Currently, Venix had been transferred to another room.

  In this new room, a large cylinder filled with Awaken Elixir was connected directly to Venix's body.

  Sitting upright on the floor, Venix kept his eyes tightly shut. His expression was calm but intense, his concentration evident. Meanwhile, Grandmaster Ardyn and Grandmaster Orion stood silently in the corner of the room, exchanging occasional glances as the silence thickened the air.

  "Why did you tell me to support his decision?" Grandmaster Ardyn asked softly.

  Grandmaster Orion, gazing at Venix in meditation, replied, "Because only Venix can change his own fate."

  Grandmaster Ardyn frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. "What we need is more time to help Venix grow stronger in utilizing his Seed of Vulture, not to recklessly accelerate this process!"

  Their original plan had been to give Venix time to develop in other areas, ensuring he would be better prepared to face the Seed of Chaos in the future.

  "Venix has been asking me a lot of questions," Grandmaster Orion said, his tone gentle but thoughtful. "Strange ones, mostly revolving around the history of the early Origin Era."

  Grandmaster Ardyn scoffed, not bothering to respond.

  "If you truly want to help him, trust him," Grandmaster Orion continued, his voice firm. "The same way you trusted him with those valuable resources."

  "The last time I trusted you, the results were less than satisfactory," Grandmaster Ardyn replied with a cynical smile.

  Grandmaster Orion remained silent, offering no rebuttal.

  Meanwhile, Venix was deeply focused, channeling his energy toward the Origin Fragment Realm.

  Controlling the Seed of Vulture within him, Venix hovered above the Origin Fragment Realm, pouring his energy into it. However, the realm fiercely resisted, blocking Venix's access at every turn.

  A smirk formed in Venix's mind as he observed this.

  "I wonder," he muttered to himself, staring down at the Origin Fragment Realm below, "Why is it that in the real world, misfortune always seems to follow me, danger arriving one after another? Yet in the Virtual World, everything flows so smoothly. Too smoothly, even."

  Ever since he had been captured by the Robot, met Luna, Awakened, and progressed to this point, everything had unfolded almost effortlessly. However, in the real world, even when Venix tried to evade trouble, misfortune always seemed to find him, building up from minor inconveniences to major crises.

  Reflecting on this contrast, Venix stared into the void, his thoughts restless. Why was the Virtual World so seamless, while reality was fraught with endless challenges?

  At first, Venix had thought this was simply the path predetermined for him by the Virtual Ascension System. But as his journey progressed, too many coincidences seemed to align perfectly.

  Despite the Origin Fragment Realm’s resistance, Venix knew that with his persistent flow of energy and the Awaken Elixir coursing through his veins, he wouldn’t run out of energy anytime soon. The barrier couldn’t hold forever.

  For an hour, Venix sustained this effort, feeling the resistance of the Origin Fragment Realm begin to falter. During this time, he observed the Seed of Chaos atop its throne. Strangely, the Seed of Chaos only glanced at him a few times, making no moves otherwise.

  "Grandmaster Orion said the Seed of Chaos is a unique entity, perhaps possessing a consciousness akin to a human’s," Venix thought to himself. "Could it be that the Seed of Chaos hasn’t reached the threshold for such awareness yet?"

  His lips pressed into a tight line, his brows furrowing as unanswered questions clouded his mind. According to Grandmaster Orion, the Seed of Chaos was fundamentally different from the Seed Origin, its level not even equivalent.

  The Seed Origin itself was surrounded by mysteries that remained unexplored in Numan World. Venix’s own case—being bonded to the Seed of Vulture—was a recent discovery.

  Perhaps, in the vastness of space, in regions inhabited by more advanced beings, the Seed Origin could undergo further evolution, becoming even more formidable.

  Pushing thoughts of the Seed of Chaos aside, Venix focused back on channeling energy into the Origin Fragment Realm. A day passed swiftly, and his progress reached 70%.

  However, unlike his experience with the first Seed Origin, the third Seed Origin remained invisible to Venix, shrouded and obscured.

  After brief contemplation, Venix emerged from his meditative state. Upon opening his eyes, Grandmaster Ardyn and Grandmaster Orion immediately approached, concerned about his condition.

  Understanding the value of transparency, Venix relayed everything he had experienced, including the peculiar resistance of the third Origin Fragment Realm.

  Grandmaster Ardyn’s expression turned grave, his brow furrowing deeply. On the other hand, Grandmaster Orion stayed silent, his piercing gaze hinting at deep contemplation.

  After five minutes of quiet deliberation, Grandmaster Orion spoke. "This is highly unusual. You can’t access the Origin Fragment Realm, even with your Seed of Vulture?"

  "No," Venix admitted, shaking his head.

  He explained honestly that he couldn’t enter the Origin Fragment Realm with his Seed Origin—a rare and nearly impossible occurrence. Despite this, Grandmaster Ardyn, far from disappointed, appeared deeply engrossed in finding a solution.

  Venix exhaled quietly in relief. After all, he had previously misled Grandmaster Ardyn.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  When asked to devour the third Origin Fragment Realm using his Seed of Vulture, Venix had declined with various excuses. It was natural for Grandmaster Ardyn to harbor some frustration over this deceit, a fact Venix understood.

  What Venix didn’t realize was that Grandmaster Ardyn and the research team had long suspected something unusual about him. Their theories were alarmingly close to the truth.

  "The Seed of Chaos is too unruly," Grandmaster Ardyn said sternly. "It can easily disrupt the authority of the main Seed Origin."

  Grandmaster Orion nodded in agreement. "If Venix fails with the first Seed Origin, he’s finished—there will be no second chances."

  Curious, Venix raised a brow. "Does that mean because of the Astral Bond, I can’t freely choose a second Seed Origin?"

  "That’s part of it," Grandmaster Orion admitted. "But the first Seed Origin is the foundation for any Awaken. Based on our data, the first Seed Origin always holds unique advantages over the second and third."

  Venix nodded gently, recalling his past struggles and Luna’s sacrifices, which made him sigh softly in his heart.

  Grandmaster Ardyn turned and looked at Grandmaster Orion. “Given the current circumstances, do you think it’s wise to expedite the process?”

  Grandmaster Orion pondered for a moment before replying, “Based on the situation Venix described, there might be one or two reasons why the Seed of Chaos is deliberately slowing down the development of the third Seed Origin.”

  He then shifted his gaze to Venix. “Perhaps the Seed of Chaos has done something that came at a significant cost, and now it needs time to fully recover.”

  Venix had guessed as much and nodded in agreement.

  Grandmaster Ardyn sighed and said, “In that case, I’ll make the preparations.”

  With that, Grandmaster Ardyn turned to leave.

  “Wait!” Venix called out immediately. “What are you going to prepare, Grandmaster?”

  Grandmaster Ardyn paused briefly, glanced back, and smiled gently. “Of course, to help you. Continue your efforts, and when the final battle arrives, I’ll have everything ready for you.”

  With those words, Grandmaster Ardyn left the room.

  Venix stood there with a puzzled expression and turned to Grandmaster Orion, hoping for an explanation.

  “That’s his choice,” Grandmaster Orion said calmly. “You don’t need to concern yourself with it.”

  Venix frowned, feeling a subtle unease in his heart.

  Still, this wasn’t the time to dwell on it or seek answers.

  Guided by Grandmaster Orion’s advice, Venix received a new perspective and clearer strategies.

  “Is this really possible?” Venix asked, looking at Grandmaster Orion.

  “In theory, it is,” Grandmaster Orion replied. “However, the outcome may vary. I’ve gathered enough data to craft a technique like this.”

  Grandmaster Orion then instructed Venix to wait as he meditated to finalize the technique he had been envisioning.

  Bored, Venix took out a technique scroll from his Spatial Ring. His left hand trembled slightly as he pressed it to his wrist.

  Closing his eyes, he saw letters and words forming in his mind, each word carrying a weight he had to comprehend. The air in the room grew increasingly heavy.

  The atmosphere inside the room was tranquil, but outside, many researchers were busy preparing everything.

  The data they could gather from Venix was invaluable, and they intended to make full use of their machinery when the time came.

  Twelve hours later, Grandmaster Orion opened his eyes and began teaching Venix the new technique.

  The technique was complex and profound, causing Venix to frown deeply.

  Fortunately, Grandmaster Orion, as the creator of the technique, could guide Venix to understand it more quickly.

  Three hours later, Venix had grasped the theory behind the technique. The next challenge was the hardest part—applying it in practice.

  Venix meditated again, channeling his control over the Seed of Vulture and floating outside the Origin Fragment Realm.

  Recalling the technique, Venix flapped his birdlike wings, generating an energy wave that resembled a small ripple.

  He tried to control the ripple, but it collapsed almost instantly.

  Unyielding, Venix tried again and again, enduring over a dozen failures.

  At last, he managed to maintain the ripple’s form and began adding energy to it.

  Slowly, the ripple grew larger as more energy was infused.

  When the wave trembled and seemed on the verge of collapse, Venix ceased adding energy and first stabilized it.

  Once stabilized, he resumed channeling energy, allowing the wave to grow even further.

  Eventually, the energy wave expanded to an enormous size, rivaling the scale of the Origin Fragment Realm itself!

  Taking a deep breath, Venix flapped his wings to the side, directing the massive energy wave toward the Origin Fragment Realm.

  Boom!!!

  The Origin Fragment Realm shook violently under the impact of the colossal wave. Venix immediately felt it weaken, as though it had been damaged.

  “Did it work?” Venix asked, a hint of surprise and joy in his voice.

  The technique Grandmaster Orion had created was brutal, designed to shatter someone’s future!

  Its purpose was to obliterate the Origin Fragments within and destroy them, thereby weakening the Origin Fragment Realm. The resulting Seed Origin would be imperfect and riddled with flaws.

  While cruel, in the right circumstances, this technique was a powerful tool for Venix.

  “Sometimes, being overly cautious and secretive isn’t always the best approach,” Venix thought to himself.

  Had he been more open earlier, he might have been able to weaken the Seed of Chaos even further with this technique.

  And if he were lucky, he might even destroy the Seed of Chaos entirely!

  Unbeknownst to Venix, when Grandmaster Orion had entered his soul, he had examined not only the Seed of Vulture but also Venix’s entire soul, uncovering the truth more quickly.

  That was why Venix had felt so exposed during the examination; Grandmaster Orion had thoroughly scrutinized his entire being!

  It was during that inspection that Grandmaster Orion had secretly devised this technique, anticipating its future necessity.

  This was but one of many plans Grandmaster Orion had laid out for Venix.

  Previously, Grandmaster Orion had needed a little more time to perfect the technique, which was why he had meditated and asked Venix to wait.

  The massive energy wave had drained 90% of Venix’s energy. He needed to rest and replenish his reserves before he could use the technique again.

  The residual energy from the wave surrounded the Origin Fragment Realm.

  Unlike before, when the realm consciously repelled incoming energy, this time it voraciously absorbed the residual energy into its world.

  Had the Origin Fragment Realm not absorbed it, Venix wouldn’t have hesitated to reclaim the energy he had expended.

  Pressing his lips tightly together, Venix allowed a small smile to form—though only he knew the meaning behind it.

  Slowly, he drew a deep breath and opened his eyes, feeling his body reconnect with reality after being immersed in meditation for so long.

  “How did it go?” Grandmaster Orion asked as soon as Venix opened his eyes.

  “It worked,” Venix replied with a satisfied nod. “I can feel that the Origin Fragment Realm has weakened and isn’t as strong as it was.”

  “That’s good,” Grandmaster Orion said with a relieved sigh. “Use the technique again. Even if the Seed of Chaos emerges as the third Seed Origin, it will be far weaker than the second Seed Origin.”

  Venix nodded eagerly.

  He then recounted how the Origin Fragment Realm had actively absorbed the residual energy from the previous wave.

  Hearing this, Grandmaster Orion’s expression grew serious. “There’s no doubt about it—the true consciousness of the Seed of Chaos has awakened. Such deliberate actions wouldn’t be possible if its true consciousness hadn’t surfaced.”

  “I had the same suspicion,” Venix said gravely. “But I’ve tried to communicate with the Seed of Chaos repeatedly, and it ignores me entirely. It acts as though it’s just an ordinary Seed Origin with only its natural instincts.”

  “It’s deliberately hiding its presence,” Grandmaster Orion said, furrowing his brow. “The Seed of Chaos is a unique entity that chose you as its reincarnation. While it’s inherently a powerful being, it’s now riddled with weaknesses and may not be as formidable as we’ve assumed!”

  Hearing this, a chill ran through Venix’s heart.

  He had yet to discern the true power of the Seed of Chaos within the second Seed Origin. The barriers between them prevented direct confrontation.

  Venix had always regarded the Seed of Chaos as a terrifying adversary.

  But from Grandmaster Orion’s words, he began to wonder—what if he had been wrong all along? What if the Seed of Chaos was far weaker than he had imagined?