Supreme Eternal: Tree of Life and Death

Chapter 2

2 years have passed since then and nothing major has happened. I still minded my own business while everyone else is giving me a cold treatment which I admit was favorable to me. Due to this, I was able to meditate in peace and quiet.

As for big brother Arthur, He is now the heir of their family company, The Empire. He became busy and only visited me 4 times these past 2 years. Every time he visited me, we would talk for hours about all sorts of things. He even talked about sensitive topics about the company but he's more like ranting rather than talking.

"So... Tomorrow is the big day. Are you ready for your awakening? Aren't you nervous?" Arthur asked.

I just smiled and said nothing.

"Well. I believe in you. I know you will do great tomorrow," Arthur cheered me up while smiling.

"Thank you, Arthur" I said.

He just smiled and walk out of the room. He raised his hand, an indication that means he is leaving.

The next day, I already reached the venue where the awakening will happen.

"The mayor's already here!" someone from the crowd shouted.

I looked in the direction of the mayor. He is a tall, well-built man with a clean businessman haircut and a short beard. He looked dignified in his all-white formal look. He looked at the children filled with excitement and enthusiasm.

"Good morning, everyone. Today we will conduct the Astral Soul Awakening Ceremony. Always remember that a dream doesn't become reality through magic. It takes sweat, determination, and hard work. And now, let's start the awakening ceremony. Children, go inside the coliseum. Adults, please find your seats outside the coliseum" the mayor said.

The coliseum is like a big formation building designed to heighten the perception of anyone who will participate in the awakening ceremony. The building is like a giant donut, it opens in the middle which is where the awakening will take place.

After the matter is settled, the mayor spoke again.

"We will now start the ceremony. Children, go find your place in the middle, sit in a lotus position and meditate. Focus and try to feel the heavenly layers with your perception. Good luck everyone."

With that, the children started to focus and meditate.

Hilm also started to meditate. After he closed his eyes, he started to use his perception to feel the heavenly layers.

Not long after, Hilm reached the first layer.

Hilm saw countless astral souls surrounding him. The sheer number of different types of astral souls is overwhelming his senses. He felt different types of auras from different types of astral souls though the aura is weak.

'I should go to the higher layers.' Hilm muttered.

Hilm flew for a few moments and found the barrier to the 2nd layer. Using his perception, he broke the barrier and successfully goes to the 2nd layer.

3rd layer... 4th layer... 5th layer...

After reaching the 5th layer, Hilm already felt a tinge of pressure on his soul. Continuing going to the higher layers.

6th layer... 7th layer...

The pressure on the 7th layer tripled compared to the 5th layer. The pressure is already weighing on Hilm's soul, greatly restricting his speed and movement.

'If this goes on, entering the 9th layer will be very hard. I heard that the pressure on the 8th and 9th pressure is different from the other layers.' Hilm thought.

Hilm looked at the barrier of the 8th layer and used my perception to break it. He used half of his perception to break the barrier but it didn't budge. Increasing the output of 70 percent of his perception, the barrier began to have small cracks.

Hilm began to feel waves of stabbing pain within his mind. Despite this, he still gritted his teeth and persevered on.

'It cracked! More force and I can break the 8th layer barrier!' He thought when he saw that the barrier is breaking.

Using 85 percent of his perception, the barrier began to break into pieces and he was able to advance to the 8th layer.

"Huu... I finally arrived. That was close." Hilm murmured.

When Hilm arrived at the 8th layer, he saw different astral souls all emanating terrifying energy, causing him to have a strong impulse to rush and form an innate link with them.

Hilm looked around and saw a sword astral soul emitting a dense sword aura. Attracting Hilm into unconsciously making a contract to it.

Fortunately, Hilm immediately woke up from the trance.

"Huu... That was close... If not for my strong perception, that sword would be my contracted astral soul by now." Hilm muttered. "I should go to the 9th layer. I can do this!" Hilm encouraged himself.