MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

As the ship tore through the sky, Anthony gazed downward.

From this vantage point, he could see every Domain spread out below, each one distinct and intricate.

His All Seeing Eyes granted him a telescopic view, allowing him to perceive the world below as if he were standing amidst it.

Every detail, no matter how minute, was laid bare before him.

Satisfied, Anthony withdrew his gaze, tilting his head upwards.

The ship surged forward with an almost incomprehensible velocity, the rush of movement vibrating faintly through its frame.

'I'm about to step into space'

Anthony thought, a flicker of excitement igniting within him.

With seamless precision, the ship pierced through the planet's barrier, gliding effortlessly into the vast expanse beyond.

The sheer speed at which they traveled was beyond Anthony's understanding, a blur of motion that transcended anything he had ever experienced.

"Activate panoramic views"

Collins' commanding voice resonated through the vessel.

The ship hummed softly in response.

Within moments, the shutters retracted, revealing transparent glass that encased them in a breathtaking view of the cosmos.

There, Anthony saw it.

And he marveled.

The sight before him was more than magnificent, it was transcendent.

To others, it might have simply been a breathtaking spectacle, a cosmic panorama of stars and endless void.

But for Anthony, with his All Seeing Eyes, the vision unfolded with unparalleled clarity.

He saw reality itself twist and bend, its fabric laid bare.

Space curved and rippled like waves on an unseen ocean, while time stretched and compressed, flowing in ways incomprehensible to ordinary eyes.

Space and time intertwined, merging seamlessly, their union birthing the very essence of reality.

Anthony stood entranced, watching the galaxy reveal its secrets in ways no mortal was ever meant to witness.

It felt as though outer space itself called out to Anthony's very soul, a resonance that stirred something deep within him.

It was like an endless ocean, waves of boundless energy and possibility rolling across the vast expanse.

Anthony felt an almost irresistible urge to dive into this infinite wave, to immerse himself in its mysteries.

But reason tempered his excitement.

He understood that cultivation was a gradual journey, one built on patience and mastery.

With his meager understanding of Space and Time, attempting to interfere with these primal forces would only lead to catastrophe.

He could already imagine the grim scenario; death, regeneration, and death again, trapped endlessly in a cruel time loop of his own making.

"Astonishing"

He murmured, standing motionless as the sheer grandeur of the cosmos unfolded before him.

His ridiculous talent flared to life.

Though Anthony could not yet unravel the profound secrets of Space and Time, he knew his exceptional talent, coupled with his special eyes, would not let this moment pass in vain.

Even if the greater truths eluded him, he was certain he could glean fragments of insight, tiny pieces of the puzzle that would one day lead him to mastery.

CRACK

Space shattered like fragile glass, fractures spreading out in a chaotic dance.

Without so much as a movement, Anthony's very presence summoned the void, which coalesced around him, forming a protective barrier.

This was deliberate.

Anthony had no need for disturbances, no tolerance for interruptions at this very moment.

And so, the days slipped by unnoticed.

Anthony remained rooted in place, unmoving as though he were a part of the cosmos itself.

His eyes, glowing faintly, seemed to peer into the depths of creation, unraveling fragments of truths only he could perceive.

The others aboard the ship merely watched, their words held back in reverence and awe.

There was nothing to say, no question to ask.

Michael, Mitchelle, and Collins, however, wore smiles, expressions that brimmed with pride and anticipation.

How could they not?

When most stepped beyond the confines of their planet, they marveled at the splendor of the galaxy, awed yet passive observers.

But Anthony was different.

Their son, their descendant, seemed to be on the verge of something extraordinary, perhaps even in the process of grasping an elusive truth, a secret reserved for only the most exceptional existences.

'Is this enlightenment?'

The question echoed silently in the minds of all who bore witness.

Enlightenment, a phenomenon so rare, it had eluded even the mightiest beings for millennials.

It was not something one could strive for or seize.

It was a gift, a blessing bestowed by the heavens themselves, reserved for those deemed worthy.

For many, enlightenment was the only way to break free from stagnation, to ascend beyond a level they had been bound to for decades or centuries.

It was a moment of clarity, a bridge between mortal understanding and the divine.

Among everyone present aboard the ship, only two had ever tasted its elusive grace: Michael and Irene.

Michael's enlightenment came after being pulled back from death itself by his mother, Irene.

A second chance at life granted him a glimpse into the mysteries of existence.

Irene's came from sheer, unyielding conviction, to bring back her only son from the abyss.

Her desperate resolve ignited something beyond comprehension, and the heavens answered.

Both had been enlightened at the same moment, a rarity within a rarity.

Such a simultaneous blessing had not been seen for eons, emphasizing just how extraordinary the event was.

Even now, amidst the finest lineup of talent, powerhouses, and prodigies aboard the ship, only these two could speak of enlightenment from experience.

Unlike Nirvana, which proclaimed itself with fiery rebirth and celestial signs, enlightenment was subtle, nearly imperceptible.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

It crept upon its chosen silently, pulling them into a profound trance, immersing them in waves of knowledge and insight.

And just as suddenly as it came, enlightenment would vanish without a trace, as if it had never been there at all.

Its duration was unpredictable, some experienced it for mere minutes, others for days, and a select few for entire months.

What determined the length of enlightenment remained one of the universe's greatest mysteries.

But.

Anthony wasn't experiencing enlightenment, not in the conventional sense.

Anomalies like him were exempt from the rules of heaven.

They were entities that existed outside the natural order, untethered by its constraints.

Enlightenment, a divine phenomenon bestowed by the heavens, was not something anomalies could partake in.

What Anthony was experiencing now was something entirely his own.

He was in a state of absolute focus.

His Thought Acceleration skill was pushed to its peak, processing an avalanche of information at an unfathomable speed.

Every Thought Compartment in his mind was stretched to its absolute limit, working in unison to decipher the intricate fabric of space, time, and reality.

Five days passed as Anthony delved into this journey, his stillness unwavering, his determination relentless.

And then, before the sixth day could end, the void surrounding him began to dissipate.

Like a tide receding into the ocean, it dissolved into nothingness.

Anthony remained rooted in place, his posture unchanged, his eyes still closed.

Then, as though in response to an unspoken revelation, he smiled, a serene yet confident expression that spoke volumes.

When his eyes finally opened, they glimmered with a brilliance sharper than before.

A flash of clarity streaked through them, as though he had glimpsed truths that transcended the limitations of mortal understanding.

Anthony turned to face everyone, his gaze sweeping over the group as their eyes bore into him.

'Have they been standing there the entire time?'

He wondered, his mind briefly distracted from the intensity of the moment.

Michael broke the silence, stepping forward with a wide grin.

"HAHAHAHA! As expected of my son"

He exclaimed proudly.

But before he could approach Anthony, Mitchelle's voice rang out, sharp and cutting.

"What do you mean 'your' son? Didn't you deny him just a week ago?"

Michael's stride faltered, his lips twitching in frustration.

Mitchelle had been relentless, reminding him of his momentary doubt since Anthony's extraordinary power display.

Clearing his throat with an awkward cough, Michael tried to recover.

"That's beside the point. To think my blood has experienced enlightenment"

He declared, his grin returning with full force.

Collins, unable to contain his curiosity, interjected eagerly.

"What did you gain, my boy?"

Anthony hesitated, his gaze steady as he answered.

"I don't think I can show it right now. If I do, we might see a repeat of what happened last time"

The memory of Anthony destroying the Null Estate with nothing but his aura flashed through their minds, and they all nodded knowingly.

"Then let's set it aside for now"

Mitchelle said, her smile soft yet brimming with pride.

"To think we'd witness enlightenment on our way to the competition, it seems even fate favors us"

Baldor, the Grand Smith, remarked as she observed Anthony closely.

"Fate had nothing to do with it. This is the result of his hard work"

Iserios, the Dragon King, countered, his tone firm and resolute.

"Well, regardless of the reason"

Gorath said with a grin.

"This increases our chances of being in the top ten significantly"

Anthony simply nodded in response, not particularly inclined to prolong the discussion.

Then, Aurelius, the Phoenix King, spoke, his tone serious.

"Anthony, how confident are you that you'll be among the winners, or even the champion?"

Anthony met Aurelius's gaze, his expression calm yet unyielding as he replied.

"Confidence doesn't matter. It doesn't change the outcome. Just like the Bloodbath, everyone walked in confident, and I alone remained. Confidence has nothing to do with the result. There are only winners and losers"

A heavy silence followed his words, each of them reflecting on the truth embedded in his statement.

The ship continued to streak across the galaxy, another day passing in quiet anticipation.

Suddenly, the ship began to slow, its speed decreasing as a massive planet loomed into view.

"We're here"

Gorath announced, his gaze fixed on their destination.