The afternoon light in Luminara Reach shifted into a deeper twilight gold as Joshua and his family continued their exploration of the manor grounds. The air felt noticeably richer than in the 4th Heaven — at least ten percent denser with essence, carrying a crisp, invigorating quality that made every breath feel like a subtle cultivation session. Spirit birds sang overhead in harmonious melodies that seemed to align with the natural laws of the realm, while distant flying constructs streaked across the sky like living comets, their speeds far surpassing anything a peak S-ranker could achieve unaided. One sleek silver vessel, shaped like a winged serpent, passed so quickly it left a faint trail of condensed starlight in its wake.
Jared led the way with impeccable grace, his high-grade automaton frame moving with a fluidity that blurred the line between machine and living being. "The 3rd Heaven boasts phenomena rarely accessible below," he explained in his calm, measured tone. "Natural reserves such as the Eternal Bloom Gardens, where flowers bloom and wither in cycles that accelerate essence refinement, or the Mirror Veil Lakes that reflect potential future paths. In the 4th Heaven these might have existed in legend, but here they are open to nobles and high-rank climbers with the proper credits or invitations. Your granted status provides baseline access."
The twins, Mia and Kai, ran ahead along a floating garden path lined with glowing crystal flowers. Kai pointed excitedly at a small hovering platform drifting nearby. "Can we ride one of those flying constructs someday, big brother? They look faster than the wind itself!"
Mia nodded vigorously, her new B-rank jade glowing softly in her palm. "And the reserves! Father said we couldn't afford to explore them before, but now…"
Their parents walked arm in arm behind Joshua, taking in the enormity of it all. The floating isles stretched endlessly in every direction — some covered in dense spirit forests, others hosting grand pavilions where cultivators gathered. The sheer scale made the 4th Heaven feel small and provincial. Here, S-rankers were commonplace, striding confidently through public plazas or piloting personal sky-pods, their auras radiating quiet power rather than the rare, almost mythical presence they held below.
Joshua activated his S-rank Ascendant Jade once more. Aether's neutral voice responded instantly.
• Low-grade cleaning bot: 120 digital star shards
• Mid-grade automaton maid: 2,800 digital star shards
• High-grade halfblood guard (wolf lineage, enhanced senses and strength): 18,500 digital star shards
• Elite personal butler (Jared-class equivalent, full combat protocols): 95,000 digital star shards
• Basic spatial storage band (manor-sized capacity, rare even for nobles): 480,000,000 digital star shards (waitlist required)
Joshua smiled faintly at the staggering prices. Anything could be bought in the 3rd Heaven if the price was right — servants, guards, even mobile houses the size of their entire estate, though spatial bands capable of such feats were among the most expensive items available. He had no intention of overspending wildly, but practicality demanded some additions.
"Jared, arrange interviews for a dedicated family guard and one additional personal attendant," Joshua instructed. "Preferably a mid-to-high-grade option for security. Something reliable and discreet."
"Understood, my lord," Jared replied with a bow. "I will schedule suitable candidates from the Trade Association for tomorrow morning. Many prefer digital payments, as physical star shards are rarely circulated except for direct cultivation or black-market trades. Most nobles hoard physical shards while conducting daily affairs in digital form."
They reached the sealed entrance to the star mine at the rear of the grounds. The tunnel pulsed with faint stellar energy, its rune-sealed door engraved with grading markers. Jared gestured toward it. "This is a mid-rank dead mine — fragments of heavenly ore that fell from higher skies long ago and embedded in the isle. Low-rank mines yield basic shards slowly and serve as entry-level cultivation chambers. Mid-rank deposits like this one produce higher-quality star shards at a steady rate and can accelerate foundation tempering significantly. High-rank mines are the most prized, often reserved for elite families or auctioned at great cost. You may choose to cultivate within or activate mining operations. Many nobles do both in shifts."
Joshua placed his hand on the rune panel. A surge of dense stellar essence flowed into his palm, confirming the deposit's quality. He had already decided his path. "Activate mining operations. We will extract shards for future use rather than solely cultivating here. The shards will help fund ascendant elixirs for my parents. They don't need to become fighters — they simply need longevity to reach the Divine Heavens, where even mortals enjoy lifespans that feel like true immortality."
A soft mechanical hum emanated from the tunnel as mining automatons — low-grade bots with specialized extraction limbs — activated and began their work. Joshua felt a quiet satisfaction. The privileges of nobility were immense: a granted manor with its own star mine was no small gift. These dead mines, fallen from the skies above, represented both wealth and cultivation potential that most in the lower heavens could only dream of.
As the family returned to the main pavilion for evening tea, a new message chimed through the manor's array. Aether projected it immediately.
Joshua's expression remained neutral, but he felt the subtle political manipulations at play. Existing nobles were testing him — probing to see if the anomaly who had ascended with his entire family planned to carve out territory or simply use the 3rd Heaven as a stepping stone. Some would undoubtedly resent him for that very reason: treating this magnificent realm as a mere stop on the stairway rather than a final destination.
He declined the invitation with a brief, courteous reply via Aether and turned back to his family. The twins were already chattering about the natural reserves they hoped to visit soon, while his parents discussed the possibility of hiring a halfblood tutor for the children's continued education. For now, Joshua chose not to engage deeply with noble politics. His focus remained on family stability and preparation for the next ascent.
That night, as the family settled into their luxurious rooms with views of the starlit floating isles, Joshua sat alone in the private cultivation chamber adjacent to the star mine. The extracted shards glittered in a small pile beside him — pure, physical stellar essence that felt far more potent than digital credits. He circulated his essence slowly, feeling the 3rd Heaven's richer atmosphere support his tempered foundation. The mine's hum provided a steady background rhythm.
The subtleties of power games continued in the background — quiet inquiries, veiled probes from rival houses — but Joshua's lack of interest in vying for local influence seemed to ease some of the pressure. A few nobles began to view him as a "passer-by," someone who posed no immediate threat to their established territories. Others, however, harbored quiet resentment for that very detachment.
Still, the family's first full day in the 3rd Heaven ended in quiet wonder. They had access to wonders they could never have afforded or reached before — the grand phenomena, the flying constructs, the automatons and almost-sentient AIs that served as everyday servants and guards. Tomorrow would bring the staff interviews and further exploration.
Joshua looked out at the drifting isles and whispered to himself, "One step closer."
The stairway continued, but for now, the view from the 3rd Heaven was breathtaking.