Silence descended upon the hall as everyone stared at the displayed number. For a brief moment, it felt as though their brains had completely stopped functioning. They simply could not believe what they were seeing.
"How is this possible? How the fuck is this possible?" Lucas blurted out without thinking.
Elizabeth immediately shot him a stern look, causing him to cough awkwardly and lower his head.
"Ethan, please explain this, honey. This is an unprecedented event for us, so we won't understand unless you tell us yourself," she said gently.
Kevin and Diana were equally stunned. They knew Ethan had only broken through today, but that only made the result even more unbelievable. How could someone who had just advanced already possess the standards of a Pre Martial Warrior?
"Well... let me explain this slowly."
Ethan took a deep breath. He had anticipated this situation long ago and had already prepared a believable explanation.
"After reaching the Pre Martial Warrior stage, geniuses don't become Martial Warriors immediately, right? They wait until they have at least reached the Major Completion stage of the Energy Gathering Art, and people like my sister only begin their proper Martial Warrior journey after reaching Perfect Completion.
"Doing so not only evolves their genetic potential but also creates a much stronger foundation for future cultivation. Correct?"
Everyone nodded without hesitation. It was common knowledge among martial families.
That was precisely why Nova had reached the Pre Martial Warrior stage at sixteen but only advanced to Martial Warrior at seventeen.
"So I wanted to apply the same principle to the Global Genetic Art. Even though I comprehended the Minor Completion stage in just one month and reached Major Completion five months later, I deliberately refused to use the technique.
"I continued studying it until I reached Perfect Completion today. Since I never used the technique during the entire past year, I directly broke through to the Pre Martial Warrior stage in a single step."
His calm explanation struck everyone like a bolt of thunder.
Minor Completion in one month.
That achievement alone was terrifyingly close to Nova's own record of twenty one days.
One by one, everyone remembered how Ethan had been treated during the past year. His allowance had been cut, servants had gradually become indifferent toward him, and many relatives had quietly dismissed him as a disappointment.
Yet throughout all of it, he had never complained. He had simply endured everything in silence while following his own cultivation plan.
A single tear rolled down Nova's cheek.
Only now did she realize how much pain her younger brother must have hidden behind his quiet personality. His value within the family had always depended on the achievements he displayed, so it was no wonder he had become increasingly withdrawn and lonely.
Ethan naturally had no idea what everyone was thinking. He had merely created the most believable story he could think of.
Alexander, however, remained perfectly calm.
He understood better than anyone how difficult such restraint truly was. Most cultivators would break through the moment they had the chance instead of suppressing themselves for an entire year.
"So, did you obtain any special benefits?" he asked.
Ethan hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding.
"Grandpa, what I learned can't be disclosed publicly. It has the potential to affect the very foundation of martial cultivation, so I'll tell you personally."
Alexander studied him for several seconds before silently turning around.
"Come with me."
The two disappeared into a private room while Kevin, Diana, and Alexander's old teammates exchanged curious looks.
Every one of them desperately wanted to know what Ethan had discovered, but none of them could force him to reveal it.
...
Inside the room, Alexander waved his hand, and a transparent energy barrier instantly surrounded them.
"Now tell me."
Ethan met his grandfather's gaze without the slightest hesitation.
"There is another level above Perfect Completion."
Alexander's body visibly shook.
His hands trembled as he grabbed Ethan by both shoulders.
"Are you certain?" he asked, unable to hide the excitement in his voice.
Ethan nodded.
"After breaking through to the Pre Martial Warrior stage in one go, I experienced an epiphany. That's when I realized the Genetic Art could actually evolve even further."
Alexander slowly took a deep breath.
If this information proved true, it would shake the very foundation of martial cultivation. If people blindly copied Ethan and still failed to comprehend anything, the consequences would be unimaginable.
[Ding! If the host learns the Ultimate Stage, this technique will permanently gain a new stage. If others imitate the host's method, there is a one in a billion chance of comprehending it. If the host personally teaches them, the probability increases to one in a thousand.]
Ethan's thoughts abruptly stopped.
His original goal had only been to become a recognized genius so the family would invest more resources into him. He had never imagined the system could actually rewrite reality itself.
"What a terrifying system..."
Without any hesitation, he made his decision.
"System, sell me the Ultimate Stage."
[Ding! Sold.]
Five hundred thousand credits instantly disappeared from his account, an insignificant amount compared to his current fortune of one hundred million credits.
The next moment, an enormous torrent of information flooded into his mind.
Countless insights and cultivation principles merged with his consciousness, forcing Ethan to immediately sit down cross legged right in front of Alexander.
The old man's expression instantly turned serious.
He recognized this state at once.
Epiphany.
Without making a single sound, Alexander stood beside his grandson like an immovable guardian. Anyone who dared interrupt this moment would first have to face him.
This opportunity could very well write their family's name into history.
He quietly took out his phone and sent a message.
"Lucas, leave this place with everyone. Don't allow anyone to enter within one hundred meters of this room."
Outside, Lucas frowned after reading the message before handing the phone to Elizabeth.
Both of them knew Alexander would never issue such an order without reason. That meant Ethan had revealed something important enough to warrant this level of protection.
"Nova, please show your senior brother and senior sister around the estate. Maybe take them into the city and let them enjoy themselves."
Everyone immediately understood her intention.
Kevin smiled and nodded.
"Junior Sister, let's go taste the delicacies of your city."
Nova forced a smile.
"Please come with me."
Diana remained silent. Although curiosity was clearly visible in her eyes, she chose not to ask any questions.
After they left, Lucas slowly turned toward the servants.
"Sebastian, dismiss every servant who treated Ethan coldly during the past six months."
"As you wish, Master."
Sebastian bowed before disappearing without another word.
Meanwhile, Kevin quietly took out his phone.
For some reason, he had a strong feeling that Nova's younger brother might possess even greater talent than she did.
"Dad, start the Ashborn Company in Manhattan with the collaboration of the Velmire Family."
His family had always trusted his judgment.
Diana quietly sent a similar message of her own.
...
Six hours passed before Ethan slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was his grandfather still standing in exactly the same position, guarding him without moving even a single step.
The moment Alexander noticed Ethan waking up, anticipation appeared across his face.
"Well?" he asked, his voice carrying an unusual hint of uncertainty.
Ethan stood up and smiled.
"Grandpa, history is about to be created. Open a dojo under our family's name. I'll be the instructor."
For a moment, Alexander simply stared at him.
Then a loud laugh echoed throughout the room.
"Ahahahahahahahaha!"
"My good grandson, you truly know how to make this old man happy."