Chapter 73: The Solaris City Ethan walked beside Genos, their footsteps echoing softly along the pristine, silver walkway. Everything around him seemed so advanced it almost felt like he was dreaming. Roads shimmered like flowing liquid metal, shifting and reforming as people walked over them. Towering buildings stretched far into the sky, their surfaces curving in impossible ways, each layer outlined by glowing veins of soft neon light. There were no cars anywhere. Instead, sleek hovering pods zipped silently overhead, guided along invisible currents of energy that pulsed between buildings. Ethan had watched many sci-fi movies in his previous life, but none of them could compare to Solaris. Here, everything felt so complete, so immersive, as though this was a living world rather than a virtual construct. Even the air itself carried a cool freshness that made his senses sharpen. Curious, he tried to summon his system panel. Nothing happened. He tried again, concentrating harder, but still no response. He could feel the connection to his system within his soul, but it was as if this virtual universe ignored it entirely. He let out a short breath. That made sense. The virtual universe could perfectly replicate his body and even imitate some aspects of his soul, but the system was not something it could touch. It was likely protected by safeguards beyond even the Primordial human Race’s technology. Ethan was looking at everything curiously,likely wanted to find anything that could tell him that it was a virtual world rather than a real one. But he couldn’t. Beside him, Genos chuckled as though he’d expected this. "And you’re only seeing Level One," he said, amusement in his voice. Ethan turned, surprised. "What do you mean by Level One?" Genos smiled faintly. "Solaris is made up of eight levels. Each level corresponds to a cultivation realm. We’re currently on the first level, which only permits people below the Planetary Realm. When someone breaks through to a higher realm, they earn access to the next level." Ethan blinked, trying to picture it. "So... are all the levels exactly like this? Or do they change?" "They’re very similar in appearance," Genos said with a nod, "but each level has its own internal systems of operation. Slight differences in functions like permitted items, in trade regulations... little things that keep everything balanced. And yes—this whole city is a replica of the real Solaris City from the Primordial Star." Ethan’s gaze wandered over the crowd. Young people walked by in groups, chatting, gesturing, laughing. He realized he hadn’t sensed a single overwhelming aura here. No crushing pressure from experts, no suffocating presence that made the heart tremble. Only ordinary fluctuations—strong, certainly, but still within the limits of Emperor or lower. "No wonder..." he murmured to himself. "I was worried that if Earth’s people entered this place, they’d be bullied by powerful cultivators. It could destroy their confidence. Maybe even ruin their future." "That’s exactly why the system exists," Genos said. "No one can travel down to a lower level without explicit permission from Queen Freya herself. And she won’t grant it unless there is a very valid reason." Ethan nodded slowly. There was something admirable in that. To build such an enormous system and still think of protecting the weak—it said a lot about the Primordial Human Race. "But," Genos continued, "if you buy a private property—like a house or an estate—you can invite anyone inside regardless of their cultivation realm. This way you won’t be bullied outside and won’t face a problem of not being able to meet if necessary. Even if you don’t have a private space of your own,you can rent one." Genos’s expression grew serious. "That’s why our race stands at the pinnacle of the cosmos," he said quietly. "It’s not just strength. It’s foresight, order, and respect for every level of life." They resumed walking. Their destination was a massive structure that sprawled across an entire city block. It looked like a colossal shopping center, but with a modern elegance that made it feel almost sacred. "This is the Shop," Genos said. "You can buy almost anything here—treasures, techniques, rare materials. If it’s recorded in the Primordial Race’s database, it can be purchased." Ethan glanced around as they stepped inside. Endless shelves stretched in all directions. Floating signs marked sections . Glowing counters displayed items behind transparent barriers. "But remember," Genos added, "everything costs contribution points." Ethan stopped in front of a display of crystalline spheres that pulsed with an inner light. "What are these?" "Comprehension spheres," Genos explained. "Each one holds a fragment of Law, recorded by a powerful expert. If you meditate near them, your comprehension of that Law will improve rapidly. But they’re expensive." They continued on, passing through a section lined with herbs of every color and beast cores still flickering with residual energy. Some items had red symbols hovering above them—restricted goods that only certain ranks or permits could buy. Everything here was vast and perfectly organized. Nothing felt chaotic. Even though it was only a simulation, it had a life of its own. "Come on," Genos said with a grin, "I’ll show you something even better." They left the Shop and approached a towering cylindrical building bathed in blue-white lights that moved in rhythmic patterns across its surface. Inside, the air felt heavier, denser with power, though not in a way that weighed on the body. It was simply... potent. "This is the Cultivation Hall," Genos said, lowering his voice with respect. "Inside are individual cultivation chambers you can rent. Once you’re inside, you can accelerate time up to fivefold. Every five hours you spend cultivating in there is one hour outside." Ethan’s eyes widened. "Five times?" "Yes," Genos confirmed. "It can save decades of your life if you use it wisely." Ethan stepped forward onto one of the circular platforms that lined the entrance. The floor beneath him lit up, scanning his presence. "But be warned," Genos said, his voice taking on a wry note, "one hour here costs ten thousand contribution points." Ethan laughed . "Of course it does." Even so, he couldn’t deny how powerful such a place could be. With this cultivation hall, any genius could grow even faster. For someone like him—who already had beyond monstrous talent—it was a terrifying thought. They stepped back out onto the walkway, and Genos led him toward a building shaped like a slowly rotating crystal. Inside was the Auction House. The main hall was enormous, ringed by rows of floating seats. Platforms hovered in the air, rising and lowering based on rank and status. "Weekly auctions happen here," Genos said. "They sell treasures you won’t find in the Shop—ancient artifacts, forbidden techniques, sometimes even living creatures." Ethan glanced around. Some spectators wore featureless black masks. Others appeared as blurry silhouettes—avatars who valued anonymity. He couldn’t even afford to bid on the cheapest item here. Right now, he was a pauper. Though he was the richest person in earth, he was a pauper here. He should try to earn contribution points as soon as possible. Genos seemed to sense it, because he didn’t linger. Instead, he led Ethan outside again. "Now," he said, brightening, "my favorite place." They walked into a colossal stadium that looked as if it could hold a hundred thousand people. High above, two figures clashed in midair—one wielding a glowing spear, the other surrounded by crimson flame. Their strikes made the sky ripple. "This is the Fighting Arena," Genos explained, his eyes alight. "Here, you can challenge others openly. Every victory earns you contribution points, glory, and attention from the higher levels.You can go all out here." Ethan’s heartbeat quickened as he watched the duel. Every strike felt real. Every movement was precise, as if life itself had been poured into the simulation. The crowd roared with every clash. "Can anyone register?" he asked. "Anyone," Genos confirmed. "You’ll be ranked according to your strength. There are solo duels, elimination tournaments, even team battles. And if you want, you can set your fights as premium matches. Spectators will pay contribution points to watch.But that would need a lot of fans." Ethan wanted to fight. He really wanted to go all out. This stage was perfect for him as if it was made for him. He grinned. Then Genos pointed to the massive tower that loomed behind the arena. It rose so high that its peak vanished into a canopy of simulated clouds. "That," Genos said softly, "is the Primordial Tower." Ethan turned to look. "It holds the names of the hundred greatest prodigies below Planetary Realm," Genos went on, his voice reverent. "From the ancient eras up to now. Everyone of those people are legends.Some new generation monsters are also included in the list.Those who could place their names there become legends overnight. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖 They get invited straight into the Primordial Alliance as officers." "This place contains the soul imprints of all those monstrous geniues. You can challenge them one by one. But for that you have to acheive the 1st rank in the fighting arena and you also need to become . Then you will be able to challenge them." "You are the leader of the younger generation of your civilization, right? Maybe you can achieve the honor to battle them some day.", said Genos in a reverent voice. Ethan’s blood was already boiling now. He wanted to fight them right here,right now. He wanted to test his skills against those ancient monsters. He wanted to crush them and prove that he was the greatest genius of all time. This was an inner urge of his to dominate everything. But he didn’t meet the requirements. So he had to wait. He forced himself to calm down. "What do you get if you rank there?" he asked carefully. "Only contribution points?" Genos smiled, his eyes distant. "No. The prize is never fixed. If can enter the rank you are offered choices—sometimes rare treasures, sometimes techniques, or even a single wish within limits. That’s why people dedicate their lives to leave their name on the list." Ethan stood in silence. He needed to challenge this tower as soon as possible. He turned to Genos. "Thank you," he said quietly. "For showing me all this. For not treating me like just another outsider." Genos said,"Don’t sweat over it bro. I never saw someone as humble as you who comes from an X level contracted civilization. They are always arrogant, because they are talented, even sometimes more than our pure bred primordial humans and they have the right to be arrogant as the X level contract means you are as pureblooded as us with monstrous talents maybe we don’t possess. " Ethan didn’t answer right away. He thought of Earth. He needed to make a name for himself. Everyone here was thinking he came from a high tier civilization, but he was not. And when his people would enter the virtual universe, people might treat them badly if they couldn’t show talents worthy of the X level contract. He wasn’t a fool. The highest level contract was probably given becasue of him. Their scanner couldn’t measure his potential value. So earth needs a backer. And he would become that backer for them. Besides, if he could defeat those geniuse and rank high,then he could probably get the seeds of law for his parents which was worth a fortune and also gain the fame necessary for earth. But first,he needed to break through to the emperor realm,as the requirement for challenging the primordial tower was to be in the emperor realm. He thought of logging out,breaking through to the emperor realm and then coming back again to challenge. He then said good bye to Genos and also took his contact info. Genos said, "Bye brother. When would you come back? You can just send me a message. I’ll be here." "Thanks. But I think I’ll take a 2/3 days break before coming back here."