Nexus Ascension: My Comprehension Defies the Heaven

Chapter 12: Hidden Rules of Evolution

As soon as he laid his eyes on cosmic energy, Grey was struck with deja vu.

Cosmic energy did not flow in neat, ordered paths. Instead, it spread in all directions, breaking apart into countless scattered streams. At first glance, it seemed utterly random—like stars scattered across the night sky.

But upon closer observation, it was truly chaotic. Each stream curved into wide arcs, as if pulled back by an unseen force. The energy appeared free, unrestrained, yet some hidden law subtly guided its course, weaving order into disorder.

”Huh... This...?” Grey’s eyes widened in disbelief. ”Isn’t this... spiritual energy?”

”T-This is exactly how spiritual energy functions!” His expression stiffened. ”How is this possible? They’re two entirely different energies... so why do they behave the same?”

His mind buzzed with questions he couldn’t answer. No one else in this world could explain it—for no one besides him possessed the ability to perceive the hidden flow and patterns of energies.

”With my photographic memory, there’s no way I’m mistaken,” Grey muttered, his face darkening as he replayed the memory of spiritual energy in his mind.

This was no trivial matter. If cosmic energy and spiritual energy were truly the same, then why could only a handful of people on Blue Star access spiritual energy?

It was almost as if... someone had imposed a restriction, sealing it away from the masses and granting access only to a chosen few.

[After witnessing the hidden workings of energies, you’ve bypassed Heaven’s filter and glimpsed the hidden rules of evolution.]

”Hidden rules?” Grey’s eyes widened. ”So... I was right? There really is a restriction on spiritual energy?”

For a moment, he was genuinely shaken. The big words flashing in his mind—Heaven’s filter and hidden rules of evolution—made him realize just how deep he had dug. He was no longer dealing with ordinary cultivation; this was the big leagues.

”Then... could my incompatibility with cosmic energy also be related to these hidden rules? Is there some kind of standard one must meet to access these memories?”

[You’ve gained even more insight into the hidden rules of evolution.]

”It’s true...” Grey muttered, momentarily speechless. ”Does that mean... I didn’t even make the cut to use cosmic energy?”

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

One thing, however, was certain: spiritual energy and cosmic energy were the same underlying force. The only difference was the requirement to perceive them. Cosmic energy had a lower threshold, while spiritual energy demanded far more from the cultivator.

”Now that I look closely...” Grey frowned. ”Cosmic energy does feel slightly... inferior. It’s missing something that spiritual energy possesses. A kind of purity, or perhaps completeness.”

”I need to find a martial artist,” Grey said abruptly, the thought rising to the surface.

Martial artists were unique, for they utilized a special energy known as Inner Energy—or True Energy, as they called it. Scientifically, it was regarded as the life energy of a person, a direct extension of one’s vitality.

Grey wanted to quickly find a martial artist and see if there were any existing patterns similar to spiritual energy and cosmic energy. If the three forces intersected in structure, then the truth behind evolution would become far clearer.

”I should head out right away and find one.” Grey nodded.

However, just as he stood, his phone rang.

”It’s Lia.” Grey spoke with a little surprise in his tone, his brows arching.

...

Almost an hour ago, in a massive mansion situated somewhere within Sector 1, Lia sat in front of her computer wearing casual clothes and glasses, her face frozen in shock.

Displayed on her computer were the full details of Grey Lockhart—her one and only instructor, the man who had helped her achieve sword energy.

[Name: Grey Lockhart]

[Age: 17]

[DOB: 26/09/3145]

[Citizen Rank: 1]

[Evolver Rank: None]

[Note: Not compatible with any evolutionary path on Blue Star. Incapable of becoming an evolver.]

[Family: Richard Lockhart (Father), Melena Lockhart (Mother, Deceased), Alissa Lockhart (Sister)]

[Familial Status: Adopted]

[Occupation: 3rd-year student at Nova-5 High.]

”Seventeen years old?” Lia looked like she had just swallowed a fly.

If comprehending sword energy alone was shocking, discovering her instructor was her age was even more so. ”No... he’s younger than me by four months,” Lia muttered, her lips twitching.

She didn’t know what to say anymore. It completely defied all logic.

What was even more shocking was his evolver status—or rather, the lack of it. Incapable of becoming an evolver.

Lia still recalled the inhuman speed Grey had shown during training. She had deliberately restricted her power to Pseudo Level 1 of the Qi Gathering Realm, yet not even then could she graze a single strand of his hair.

”Alissa Lockhart...” Lia’s eyes flashed with recognition. She knew that name well.

There was nobody in the upper echelons of Nova City who didn’t know about her. She was the most monstrous genius the city had ever seen. Lia knew that if she faced Alissa, the outcome would be unpredictable—even for someone like her.

”He is her brother?”

None of it made sense.

The system wouldn’t lie. If it said Grey was incapable of becoming an evolver, then he truly was. There was no way he could suddenly become one.

”But then how did he achieve such strength?” Lia muttered, unsettled. She realized that, during their battles, she had never detected even the faintest fluctuation of energy from Grey. At first, she thought it was because of the disparity between their ranks—but no. It was because he wasn’t an evolver at all.

Unable to contain her curiosity, she picked up her phone and dialed Grey’s number. She wanted answers—why he had tricked her, and who he really was.

The call connected, ringing once, twice... then a voice came through, smooth and calm—a voice she would never forget.

”Hello, Miss Lia. How may I help you?”

”You...” Lia faltered, stunned that he had picked up without hesitation.

She hadn’t expected him to answer, especially after he had completely played her without revealing anything before.

”Yes, Miss Lia. Please speak your mind,” Grey’s voice once again came from the other side, carrying the same composed tone as always.

”You... do you realize your mistake?” Lia asked coldly. ”You shouldn’t have picked up the phone.”