When the System presented the options, Liu Shu almost instantly knew that some of them had to be disqualified just from looking at their names. "You give me five options, but I only see three of them here."

The first two options, [Young Elemental Heart Universal Tree (Legendary)] and [Juvenile Essence Purifying Universal Tree (Legendary)], were of legendary rarity. Therefore, their potential was inherently worse than that of the other three. Choosing any of those would only occur in a highly specific situation. 'I will read all their descriptions, though. Who knows if there are some surprises?'

"System, show me the description of the first two options."

***

Race: Young Elemental Heart Universal Tree (Legendary)

Titles: <Master of Elements>

Talents: <Elemental Aether World Blossom (A Rank)>, <Element Restricting Domain (A Rank)>

Passive Skills: <Heart of Myriad Elements (A+ Rank)>

Description: A Universal Tree that treads this path will eventually become the lord of Aether and manipulate all elements as easily as breathing, stealing control from others, and thus becoming the master, creator, and controller of all elements. They have tremendous growth potential and immediate strength to counter threats.

***

Liu Shu took a slight interest in this species. It didn't really show too much potential name-wise, but the final state that the Ascension Path promised was complete control over Aether Mana. Such a thing was really powerful in Liu Shu's mind.

"Interesting, show me the next one."

***

Race: Juvenile Essence Purifying Universal Tree (Legendary)

Titles: <Purity>, <Bane of Corruption>, <Light Aether Master>

Talents: <Endless Pure Sea (A- Rank)>, <Absolute Soul Cleansing (A- Rank)>, <Purification Ritual (A- Rank)>

Passive Skills: <Saintly Heart (A- Rank)>, <World Cleansing (A- Rank)>.

Description: A Universal Tree born to fight corruption. Even in its juvenile stages, it can influence its surroundings and bring the light of purification to all beings equally. The final form of this being is one that will erase all unnatural phenomena from the cosmos.

***

"This path has many more skills, but they are of lesser quality. Still, it is a good option if I am going to fight the Abyssal Void Nexus for a while… Nevertheless, I doubt they will be comparable to the last three." Liu Shu was pleasantly surprised by these two paths, but she was still skeptical. Therefore, she requested that the system display the rest.

***

Race: Sapling Dimensional Fracture Universal Tree (Mythical)

Titles: <Multidimensional Being>, <Source of Space>, <Ethereal>

Talents: <Dimensional Fracture (S- Rank)>, <Dimension Creation (S- Rank)>, <Dimension Shrink Level MAX (A+ Rank)>, <Dimension Expansion Level MAX (A+ Rank)>

Passive Skills: <Dimensional Heart Level MAX (A+ Rank)>, <Subdimension Level MAX (A+ Rank)>, <Space Source (S- Rank)>

Description: A newly born Universal Tree that has merged with dimensional energy through mastery of spatial manipulation. This being exists in both the material and immaterial realms, an ethereal creature of myth that can manipulate reality with a thought. If a Universal Tree manages to reach maturity following this path, it will be able to rule all dimensions like branches of its very existence.

***

"...Wow." Liu Shu read the description and smiled wryly. "As expected, the other two can't even be considered options with this one existing. Choosing the other two, even if those evolutions would counter my enemies, would be short-sighted as long as this one exists."

For now, Liu Shu kept this option as a sure option. Still, she knew that she would start struggling right away after reading the next two. "Alright, System, shoot the next one."

***

Race: Sapling Eternal Universal Tree (Mythical)

Titles: <Being of Eternity>, <Source of Time>, <Immortal>

Talents: <Eternity Strand (S- Rank)>, <Accelerate Level MAX (A+ Rank)>, <Slow Level MAX (A+ Rank)>, <Stop Level MAX (A+ Rank)>

Passive Skills: <Eternity Heart (S- Rank)>, <Time Source (S- Rank)>

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Description: Born from eternity itself, this Universal Tree is a timeless being. They are part of time itself, and their existence can only be forcibly ended, as they have no lifespan. A Universal Tree that accepts this path can eventually become a being who governs through time itself. If they reach maturity without losing themselves, their influence will be able to extend throughout all time.

***

Liu Shu's mind short-circuited when she read this Ascension Path. "...What? What is this?" She knew that this path would be strong the moment she read the description of her <Universal Tree> title. After all, it said that she had awakened something called <Eternal Core>.

Therefore, since the very beginning, Liu Shu had intended to choose this path regardless of its specialness. However… "System, didn't you say that anything related to time was strictly prohibited? What am I reading here, then?"

[Tianlian Liu Shu has achieved the ability to gain an Ascension Path without system limitations. Therefore, many of the prohibitions can't be applied. Since Tianlian Liu Shu originally had the <Eternal> attribute sealed within her, it is impossible not to offer this option.]

Liu Shu heard the usually cold and emotionless tones, but she could swear that there was some sourness in them. "...You sound resentful for some reason, even when the tone hasn't changed."

[... The System doesn't have emotions.]

"You are definitely resentful."

[...]

"Pfft, hahaha." Liu Shu laughed when she saw the usual three dots. "Well, my option is this one for sure. Still, since we are here, should we see what the third Mythical race is about?"

***

Race: Juvenile Reincarnation Universal Tree (Mythical)

Titles: <Being Beyond Death and Life>, <Source of Rebirth>, <First Life (Evolving Hidden Title)>

Talents: <Life Essence Manipulation (S- Rank)>, <Death Essence Manipulation (S- Rank)>, <Resurrection (S- Rank)>, <Absolute Recovery Level MAX (A+ Rank)>, <Death Plague Level MAX (A+ Rank)>

Passive Skills: <Reincarnation Heart (S- Rank)>, <Source of Rebirth (S- Rank)>

Description: A Universal Tree that has grown beyond the limits of life and death. As long as the Universal Tree is not fully exterminated, it is impossible to kill it. Being a creature beyond the concept of life and death, they are able to manipulate both energies from the outside. If this Universal Tree managed to reach maturity, it would become the river of reincarnation itself, and all life across the cosmos would flow through it.

***

"Whoa!" Liu Shu almost jumped in fright. "To think that there would be an option that could tempt me after reading the <Eternal> species… This path is also incredibly strong. Especially the <Resurrection> skill… It's extremely tempting."

What Liu Shu feared beyond her own strength was her family dying. So, this species was something that she would love to acquire. With it, she would become semi-immortal, and she would be able to grant such semi-immortality to those around her.

The more she thought about it, the more tempted she became. "But…" Looking at the <Eternal> option, it was clearly a special path that couldn't appear during other Ascensions because only during this one was she able to ignore System restrictions.

"Ugh…" As she mulled deeply, she noticed something unusual. "...Wisdom, why are you so silent? Wouldn't you usually have recommended me a path to take?"

[Wisdom: Tianlian Liu Shu must choose her own Ascension Path without outside interference. It is not a place for a <Skill> to dictate or suggest anything. Please, trust yourself and choose.]

Liu Shu listened to Wisdom and smiled faintly. Clearly, Wisdom had a path in mind that it wanted to recommend quite badly. However, they were holding back and leaving Liu Shu to make her own choice. "I see." Liu Shu smiled. "Thank you, Wisdom."

The skill didn't answer and left Liu Shu to ruminate by herself. After thinking for a while, she made a summary.

"Dimensional Universal Tree is a path that focuses on ruling space itself. It is a path that will help me expand the quickest."

"Eternal Universal Tree is clearly a path that focuses on oneself. The individual strength this path provides is probably the highest, and it also gives me access to the prohibited element that, according to the system, I have sealed within me."

Liu Shu thought back to all those years when she revealed her affinities. 'At that time, the System broke down and hid one element. Clearly, it was trying to reveal the Eternal Attribute, but it forcefully sealed it because it went against balance.'

"Finally, the Reincarnation Universal Tree is one that focuses on developing life. With it, I will influence living beings the most and become part of them the best. It will most likely help me when things go wrong, allowing me to revive those dear to me. In a way, it is the most group-oriented path."

Liu Shu hesitated. "Expansion, control, or life. I must choose one."

In her mind, the voice of the unknown being echoed. The being that told her never to forget those around her. 'But… can I really give up the ability to manipulate time for that?'

Time, which Liu Shu always lacked, was within the reach of her branch tips. Just a simple word from her, and she would accept it.

"... But the problem is… what if everyone gets killed?" Liu Shu feared that, in the future, she could face someone so strong that her life would be forfeit. If that was the case, what was the meaning of reincarnation? "If my family gets killed, won't reincarnation be a curse rather than a blessing? I can see myself falling into an endless cycle of revenge, destroying all my enemies time and time again until all are defeated."

With a sigh and complicated feelings, Liu Shu decided. "Sorry, gentle voice. This time, I want to be slightly selfish. I can protect them better the stronger I am. There is no need to avoid strengthening myself just to follow your words. My canopy is their eternal sanctuary, and I will become their guardian. System, I choose [Sapling Eternal Universal Tree]!"

[Are you sure?]

Liu Shu, who hardened her heart, instantly hesitated when those three words popped in front of her. "... Yes." Inside her eyes, strength recovered, and she shouted. "Unlock my innate attribute and give me power to wield it!!"

[<Sapling Eternal Universal Tree (Mythical)> has been chosen! Your <Ascension> will begin when you complete your <Fifth Energy Cycle> transformation.]

[Unlocking Hidden Attribute Affinity: <Eternal>.]

[<Eternal>: The attribute that embodies paradox itself. It is the stillness of permanence, yet also the fleeting nature of a moment lost forever. It is the first spark and the final silence. To wield it is to transcend causality; to embody it is to become a being whose very existence slips beyond chronology. Such creatures are unaging, incorruptible, and forever unbound by the cycles that rule mortals.]

[To use the <Eternal> attribute, you must consume <Aether Mana>, <Phoer>, and <Anima Energy>. It is not considered an elemental affinity.]

Liu Shu took a deep breath and prepared to tackle the <Fifth Energy Cycle> and reach Level 100.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.