Lightning Is the Only Way

Gravis' rage grew as he realized what had happened. He hadn't thought about it, but wasn't it weird that some seller, over a major Realm stronger than him, would patiently answer all his questions? He had initially believed that the seller only wanted to appear friendly so that Gravis would continue buying stuff from him, but that had been wrong apparently.

Gravis sighed. "I'm sorry. My Research Adept emblem has been stolen by someone," he said.

"I know," the guard said. "I saw it. He stole it right when he pocketed your resources."

Gravis' grew frustrated again. If the guard saw it, he could have probably also stopped it. Sadly, it wasn't against the rules to steal other people's stuff in the Sky Community, and Gravis had nothing to do with the guard. He couldn't expect the guard to stand up for him. After all, Gravis probably also wouldn't care if he saw that happen.

Gravis would just think that this would be a great learning experience for the victim, but now, he was the victim. Gravis sighed again. 'Maybe I should really look at it as a learning experience,' he thought in defeat. 'Strength is everything, and if I can't protect my belongings, I probably don't deserve to keep them.'

That outlook was cruel, but in this world, it was a sad reality. It might be a wrong outlook for mortals, but for cultivators, it showed the cold truth. If he didn't have the power to protect his life or belongings, he would die or lose them.

"Anyway, since you've seen that it was mine, can you let me enter? You should know that I'm a Research Adept," Gravis said.

The guard shook his head. "Sorry, it's against the rules," he said.

Gravis furrowed his brows. "What do you mean with, against the rules? You know that I'm a Research Adept, and Research Adepts are allowed into the city, right?"

The guard shook his head again. "Wrong. People with a Research Adept emblem are allowed into the city, not Research Adepts. There is a difference."

Gravis grew more frustrated. "This is bullshit! Doesn't that mean that our city will lose Research Adepts and gain new people that aren't interested in going to middle worlds? That seems incredibly stupid!" Gravis shouted.

The guard sighed. "I know," he said, surprising Gravis. "It's a shit rule in my opinion too, but I have to enforce it if I don't want to lose my job. Do you have a powerful connection in the city that can help you enter? People at the Immortal King Realm can bring people into the city."

Gravis nodded. "My father should be enough. My father is the Opposer," Gravis said.

The guard looked with skepticism at Gravis. "I don't see the Obsidian Ring on you," he said.

to say it, but he had to.

"Mhm, that's quite inconvenient, isn't it? First, you lose your Research Adept badge, and then you lose your Obsidian

"I lost it in the lower world," he

all your other

He has a high position in the research department. He can vouch for me," Gravis

enthusiasm. "Great! Then contact him. After all, nearly everyone has a Telepathy Talisman. It shouldn't be an issue to contact him, would it?"

as he clenched his teeth. "I

happened? Your Research Adept emblem was stolen while you lost your Obsidian Ring? Did you maybe sell your Telepathy

never had one in

can prove that you can enter the city has been stolen or lost. You really have

snorted. "You can call it shitty luck if you want,"

guard's eyes narrowed. "On top of that, you have tried

"And what's the punishment

to work for 20% of your Realm's expected lifetime, but since I saw your emblem being stolen, I'll overlook this fact this time. Yet, I can't let you go without some

eyebrows unamused. "Which

transported to the city's outside. Whatever happens, is up to your strength

the guard meant, but he felt himself unable to move. Then, he felt an incredible amount of Energy gathering around his body, and around a second later, Gravis

Whooop!

Gravis' first time being teleported by someone else. He had been teleported to the lower worlds for his practical exams and for his journey, but that was done by Formation Arrays. A person had never teleported him from one place to another. He didn't

him was a humongous wall. It was so big that Gravis felt like it was splitting the world in two. He couldn't see its top, and it looked like

to be one solitary object with no gaps. The sheer size

so he had no idea how the outside of the highest world looked. Now, he was able to look at the city's surroundings for the first

could see none of the towering trees or aggressive plants that he had expected. There was also no human or settlement around. It was just pure nature as far as

does everything look so quiet and peaceful?' Gravis thought in suspicion. The

a mild wind blew, but the grass and trees remained absolutely still. It was almost like the wind didn't exist