My Infinite Cultivation System-Chapter 81: Getting informations

The two ancient humans stood completely still in the empty stretch of the broken land, their bodies locked in place by a force they could neither see nor understand.

Logan’s muscles strained beneath his armor as he tried to move even a single finger, but the invisible pressure wrapped around him like chains forged from the fabric of space itself. Sweat slowly gathered along his forehead and ran down the side of his face.

Beside him, Yan Tian was experiencing the same helplessness, though his reaction was very different. His eyes moved quickly across the surrounding area with sharp focus as he tried to locate the source of the calm voice that had spoken to them only moments ago.

"I would not struggle if I were you," the voice said again, carrying the relaxed tone of someone who had complete control over the situation. "The more force you apply, the tighter the pressure becomes, and I doubt either of you would enjoy that experience."

The air behind them folded inward as though reality itself had been gently bent by unseen hands. A figure stepped forward from that distortion, appearing slowly as if smoke had condensed into a human shape.

Alex walked out of the warped space with an easy posture, his hands resting casually by his sides while his gaze moved across the two ancient cultivators in front of him. The moment Logan and Yan Tian sensed the pressure that radiated from this young man, both of their hearts tightened violently inside their chests.

The energy surrounding Alex was far beyond their expectations.

Logan forced himself to breathe steadily even though his body remained locked in place. His mind ran through every possibility he could think of while analyzing the situation with the calm reasoning that had kept him alive through countless battles. The pressure alone suggested someone who had already crossed a realm far above theirs.

However, as Alex stepped closer and his features became clear, Logan’s expression changed immediately.

"You’re a modern human," Logan said.

He did not ask it as a question.

It was a statement.

Yan Tian’s attention sharpened the moment he heard that.

Instead of fear, a strange curiosity appeared on his face as he examined Alex from head to toe as if he were studying a rare specimen.

"Interesting," Yan Tian said quietly. "The trial has only been running for roughly five hundred years. And yet one of your generation has already reached a level like this."

He turned his head slightly toward Logan while keeping his eyes on Alex.

"It appears the elders underestimated the potential of the trial."

Yan Tian then looked directly at Alex again.

"A species as garbage as modern humans should not be advancing at such a rate," he continued with calm interest. "And judging from your appearance, you are still very young. That raises an obvious question."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"How did someone like you become this powerful?"

Alex listened to the question without any sign of anger or irritation. Instead he looked thoughtful, as if the conversation itself had become mildly entertaining.

"You are aware that I am currently a planetary level being," Alex said after a moment. "Your senses should make that obvious. Yet both of you seem remarkably calm considering your situation."

He tilted his head slightly.

"I am curious about that confidence. Would either of you mind explaining it?"

Yan Tian gave a small smile.

"You are referring to the Transformation Transcendence realm," he replied. "Yes, your aura places you one full realm above us."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"However modern humans lack something that we ancient humans possess."

Alex rested his fingers against his chin while considering the statement.

"You are referring to martial spirits, correct?"

Both Logan and Yan Tian reacted immediately.

Their eyes widened in shock.

"How do you know about martial spirits?" Logan asked.

Alex shrugged lightly.

"I have my own methods of gathering information," he said. "You could say curiosity is one of my habits."

His gaze shifted between them.

"Since we are already discussing the subject, why do you not explain what makes them so special?"

Yan Tian’s smile widened slightly.

"Rather than explaining," he said while glancing toward Logan, "perhaps it would be better if we demonstrated it."

Logan slowly nodded.

Suddenly both men released the restraint they had been holding on their inner power.

Their martial souls erupted outward.

Alex immediately noticed that his spatial control could not fully restrict the manifestation because martial souls were not entirely physical objects. They existed partially within the spiritual layer of reality, meaning they did not occupy conventional space in the same way normal matter did.

A violent surge of energy exploded into the air.

Behind Logan, a massive Sabertooth Tiger spirit formed with fangs as long as blades and eyes that burned with savage intelligence.

Behind Yan Tian, a gigantic Mammoth spirit appeared with towering tusks that glowed faintly with ancient power.

The moment those martial souls manifested, the pressure surrounding both men surged upward dramatically.

Alex watched the transformation with clear interest.

Their cultivation levels rose instantly.

Planetary level eight.

Planetary level nine.

Alex could not help letting out a quiet laugh.

"You can do that with them?" he said. "That is cheating."

For a brief moment he felt the urge to suppress them instantly using Existential Nullity.

However he restrained himself.

He wanted more information.

The two martial souls charged forward at the same time.

The Mammoth spirit moved first.

Its massive body slammed directly into Alex with force equivalent to a planetary level nine strike.

At the same moment the Sabertooth Tiger spirit lunged forward and slashed with its claws.

Alex allowed the attacks to land without resistance.

The impact pushed him slightly back.

What surprised him most was that the attacks felt completely physical even though the entities themselves were composed of spiritual energy.

Alex’s eyes brightened.

"Excellent," he said with genuine excitement. "Continue."

He stepped forward and threw a punch without channeling any energy at all.

His fist passed directly through the bodies of the martial souls.

Before he could react further, Logan and Yan Tian both appeared behind him.

Their bodies merged briefly with their respective martial souls as they attacked.

Two powerful punches struck Alex from behind.

The impact caused him to stumble two steps forward before regaining his balance.

Alex turned back toward them.

His expression showed clear excitement.

Logan and Yan Tian exchanged confused glances.

This reaction made no sense.

Most opponents would have panicked after receiving attacks at that level.

Yet this modern human looked as if he had just discovered a new toy.

"Alright gentlemen," Alex said calmly. "Thank you for the demonstration."

His smile slowly disappeared.

"Let us finish this."

He placed one hand behind his back while raising the other in front of him.

Then he crossed his index finger and middle finger together in a precise gesture.

"Existential Nullity."

The domain expanded instantly.

Invisible space folded around Logan, Yan Tian, and their martial souls.

The moment the domain formed, both ancient cultivators felt the change.

Their connection to their martial spirits vanished.

Both of them turned pale instantly.

A slow smile appeared on Alex’s face.

"So," he said calmly, "are you ready to talk now? Or we can play this game more."

Logan and Yan Tian had faced powerful enemies before.

They had been injured.

They had been pushed to the brink of death countless times.

But through every battle their martial souls had always remained with them.

Now they felt nothing.

It was as if those companions had never existed.

Both men collapsed to their knees.

"Please," Logan said quickly. "Do not destroy our martial souls."

Yan Tian nodded immediately.

"We will tell you whatever you want."

Alex’s smile widened slightly.

"Good," he said.

He stepped closer to them.

"Let us begin with something simple."

His eyes sharpened.

"Where have you been all this time?"

Logan swallowed before answering.

"We were sealed within separate dimensional pockets thousands of years ago."

Yan Tian continued the explanation.

"Those spaces existed outside the normal world. We could observe events happening in reality, but we could not interact with them or leave our prison."

Logan nodded.

"The planetary lock changed that situation."

Yan Tian spoke again.

"When the lock activated, the seals around those dimensional spaces began to weaken. That allowed small groups like ours to escape and enter the world again."

Alex listened carefully.

"Why were you sealed in the first place?" he asked.

Logan hesitated briefly before answering.

"We offended an enemy who possessed overwhelming power."

"He punished our entire civilization," Yan Tian said quietly. "He sealed us inside those empty dimensions with no external energy to sustain our cultivation."

Logan lowered his head slightly.

"Our strength has declined significantly over the centuries."

Alex continued questioning them.

"Who is the strongest individual among your people?"

Logan answered immediately.

"Our overlord."

Yan Tian added the details.

"He has reached the Mahayana realm."

Logan glanced at Alex.

"If you prefer a comparison based on your system, he would be considered a peak star realm cultivator."

Alex remained silent for a moment.

Then he asked another question.

"How are martial souls awakened?"

Logan answered carefully.

"When a member of our race reaches the age of fifteen, they can attempt to awaken their martial soul through a special meditation technique."

Yan Tian continued.

"Success depends on both talent and opportunity. Those with greater potential awaken stronger martial souls."

Alex nodded slowly.

He had received exactly the information he wanted.