Alex did not ask any further questions and simply followed Merlin in silence. His steps were steady, but his mind was far from calm. The memory he had just witnessed continued to replay within his thoughts with an unsettling clarity, as if it had etched itself into his consciousness with deliberate force.

"The Chaos Clan..." he thought inwardly, his expression remaining outwardly composed while his mind churned with suspicion and restrained anger. "What kind of existence are you truly? You are not the devils I encountered earlier, nor do you resemble any race or entity I have ever studied or heard about. There is something fundamentally different about you."

His gaze hardened slightly as the memory of Anna surfaced in his mind.

"If you are responsible for the downfall of the Angel Clan, and if you are the ones who took Anna, then there is already a blood feud between us. That much is certain."

A quiet but resolute intent formed within him.

"I only hope that you have not harmed her. If you have... then regardless of whether you still exist by the time I reach your level, I will hunt down every trace of your existence until nothing remains."

His thoughts gradually settled, though the determination within them did not fade.

By the time he regained full awareness of his surroundings, he realized that he and Merlin had already arrived in front of the main castle. This was the very place he had seen before from a distance, yet he had never stepped inside it until now. The structure stood with an imposing grandeur, radiating an ancient authority that seemed to transcend ordinary perception.

Merlin did not pause. He stepped forward and entered.

Alex followed closely behind.

The moment his foot crossed the threshold—

Boom.

An overwhelming pressure descended upon him without warning.

It was not a targeted attack, nor was it an intentional display of force. Instead, it felt like the residual presence of countless powerful beings, compressed into the very air itself. Even though those inside were clearly restraining themselves, the mere remnants of their existence were enough to create a suffocating weight.

Alex’s body stiffened instinctively as the pressure bore down on him from all directions. His breathing grew heavier, and for a brief moment, it felt as though his entire being was being judged by something vast and incomprehensible.

Before the pressure could escalate further, Merlin raised his hand casually.

A faint barrier formed around Alex, isolating him from the crushing force.

The relief was immediate.

Alex exhaled slowly, regaining his composure as the suffocating sensation vanished.

"Sage Merlin," he said, his voice steady but carrying a trace of curiosity, "what kind of pressure was that?"

Merlin merely smiled, offering no direct explanation.

"You will understand soon enough."

With that, he continued forward.

They approached a massive gate that stood at the entrance of the main hall. Without hesitation, Merlin pushed it open.

The sight that greeted Alex caused his expression to tighten ever so slightly.

Inside the hall, rows of majestic seats extended along both sides, each occupied by an individual whose presence alone suggested immeasurable power. These were not ordinary beings. Each one radiated an aura that felt vast enough to encompass entire worlds.

At the far end of the hall, seated upon an elevated throne, was Alexander.

Merlin and Alex proceeded forward along the red carpet, their footsteps echoing faintly in the grand chamber. The attention of every individual in the hall shifted toward Alex. Their gazes were not hostile, but they carried a depth of scrutiny that made it clear they were evaluating him.

Alex swallowed quietly.

Each of them was, without exception, a multiversal existence.

When they reached the front, Merlin knelt respectfully.

"Your Majesty, I have brought Alex."

Alex followed suit without hesitation.

"Greetings, Master."

Alexander nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze settling on Alex with a measured calm.

"Have you comprehended the first layer of the technique I gave you?" he asked.

"Yes, Master," Alex replied. "I have successfully understood it. I am grateful for such a profound technique. However..." He hesitated slightly before continuing. "I believe my progress is still somewhat slow. There should be other geniuses who have achieved this faster than I did, correct?"

For a brief moment, Alexander’s expression stiffened.

A faint redness appeared on his face.

Internally, he felt a surge of irritation.

This disciple had already surpassed expectations in a way that defied established norms, yet he was speaking as if his achievement were merely average.

"Yes," Alexander said, forcing a composed tone while allowing a hint of mockery to slip through. "There are indeed such individuals. In fact, you are only the seventh fastest genius in recorded history."

He intended to temper Alex’s confidence.

However, the result was not what he expected.

Alex’s expression turned serious.

"So there are others..." he thought, a spark of interest igniting in his eyes. "If they possess such talent, then they must have abilities worth acquiring."

"Master," Alex said aloud, his eyes gleaming faintly, "could you introduce me to them?"

Alexander’s mouth twitched slightly.

He had not anticipated this reaction.

Where exactly was he supposed to find such individuals now?

"Cough," he cleared his throat lightly. "When the time is appropriate, I will arrange for you to meet them. For now, let us focus on the matter at hand."

He shifted his tone to something more formal.

"After observing your talent, the ancestors have agreed to grant you access to the tower. However, there is a condition. You must undergo rigorous training under their guidance."

Alex’s eyes brightened immediately.

"I accept, Master," he replied without hesitation.

At that moment, Aurora’s voice sounded from the side.

"You did not even ask about the details. How can you agree so carelessly?"

Alex did not respond to her.

His focus remained entirely on Alexander.

"Master, please take me to the tower."

Alexander studied him briefly before nodding.

He rose from his throne and waved his hand.

A portal materialized in front of them, its surface shimmering with spatial distortion.

"Follow me," he said, stepping through it.

Alex followed without delay.

When they emerged, they found themselves standing before a massive gate. There was no visible tower in sight, only the imposing structure before them.

"Master," Alex asked, "what is the time flow inside the tower compared to the outside?"

"Approximately one hundred times faster," Alexander replied.

Alex’s eyes lit up.

With such a difference, years of progress could be compressed into mere months.

Without further delay, Alexander knelt before the gate.

"Ancestors, I have brought the boy," he said respectfully.

Alex followed his example.

Moments later, the gate slowly opened.

A figure emerged from within.

[Name: Avatar of Igris Silvera

Talent: Flame God (Genesis)

Rank: Multiversal (100 universes)

Note: Once a supreme entity creates more than ten inner universes, they can no longer remain within a standard multiversal world. They must either ascend or reside in specialized realms such as this tower.]

"Father," Alexander said, "please take care of him. He has agreed to all terms."

Igris nodded calmly.

"Enter," he said.

"It is an honor to meet you, Grandmaster," Alex said respectfully.

Igris acknowledged him with a slight nod.

Alex stepped inside.

Behind him, Igris dismissed Alexander with a simple gesture.

"You may leave."

The gate closed.

Alex looked around, but he did not immediately perceive any difference in time flow.

"System," he asked internally, "will my breakthroughs follow the time inside this place or the outside world?"

[Ding! Host’s breakthroughs will correspond to the internal time of this realm until you reach the multiversal level.]

A faint smile appeared on Alex’s face.

This would accelerate his growth significantly.

"You appear unusually composed," Igris remarked as he began walking. "Most would feel pressure in the presence of someone stronger than their master."

"I am simply eager to learn," Alex replied calmly. "The opportunity to be guided by the ancestors is something I value."

"I see," Igris said. "I hope your resolve is sufficient. For the next five years, I will personally oversee your training."

"What kind of training will it be?" Alex asked.

Igris did not answer.

They continued walking through a narrow corridor. Alex assumed they were heading toward a training chamber of some kind. However, when they passed through another gate, his eyes widened.

Beyond it was not a room.

It was an entire world.

There was soil beneath his feet, a sky stretching overhead, and a sun casting light across a vast landscape. The environment felt complete and self-contained, as though it were an independent realm.

"This is the floor where I reside," Igris explained. "If you can endure five years of training here, you will earn the right to ascend to the next floor. My father resides there."

A subtle chill ran through Alex.

Something about Igris’s tone suggested that the training would not be ordinary.

Without warning, Igris snapped his fingers.

The environment transformed instantly.

The peaceful landscape vanished, replaced by a harsh terrain of molten rock and erupting heat. Rivers of lava flowed between jagged mountains that exuded intense thermal energy.

At the same time, Alex felt a sudden suppression within his body.

All of his energy... was sealed.

"For the first month," Igris said, his expression carrying a faint, almost ominous amusement, "you will train your body in this environment. You may cultivate as usual, but you will not perceive or utilize any energy."