that this Guardian Panel was the central hub for enhancing the Divine Sky Realm's capabilities. Without Realm Crystals, the attribute cores could not advance, which would mean significant limitations for the realm's defense and resource management systems.
"In that case," Lein said with a faint smile, thinking aloud, "isn't it great that I have a Luck stat of 11.5 thousand?"
He recalled the moment he defeated Zkeron, the Guardian of the Zkeron Realm. That battle not only brought a monumental victory but also an extraordinary reward in the form of Luck attributes. Now, that figure was one of the most critical assets he possessed.
Lein then remembered another reward he had received from Zkeron. Excitedly, he retrieved a ring from his spatial ring. The silvery metal of the ring reflected a soft glow under the light of the orbs, making it look like a sacred artifact.
"Hahaha... how could I forget this?" Lein's laughter echoed through the chamber, though it carried a hint of self-deprecation.
It was understandable, really. Since his battle with Zkeron, Lein's power had increased at an astonishing rate. Thousands of items had flowed into his inventory in a short period, making it challenging to determine which ones were truly valuable.
Lein focused his attention on the ring now in his hand. Detailed information about the ring appeared before him, as if eager to explain the artifact's uniqueness.
(Spatial Ring – Celestial Tier)
A ring of celestial beings, capable of storing unlimited items and containing various materials from across the universe.
- Capacity: 1 trillion km²
- Bonus Attribute: Charisma +80 points
- Abilities: (Concealment), (Absorption), (Filtering)
(Concealment): Undetectable by beings below the owner's level.
(Absorption): Can absorb items when activated.
(Filtering): Filters incoming objects according to the user's preferences.
*Note: Locked: Please break the seal to claim ownership.
Lein widened his eyes as he read the ring's capacity. "One trillion square kilometers?" he muttered in awe.
It wasn't that he had never encountered numbers this large before, but the fact that an item with such capacity actually existed left him astonished.
"Locked?" he murmured, his eyes fixed on the red warning text in the ring's description.
He let out a long sigh. Almost every spatial ring he had come across was always locked, as if their previous owners had meticulously prepared extra protection in case the ring was lost or taken.
"Let's break it," he said eagerly. He could hardly wait to test his method of unlocking this celestial-tier item.
Lein closed his eyes, channeling his consciousness into the spatial ring. Instantly, he felt himself in an infinite void, floating in emptiness. However, the void began to shift. From the pitch-black darkness, a faint figure slowly materialized.
The figure solidified, taking the shape of an old man with a sturdy physique. His face was calm, but a deadly aura radiated from every inch of his being. A message floated before Lein's eyes.
A protective entity created to safeguard all that is entrusted to it. It will never betray its owner and carries out its duties with unwavering loyalty.
Lein squinted, observing the figure closely. "This old man again?" he muttered, recognizing the unmistakable resemblance. The figure was a replica of Zkeron, the former owner of this celestial ring.
Without warning, a black slash tore through the air, forming a lethal cross attack aimed directly at Lein. The slash shot forward at incredible speed, leaving a dark trail in the void. But Lein didn't move an inch, as though unaffected by the attack.
He raised one hand, opening his palm, and a glowing white barrier formed. The barrier expanded, creating a massive shield twenty meters wide in front of him.
The black slash struck the barrier, resulting in a massive explosion. Thick smoke billowed, flooding the void with waves of energy that shook the surroundings. Yet Lein stood firm, his expression as calm as a rock amidst a storm.
As the smoke began to dissipate, Zkeron's soul darted rapidly toward Lein. His movements were resolute, and his gaze was full of determination.
"A close-range attack?" Lein smirked faintly. It had been a while since he used his body to fight. Or rather, he rarely did so because he found it too troublesome. But this time, he decided to engage.
Zkeron's soul was now right in front of him, raising both hands. From his palms emerged a small transparent cube that quickly expanded at an extraordinary rate. The cube grew larger, enclosing Lein in an instant.
However, before the cube could fully seal the space, Lein swung his black sword. The slash was razor-sharp, shattering the cube in one blow. The fragments of transparent energy scattered and disappeared into the void.
"Argh..." a low groan escaped from Zkeron's soul.