He couldn't help but feel there was far more to this than what the clone had revealed. The deeper he dug for answers, the more mysteries seemed to surface. A bitter smile formed on his lips as he pushed the thought aside. That was a problem for the future.
Second question...
-----
After a moment of deliberation, Morca asked his second question.
"Tell me, how are we connected, Why am I able to come to this place while others can only enter their own mysterious domain to fight their clones once? And you, being here, seeing through me, what exactly are you?"
Once again, Morca was attempting, in a roundabout way, to extract as much information as possible from the clone while minimizing the risk of revealing his own ignorance.
"Your question is twofold, but I will answer it since both lead in the same direction," the clone replied, still gazing at the starry sky.
Morca stood silently, waiting for the clone's response.
"First, you are different from the others. The reason they cannot return to the space where they challenge their clones remains a mystery you do not need to know... at least, not yet. It concerns a greater scheme beyond your current understanding. Learning about it prematurely would bring you no benefit and might even hinder your future progress. So, I will leave that for another time.
As for our connection, let me ask you, what do you understand by 'genetic awakening'?"
The clone's question caught Morca off guard. He hadn't expected to be questioned in return.
Morca fell into deep thought. Since transmigrating into the world of Eden, everything he had once known about cultivation seemed shallow, as if his previous life had been meaningless. Thanks to his discoveries about the Awakening Path in Eden, he had learned more, but did he truly understand it all? No, he did not. He only knew what his brother had told him. Still, he gathered his thoughts and responded.
"I know a little about it. Genetic awakening is the process one undergoes to gain supernatural powers. First, a person must engage in a battle that pushes them to the brink of death, tempering their muscles, veins, meridians, and brain. This is the first stage of awakening. The second stage requires the individual to immerse their body in the Constitutive Divine Awakening Pool for thirty minutes. The process purifies their body while extracting their soul, sending it into a space where they must battle their clone. After defeating their clone, they immediately become awakened, gaining the ability to control elements, objects, or even summon great beasts for battle. This all happens when one unlocks their genes."
Morca tried his best to explain in detail, making sure not to miss a single point.
The clone nodded before smirking. "That sounds logical, but how amusing that they came up with such an interpretation."
Morca frowned but said nothing.
The clone continued, "Let me ask again..."
This time, Morca cut in. "Why do you keep asking me questions when you're supposed to be answering mine? Shouldn't we play fair? Since I answered two of your questions, you should grant me one in return, excluding the two you promised. What do you think?"
The clone chuckled. "You never cease to amaze me, Morca Sherman."
"It's only fair, clo..."
"Enough with this fairness nonsense, you fool! Talk about fairness when you have the power to back it up. Besides, I am asking you questions so you can understand something greater, yet you are here trying to bargain for benefits. Let me tell you this: if you want something, fight for it! Do not rely on underhanded means to obtain it. The true path to great strength is through being unyielding. Do you understand?" The clone's tone turned serious, leaving no room for Morca to argue.
Morca's face twisted in frustration. 'What a freak. Isn't this my way of fighting for what I need?' he thought to himself.
"No, this is different," the clone said as if reading Morca's thoughts. "Now, here is the point: If you think the Divine Awakening Pool alone can awaken you, you are mistaken, but not entirely. The Constitutive Divine Awakening Pool does not directly grant you power; rather, it puts you in a state of complete calmness and tranquility, allowing your soul to cross the reality barrier and enter what is called the 'Vast Genetic Domain.'
I won't explain that to you now since it would do more harm than good. But when your soul enters the Vast Genetic Domain, your unique domain attracts it. Then, the battle for awakening begins. By defeating your 'other self,' you gain the recognition of your unique domain, which grants you a drop of its authority, just a fragment of its power. You will not receive the full strength of the domain until you reach a certain level, a level no one in Eden has fully reached. Perhaps a few have scratched the surface, but before you can wield the full power of your unique domain, you must surpass all known limits.
However, you are different, Morca. You have the ability to return to this place anytime you enter a state of total calmness and tranquility. That is why you are unique. I will stop here. You will learn more as you grow stronger."
Morca felt dizzy from the sheer weight of the information he had just received. It was too much. A great secret had just been revealed to him, and yet this was only the surface of a much grander scheme. He realized that not only was he one of the few to know this, but he also now understood why his clone had agreed that he was like a frog at the bottom of a well.
After some time, the clone noticed that Morca had absorbed some of the details and spoke again.
"As for what I am? That is a mystery, even to me. All I know is that when I opened my eyes, I saw you in front of me. Then, I received all of your past experiences, and from that moment, we became connected. As for my knowledge, that too remains a mystery. You will have to find out for yourself."
Morca, who had been eager to know more, suddenly felt overwhelmed. A thought took root in his mind: "I need to grow stronger so I can uncover these secrets. I must. And my revenge... I will turn it into the fuel for my growth. The heavens are not to be taken lightly. Among them exist ancient monsters, any one of whom could wipe out a planet. Whoever stands in my way shall either bow before me, or be eradicated."
As soon as these thoughts solidified in his mind, a strange aura emanated from his body, and he felt an inexplicable sense of refreshment.
With newfound resolve, Morca turned to the clone.
Without needing to ask, the clone said, "You can come here anytime you want. Soon, you will need to break through to the next level... the Saint Rank. You are at your current limit, but it is still not enough. You must build a solid foundation for future achievements."
Morca nodded. He had gained valuable knowledge today, but more importantly, he had gained direction. From now on, his path was clear, he would push forward, no matter the obstacles, until he stood at the peak of power.