In the present era, strength was no longer defined by physical ability alone. Over time, two distinct systems of enhancement had developed, each following a different path.
The first was known as enhancement.
The second, core-based cultivation.
Enhancement was the more direct method. Through specialized serum injections, the human body could be strengthened beyond its natural limits. The effects were immediate compared to cultivation. Strength increased to several times that of a normal person, and lifespan could extend up to around one hundred and twenty years under stable conditions.
It was efficient.
Predictable.
And widely used.
But it came with a clear limit.
Enhancement improved the body, but it didn't change its fundamental structure. The human body could only adapt so much before reaching its threshold. Beyond that point, further modification was still possible, but it no longer remained human.
The changes became irreversible.
For most, that line wasn't crossed.
Enhancement was enough for survival, work, and basic security. It provided strength without requiring long-term training or control. It was the easier path.
But it wasn't the higher one.
That path belonged to core wielders.
Core-based cultivation focused on energy control rather than direct modification. By forming and developing a core, individuals could absorb external energy and use it to refine their bodies over time. This process wasn't immediate. It required stability, control, and repeated refinement.
But the result was different.
It wasn't just strength.
It was evolution.
At the foundation of this system was the semi-core, a biological structure integrated within the body. On its own, it was incomplete and lacked stability, making higher progression difficult without assistance.
To compensate for this, artificial cores were introduced.
Artificial cores acted as external stabilizers. They improved energy control, increased efficiency, and reduced the risk of collapse during cultivation. The effect depended heavily on compatibility. A well-matched core could significantly improve progression, while a poor match could cause instability.
Because of their importance, artificial cores were strictly controlled.
Their creation, distribution, and usage were regulated at the highest level. Unauthorized production or trade was treated as a serious offense, not just due to their value, but because of their impact on power balance.
This control was maintained by a larger system.
The System Union.
The System Union functioned as a governing authority across multiple planetary systems. It wasn't a single unified government, but a structured organization responsible for regulation, resource management, and maintaining order.
Planets under its influence operated within its framework, following established rules regarding energy use, cultivation systems, and access to restricted resources.
Outside of this structure, independent sectors still existed.
Private organizations.
Commercial groups.
Unregulated zones.
But the main flow of resources remained centralized.
Among all institutions, academies held a central role.
They were the primary entry point into structured cultivation.
Academies provided training, techniques, and access to controlled resources. They were divided into two main levels: minor academies and major academies.
Minor academies offered foundational training and limited resources, often providing lower-tier artificial cores. Major academies, on the other hand, had access to higher-quality cores, advanced techniques, and stricter selection standards.
For most individuals, entering an academy was not a choice.
It was a requirement for progression.
The structure of the world itself had also changed.
With expansion beyond Earth, traditional geographical boundaries were no longer applicable. Cities had grown to the scale of old states. Former states expanded into regions, and regions developed into planetary administrative zones.
A single planet could contain multiple levels of governance, including districts, cities, regions, and continental divisions.
To support this system, currency evolved.
Two primary forms were used.
Credits served as the standard currency for general use, covering daily transactions and basic needs.
Stellar credits were used within cultivation systems. These were required for accessing resources, acquiring techniques, and purchasing specialized equipment. Their value was significantly higher, and access was more limited.
Alongside digital currency, physical resources remained important.
Metals, rare materials, food supplies, and medical items continued to hold value. Among all resources, energy crystals were the most significant.
Energy crystals formed naturally in high-radiation environments, often near planetary cores or unstable regions. They contained condensed energy, making them essential for cultivation.
They were both a resource and a form of exchange.
Finally, individuals were categorized based on access and authority.
At the base level were normal citizens, with limited access to advanced systems and restricted resources.
Above them were officials.
Officials held authority within the system, granting them access to controlled resources and administrative power. Their position was not determined by strength alone, but strength often influenced their standing.
In this world, power, access, and knowledge were closely connected.
And not everyone had equal reach.