SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL

Just as Mark was preparing to continue verbally attacking his son, Eowyn appeared, interrupting him.

"Mark, say a little less..."

Her eyes were still red as she looked at her son, her gaze filled with disappointment—but even more with regret and heartache.

"Say a little less?" Mark retorted angrily. "Do you know that when the Spirit Realm opens next month, your son will be forcibly teleported in? With the trash talent he's fused with, he's likely to die inside!"

"Scolding him is light; I wish I could beat him to death! At least, if he dies here, I can collect his corpse. But if he dies in the Spirit Realm, I won't even see his body..."

As he spoke, his tone became heavy with sadness.

The "Spirit Realm" he spoke of was what everyone called the Land of Transcendence.

It was a place filled with danger. In fact, it was also called the "Land of the Uncanny" because it contained many incomprehensible monsters. These creatures embodied chaos itself, and merely looking at them could cause severe mental trauma, turning normal people into madmen or idiots.

Without a strong talent and sufficient strength, entering the Spirit Realm was akin to seeking death.

The Spirit Realm opened once a month. When it did, most transcendents were forcibly teleported in. Those who survived and returned received rewards from the Spirit Realm, which allowed them to grow stronger.

This was the main way transcendents increased their power.

Want to retire? It was possible—but only after clearing the first ten layers of the Spirit Realm.

The first ten layers were mandatory. After surviving them, transcendents could choose whether to continue or retire.

Mark's words shattered Eowyn's fragile hope, causing her to burst into tears again.

They only had one son—Ben.

He was the child they had raised with great effort, and now, he was about to face almost certain death. How could they not be heartbroken?

Eowyn's crying affected Mark as well.

Though he didn't cry, he closed his eyes, unable to say anything more.

His hands, hidden in his sleeves, trembled uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Ben knew he had to do something.

"Dad, Mom, don't worry!"

He deliberately put on a confident smile. "Do you really think your son is that stupid? I'm not even married to Leo yet—how could I give away such a rare and precious natural fruit for nothing?"

His words immediately caught his parents' attention.

Eowyn was startled. "What do you mean? Explain yourself. Is there another reason for what you did?"

Mark also stared at his son, waiting for an answer.

Ben took a deep breath and began his deception.

"Actually, for the past month, I've been having the same dream every night..."

He fabricated a story about foreseeing the future, receiving guidance from immortals in the sacred land, and following a divine prophecy.

He had to lie.

If he told his parents the truth—that he was actually a transmigrator—it was hard to predict how they would react.

He didn't want to gamble on human nature. Lying was the safest choice.

"All the signs prove that this Kryptonian bloodline is not simple. And aren't the rules in the sacred land that the rarer an opportunity, the stronger it is? That's why I decided to take a gamble! It wasn't because of some nonsense about love!"

His parents exchanged glances, still uncertain.

Eowyn, being more emotional, was half-convinced.

Mark, however, was more rational.

"You've already fused with it. Have you discovered anything powerful?" Mark asked skeptically.

Ben responded confidently, "I just fused with it—how could it show results so fast? Give it a few months, and you'll see!"

He didn't want to hide things from his parents, but the fact that Kryptonians grew stronger simply by sunbathing was too bizarre.

Most importantly, it was difficult to explain.

Even if his parents believed him, they would ask how he knew. That was a question he couldn't answer.

It was better to show them results first.

Besides, Mark had a bad habit—he loved to talk when he was drunk. Even though he had reduced his drinking, Ben didn't want to risk such an important secret slipping out.

Some things were best kept to oneself.

At this moment, Eowyn was almost fully convinced by Ben's words.

She trusted her son unconditionally.

Mark, however, remained skeptical.

"Wait a few months? Are you kidding me? The Spirit Realm isn't some joke—"

Before he could finish speaking, a loud voice came from outside the house.

"Mark! Mark! Come out quickly, there's good news!"

The three inside were stunned.

Mark shot Ben a glare and rushed out.

Curious, Eowyn and Ben followed.

In the yard, Fourth Uncle, Mark Wood, was speaking with a middle-aged man.

Seeing Mark, he quickly introduced him.

"Mark, this is Aryan, a special recruiter from Chicago University."

Hearing the name, Mark's expression immediately became serious.

Chicago University was one of the top ten transcendent universities. It had a strong faculty and had produced many powerful individuals.

Mark shook hands with Aryan.

"Welcome, Mr. Aryan! May I ask why you're here?"

Aryan smiled.

"I'm here to deliver an admission notice."

The words stunned the family.

"On behalf of Chicago University, I am notifying your son, Ben, that he has been admitted. He must prepare to register within four days."

Mark's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Are you sure there's no mistake? My son's talent… shouldn't meet your school's standards."

Indeed, the Kryptonian bloodline Ben had fused with didn't seem remarkable.

Aryan chuckled.

"There's no mistake. You should already know what happened at your son's school."

Mark frowned but nodded.

Aryan continued.

"After Ben obtained the Flare-Flare Fruit, he gave it to Leo, who needed it more. That act alone showed his magnanimity and selflessness."

"But that wasn't what made us decide to admit him. The real reason was Leo."

Ben's heart skipped a beat.

"After Ben left, Leo was sought after by many universities. Every school extended offers, but he turned them all down."

"He made one request—he would only attend the same university as Ben."

Mark, Eowyn, and Ben were all stunned.

"Chicago University agreed to his request."

Mark still couldn't believe it.

"But… why would Leo do that?"

Aryan smiled.

"You'll have to ask your son."

Ben remained silent, his thoughts racing.

Leo had bet everything on him.

Now, he had to make sure his gamble paid off.

For the first time, Ben truly realized the weight of his decisions.

And he knew—there was no turning back now.