"It's a method I discovered from a gate we've named the Cultivation Gate."

Cipher sighed. "Don't you know we can't gain power through external means?"

"I understand that," Li Chen said, "but this is different. I know you might not believe it, but this form of power isn't gained through physical training but rather through understanding."

Cipher observed him. "Understanding?" He was surprised. Wasn't this similar to how the Heavenly Demon progressed?

Li Chen's expression brightened upon seeing his surprise. "I was shocked too when I found this out, but it's true."

"How do I use this method?" Cipher asked.

"That's the problem," he explained. "To use this method, one needs a manual or scripture. With such a scripture, one could use it to learn how to cultivate and increase their strength with no limit."

"And I'm guessing you don't have this so-called scripture," Cipher said.

Li Chen smiled. "Yeah. I still haven't been able to get my hands on a scripture yet. But I have done my research over years of going into the gate and have compiled tons of information. I know where we can find a scripture - a good one, no less."

He passed a huge document to Cipher. "I just don't have the power to get it," he said, scratching his cheek in embarrassment.

Cipher opened the document, reading through it. It seemed insanely detailed. He really had spent years researching this. Although time in the gate was ten times slower than outside, it was still a long time.

"So you want me to help you acquire this manual?" he asked.

"That's right. Do you think you can do it?" Li Chen asked.

Cipher looked at him suspiciously. "And how will you handle this manual after you get your hands on it?"

Li Chen leaned forward. "This manual could help us solve the issue of power." He leaned in closer and whispered, "Actually, some people might not believe it, but I feel like something huge is about to happen. Do you really believe we just got the system and gates for no reason? I suspect something big is coming - like gates breaking and monsters flooding out, you know. Stuff like that. If that really happens, our current power will not be enough."

Cipher nodded. It seemed Li Chen was quite perceptive. While the prediction wasn't exactly correct, it was mostly on point.

"That's why I want this to be an equalizer," Li Chen continued. "I don't want there to be a split between the awakened and the unawakened. Think about it - this would make everyone awakened. They wouldn't need the system and could just advance through understanding. With this many people, I'm sure we can survive whatever is coming. Or at least put up a fight."

Cipher nodded. It sounded reasonable.

…

Inside the spiritual sea, he asked, "What do you think?"

The Heavenly Demon thought about it. It sounded quite interesting. While this was similar to her own progression style, it was quite different.

In the Murim world, they mostly developed through martial arts which, while it had an aspect of understanding, still mostly relied on physical strength. This meant someone who trained physically for a long time would more often than not beat a physically weaker person who just focused on techniques.

This was why most of the techniques like the Heavenly Demonic Sword Art relied on one being physically strong in order to wield the power. So in short, the technique wasn't as good and just complemented one's own physical strength.

It wasn't until she had reached the limit of her own strength that she discovered the 'breakthrough through understanding' method, starting with her theory on Soul Formation. Seeing as she managed to breakthrough her limits, it could be seen that this understanding method was much more superior to her initial martial arts method.

To think that there was such a world out there where people just practiced the understanding method from the start of their martial arts journey. She really wanted to meet such people and see what kind of theories of progression they had.

Maybe she could use their knowledge to perfect her own theory.

At the moment, her power was based on the complete theory of Mahayana, or Perfect Being.

It was a complete theory as she had perfected everything she possibly could about herself, becoming the perfect version of herself. But she still felt there was an even higher level of power out there. For example, while she could beat the Demon God, she understood that on just pure stats, the Demon God was much stronger than her.

Not even to mention the Time God's First Sword.

She looked at her hand. Even now, it trembled when she thought about it. Such power. She wanted it. Maybe with that power, she could finally find a way out of this predicament.

She finally turned to Cipher. "I think it's an interesting idea," she said.

"Right?" he asked.

"Definitely worth pursuing, but there are a few concerns," she said.

"Concerns?" he asked.

"For a world so strong, wouldn't there be troublesome individuals in there?" she asked.

Cipher nodded. That made sense. With people that strong that even impressed the Heavenly Demon, then it made sense for there to be people like her who could remember the loops in there.

Back in the real world, Cipher spoke up. "You know about the loops, right?"

After he'd reported the info about this, the Chairman had said that while they couldn't directly tell the public, he would release this info to high-level individuals in the world. Li Chen should be one of those who received the info in advance.

"Yeah," Li Chen said.

"Are you worried about loopers?" he asked.

Cipher nodded. "That's right."

Li Chen held his chin. "While the people there are definitely strong, I don't think they are overwhelmingly strong. Or at least I haven't met those that are. All the times I've gone into the cultivation world, it has always been the same. Then again, in such a world, the risk is always there."

Cipher sighed. This didn't sound reliable. After all, they could be in hiding or something. Still, he couldn't just let go of this.

A while later, Li Chen glanced at Cipher. He had been silent like that for a few minutes now. He wondered what he was thinking about.

Suddenly, Cipher looked at him, causing him to be even more nervous.

After some thought and some discussions with the Heavenly Demon, Cipher had decided to go either way. While there was a risk, there was always a risk when entering any gate.

"Alright, I'll go with you into the cultivation world," he said, standing and extending his hand.

[VOLUME 1 END]

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