Ascension of the Forsaken Genius

Sylas was now three years old. His understanding of pure energy had deepened, but he had yet to overcome its greatest limitation—the inability to convert it into other energies. For now, he set aside that challenge. He needed to gather more information, not just about cultivation, but about the world itself.

Knowledge was power. He had learned that in his past life, and it remained true in this one.

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From hours spent in the House Aldreth library, Sylas pieced together a fragmented yet growing understanding of the world. The planet was vast, but what stood out most was the existence of a **massive central continent**, housing numerous races, empires, and kingdoms. 

Apart from this massive continent, several other smaller continents and islands were spread across the world, each with unique climates, cultures, and dangers. However, all major powers had a presence on the central continent, making it the true battleground for supremacy.

One of the most dangerous regions in the world was the **Evernight Expanse**, a vast and ancient forest teeming with powerful spirit beasts, hidden ruins, and mysterious rifts that led to unknown locations. It was said that some of these rifts connected to different parts of the world, allowing for instantaneous travel—if one survived the journey. The Abyssals were believed to have a hidden domain deep within this chaotic land, making it one of the most feared places in existence.

A constant threat to civilization was the phenomenon of **beast tides**—massive surges of spirit beasts that periodically poured out from wild lands, devastating weaker kingdoms. The strongest empires used the lesser kingdoms as barriers, allowing them to absorb the brunt of these waves. In turn, strong kingdoms used weaker ones as shields, creating a cruel cycle where only the strongest survived.

In this world, strength dictated everything. The rule was simple: **Might makes right.**

Sylas studied the various tiers of power across the continent:

Empires – The supreme forces of the world, each ruling over multiple kingdoms and vast lands. They possessed unparalleled resources, ancient legacies, and the most powerful cultivators. Information on them was limited, even within House Aldreth’s archives. Notable empires included:

Aurexian Empire – A dominant human empire that held vast influence.

Vael’Zyren Dominion – An elven empire known for its mastery of nature and magic.

Drekharn Imperium – A war-driven beastkin empire that thrived on conquest.

High-tier Kingdoms – Independent and powerful, these nations could rival weaker empires in strength but lacked the overwhelming heritage and resources to ascend to that level. They controlled rare cultivation techniques and had dominant noble houses. Notable ones included Zephiron, Astravar, and Caelum.

Mid-tier Kingdoms – These were above average in strength, possessing formidable noble families and structured militaries. While powerful, they still lacked the autonomy of the higher-tiered nations. Some of them included Varyndor, Xethis, and Raeknor.

Low-tier Kingdoms – These were the weakest, often serving as buffers and shields for stronger powers. They lacked access to advanced techniques, struggled to defend against beast tides, and were frequently subject to conquest. The notable low-tier kingdoms included Ardentia, Velmoria, Drakos, and Lyndor.

Sylas’s home, Ardentia, was a Low-tier Kingdom, meaning it was among the most vulnerable. While it had its own structured government and noble hierarchy, it was under constant pressure from both external and internal forces.

Through careful study of historical records, family archives, and discreet questioning of the servants, Sylas mapped out the ruling structure of his home kingdom:

The Royal Family: The ruling dynasty controlled Ardentia, with the king as the ultimate authority. The royal bloodline was rumored to have an ancient lineage tied to powerful cultivators, but concrete details were scarce.

Ducal Families: The kingdom had four great ducal houses, each governing vast lands and commanding elite forces. House Aldreth was one of them. The ducal houses were strong enough to challenge the throne, but political rivalries kept them in check. These included:

House Aldreth – Once a dominant force, now facing a slow decline.

House Valecourt – A rival ducal house with strong military backing.

House Ravencroft – Known for its dark arts and intelligence network.

 House Emberlane – Famous for fire affinity cultivators and immense wealth.

Marquis and Count Houses: These noble families oversaw smaller regions and acted as intermediaries between the ruling elite and the common populace.

The Academies: Centers of elite training where the most talented cultivators honed their abilities. The two most renowned academies in Ardentia were:

The Royal Academy, controlled by the king’s faction.

The Grand Martial Institute, managed collectively by the noble houses.

The Guilds: Independent organizations that wielded significant influence. Some of the most notable included:

 The Mercenary Guild – Hired warriors who fought for wealth and power.

The Alchemist Guild – Specializing in potions, pills, and refining rare herbs.

The Rune Engravers – Experts in forging enchanted weapons and tools.

Sylas was particularly intrigued by the Academies and Guilds, as they held vast amounts of knowledge. If he wished to expand his understanding of cultivation and the world, these institutions were key.

Although Ardentia appeared stable on the surface, Sylas quickly realized that it was far from secure. The balance of power between the royal family and the ducal houses was delicate, and tensions brewed beneath the surface. The nobles had enough strength to rebel, but infighting and personal ambitions kept them divided.

House Aldreth was once one of the most dominant ducal houses, but recent shifts in power suggested a decline in influence. This was something Sylas would need to investigate further.

Having gathered his initial knowledge, Sylas knew that this was only the beginning. He needed deeper access to restricted records, books detailing lost histories, and eventually, direct contact with scholars, warriors, and other cultivators.

For now, he remained patient, spending hours in the library absorbing every useful detail. He could not leave the estate yet, but he was already preparing for the future.

He would not remain in the shadows forever.

One day, he would step into the light—armed with both **knowledge and power**.

This was only the beginning.