Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 463

Chapter 463: War XXXVI
Aiden paused under a towering ancient tree, its canopy thick with golden leaves that shimmered in the light. He closed his eyes, expanding his Spirit Sense to scan the surrounding area. He needed to find a sect that could provide him with the resources and knowledge to unlock the mysteries of the fragments—and potentially gain allies for the inevitable battle with Ivan.

Mia had mentioned several prominent sects during their conversations. Among them, two stood out:

The Celestial Rune Sect – Famous for their expertise in ancient formations and sealing techniques. They would likely recognize the symbols on the fragments and could offer insight into their origin. However, they were known for their rigid hierarchy and strict admission tests.

The Twilight Flame Sect – Renowned for their mastery over flame cultivation and ancient artifacts. They had a reputation for being resourceful and ambitious, willing to take risks for power. They might help him, but their intentions would likely be far from altruistic.

Nexus interrupted his thoughts. “If you’re serious about those fragments, the Celestial Rune Sect is your best bet. But you’d have to pass their trials, and you’re not exactly in the best condition right now.”

Aiden frowned, his hand tightening into a fist. “I’ve passed worse. I’ll take the risk.”

Celestial Rune Sect’s Trials

Aiden made his way toward the Celestial Rune Sect, traveling through rugged terrain and avoiding detection from local patrols. When he finally arrived, towering stone gates stood before him, carved with runes that glowed faintly in the fading light.

A group of disciples in silver robes guarded the entrance, their eyes sharp and unfriendly. The lead disciple, a young man with long black hair and a condescending smirk, stepped forward.

“State your business,” the disciple demanded.

Aiden crossed his arms. “I want to take the trial for admission.”

The disciple raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over Aiden’s worn appearance. “You? With your weak cultivation? This isn’t a sect for anyone off the street. If you insist, though…” He smiled wickedly. “We won’t be responsible if you die.”

Aiden smirked back. “Let’s see who survives.”

The trial was brutal from the very start. Aiden found himself in an ancient labyrinth filled with traps, illusions, and fierce spirit beasts. The runes on the walls constantly shifted, making it nearly impossible to find a way out.

“Child’s play,” Aiden muttered, his Spirit Sense cutting through the illusions like a blade. He deciphered the runes quickly, using his Akashic Insight to bypass the more complex traps. Several spirit beasts attacked him, but with a flick of his hand, his Death Dragon Martial Spirit roared to life, swallowing them in darkness.

Hours later, Aiden emerged from the labyrinth, his clothes tattered but his eyes burning with triumph.

The lead disciple’s smirk vanished. “Impossible… No one passes on their first try!”

Aiden walked past him without a word, his presence sending a chill down the spines of the other disciples.

Now inside the Celestial Rune Sect, Aiden knew the hard part was just beginning. He needed to learn quickly, gather resources, and prepare for his confrontation with Ivan.

But deep down, he knew it wasn’t just about Ivan anymore. The fragments held a secret that could change everything—and soon, every major power in the Immortal Realm would come looking for them.

Aiden’s presence within the Celestial Rune Sect caused quite a stir among the disciples. His trial victory was already the talk of the outer courtyard, with countless rumors spreading about his origin. Some claimed he was a rogue genius; others insisted he must have received a powerful legacy.

As he walked toward the registration hall, Aiden’s Spirit Sense extended in every direction, gathering as much information as possible. The sect was vast, with multiple layers: Outer Court, Inner Court, Core Sect, and the Elders’ Hall, each protected by powerful formation arrays that pulsed with ancient energy.

He could feel the eyes of several disciples watching him, their curiosity and hostility barely concealed. But Aiden ignored them—he had no time for petty rivalries. His priority was unlocking the secrets of the fragments and absorbing as much knowledge as the sect could offer.

The registration hall was an impressive stone structure covered in glowing runes. Inside, an elderly man in blue robes sat behind a large desk, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.

“Name?” the man asked without looking up.

“Aiden.”

The elder paused, finally glancing up at him with a raised brow. “Aiden? No family name? No recommendation? Interesting. Well, no matter. You passed the entrance trial, so you’re officially an Outer Court disciple now.” He handed Aiden a silver token marked with intricate runes. “This is your identity token. It grants you access to the Outer Court’s resources and training grounds.”

Aiden took the token, his gaze never leaving the elder’s face. “I want access to the library. Specifically, ancient texts on seals and formations.”

The elder chuckled. “Straight to the point, aren’t you? The library’s lower levels are open to all disciples. If you want the restricted texts, you’ll need to earn merit points. Completing sect missions or contributing rare resources is the fastest way.”

Aiden nodded. “Understood.”

The Outer Court was a bustling place, filled with disciples from all walks of life. Most were at the Immortal Foundation Realm, while the more advanced ones had already broken through to the Immortal Core Realm. Aiden quickly settled into his assigned residence—a modest stone house with a small courtyard.

He spent his first few days observing and gathering information, carefully mapping out the sect’s layout and hierarchy. The most powerful Outer Court disciples held significant influence, forming cliques that controlled access to resources and missions.

Aiden’s quiet yet confident demeanor quickly caught the attention of several groups. Some saw him as a potential ally, while others viewed him as a threat.

It didn’t take long for trouble to find him.

A few days later, as Aiden was heading to the training grounds, a group of disciples blocked his path. The leader, a tall young man with short silver hair and a jade sword at his waist, smirked at him.

“You’re the new guy who passed the trial, right? You’ve been acting a little too bold for someone without a background.”

Aiden met his gaze calmly. “Is there something you want?”

The disciple’s smirk widened. “Yeah. Hand over your identity token and whatever resources you’ve received. Consider it a toll for staying in our territory.”

The other disciples laughed, clearly enjoying the show.

Aiden sighed. “I was hoping to avoid trouble… but it seems some people just can’t help themselves.”

Before the disciple could react, Aiden moved. His Golden Sword Martial Spirit appeared in a flash of light, its blade slashing through the air with incredible speed. The jade sword shattered, and the disciple was sent flying, crashing into a nearby wall.

The crowd fell silent, their laughter turning into stunned silence.

Aiden lowered his sword, his eyes cold. “Anyone else want to collect a toll?”

No one dared to move.