At the royal palace, Regillia requested an audience with the Emperor. As she stepped into the vast throne chamber, an invisible pressure wrapped around her like a heavy mantle. She knew this wasn't a conscious release of power—just the natural consequence of the vast difference in life hierarchy. Her father, the Emperor, was an Exalted-level being (3.9), brushing infinitesimally close to 4D existence. The pressure was simply his presence.
Regillia composed herself and bowed with grace.
"Good morning, Emperor."
The Emperor glanced at her and gave a slight nod.
"I plan to leave with my brother to explore the outer realms," she said calmly. "We need real-world experience to develop our cultivation techniques. That experience cannot be found here. We'll be using the ten 19th-Gen Assault Class Ships for the journey."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "Why would you travel by such slow means? You could teleport directly to your destinations."
"I want to witness everything space has to offer. The journey itself is part of the growth. I'll be purchasing an ANTIS Watch to stay up to date with current events across the universe."
"Space is dangerous," the Emperor warned. "Assault ships cannot repel high-level cultivators. Anything could happen."
"I'll take that risk," she said. "We leave in a year. I've already placed manufacturing orders with different companies across the universe and will remain here until all deliveries arrive."
The Emperor leaned back slightly. "Very well. When every one from your generation enters the talent-sealing period, the UNION will begin. Regardless of your activities, you must attend. There, you'll meet your peers—rivals and allies alike. The UNION will teach you everything you're allowed to know, and everything you are able to know"
"One more thing," Regillia said. "The companies I commissioned will send you a bill—around 2.4 million high-grade Qirium."
"2.4 million?" the Emperor asked, tone neutral but sharp. "You're not even cultivating. That's enough to finance a growing cultivating civilization for a century."
"It's a personal investment. I'll also need access to the Human Intelligence Network to monitor the movements of other species."
"You're straying from the topic," he said. "You may use the HIN, but be cautious. Some of the information can injure you."
"I understand," she said. "If I need experts, I'll reach out."
With that, Regillia turned and left the chamber. She made her way into the city, a rare sight these days. She was heading to purchase an ANTIS watch and connect to the network.
Wearing black pants, a cherry-red shirt, and a beige overcoat, she stood out even among the bustling crowds. People stopped and stared, their instincts screaming at them. But within seconds, they shook it off, continuing as if nothing had happened.
[WHERE ARE YOU GOING?] Eve's voice rang out in her mind.
"To buy the watch. Tell me what I need to know about ANTIS."
[ANTIS is like the internet, but on an explored lower dimensional scale. The watch is the access device. It allows communication across the lower dimensions, until and unless someone is jamming you. It can simulate cultivation techniques—if you grant permission. But I recommend you don't.]
Regillia paused. "One of the reasons I wanted the watch was to run those simulations."
[Do you want to feel the agony of existence hierarchy again? These are miscellaneous information at Exalted relam. just do what I say, buy the watch but don't give it full access.]
"Alright."
She arrived at the ANTIS company outlet and walked inside.
"Good morning, ma'am, how may I—"
Before the assistant could finish, Regillia pulled out a black card etched with a golden skull. Two thick gold lines were engraved on the bottom right corner.
Recognizing the card, the assistant fell silent and led her to the top floor—reserved for exclusive clients.
"What can I help you with today, ma'am?"
"I want an ANTIS watch."
"Right this way."
Understanding that Regillia was not one to haggle or converse unnecessarily, the assistant picked out the most advanced model in stock.
"This is the latest generation. The best we have."
Regillia examined it briefly before strapping it onto her wrist.
A glowing message in red appeared instantly:
ANTIS REQUESTS ACCESS TO PHYSICAL AND SOUL DATA.
[Grant physical data access. Deny soul access. I'll handle the rest.]
She followed Eve's instructions.
WARNING: DEVICE MAY MALFUNCTION WITHOUT FULL ACCESS.
DEFENSELESS SOUL OF HOST DETECTED.
ANTIS IS READY TO USE.
"Eve, what does it mean by 'defenseless soul'?"
[Don't worry. I created a dummy soul for ANTIS to interface with.]
"Oh." She nodded,
VERIFICATION: ENTER USER DETAILS.
Regillia placed her black card on the watch. the card started to disintegrate and started to merge with the watch. The watch face changed—replacing the dial with a golden skull against a black backdrop.
WELCOME, PRINCESS REGILLIA AURELUS EBONHARTH.
ANTIS, set up voice recognition.
VOICE RECOGNITION ACTIVATED
"What's the price?" she asked the assistant.
"1000 high-grade Qirium."
"ANTIS, transfer payment."
DONE.
With the transaction complete, Regillia turned and walked out of the store—already thinking about what she would do next.
as regillia was walking back she felt some discomfort.
"Eve. why do I feel like I am being watched"
[BECAUSE YOU ARE BEING WATCHED]
" Mmmm"
Regalia arrived at her home and started to plan for the upcoming events