"System, begin comprehension of the Law of Time. If I leave it for later, it will become troublesome," he said in a low, controlled voice.

[Ding. Automatic comprehension has been activated. The Law of Time is now being comprehended.]

"Good."

He gave a slight nod, as if acknowledging something routine rather than extraordinary. There was no visible excitement in his expression, only a quiet acceptance. He raised his hand with a casual motion, and the space before him responded immediately.

The air distorted, not violently but with precise control, as if the fabric of reality itself recognized his authority. Layers of space folded inward, forming a stable portal. Its edges shimmered with a restrained energy, neither chaotic nor unstable, but refined to a degree that suggested complete mastery.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward.

The moment his figure passed through, the portal contracted and disappeared, leaving no trace behind.

...

Inside the tower, Igris sat cross-legged on the cold, unyielding floor.

The chamber around him was silent, but the stillness did not bring peace. His posture remained upright and disciplined, yet a subtle tension lingered in his shoulders. His breathing was uneven, breaking the rhythm required for stable cultivation.

He had attempted to enter a meditative state multiple times, but each effort ended the same way. His thoughts refused to settle. They circled back repeatedly to a single point, growing heavier with each cycle.

His brows furrowed slightly.

"I need to remove this distraction," he thought. "If this continues, it will interfere with my foundation. At worst, it could form a heart demon."

The possibility was not remote. He had seen cultivators far stronger than himself collapse under similar circumstances. Internal instability was often more dangerous than external enemies.

He exhaled slowly and forced his mind into focus once again.

For a brief moment, silence returned.

Then it broke.

His eyes shifted forward.

Space itself trembled.

The disturbance was sudden, but not chaotic. It carried a sense of precision, like something intentionally controlled rather than forced open. A portal began to form, its structure stabilizing faster than any natural spatial distortion.

Igris’s eyes widened slightly.

Before the portal had fully taken shape, a figure stepped out.

It was Alex.

There was no delay in Igris’s reaction. His body vanished from its seated position and reappeared directly in front of him.

"Boy... is that really you? Where have you been?" he asked.

His voice carried relief, but also urgency. The heaviness that had clouded his expression moments earlier dissipated almost instantly.

"Hello, Grandmaster," Alex replied. His tone was calm, almost indifferent. "I will explain everything soon. Has the Grand Multiversal Tournament started?"

Igris studied him for a brief moment before answering.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "I requested an extension of one month. That period is about to end as well. Do you still intend to participate?"

A faint smile appeared on his face, though it did not fully conceal his curiosity.

"Yes," Alex answered without hesitation. "But what is the reward for winning?"

"The winner, along with the top ten participants, will gain entry into the Primogenitor Castle."

Alex’s gaze sharpened slightly.

"Primogenitor Castle? What exactly is that?"

"It is an ancient structure," Igris explained, his tone steady. "It predates most known records. No one knows who built it, and no one has fully explored it. However, it is said to contain countless treasures and inheritances. There is one restriction. Only those under five hundred years of age can enter."

Alex fell silent.

To most cultivators, such an opportunity would be irresistible. Ancient inheritances, unknown treasures, and the possibility of gaining power beyond conventional limits were enough to draw even the most cautious individuals.

But Alex’s thoughts moved along a different path.

With a meta-existence level guardian already under his command, the value of external treasures was significantly reduced. There were very few things left that could offer him meaningful improvement.

Still, the situation was not entirely without interest.

"Understood," he said after a moment. "Grandmaster, I will participate and win the tournament for you. However, I have no intention of entering the castle. You may assign that position to Aurora instead. After the tournament, I will leave the Prime Reality."

Igris’s expression shifted.

Surprise appeared briefly in his eyes before being replaced by careful observation. He examined Alex more closely this time.

The difference was clear.

It was not simply a matter of increased strength. His presence had changed at a fundamental level. There was a deeper stability within him, a quiet detachment that had not existed before. Even his aura felt restrained, as though something vast had been compressed beneath the surface.

"What exactly did this boy experience?" Igris wondered.

"Very well," he said aloud after a pause. "We can discuss the details later. For now, you should leave the tower. Your master is waiting for you outside."

Alex nodded once.

He turned and left without further words.

...

Outside the tower, Alexander stood waiting.

The moment Alex appeared, his gaze sharpened.

"What happened to you?" he asked directly.

"It is a long story, Master," Alex replied. "We should not waste time now."

Alexander observed him in silence for a few seconds.

Then he nodded.

"Very well."

Without further discussion, both of them disappeared from their position.

...

When they reappeared, the environment had completely changed.

Alex stood on the surface of a massive planet.

The atmosphere itself felt heavy, saturated with energy far denser than ordinary worlds. The ground beneath his feet carried a faint vibration, as though it was responding to the countless powerful beings gathered across its surface.

Auras extended in every direction.

Each one belonged to an individual of significant strength. Some were steady and controlled, while others flared with restrained aggression. Even without direct interaction, the pressure in the air was unmistakable. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Is this the location?" Alex asked.

"Yes," Alexander replied. "Geniuses from multiple multiversal realms have gathered here. The first stage will be a jungle survival match. All participants will be placed within a restricted forest where mental perception is suppressed. You will have two days to eliminate as many opponents as possible. After that, the remaining participants will enter one-on-one battles."

"And if all participants are eliminated before that?" Alex asked.

"In that case, the ten individuals with the highest number of seals will be declared winners."

Alex nodded slightly.

"Master, it seems you may encounter some difficulty in determining the outcome this time," he said quietly.

Alexander’s eyes narrowed.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing important," Alex replied. "Let us proceed."

He began walking forward.

...

They soon arrived at a vast open field.

Thousands of participants had already gathered.

Each individual stood with a composed expression, their presence reflecting confidence and discipline. Some observed others cautiously, while a few remained completely still, conserving energy.

"Go and stand there," Alexander instructed. "Another participant from our multiverse has also been selected. Cooperation may be beneficial."

"Not necessary," Alex replied immediately. "Tell him to manage himself."

His tone remained calm, but there was no room for negotiation.

Alexander exhaled quietly.

"Very well. Good luck."

He turned and left, moving toward the elevated seating area reserved for supreme-level beings.

...

From the spectator section, a voice called out.

"So, the Chaos-grade talent has arrived," a supreme from another multiverse said. "Do you believe that alone is enough for your multiverse to claim first place?"

Alexander remained composed.

"Why not wait and observe?" he replied.

The other supreme smiled faintly.

"A prodigy from our multiverse possesses ten Genesis-level talents," he said. "Each one complements the others perfectly. Sometimes, quantity surpasses quality."

Alexander’s expression did not change.

"Is that so?" he said. "Then perhaps we should place a wager."

The supreme’s eyes sharpened slightly.

"Agreed. Five portions of Origin Energy."

"You are confident," Alexander said. "Very well. I accept."

...

Back on the battlefield, a powerful voice echoed across the field.

"Attention, participants. Each of you will receive a seal. Your objective is simple. Enter the forest and collect the seals of others. Survival is guaranteed, so you may fight without restraint."

The authority in the voice was absolute.

Seals were distributed one by one.

Alex received his without comment and stored it within his spatial ring.

He looked toward the massive portal forming ahead.

"Begin," he said quietly.

"On the other side lies the designated forest. Proceed," the host announced.

Participants began entering in succession.

Alex stepped forward without hesitation.

...

The moment he crossed through, the environment shifted.

A dense forest extended in every direction.

The air felt thick, almost resistant. The suppression on mental perception activated instantly, cutting off conventional sensing methods.

Even so, Alex’s expression did not change.

His objective was already decided.

He intended to eliminate every participant.

Not out of necessity, but out of interest.

He wanted to observe how the so-called supreme beings would react when the expected structure of the tournament collapsed completely.

Outside, the portal sealed.

Large projection screens appeared across the sky, displaying the battlefield.

Spectators focused their attention.

...

Inside the forest, Alex took a single step forward.

His presence merged with the environment, becoming nearly undetectable. Yet beneath that concealment, an overwhelming force remained, contained but not diminished.

Somewhere in the distance, movement stirred.

Other participants had already begun their actions.

Alex did not rush.

His pace remained steady.

Each step carried quiet intent.

"The hunt starts now," he thought.