Following the instructions in President Caesar's secret letter, Gilan officially began preparing for the ascension ritual on September 30.
His ascension ritual was particularly unusual.
Gilan planned to pass through all twelve Gates of Ascension, gaining insight only from the revelations of primal essence without choosing to ascend.
And each Gate of Ascension only opened during its corresponding month, meaning Gilan would need an entire year to complete this plan.
Though it was a long stretch of time—after all, only a year had passed since Gilan's transmigration—he was unwilling to be careless when it came to the great undertaking of "ascension." He had already made every preparation, striving for perfection so that "Iridescence" could deduce the best possible seventh-tier primal essence, allowing him to further expand his advantages after ascending.
One step ahead, always ahead.
Since the sixth-tier "Game" had already granted him such extraordinary uniqueness, allowing him to look down upon the mortal world, then after ascending to the seventh tier, he would surely be able to replicate that miracle and stand above all others of the same tier...
"This month symbolizes the Goddess of Salt and Justice, the Hour-God 'Snow Lady,' so the first gate I will pass through is the 'Gate of Weights.'"
After bathing and changing clothes, then having breakfast, Gilan sat cross-legged by the attic window in his most spirited state.
He murmured, drawing a deep breath.
As it happened, this Gate of Ascension was also the one the "Crippled King," William Gerard, had passed through during his own ascension.
Gilan had caught a glimpse of it in an easter egg of the True Film Reel Dark Age, so it was somewhat familiar.
"Let's begin..."
Gilan relaxed his hands atop his knees, faced the morning light beyond the window, and closed his eyes.
His consciousness