The dimensional portal deposited Kafu and his one hundred elite students at the threshold of the RVC Recruitment Center—a massive structure that floated at the nexus of seven universes, its towers reaching into dimensions that shouldn't exist.
Kafu surveyed the scene with satisfaction. His students stood in perfect formation behind him, their legendary equipment disguised as ordinary gear, their auras suppressed, their identities hidden.
But before they could enter, a familiar presence materialized before them.
[THE OBSERVER — ARRIVAL]
Aspect Value
Name The Observer
Race Primordial Being
Cultivation ETERNAL SOVEREIGN LEVEL 9
Immortal Force 50 QUINTILLION IF
Soul Cultivation:300 QUINTRILLION IF)
Enlightenment Stage STAGE 13 (MONADIC)
Alchemic Level GRANDMASTER
Role Kafu's Mentor
"My disciple," The Observer said warmly. "You've done well. One hundred exceptional candidates, each worthy of RVC membership."
Kafu bowed. "Thank you, Master. They've trained hard."
"Indeed." The Observer's eyes swept over the group, assessing each one. "But there's something I must discuss with you. Privately."
---
THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
The Observer led Kafu to a private chamber overlooking the recruitment grounds. Through the crystal walls, they could see thousands of candidates gathering—young cultivators from a thousand worlds, each one radiating ambition.
"I've reviewed your file," The Observer said. "You recently purchased an RVC Council Seat."
Kafu nodded. "One million contribution points. It seemed... prudent."
"It was. But there's a problem."
Kafu's eyes narrowed. "What kind of problem?"
The Observer's expression was unreadable. "Council seats come with expectations. Power. Influence. The ability to shape RVC policy." He paused. "You are powerful, Kafu. But you are not that powerful. Not yet."
Kafu was silent for a long moment. "You're saying I'm not strong enough to hold the seat."
"I'm saying that if you take the seat now, you'll become a target. Every council member will test you. Challenge you. Try to prove themselves against the newcomer." The Observer shook his head. "You would survive. But your students might not."
Kafu understood. The RVC Council was not a place for the weak—or for those who had people to protect.
"What do you suggest?"
"Give up the seat. Voluntarily. Explain that you're not yet strong enough to fulfill its responsibilities." The Observer smiled. "It will earn you respect. Honesty is rare among the powerful."
Kafu considered this. Then he nodded slowly.
"You're right, Master. I'll do it."
---
THE ANNOUNCEMENT
An hour later, Kafu stood before the RVC Council—twelve beings of unimaginable power, their eyes fixed on him with varying degrees of curiosity and suspicion.
[RVC COUNCIL — MEMBERS]
Member Race Cultivation IF Soul Enlightenment Alchemic
High Councilor Varn Celestial ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 8 400 SEXTRILLION IF NONE Stage 12 GRANDMASTER
Councilor Serai Starlight ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 7 30 SEXTRILLION IF NONE Stage 11 MASTER
Councilor Morvath Primordial
ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 9 60 SEXTRILLION IF NONE Stage 13 GRANDMASTER
Councilor Vexia Shadow-Kin
ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 6 25 SEXTRILLION IF NONE Stage 11 JOURNEYMAN
Councilor Terran Earth Primordial
ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 8 45 SEXTILLION IF NONE Stage 12 MASTER
Councilor Aquana Water Primordial
ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 7 35 SEXTILLION IF NONE Stage 11 MASTER
Councilor Ignia Fire Primordial
ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 7 35 SEXTILLION IFNONE Stage 11 MASTER
Councilor Aeria Wind Primordial
ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 6 28 SEXTILLION IF NONE Stage 10 JOURNEYMAN
Councilor Luminara Light Primordial ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 8 42 SEXTILLION IF NONE Stage 12 GRANDMASTER
Councilor Tenebris Darkness Primordial ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 8 43 SEXTILLION IF NONE Stage 12 MASTER
Councilor Crysa Ice Primordial ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 6 26 SEXTILLION IF NONE Stage 10 JOURNEYMAN
Councilor Sylva Life Primordial ETERNAL SOVEREIGN 9 55 SEXTILLION IF NONE Stage 13 GRANDMASTER
Kafu stood before them, his posture humble, his voice steady.
"Honored Councilors. I recently purchased a seat on this council. One million contribution points—a small fortune by any measure."
Murmurs rippled through the chamber.
"But I've realized something. I am not yet strong enough to fulfill the responsibilities of this seat. My cultivation is Epoch Forging Level 7. My Immortal Force is 500 billion. I am... inadequate."
More murmurs.
"Therefore, I voluntarily relinquish my claim to the council seat. I ask only that my contribution points be returned, and that I be allowed to prove myself through the traditional channels—the recruitment drive, the missions, the long path to power."
Silence.
Then High Councilor Varn spoke. "This is... unprecedented. No one has ever voluntarily given up a council seat."
Councilor Serai nodded. "Most would cling to it, regardless of their readiness."
Councilor Morvath leaned forward. "Why, Kafu? Why give it up?"
Kafu met his ancient eyes. "Because I have people to protect. One hundred young cultivators who trust me. If I become a target, they become targets. I will not sacrifice them for my ambition."
Another long silence.
Then Councilor Sylva smiled. "You have more wisdom than many beings ten times your age. Your points will be returned. And when you are ready—truly ready—the seat will be waiting."
[COUNCIL SEAT — RELINQUISHED]
· [1,000,000 CP REFUNDED]
· [Council status: Candidate]
· [Respect gained: +50 with all councilors]
---
THE DUO MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
As Kafu turned to leave, High Councilor Varn spoke again.
"Wait, young one. There is another matter."
Kafu turned back. "Councilor?"
"You relinquished your seat with grace and wisdom. Such qualities are rare." Varn's ancient eyes gleamed. "The RVC offers a special status to exceptional candidates—Duo Membership. It allows a mentor to participate alongside their students in the recruitment trials."
Kafu's eyes widened. "I can compete?"
"Not compete—participate. Your level will be adjusted to match the candidates—Law Venerable Level 9. You will face the same trials, the same challenges, the same opportunities." Varn smiled. "And if you succeed, you will earn membership alongside your students."
Councilor Serai nodded. "It's unprecedented, but not prohibited. A mentor who truly believes in their students, who is willing to stand beside them rather than above them—that is exactly the kind of leader the RVC needs."
Councilor Morvath added, "You would not be eligible for the top prizes—those are reserved for young cultivators. But membership? Yes. That is possible."
Kafu's mind raced. Competing alongside his students? Facing the same trials, the same dangers, the same opportunities?
He thought of Makena, of Nyx, of Tovin—all of them about to face the greatest challenge of their lives. And now he could face it with them.
"I accept," he said without hesitation. "I will participate in the recruitment trials alongside my students."
[DUO MEMBERSHIP — GRANTED]
· [Status: Mentor-Participant]
· [Level adjustment: Law Venerable 9]
· [Eligible for: RVC Membership]
· [Not eligible for: Top prizes]
· [Benefits: Can guide students during trials]
The councilors nodded their approval.
"Go then," High Councilor Varn said. "Show us what you and your students can do."
---
THE RECRUITMENT RULES
With the council matter resolved, Kafu returned to his students. They were waiting in the recruitment hall, surrounded by thousands of other candidates.
[RECRUITMENT CANDIDATES — OVERVIEW]
Category Number Average IF Average Soul IF Average Enlightenment Average Alchemic
Total candidates 10,000 100 MILLION 50 MILLION Stage 4 APPRENTICE
Top tier 1,000 500 MILLION 250 MILLION Stage 5 JOURNEYMAN
Elite tier 100 1 BILLION 500 MILLION Stage 6 MASTER
Legend tier 10 5 BILLION 2.5 BILLION Stage 7 GRANDMASTER
A holographic display appeared, showing the recruitment rules.
[RVC RECRUITMENT — RULES]
Rule Details
1 All participants temporarily adjusted to LAW VENERABLE LEVEL 9
2 Real cultivation levels hidden during trials
3 Equipment and techniques unrestricted
4 No killing (automatic ejection)
5 Top 1000 advance to main competition
6 Top 100 receive RVC membership
7 Top 10 receive special training
8 Duo Membership allows mentors to participate
Kafu's students gathered around him, their eyes wide with surprise.
"Master? You're competing with us?" Makena asked.
"I'm participating with you. There's a difference." He smiled. "I'll be at your level—Law Venerable 9. No special advantages. No hidden power. Just skill, technique, and determination."
Nyx grinned. "This is going to be fun."
Tovin (Poison) nodded slowly. "We'll show them what the Aethelgard Remnant can do."
---
THE TOP ONE HUNDRED — COMPLETE STATISTICS
Kafu accessed the system to review his students' complete profiles—information he would need for the recruitment.
[TOP 100 — COMPLETE STATISTICS]
Rank Name Real Level Adjusted Level IF Soul IF Enlightenment Alchemic
1 Makena Dantian Genesis 6. 100,000 IF Stage 6 JOURNEYMAN
2 Nyx Dantian Genesis 4 40,000 IF Stage 5 APPRENTICE
3 Tovin (Poison) Dantian Genesis 4 40,000 IF Stage 5 MASTER
4 Brutus Dantian Genesis 4 40,000 Stage 4 NOVICE
5 Ragnar Dantian Genesis 3 30,000 IF Stage 4 NOVICE
6 Darius Dantian Genesis 4 40,000 IF Stage 5 APPRENTICE
7 Lin Dantian Genesis 4.40,000 IF Stage 5 APPRENTICE
8 Mira (Soul) Dantian Genesis 3. 30,000IF Stage 6 JOURNEYMAN
9 Tovin (Necro) Dantian Genesis 3 30,000 Stage 5 JOURNEYMAN
10 Kael (Spirit) Dantian Genesis 3 30,000 IF.Stage 5 APPRENTICE
11 Ignia Dantian Genesis 3 30,000 IF Stage 5 APPRENTICE
12 Runa Dantian Genesis 2. 25,000IF Stage 4 NOVICE
13 Zoran Dantian Genesis 3. 30,000IF Stage 5 APPRENTICE
14 Lyra Dantian Genesis 2. 25 000IF Stage 4 NOVICE
15 Doran Dantian Genesis 4. 40,000IF Stage 4 MASTER
16 Alix Dantian Genesis 3.30,000 Stage 5 MASTER
17 Kael (Array) Dantian Genesis 2. 25,000 Stage 4 JOURNEYMAN
18 Tali Dantian Genesis 2. 35,000 IF Stage 4 JOURNEYMAN
19 Baro Dantian Genesis 3.30 000 Stage 4 NOVICE
20 Sumi Dantian Genesis 2. 26 000 IF Stage 4 NOVICE
21 Marcus Dantian Genesis 1. 15,000 Stage 3 NOVICE
22 Valerius Dantian Genesis 1. 15000IF Stage 3 NOVICE
23 Hela Dantian Genesis 2. 25,000IF Stage 4 JOURNEYMAN
24 Buffa Dantian Genesis 2. 25,000 Stage 4 APPRENTICE
25 Aelia Dantian Genesis 3. 30,000 IF Stage 4 APPRENTICE
26-100 Various Dantian Genesis 1-3 10,000 To 30,000 Stage 3-5 NOVICE-JOURNEYMAN
[KAFU — ADJUSTED STATISTICS]
Aspect Real Value Adjusted Value
Cultivation Epoch Forging 7 Law Venerable 9
Immortal Force 500 BILLION 500 MILLION
Soul IF 1 TRILLION 500 MILLION
Enlightenment Stage 6 Stage 6 (unchanged)
Alchemic GRANDMASTER GRANDMASTER
Kafu studied the numbers with satisfaction. His students were not the most powerful in raw IF—some of the elite candidates had billions more. But they had something those candidates didn't: two years of near-death training, god-tier techniques, legendary equipment, and unity.
And now they had him fighting beside them.
---
THE COMPETITION BEGINS
A gong sounded, echoing across the recruitment grounds.
"Welcome, candidates, to the RVC Recruitment Trials!" a voice boomed. "Ten thousand of you stand here today. Only one thousand will advance to the main competition. Only one hundred will earn RVC membership. Only ten will receive special training."
Kafu turned to his students.
"Remember everything I taught you. Trust your training. Trust your equipment. Trust each other." He smiled. "And remember—I'll be right there with you."
Makena's eyes shone with determination. "We won't let you down, Master."
"You couldn't if you tried." He raised his hand. "Now go. Show them what the Aethelgard Remnant can do."
The one hundred dispersed into the crowd, blending with the other candidates, their disguises holding perfectly.
Kafu watched them go, then stepped forward himself—another candidate among thousands, his power suppressed, his identity hidden.
Two fronts, he thought. One with my students, one with my army. Let the games begin.