CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 733: Arrogant Thoughts

Asher experienced no alteration within his physical form, no sudden surge of raw power or any comparable sensation. Thus, a period of adjustment to his newfound strength was entirely unnecessary. Unlike others who invariably had to acclimate to their emergent might, Asher’s Absolute Physique seamlessly integrated any advancement without the slightest hitch. This inherent adaptability was precisely why Asher consistently felt ordinary, despite the preposterous levels of power his body harbored.

Shaking his head, Asher’s gaze drifted towards his Perception statistic. A faint smirk graced his lips; it had finally breached the one-thousand-point threshold. This milestone signified his capacity to perceive all within a three hundred and sixty-degree sweep across a one-kilometer radius, with absolutely nothing evading his sharp notice. Furthermore, his visual acuity extended an additional three hundred and fifty-seven meters beyond this initial range.

The reason Asher had remained unaware of this augmentation was his deliberate suppression of Omni Perception to its minimal setting—a mere single meter—throughout his grueling month of training. Complete deactivation wasn't an option, as Omni Perception was an intrinsic ability tied to the Absolute Physique; it could neither be switched off like a common skill nor deactivated at will. Its utilization was limited to adjusting the range as he saw fit.

Without further delay, Asher released Omni Perception from its imposed restrictions, allowing it to expand unhindered. Instantly, an overwhelming torrent of data flooded his brain, mind, and senses in unison. However, did Asher flinch? Not in the slightest. He was simply reveling in the hard-won spoils of his arduous efforts.

Abruptly, he paused as a peculiar piece of information materialized within his consciousness. Immediately, he redirected the focus of his Omni Perception, and in that instant, Asher’s sight snapped towards the ground directly beneath him. He remained frozen for a moment, utterly dumbfounded by the revelation unfolding before his eyes. He could perceive the eleventh-ranked student, sound asleep in his bed, situated below Asher’s current position.

One of Omni Perception’s most significant and long-accepted limitations for Asher was its inability to penetrate underground or see through solid surfaces. Yet, at this precise juncture, he could now gaze directly through the flooring, discerning the reality beneath him, including the student residing directly under his own chamber.

Asher immediately conjured a soundproof dome of Astra Energy around himself, after which he erupted into unrestrained laughter, brimming with genuine elation. This very limitation had been a persistent blemish on Omni Perception’s capabilities, and its eradication filled him with unbridled joy. Why would he refrain from such an outburst of pure mirth?

After a few moments of what could only be described as idiotic glee, he dissolved the Astra Energy dome, a serene smile now gracing his features once more.

Asher had no need for conjecture; he understood instinctively that this breakthrough was a direct consequence of his sensing range finally exceeding the one-kilometer mark. Unquestionably, the ability itself had undergone a parallel evolution alongside this expansion.

'Hey, System, this is precisely the kind of evolution I'm referring to,' he communicated mentally with the system. 'Since the Perception stat crossed one thousand points, something significant has awakened. Are you quite certain you aren't surreptitiously withholding my rewards for reaching the thousand-point milestone?'

The system, however, did not even deign to respond, appearing wholly indifferent, as if weary of perpetually reminding Asher that stats were merely numerical representations and nothing more.

'If you prefer silence, so be it,' Asher continued, undeterred, 'but surely you'll present me with some form of birthday gratuity?' he inquired, relentlessly seeking any conceivable avenue to acquire benefits from the system without cost.

Once again, the system utterly ignored him. It had long since grasped that Asher possessed an insatiable appetite for power and gifts obtained freely.

Observing the system's continued reticence, Asher sighed and shook his head, electing not to prolong his entreaties. His thoughts then reverted to Omni Perception, as another newly unlocked ability had manifested, though it wasn't something Asher held in particularly high regard.

At this present moment, he could now fully deactivate Omni Perception at will. While he didn't deem this capability especially crucial, it at least allowed for complete disabling, thereby maximizing his future training potential.

Asher cast a final glance at the system panel before dismissing it with a simple mental command. He derived immense satisfaction from his progress. It wasn't merely substantial or laudable... it was truly colossal.

'I wonder if I stand a chance against Voidstar Life Rankers now, even against the weakest among them, one teetering on the brink of death from old age,' Asher mused, thoughtfully stroking his chin.

The instant the thought arose, he forcefully suppressed it. While he took immense pride in his extraordinary talents and accomplishments, he would never permit himself to succumb to arrogance. He had just witnessed the stark disparity between the Swiftstar and Firmstar Life Ranks through the numerical values presented by the system. Only the heavens knew the terrifying gulf that separated the Wavestar Life Rank from the Voidstar Life Rank.'But... doesn’t this make the Inter-Empire Competition rather dull if I were to join?' he pondered briefly before quickly dismissing the thought. 'Ugh, too many conceited notions,' he chided himself. With just that one question, he had already subconsciously deemed the students from other Empires as inferior. 'Sigh... I can now see why individuals with extraordinary talent so often become arrogant. Faced with this level of innate ability, maintaining humility is truly a challenge,' Asher mused with a weary sigh. 'Perhaps I ought to flaunt my skills a bit or utter an arrogant remark. I’m sure my humble nature would reassert itself immediately afterward,' he contemplated. 'I wonder what method of travel exists between the Empires,' Asher decided to redirect his focus. 'Furthermore, just how vast is the separation between the numerous Empires?' He delved into deep contemplation. Though the answer eluded him, he knew the distances involved would surely be incomprehensibly immense. After all, the world of Crymora was simply too colossal. 'Hmm... as everyone is still in slumber, perhaps I should capitalize on the complimentary point system,' Asher conceived. With only today and tomorrow remaining, he considered making the most of it. Even if he had no particular need for anything, he could still acquire random items simply because they were devoid of cost. After a fleeting moment of consideration, he shook his head. He was simply too indolent to go through the effort. Had he been destitute, he might have cared enough to exploit the opportunity. 'I ought to return to my slumber,' Asher thought as he arose from his seat. Despite having awakened merely two hours prior, he still opted to sleep again. At this juncture, his lethargic disposition entirely prevailed as he retreated to his chamber and surrendered himself to his bed. If he had absolutely nothing demanding his attention, then sleeping for the subsequent two entire days would pose no issue whatsoever. And with that, the Dream Realm, which had only recently relinquished his consciousness, reclaimed it entirely.