After leaving the hill, Chen Chuan didn’t drive straight back to the Profound Palace Building. Instead, he headed for Motie Mountain. Cao Guiqi obviously knew about the situation already, and Chen Chuan hoped he could learn more from him.

He had used his Realm Token to contact them on the way, so when he arrived at the Cao Manor, he saw Uncle Ding waiting for him from a distance.

Such a reception was a rare honor.

After parking his car, he walked over and followed Uncle Ding into the manor. The first thing Cao Guiqi said when he saw him was, "Did Specialist Liang speak with you?"

Chen Chuan nodded. "Yes."

"Follow me," Cao Guiqi said, turning and heading toward the back of the courtyard.

Chen Chuan followed him out of the courtyard and boarded a vintage horse-drawn carriage. Uncle Ding took the reins himself, driving the two of them toward the mountain behind the manor.

Chen Chuan glanced outside. He recalled noticing on a previous visit that a tower seemed to stand on the highest point of Motie Mountain. It had been obscured by dense trees, making it difficult to see clearly. Now, however, the carriage was clearly heading straight for it. As they drew closer, he could begin to make out its general shape.

It was an octagonal tower with a distinct architectural style from the old era’s religions. Judging by its ancient facade, this was no modern replica; it had likely been standing here since the Old Era itself.

The carriage stopped at the base of the tower. Chen Chuan and Cao Guiqi disembarked and went inside. In stark contrast to its dilapidated exterior, the interior was decorated in a completely modern style. The old structure hadn’t been entirely replaced but had been reinforced and renovated.

The original wooden staircase had been removed and replaced with a glass-walled elevator.

Uncle Ding stepped forward to activate the elevator. He waited for Chen Chuan and Cao Guiqi to enter, pressed the button for their floor, but did not get in himself, remaining at the entrance.

Cao Guiqi remained silent during the ascent. The two rode the elevator to the top of the tower. He stepped out and walked to the railing, resting a hand lightly upon it.

Chen Chuan joined him and looked out. This was the highest point on Motie Mountain. He could faintly make out the various manors and villas dotting the landscape, and in the distance, he could see the vast expanse of Central City.

At that moment, Cao Guiqi spoke. "This is called the Star Suppressing Tower. In the Old Era, it was a pivotal location reserved by the Imperial Royal Family for confronting and contacting the other ’world.’"

Chen Chuan’s interest was piqued. "So, was this considered the Central City of the Old Era?"

"You could say that, but it’s not quite the same," Cao Guiqi said. "Did Specialist Liang tell you that Central City is the front line against that other world? That it’s an anchor point between our two worlds, the place closest to their side?"

"That’s what he told me," Chen Chuan replied.

"These places weren’t always like this," Cao Guiqi explained. "Initially, they were scattered all across the globe, like tiny, dense points. If you imagine our world as a sheet of white paper, the initial points of contact between the two worlds were like countless black dots sprinkled upon it.

"In the Old Era, the nations of the world only understood the Period of Change through historical records. Because of this, the various Imperial Families didn’t adopt a strategy of confrontation. Instead, they built towers like this Star Suppressing Tower directly over the most volatile rifts, trying to extract power and valuable technology from them.

"Later, as they began to truly understand what was happening, they started to strictly seal off the rifts. They attempted to guide and merge them, concentrating them in specific locations to be unified under the management and control of their respective Empires.

"However, the technology of the time hadn’t caught up yet. Information traveled slowly, and surveillance was inadequate. Despite their remedial measures, a great number of loopholes and rifts remained throughout the world. Many things slipped through these gaps, which, in turn, created opportunities for many people."

Chen Chuan said, "I heard from Specialist Liang that the collapse of the Empires was caused by technological advancements."

Cao Guiqi shook his head. "That’s not the whole story. The reality was far more complex. However, it’s true that what the Old Empires failed to do was accomplished in the New Era.

"After the Grand Alliance was established, it eliminated, redirected, or consolidated the vast majority of the world’s known rifts and anchor points. They built the Central Cities on top of these consolidated locations and constructed the World Ring for defense.

"In that respect, the Grand Alliance made a tremendous contribution to the world.

"Furthermore, in the New Era, Fighters at least have a chance to rise. In the Old Era, birth and bloodline decided everything. The path to advancement was completely blocked. The Empires failed to shoulder their responsibilities. Instead... well, their eventual elimination was the fate they deserved. You could say it was the world’s choice.

"The problem is, the Grand Alliance only lasted for thirty years before it collapsed. Specialist Liang wasn’t wrong when he told you the Central Cities are the front lines. But the world’s governments, and even its corporations, also derived immense benefits from them. If you think of these benefits as resources, then the governments and corporations have effectively monopolized them all.

"While this was necessary to some extent, the situation changed once those resources began to flow exclusively to the top, firmly grasped in the hands of governments and megacorporations..."

He sighed wistfully at this. "The Imperial Families and Noble Relatives of the past wanted the very same thing, didn’t they? They hoped to obtain useful things from the other side so they could sit on their thrones for eternity. But what’s left of them now?"

He tapped the railing beneath his hand. "Nothing but these scattered ruins.

"Back in their day, the contact between the two worlds wasn’t nearly as close as it is now, so the world could afford some trial and error. This time, however, we absolutely cannot afford another mistake.

"But that’s from our perspective. The world itself might not be affected much. Based on the limited records available, events similar to a ’Great Collision’ may have happened before in history, but likely before the rise of civilization, lost to a past we can no longer fathom..."

He turned to face him, his expression serious. "Junior Chen, in this new era that is about to dawn, you, personally, must find a way to seize this opportunity. You must rise with the tide, or you’ll never be able to control your own destiny."

Chen Chuan nodded with equal gravity. He thought for a moment before adding, "Specialist Liang told me that some of the cultivation resources for the Third Limit are only granted in exchange for contributions and meritorious service during a call-up."

"He wasn’t wrong," Cao Guiqi said earnestly. "Reaching the Third Limit is the absolute peak of human potential. As long as you are human, no amount of training will allow you to break past that level.

"But because the other world is merging with ours, the Material World itself is changing. Its fundamental constraints are loosening, turning the impossible into the possible.

"That world brings danger, but it also brings opportunity.

"Many of the nations’ most important resources and technologies were obtained either from that other world or from the collision between the two. These resources are held entirely in the hands of the governments and major corporations."

He looked at Chen Chuan. "Chen, while you’re still building your strength, it’s best to join them. Slowly obtain what you need from within their ranks, use their resources to grow stronger, and do everything in your power to reach the next limit before the Great Collision. Only then will you be in a position to negotiate with them."

Chen Chuan understood his meaning. He knew this was likely the most viable path for now. However, he faced a more immediate problem: this route alone wouldn’t be enough to satisfy his training needs.

So, after a moment’s thought, he asked, "Senior Brother Cao, may I ask, besides joining a government or a corporation, are there any other options?"

Cao Guiqi didn’t answer right away. After a moment, he said slowly, "Outside the Central Cities, there are still some scattered rifts that haven’t been consolidated. Others pop into existence from time to time because of the worlds’ collision.

"Many of these rifts are controlled by fringe factions and organizations, which use them to recruit members and extract benefits. However, most of these rifts are highly unstable, and there’s no telling what might emerge from them. Without sufficient power, an organization could be wiped out overnight.

"Furthermore, the governments and corporations monitor these situations very closely. Once a rift is discovered, they move quickly to clear it out and bring it under control. Beyond that... there are no other paths."

Chen Chuan considered this for a moment, then offered his sincere thanks. "Thank you for telling me all this, Senior Brother Cao."

"It’s nothing. You will gradually encounter these things yourself," Cao Guiqi said. "But, Junior Chen, if you make your decision, be careful." He added another warning, "The things that slip through the World Ring are not easy to deal with. And don’t be quick to trust any information they might pass on to you."

"I will," Chen Chuan said. "Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother Cao."

Cao Guiqi gazed out at the view, his robes fluttering in the wind. "The convergence of worlds profoundly affects us all," he said. "It affects every single person, and it has since ancient times. I don’t know what the outcome will be, but if we can make it through, perhaps an even brighter future awaits."

After standing there a while longer, Chen Chuan took his leave. Once Uncle Ding had seen him off, he returned to the top of the tower. He bowed and said, "Young Master, Chen has departed."

Cao Guiqi grunted in acknowledgment. He remained where he was, gazing down at Motie Mountain, lost in thought.

Uncle Ding hesitated, then looked up. "Young Master, given Chen’s current level, he should have learned about that other matter. You didn’t mention it to him..."

With his back still turned, Cao Guiqi said, "Uncle Ding, I’ve told you before. I help him because I feel a connection to him, and because his character is worthy of support. There is no need for him to shoulder the burdens I once carried."

"But Young Master," Uncle Ding pressed, "isn’t that also an opportunity for Brother Chen? If you are so optimistic about his future, then wouldn’t it be better to..."

Cao Guiqi cut him off with a flick of his sleeve. "Say no more. A path wrongly taken once cannot be walked again."

Uncle Ding bowed his head low. "Yes..."

...

...