Ten Lucky Draws: I Became OP

Chapter 207: A New Direction (2)

[A/N: I will drop two Chapters today and tomorrow… Then over the weekend the drop rate will pick back up to about 3-5 Chapters.]

Ash arrived back to the world of Astralis for a few reasons with one being Celeste herself.

It had been a few years since he’d last seen her—at least by the universe’s clock—but with all the time dilation, it had felt like much longer. So when he arrived, he didn’t bother with anything else and teleported straight into Celeste’s private chambers.

The chamber was a vast, domed sanctum bathed in the soft glow of floating constellations—pinpricks of starlight suspended in mid-air, shifting slowly like living nebulae, casting gentle patterns across walls of polished astral crystal that hummed faintly with cosmic energy.

The air held the fresh scent of far-off stardust, warm and uplifting, while a soft, rhythmic hum pulsed through the floor like the heartbeat of the stars themselves.

“Still as beautiful as ever…” Ash said with a smile on his face as the woman was seated in the air cross-legged under the constellations of her chambers.

Her eyes fluttered open instantly hearing an intruder… The moment she did chains lashed out towards Ash who just laughed.

“What don’t you recognize me?” He teased as he easily dodged the chains—each one a shimmering link of pure astral force that whipped through the air with sharp whistles, leaving trails of sparkling dust in their wake.

Celeste arched a brow as she truly saw the person standing in front of her.

“Ash?!” She exclaimed by now she knew his appearance… Who didn’t? He put it all on display for the entire Galaxy.

Yet, even as he stood in front of her… She couldn’t feel a drop of the power she’d witnessed live on the broadcast.

“The man, the myth, the legend!” Ash said dramatically before he moved to float in front of her.

Celeste blushed hearing him being so dramatic. However, seeing him come back… She was grateful that he truly didn’t forget.

“So, what brings you back to Astralis?” She asked before continuing.

“You know we are still more than a decade away from doom… even I’m not sure if it could be considered as such.”

“Indeed, there’s still some time.” Ash said as he pulled her closer to him.

Feeling the sudden contact, she blushed more trying to maintain her lofty stature, but she didn’t even struggle only melting into his embrace as he continued to talk—the warmth of his body against hers…it was comforting.

“Wh… what are you doing?” she asked, feigning ignorance.

Ash chuckled softly before replying.

“I don’t want to wait any longer… I’ve got a plan to keep your clan safe. But first, why don’t you come with me?”

Hearing this, Celeste pulled back slightly, her gaze locking onto his eyes, encircled with fire.

“I can’t be away from the cl—”

Before she could finish, Ash interrupted.

“Yeah, yeah… The Clan will be fine. We’ll be gone for only two years at most anyways.”

“Only two years?” Strangely, Celeste’s expression dimmed at the thought of their time together.

“Oh, Celeste, you’re adorable when you make that face,” Ash said, and then, in an instant, they both vanished. It was obvious the woman wasn’t unwilling, but Ash didn’t feel like doing too much more.

They reappeared at the very core of the world of Astralis.

It was strange, with four colors reminiscent of the suns of this world—a swirling vortex of radiant energy in crimson, violet, golden, and emerald, pulsing like living hearts at the center of a vast cavern of crystalline rock that thrummed with the world’s raw power.

The air was thick and electric, each breath pulling in waves of pure stellar essence that made skin tingle and blood hum.

Seeing them there, Celeste spoke, a bit bewildered by what was unfolding.

“Why did we come to the core?”

Ash smiled as he spoke to Elysia.

’Hmm, so how should I take this in?’

[Just make contact with the core…]

With that, Ash placed his hand on the world’s core.

There was no grand spectacle, no dazzling light—just a seamless shift.

So smooth that only Ash could sense what had changed….

He turned to Celeste, who was still waiting for his reply.

“Welcome to my home, Celeste~”

—-

Afterward, Ash took some time to show Celeste around his inner Cosmos.

Notably, he had placed the world of Astralis not in the Original Haven, but within his he Galaxy. Now it contained a fully formed world alongside a budding seed that still had thousands of years before it formed.

He did this because it made no sense to play by someone else’s time frame. Before, he thought it best to wait, but only because he had been too weak.

Now though?

It would be foolish not to safeguard the world of Astralis as he continued his journey. After these next few trips, he planned to go into seclusion for quite a while. He had already reached the peak of this lower dimension and had no intention of remaining here forever.

Still, before leaving this place, there was plenty left to do and accomplish.

Even if those in the higher dimensions held far greater power than he did now, he had no intention of entering at the lowest level like he had back on Astralis. No, when he stepped onto that ladder again, it would be a whole different game this time.

“Brat, just how many women do you have?” Kaelthyr asked, arching a brow as he glanced between him and Celeste.

“Master, don’t tell me you’re jealous,” he said with a chuckle.

“Stop it, I’m not your woman, Ash…” Celeste muttered, making him laugh even harder.

“Not yet, at least,” Ash replied before turning back to Kaelthyr.

“Alright, use the key, old man. I don’t have forever to wait… we need to be in and out within two years.”

Kaelthyr rolled his eyes at the remark.

“Knowing you, we’ll be in and out within a day.”

With that, he summoned the Abyssal Key and used it as though unlocking an invisible door. A deathly black portal materialized before them, and in the next moment, Kaelthyr’s system buzzed.

[Host, congrats on finally entering the Abyss. Your main goal are three things…

1. Your Second Disciple – There’s a golden opportunity… An egg… with immense destiny.

2. Conquer the Abyss – Become its leader/ruler

3. Retrieve the First Soul]

—-

Seeing this he smiled; it’s been a while since he’d gotten a new task. This time it was bountiful, he looked backwards to Ash.

’With this freak on my side… it will be but a breeze.’

“Well, let’s get going now, shall we?” he said with a smile, and they all turned to head inside.