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.

in frustration. He really didn't want to say it,

isn't it? First, you lose your Research Adept badge, and then you lose your Obsidian Ring, eh?

sighed. "No," he said through gritted teeth. "I lost it

all your other powerful connections are not available at the

brother. He has a high position in

has a Telepathy Talisman. It shouldn't be an issue to contact him, would it?" he asked with a

his teeth. "I don't have one of those,"

face. "Oh no, what happened? Your Research Adept emblem was stolen while you

never had one in the

at the sky. "That sucks, man. Everything that can prove that you can enter the city has been stolen or lost. You really have some shitty

can call it shitty luck if you want,"

guard also snorted. "Anyway. Enough playing around. You can't enter the city." Then, the guard's eyes narrowed. "On top of

with narrowed eyes at the guard. "And what's the punishment for that?" he

be put to work for 20% of your Realm's expected lifetime, but since I saw your emblem being stolen,

lifted one of his eyebrows unamused. "Which are?"

Whatever happens,

to ask what the guard meant, but he felt himself unable to move. Then, he felt

Whooop!

reappeared somewhere else. This was 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 even know

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 it

and seemed to be one solitary object with no gaps. The sheer size of it made Gravis feel

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 time in

trees. Yet, there was a suspicious absence of beasts or even insects. On top of that, the trees and grass looked too ordinary. He could see none of the towering trees or aggressive plants that he had expected.

strongest one? Why does everything look so quiet and peaceful?' Gravis thought in suspicion. The surroundings were tranquil, and the only thing Gravis could hear with his powerful hearing was

mild wind blew, but the grass and trees remained absolutely still. It was almost like the