Sector 9. The Martial Realm. The Peak of Mount Thunder.The sky above the ancient mountain had turned a terrifying, apocalyptic shade of dark purple. The clouds swirled into a massive vortex, crackling with unimaginable destructive power.Floating at the very center of the storm was Daoist Tianlei, a supreme cultivator who had meditated for three thousand years to reach this exact moment. He was about to undergo the 'Nine-Heavens Divine Lightning Tribulation' to ascend to immortality."HAHAHA! Come! Let the Heavens judge me!" Daoist Tianlei roared, tearing off his robes to expose his incredibly chiseled, magically reinforced torso. "I dictate my own fate! This pathetic lightning will only serve to temper my supreme flesh! Strike me down if you dare!"The clouds roared. A pillar of pure, concentrated divine lightning, as thick as a skyscraper, shot down from the heavens, aiming directly for the arrogant cultivator's chest.Daoist Tianlei closed his eyes, grinning in anticipation of the

Sector 1. Metropolis. The Golden Dragon Corporate Tower.The atmosphere inside the grand lobby of the billionaire Li family's headquarters was incredibly tense. A massive, terrifying crack had appeared overnight, running right down the center of the solid marble floor.Standing in front of the crack was Master Xuan, a twenty-year-old 'Feng Shui Prodigy' wearing an intricate, ancient Daoist robe and holding a spinning golden compass."Just as I feared," Master Xuan sighed heavily, shaking his head with an expression of profound mystical sorrow. "Patriarch Li. Your skyscraper was built directly on top of a 'Yin-Energy Dragon Vein'. Furthermore, the building across the street is forming a 'Heavenly Cleaver Strike' formation. The negative energy is literally tearing your foundation apart! Within three days, this building will collapse in a sea of blood!"Patriarch Li, a man worth billions, turned pale and trembled."Master Xuan! Please, you must save my life's work!" Patriarch Li pleaded,

Sector 12. The Apex Esper Academy. The Boys' Restroom.The damp, tiled walls of the restroom echoed with cruel laughter.Lin Xiao, an eighteen-year-old student wearing a stained, oversized academy uniform, was currently being shoved against the sinks by three muscular upperclassmen.To the rest of the academy, Lin Xiao was an absolute joke. He was the only student in history to test as an 'F-Minus' Rank Esper."Look at this trash!" the lead bully laughed, grabbing Lin Xiao by the collar and preparing to dunk his head into a dirty toilet bowl. "You don't deserve to breathe the same magical air as us!"Lin Xiao trembled outwardly, but inside, he was grinning like a maniac.Yes... mock me! Humiliate me! Lin Xiao thought, his eyes flashing with a hidden, terrifying crimson light. None of you blind fools know that I actually awakened the legendary [SSS-Rank Supreme Destruction Aura]! When the upcoming academy tournament begins, I will reveal my true power and crush your pathetic pride! The

Sector 1. Metropolis. The Crystal Apex Corporate Lobby.The magnificent, multi-million-credit glass lobby of the Crystal Apex building was utterly destroyed. Shattered glass, broken marble, and the groaning bodies of ten elite assassins littered the floor.Standing amidst the wreckage was Lin Feng, the legendary 'Pluto' of the underground mercenary world. He had returned to the city to act as the personal bodyguard and Head of Security for the beautiful, icy CEO, President Su.Lin Feng pulled out a cheap cigarette and lit it, blowing smoke into the ruined lobby. He turned to the terrified but awestruck President Su, giving her a trademark, rogue-ish smirk."Don't worry, my beautiful President," Lin Feng said smoothly, completely ignoring the burning reception desk behind him. "As long as Pluto is on duty, these trash assassins won't touch a single hair on your head. But I might need a kiss as a bonus."President Su blushed, her icy demeanor melting in the face of this overwhelming, to

Sector 1. Metropolis. The Golden Dragon Michelin-Star Restaurant.The ambiance of the restaurant was sophisticated and incredibly expensive. At a central table, Ye Chen, an eighteen-year-old high school student who had recently transmigrated from the Immortal Realm, finished his meal. He wiped his mouth with a linen napkin, looking bored.The waiter approached politely, placing a leather binder on the table. "Your bill, sir. Total consumption is exactly 50,000 Absolute Credits."Ye Chen frowned. "50,000 Credits? A mere pitance. The immortals of the Nine Heavens would laugh at such a paltry sum."Unfortunately, Ye Chen had exactly zero Credits in his bank account.He reached into his pocket and pulled out a fist-sized, pulsing, glowing green stone. He slammed it onto the table, causing the crystal wine glasses to tremble. "Mortal. I do not have your paper currency. However, this is a Lower-Grade Spirit Stone, filled with pure, concentrated spiritual Qi. It is enough to buy this entire