Defiance of the Fall

Eventually , Belsim figured out what had happened . The price of its becoming . It tried to fix what it had done , absorbing the energy it imposed on the small creatures . It wasn’t enough . Then , it swallowed the death of a world and was indelibly transformed . But that only meant the small creatures had become hollow husks without energy . Those people were gone forever . These ponds are the tears Belsim shed as they realized there was nothing they could do . -

That’s . . . - Zac hesitated .

I’m sorry , the story is a bit heavy , - Catheya said as she led him into the leftmost pagoda . - Come , let me show you something else . -

A familiar wall filled with scrolls lined the inner wall , while the rest of the interior looked like a living room . It didn’t mirror the cold and blue of the outside world and were instead filled with warmth and color . A series of intricately woven rugs covered the ground , hiding the cold hard stone beneath . They reminded Zac of a Bedouin tent , though the room had classical furniture .

There were reading nooks and sofas , all of them in warm colors . A stark juxtaposition to the cold palette outside . The scene was quite different from what he’d expected as Zac remembered how Catheya usually formed ice furniture for herself . The walls were no exception to the decoration . Over a dozen paintings covered the walls , all painted with stark colors and bold strokes .

They initially seemed like abstract splashes of color , but Zac soon stopped and looked to the side . It was a painting dominated by splotches of angry red , with accompanying details of deep blue , gold , and purple . Something about it was drawing him in , and a few seconds passed until he realized there was order to the madness .

After a few more seconds , he felt the scene shift . The red splotches were no longer dots of paint but rustling leaves of tree crowns . Gold rivers ran between the trees , all under a purple sky dominated by blue , flying creatures .

This is? - Zac asked curiously .

A small hobby of mine , - Catheya smiled as she walked up next to Zac . - This is an unstable realm I visited inside the Million Gates Territory . The moment I stepped through the spatial rift , I knew it would make a great painting . -

You painted all of these? - Zac said with surprise .

Of course , - Catheya said . - I’m not sure how you’re able to keep constantly pushing forward . Most of us need outlets to decompress . This is something I learned from my mother . -

Your mother? I think that’s the first time you’ve mentioned her . -

She’s from a distant subsidiary branch of Sharva’Zi . She and my father had a short romance when he emerged from secluded cultivation . They met when he saw her paint a mountain range . When I was born , I was lucky enough to have a strong mark of Zi even though my mother’s heritage is weak . I became an official daughter of the main clan . -

If you hadn’t had the bloodline? -

Then I would have lived with my mother’s branch , though my father’s identity would have resulted in me getting adopted by the clan leader , - Catheya shrugged . - I still visit when I get the chance . -

Zac hummed and looked around . Draugr society was mostly similar to what he was used to , but there were some distinct differences . Marriages were uncommon and almost only took place between Dao Partners . Perhaps it made more sense . Until death do us part had a completely different meaning when some lived for millions of years .

It was more common to have shorter trysts between cultivation sessions or missions , and those affairs occasionally resulted in children being born . Of course , this was mainly for Hegemons and higher . Those stuck in the lower grades had more traditional family structures .

Catheya’s situation was fairly normal , though the difference in status between her parents seemed unusually large . Bloodline decided which clan the offspring would be part of , though there were rare exceptions . For example , if Catheya’s father had wanted to adopt his daughter even if she was born with the lower bloodline , he probably could’ve .

By the sound of it , her parents were no longer together , which meant Catheya’s mother would have returned to her clan . Perhaps the two split when Catheya was young , which would explain why Catheya still had a connection with her even though their bloodlines didn’t match . Many parents severed their connection shortly after birth if their bloodlines didn’t match .

Ultimately , the clan was considered the true family unit , and being a father or mother was not seen as very important . It all felt a bit foreign to Zac , but it was quite normal compared to some societies he’d read about over the past years .

What about you? -

Me? - Zac said , hesitating a bit . - My dad died during the first month of the Integration . He was a mortal like me , but we were split up . He was killed when the batch of cultivators returned from the tutorial . My mother died when I was young . My sister . . . died a few years after the Integration . Only me left now . -

I’m sorry . . . - Catheya sighed as she placed her hand on his arm .

Zac gave her a weak smile then turned to another painting . It almost looked like a starry sky partly shrouded by an ethereal haze . It was beautiful but gave off a sense of danger . Zac recognized the scene . - The Vigorbloom Lilacs . -

That’s where I got to know you . Well , some of your secrets , at least . -

It’s beautiful , - Zac said . - You’re really good . -

You can’t have it , - Catheya grinned .

I wasn’t fishing or anything , - Zac assured , though he muttered under his breath , - Stingy . -

I’ll paint you something else , - Catheya laughed . - Come . -

They toured one building after another , where Catheya excitedly showed off interesting plants she’d trapped in ice or paintings of her visits . Eventually , they reached a padded bench overlooking the mysterious pond at the foot of the hill , where a bottle and two glasses already stood waiting on a table . The two sat next to each other , and Zac’s mind shuddered as he felt a brief bout of déjà vu .

The view was completely different to back home , but the situation was reminiscent of those mornings he’d shared with Thea in his pergola . He didn’t push the thoughts aside , letting them pass on their own . More than a decade had gone by since then , and Zac knew he had to let go and move on . Doing so didn’t mean he’d forgiven his mother or forgotten his goals . It meant he would look ahead instead of being trapped in the past .

By the way , how’s the kernel? - Zac asked . - No problems , right? -

It’s the opposite , really , - Catheya said as she poured Zac a glass . - It’s amazing . Almost feels like I have another Hidden Node . Energy flows smoother , and the Dao feels clearer . It’s a shame it’ll be gone after I form my Cosmic Core . -

Who knows , it might have lasting effects , - Zac mused .

Really? -

Well , they felt a lot more powerful than normal kernels . They might permanently improve your affinity . -

Then it’d be the second time you got me something that raises my talent , - Catheya said as she looked deeply into Zac’s eyes . - My fate really has been sent off-kilter by you . -

Zac’s mouth opened , but his mind went blank .

Zac coughed after a few seconds of awkward silence . - It’s quite the view . This place really is perfect for you . You were a lot smarter than me when picking your home base . -

Zac expected Catheya to use the prompt to explain the mysterious pond beyond its mythological origin . Still , he was surprised to find her smile turn crooked as some sorrow appeared in her eyes .

Perfect for me , - Catheya sighed .

What’s wrong? -

Catheya didn’t move for a few seconds before answering .

I was born with a great affinity to Ice and Death , so my father entrusted me to his friend who walked a similar path . I’ve lived and cultivated within environments such as this all my life . It’s , as you say , perfect for me . But it sometimes feels like a prison .

The Perennial Vastness is a gateway to all kinds of wonders . There are thousands of worlds holding environments I didn’t even know existed . Yet I’ll have to keep going back to the worlds of Ice and Death . The rest are hostile to me in a way I don’t think you living understand , - Catheya said , shaking her head when Zac was about to interject . - I can tell you don’t really feel the suppression like I do . Some zones are so damaging I can feel my body dying unless I actively resist with beacons or Miasma Crystals . I’m relegated to a corner of the Heavens .

Maybe that’s why that story with the Belsim resonated with me . -

I’m sorry , I— - Zac said , but Catheya shook her head as she placed her hand on his .

No , I’m sorry . I shouldn’t complain . I know I’m better off than most . Staying in the Perennial Vastness is just a constant reminder of how we are outsiders . -

Well , how about this? - Zac said after some thought . - I’ll sneak into the Heart of the Empire when I visit . That place probably has all kinds of good things . Finding something that will allow you to travel the Multiverse shouldn’t be too hard . -

You’ll fight the Primo and steal his stuff for me? - Catheya grinned .

He can try to stop me , but I’ve gotten pretty good at blowing up stuff and creating a mess , - Zac winked .

Catheya laughed , leaning her head against his shoulder . - Then I’ll be waiting . -

The two were content sitting like that for a minute until Catheya spoke up again . - What will you do next? -

I got a treasure in the inheritance that needs to be fed with treasures from all Dao Peaks , so I’ll be visiting one Red Zone after another , - Zac said . - It’s weird . I was ahead of schedule , but now I feel I’m somehow behind again . -

When are you setting out? -

I . . . - Zac said as he looked down at Catheya . - Uh . . . Maybe tomorrow? -

A mischievous smile appeared on her face . - Come , there’s one more thing I want to show you . -

Zac grunted as he heaved himself up the ledge , his muscles shuddering from the exertion . His fingers were slick with sweat , but the rough rocks were thankfully providing enough purchase to avoid falling . Just two hours , and he felt as though he’d been fighting for his life ten days and ten nights straight . Yet when looking down , he saw he’d only managed to ascend a few thousand meters . Barely enough to make a dent .

The realization was almost enough to make Zac turn around and leave . Of course , it was more about what waited back home than the difficulty of the climb . Catheya . He didn’t know if their new relationship was just a fling or the beginning of something more . It was new , exciting , and returning to her side held far greater temptation than testing himself against a hostile Red Zone .

Zac shook his head , rejecting the notion . It had been fun acting like teenagers in love over the past weeks , but they needed to keep accumulating Mana while working on their cultivation . Looking at the bright side , time apart made the heart grew fonder , adding fuel to their next rendezvous .

By this point , the sun was high in the sky , drowning the sharp peak in light . When he arrived , the sun had just appeared on the horizon . There was no warmth to the light like a normal sun , but neither was there anything else . It was just pure light containing an invasive and unyielding force . Zac tried to resist it the best he could , but not even Void Zone] worked against the rays . It was like the light had a physical characteristic , glomming onto him and weighing him down .

As if the intense gravity of the mountain needed any help making his life miserable . And it would only get worse from here . Soon , the light would be replaced by darkness . Active darkness , and not just the absence of the sun . It would pour onto him just like the light now was , putting even greater restrictions on his body . This was the true danger of the Imperial Spire . The longer you stayed , the more cycles of light and darkness you’d experience . Each cycle would tack on the weight you experienced , and there was no way to cleanse it except to leave the region .

If you were too slow , the weight would overwhelm you before you reached the upper reaches where the treasures waited . And if you weren’t careful , you could find yourself stuck . Gravity increased the farther you climbed , and the cycles of light and darkness would continuously worsen the situation . It was easy to reach a point where you didn’t have the strength to descend the mountain safely . Just breaking a few bones was the least of your worries . There was a real risk of being turned into meat paste on the mountain slopes .

Zac looked up at the almost vertical peak , sweat pouring down his face . Still a long , long way to go before he reached his target .

Red Mission : Extract Revolution Orbs from the Imperial Spire . Bounty : 200 Mana per extracted Revolution Orb . Orbs must be fully removed from the Imperial Spire to be considered extracted . Maximum Participants : 1 . NOTE : Multiple guests can accept this mission

The Revolution Orbs] didn’t have anything to do with overthrowing the unnamed emperor after which this mountain was named . They were Natural Treasures formed by the revolution of light and darkness that kept him and all other guests on their toes . Just as the revolutions left some mysterious energy on his body , so did they leave behind energies on the mountain itself .

Sometimes , these energies turned into Revolution Orbs]—treasures encompassing all three major directions of the Peak of Taiji . And the target for Zac , who hoped to kill two birds with one stone . Earn some Mana and feed his Omnitool , which apparently was the real name of the hammer pick floating around in his mind .

This was the first peak he targeted , and the experience made him wonder if it was a mistake jumping into the deep end without listening to Ogras’s advice . Even the weakest Mana Barrier would have been a godsend to deal with the pressure . It would have been easier to target treasures from the peaks of Conflict and Chaos first , but it wasn’t convenient . For Chaos , there was the Calamity , but that region was still in flux . And since Zac needed to return later to pick up the Remnants anyway , there was no point in heading to a similar zone .

As for the Peak of Conflict , he didn’t have access . There were multiple good options , most of them ancient battlefields . However , they contained such dangerous lingering resentment that they required the fourth echelon or higher to access . There were less dangerous realms , even Orange Zone battlefields , but visiting those felt like a waste of time . The odds of finding the Supreme treasures he needed for the Omnitool would be vanishingly low .

That led him to the Imperial Spire . It was by no means the easiest or safest of the accessible Red Zones , but he had an inherent advantage . Most living races had an advantage when climbing under the light , while they faced incredible suppression in darkness . Conversely , undead , most golemoids , and some other species could make swift progress in the dark , relatively speaking , while they suffered under the light .

Someone like him could explore the mountain without suffering the full weight of the zone .

Zac kept going , climbing higher and higher . Neither Vivi nor Alea were much help . They barely managed to raise their tendrils against the gravity , and their extra weight made climbing even harder . Alea returned to her necklace form while Vivi retracted all but a bulbous flower that soaked in the light .

Skills were no good either . For one , the gravity was so overbearing even his Cosmic Energy was suppressed . He’d narrowly managed to activate his skills , but Ancestral Forest] instantly failed , and Earthstrider] only moved him a few meters at the cost of almost killing him . He didn’t even dare try Abyssal Phase] under this suppression .

Thankfully , Void Zone] was able to give Zac the occasional breather . And with his enormous pool of strength , he covered more ground in a single light cycle than most did in five . Soon , night arrived , and Zac swapped over to his Draugr form on a ledge and kept going . Four days passed this way until Zac finally saw a blast of light from a ledge above . The scene filled Zac’s exhausted body with newfound strength , and he swiftly crossed the final stretch .

It was lying there right in the open—a grey pearl containing an immense sense of weight . It occasionally emitted bursts of intense darkness or light , which was what he’d seen before . Zac almost stumbled upon feeling the intense gravity zone the orb created .

Holy crap , - Zac grunted , feeling like he would slip a disk when lifting the fist-sized orb .

It dislodged the natural formation that kept all Revolution Orbs] spatially locked , but it didn’t do much to help with the weight . He knew he couldn’t put it down . According to Null , it would fuse with the mountain if he did , so he desperately held on with his right hand as the Omnitool appeared in his left .

Zac lightly tapped the hammer against the orb according to a set pattern . There was no response . Zac tried a few more times , but the orb was about to slip out of his grasp . He recalled the tool with a sigh before stowing the Revolution Orb] in a spare High-quality Spatial Ring . Those things were so heavy they could damage the subspace of the Spatial Tools they were in . His main ring was probably sturdy enough , but why take the risk?

He had reached the altitude where the Revolution Orbs] started to appear . The conventional method to finish his quest would be climbing sideways in search of more orbs . When you could no longer endure the layers of light and dark , you’d descend with your haul . But Zac’s gaze turned upward . The Omnitool didn’t want Revolution Orbs] , but nothing said the orbs were the only things that could appear on the mountain .

The best things were no doubt at the peak .

42

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

All sound and light were muted in the depths of the pond . It was almost like time stood still , frozen by the intense cold from the depths . Catheya continuously dragged energy into her body from the frigid waters as she circulated Frigid Doctrine of Zi] . Ichor coursed through her veins , harmonizing and assimilating the pond’s energies while the essence of the energies was dragged into the seed in her lower abdomen .

She had finally managed to reach the 100-meter ledge . Catheya still couldn’t see the bottom of the Belsim pond , though she guessed she’d reached the halfway point . She would be ready to start her Core Formation when she could reach that spot and stay there without being overwhelmed by the death and cold .

Of course , that final stretch was no joke . Catheya shuddered as another glacial tendril from below caressed her leg , leaving her calf frozen solid . She wouldn’t give in . She could tell there was something special about the depths . Perhaps an array or a natural formation? Either case , the depths felt like a bonfire of Dao when she circulated her manual . Not even the shallows of the Abyssal Lake emitted such intense power , though the Tears of Belsim didn’t nurture her bloodline .

You have an entry request . -

He’s here?’ Catheya asked as she slowly opened her eyes .

An Ogras Azh’Rezak requests an audience , - Winter answered .

A surge of annoyance flared in Catheya’s chest , but she still started ascending the pond . Zac was already three days late to their date , and now his shadow came knocking instead? She knew they were all busy , but it still hurt .

She’d heard of how women back home ignored their partners as punishment for their transgressions . But how was that a punishment to Zac? He’d get engrossed by one of his projects in no time and soon forget he was being ignored . Infuriating . Besides , his drive and dedication were attributes she loved , so the situation was doubly frustrating .

A wave of frigid air greeted Catheya as she emerged from the pond , but the ice-swept winds were almost sweltering after spending the past five days in the depths . She channeled her Miasma to dry her clothes and hair as she accepted the request through her guide .

What is it? - Catheya grunted as the demon stepped through the gate .

What’s with the long face? - the demon grinned , then shuddered . - This place is the worst . -

Well , it wasn’t made for you , - Catheya said . - Where is he? -

I found some clues to an item he needed for that hammer of his the other day , - Ogras explained .

That accursed hammer . This wasn’t the first date it had ruined over the past year .

You or your goblin? - Catheya asked .

What’s the difference? We’re both benefitting , aren’t we? - Ogras snorted . - Or do you want to change our agreement? -

Nevermind , I’m just a bit annoyed , - Catheya sighed . - So , you found some clues . -

The numbers indicated a Green Zone , so we feared it’d start a global quest if we waited . We’ve been narrowing it down for the past week , - Ogras explained as he took out a bottle that seemed to contain liquid fire . He took a deep swig , and Catheya could see how the demon’s life force almost seemed to have ignited . - That’s better . -

So? -

He needs your help . Can we go before my little spear turns into an icicle? -

He clearly preferred your help , - Catheya said , unable to fully keep the resentment of her voice . - Why bother coming to me and ruin your good time? -

Is that what you want me to convey? - Ogras countered with a raised brow .

. . . No , - Catheya said . - Where to? -

Well . . . It’s the Heavenly Cauldrons . -

Catheya blanched , looking at the demon suspiciously . - Are you trying to get me killed? -

If a Green Zone can kill you , you’re probably not ready for Hegemony . -

You know what I mean , - Catheya glowered . - That place is my nemesis . -

That’s why he needs your help . Opposites and all that , - Ogras said .

Fine , - Catheya sighed as she mentally prepared herself for an absolutely dreadful day .

What a devoted wife . - The demon grinned as the teleportation array activated . - Entering the gates of hell for her beloved . Makes my heart swell . -

Catheya would normally have started shooting icicles after the demon at this point , but she was busy placing talismans on her body to deal with the heat that radiated out of the gate . The two stepped through , and Catheya had to forcibly resist jumping back in . Waves of Fire and Life assaulted her and tried to burrow into her body . They stood atop scorched steppes covered with angrily shining moss .

Within that moss , small beetles scuttled about , making Catheya’s skin crawl .

Yeah , not great , - Ogras commented as he followed Catheya’s gaze . - They’re only by the teleporter , though . I think they like the spatial energy . -

Where to? - Catheya said , her skin already heating up .

The talismans lit up one after another and started releasing the stockpiled Miasma , and a ring on her finger formed a protective icy mist . Unfortunately , her preparations could only do so much when faced with a fully attuned environment . She was only one person , and it was impossible to push away the pervasive Dao around her completely . It was like trying to hide a stench with perfume . It just resulted in a different type of stinky scent .

This way , young miss , - the insufferable demon said with a bow . How did he manage to make a bow sarcastic?

They didn’t exchange many words as they set out across the steppes , passing a series of golden rivers and pools of magma . Thankfully , Zac was inside a large volcano she could see far in the distance . It wouldn’t take more than an hour or two to get there .

Any news from your goblin friend? - Catheya asked .

He says a surge is forming , - Ogras said . - Right now , the energy levels across most realms are decreasing slightly , but that’s because it’s accumulating . -

When? - Catheya asked .

Two years , maybe . It’ll depend on the realms . Some might only need a final push to produce a material . -

Will you two be able to figure it out in time? - Catheya asked curiously .

This was their shot . Zac was just too much of a machine , and they couldn’t keep up unless he visited realms suited for their strength . Neither did either feel comfortable relying too heavily on him for Mana . So she and Ogras decided to team up , using Perennial Transformations] as a foundation . They had already triggered and finished two local quests , though they’d only gained 1 , 000 Mana each this way .

However , it was relatively risk-free and only took them a couple of days . The problem was it being quite difficult to meet the requirements of that Numerologist Zac knew . His scheme was essentially to abuse hidden rules of the Perennial Vastness and create artificial fate through proximity and timing . Arrive early or too late , and you wouldn’t trigger a personal quest . Either no quest would trigger or a global one if the treasure was valuable enough .

It was quite ingenious but also very difficult to perfect . Luckily , Ogras had that mysterious spectral goblin for help . In return , she provided manpower through the Undead Empire . She was also more powerful than the demon , so they had agreed to split the bounties 50-50 . Still , it was shocking how much the man had grown since they met in the Tower of Eternity . She wouldn’t have had a leg to stand on if she hadn’t been sent to the Abyssal Shores .

Especially when you considered that flag . . . Catheya shuddered at the memory . She knew a thing or two about souls and reanimation , and that thing wasn’t natural .

They kept a steady pace , though Catheya felt her focus start to waver at the constant onslaught of hostile Dao and Energy . Thankfully , they’d reached the volcano , and Catheya gritted her teeth upon seeing a familiar figure step out from a hidden tunnel .

You! - Catheya growled as she stomped over . - Two days late , and then you drag me to this purgatory? What did I do to deserve this? -

I’m sorry . Look , I’m suffering with you! - Zac said as he quickly transformed into his Draugr form . Immediately , his face collapsed into a pained visage , and he hunched over while grasping his chest . - Ow , ow , the heat! -

A smile crept up Catheya’s face , but she pushed it down and roused her annoyance as she poked him in his side . - Jerk , like I don’t know your Body Tempering Method translates into resistance to this exact environment . -

I’m sorry , really . - Zac smiled . - You look very pretty today . -

I’m a sweaty mess , - Catheya huffed , partly mollified . - Well , what do you need me to freeze? The sooner we can leave , the better . -

Come , - Zac said , grasping her hand as he led her inside . - How did your cultivation session go? -

Not bad , - Catheya said as she released a content sigh . For some reason , the heat was lower inside the volcano than outside . - I think my seed will be finished in four years . -

That’s great , - Zac said . - Guess we’re both ahead of schedule . -

This is the fourth , right? - Catheya asked .

Well , we’ll see . -

Farther into the mountain , the tunnel grew darker with the heat growing sparser . Catheya soon realized it wasn’t the mountain . Zac had installed cooling arrays in the tunnel , and she felt some sweetness in her chest . He’d probably known she would be hot and miserable by the time she arrived and made some preparations . Twenty minutes later , there was a change in the path . A weak , golden light lit up the tunnel not too far off , and Catheya inwardly braced herself . They were about to reach the molten core .

Then , there was nothing : no life , no fire , no heat . But neither was there any death or cold . There was just nothing , like she stepped out of Heaven’s purview . It was both disconcerting and liberating , and it almost felt like she couldn’t tell where she ended and the air began .

Catheya looked at Zac with confusion , but he only smiled as he led her toward the light . They turned around a bend and found themselves in a room filled with a soft glow . A thick rug covered the ground , a low table where a bottle of chilled wine stood waiting , and lots of pillows . There were no lights or candles , but then none were needed .

The cave simply ended at the opposite side , exposing the room to a breathtaking vista . It was a vast sea of fire releasing innumerable bubbles of life-giving light . The lights slowly rose toward the sky then collapsed just before they reached the volcano’s mouth . It created a beautiful and everchanging ambiance that filled the area .

What—How? - Catheya whispered as she looked around with confusion . There were no holy beacons , no arrays . She couldn’t sense any energy fluctuations at all . Or rather , she could , but they disappeared right outside the cave . It was like she was standing inside a raging fire , yet the flames somehow missed her . Was it a separate dimension? But there should still be hints of Dao if so .

I’ve been thinking about what you said that day . How you felt like an outsider , - Zac explained . - So I built this . A way to enjoy the view without relying on flooding the environment with Miasma . -

Catheya wordlessly looked at him , her vision swimming .

Zac awkwardly scratched his chin , like he so often did . - I know it’s just a small room and not really what you meant . I just thought you’d like⁠— -

His words grew indistinct and were then stopped as she pressed her lips against his . Those strong arms enclosed her , filling her with contentment .

I love it , - Catheya whispered . - I can’t believe you sealed the Heavens for me . -

Til’Siri’s hearts rattled as she stood at attention by the teleportation array . She felt like she was part of history , about to catch a glimpse of the birth of the Era .

Be careful what you say , - Til’Siri once more reminded her irascible companion . - The Primordial was born in a more brutal era . -

I know , I know , - Emberstorm said . - Though if you ask me , it’s a waste of time . This old thing is as ancient as the Era itself . I bet she won’t even get accepted by Ultom , no matter how loved by the Heavens she is . -

Even if it turns out she can’t enter , she’ll still be the leader of our operations here , - Til’Siri countered , hiding the smile that tugged at her lips . Atavism really wasn’t sufficient to temper the unbridled aggressiveness of these Rosefire Beetles , Emberstorm’s inability to overturn fate and seize a seal had left him incredibly irascible . He just needed a small push . - Besides , the ancestors wouldn’t have awoken one of the four remaining Primordials if they weren’t confident she’d be able to participate . -

Whatever , - Emberstorm muttered . - Bunch of dusty things that don’t understand the age we live in , if you ask me . They were strong , alright , but they were just supersized barbarians without skills or technique . -

Well , no one asked , - Til’Siri spat . - Now be quiet , or you’ll get us both killed . -

An hour passed until the array finally lit up . Til’Siri smoothed her dress , prompting a derisive snort from the insectoid .

Then , she stepped through , and Til’Siri could barely prevent her ardent expression from collapsing . The Primordial was short and round to the point she was almost a circle . However , she was all muscle and asymmetrical bones , giving off an intensely deadly aura . Her face was flat and unexpressive , completely lacking the graceful features commonly associated with a perfect Atavism . Simply put , she was ugly , incredibly so , with the exception of her eyes . They glowed with purple splendor , and Til’Siri felt like she was looking at the Dao itself .

We greet the esteemed Primordial! - Til’Siri said with a deep bow , and she inwardly sneered upon seeing that Emberstorm didn’t follow suit .

It looked like her goading had worked .

So you’re the one they dug out of that deep abyss? The one who’s supposed to lead us without having merit or qualifications? - Emberstorm said . - If you want to lead me , you’ll have to endure my attack . -

The stout creature wordlessly looked at Emberstorm , then slowly reached out her hand . Emberstorm snorted as flames lit up across his body , and a deafening drone made the air crackle . But a frown appeared as the hand kept getting closer . Til’Siri shook her head , feeling her senses were being messed with . It didn’t seem the Primordial’s hand was growing , but rather that the universe shrunk to accommodate her will .

Emberstorm tried to create some distance , but the hand was intractable . A storm of scorching flames erupted on Emberstorm’s body , but they were snuffed like a weak candle as the hand closed around him . The Primordial hadn’t even given him a chance to launch an attack before attacking herself .

Wait— - Emberstorm screamed , his anger turning into fear . It was too late .

The arm pulled back , and the Primordial put her whole hand into her oversized mouth . Til’Siri shook as she stood rooted in place , sweat pouring down her back as she found the horrifying creature locking eyes with her as she slowly started to chew . A few ghastly crunches were followed by a gulp . Like that , one of the rising stars of the Starbeast Alliance’s swarm had been turned into a snack .

He dared challenge the natural order without understanding his or my strength , - the creature said . - That is unacceptable . -

Til’Siri could only nod , afraid she’d be targeted next .

This System has made you all weak and irresolute , - the Primordial continued . - It gives a veneer of order when the only truth is power . I will not kill you today . But you will replace the schemes in your heart with strength if you wish to follow me . -

Y-yes , - Til’Siri shuddered , knowing her plot had been seen through .

Scheming against this unsealed monster would be impossible . Looking into her eyes put Til’Siri under even greater pressure than meeting her ancestor . Til’Siri should have known better after learning of her origins . About a unique Innate Being who reached the limits of the broken Heaven at the start of the Era . Someone who had slaughtered Supremacies and bathed in their blood .

Someone with the strength and determination to give up her spot at the peak and seal her reincarnation in the river of time , all for a chance to push beyond the limits of the Dao when the Heavens had recovered .

What about the matter? -

The local faction is called the Kan’Tanu . They do not have the means to stabilize the Space Gate forcibly , and they are still organizing their armies , - Til’Siri hurriedly said , feeling she’d been given a new lease on life . - On your command , I’ve petitioned the elders to help . Array Masters will arrive in two months with the required materials . Their preliminary report is that it will take another two months at most to finish the process . -

Good . Today’s universe is too wretched , and the Heavens are spread too thin . I will have to rekindle my memories with blood instead of Dao . Constantly relying on my bloodline is too tiring . -

What does mistress want to do until then? -

We continue into the Million Gates , - the Primordial said . - The cosmos is pointing me toward the first key . -

Til’Siri nodded , trying to quell her jealousy . Born from the Dao in the chaotic cauldron of a nascent era , blessed by the Heavens in a way you’d never see today . Having the Dao whisper its secrets into your ear , pointing you down the correct path .

How were others to compete with a lifeform like this?

43

COSMIC INFUSION

This is the one , - Zac muttered , pushing away the sense of doom as he picked up a withered branch with his free hand .

The Omnitool in his other transformed from its standard rock pick into a scalpel axe . He still lacked six of the seventeen peaks , but he’d found that the tool could already be used for half an hour before it needed to be returned . It was enough for his practice . He could have used the artisanal axes as well , but why bother?

The Omnitool wasn’t just a gadget that could change shape . It was instilled with the essence of Cosmic Forge] and naturally helped control the extraction process when Zac channeled Void Energy through it . Without it , you’d have to work twice as hard for half the result .

One could argue that it would be better practice not to use the assisting tool , but the Omnitool was an integral part of the crafting process . Not using it would be like a blacksmith not using a furnace or an alchemist not using a cauldron . What was the point?

Zac carefully cut the stem open , making sure to infuse the scar with the illusory engravings of Cosmic Infusion] . One by one , esoteric runes spread across the branch in the wake of the incision . They almost looked like natural markings left by nature itself , but they were rather the result of an intricate web of Void Energy .

The once clumsy attempts had become far more precise , mostly thanks to the synthetic experience awarded through the visions . Practicing extraction and infusing over the past two years had felt like picking up an old hobby you’d put aside for years . He wasn’t learning , he was re-learning .

With precision came speed , which was just as important for the success of the extraction . Every second that passed after Zac began the process was a second of entropy where the essence of the branch melted away . The quicker the extraction , the more complete the essence you could use for an infusion . If you took too long , the Dao would become flawed , which was like drinking from a poisoned well .

Soon , Zac had cut a scar along the length of the branch . At that point , it floated into the air , hovering vertically over the workbench . Zac’s left hand formed a claw beneath , while the right continuously moved around . One mote of starlight after another—though it’d be more apt to call it deathlight—appeared on his fingertips and entered the branch .

It had taken months of trial and error to get the ball rolling , but Zac had long since explored the ways Cosmic Infusion] worked and didn’t work in the current era . Unsurprisingly , it didn’t work with either Cosmic Energy or Miasma . He had to solely use his Void Energy to engrave and infuse the innumerable seals that made up the first chapter of Cosmic Forge] .

However , the method did work with his Dao . The method would function without any - Cosmic Truths’ as the First People called it , but Dao did elevate the technique just like how it worked with skills . The extraction became more efficient , as was the infusion . Zac even suspected he could add some of his own comprehension to the process , though he hadn’t reached that point yet . Unfortunately , using Dao only worked when Zac worked with materials of matching attunements . In other words , items crafted for himself would be better than items he crafted for people with different paths .

It wasn’t much of a loss , considering he didn’t have any plans to craft on a large scale . He was content so long as he could improve his gear and create useful tools . It was just a welcome bonus if he also could improve the gear of those close to him .

Finally , a glistening grey liquid , an intangible essence taking the shape of sap , appeared on the bottom of the branch . With other items , the essence would appear in other forms . With each drop that fell , Zac caught it in the air with his prepared claw .

The technique of Cosmic Forge] was simply magical . It was based on an unfathomably deep understanding of the interaction between essence and materia . Truthfully , Zac had some trouble understanding exactly what essence was . But essentially , it was the - magic’ inside Natural Treasures . Whatever allowed them to help cultivators gain attributes , open nodes , or even improve their affinities . Cosmic Forge] took this magic and crammed it into a weapon .

You could liken the essence locked inside a Natural Treasure to a ship moored on a dock with thousands of ropes . Cosmic Infusion] severed those ropes without damaging or changing the ship , until it was completely detached . At that point , the ship would naturally sail away . In the second step , Zac could steer the ship into the recipient item . There , the opposite process would happen . He would create thousands of new ropes and moor the vessel at the new docks .

Of course , the analogy wasn’t 100% exact . The structural integrity and properties of a Natural Treasure were almost completely dependent on the energy and Dao inside . When disconnecting the essence from the Natural Treasure , you also had to keep the material stable until you extracted what you needed . The shallow scars covering his hands were a painful reminder of what would happen if you lost control .

The extraction was difficult on its own , but the actual infusion was another beast altogether . Zac thought it’d be like building a tower , placing another floor atop the foundation he’d just built . Part of that was true , but there was also another dimension to it . Infusing multiple layers of essence into a weapon also felt like packing a suitcase .

The first couple of layers weren’t too taxing . There was a lot of room available in the suitcase . Even if you made mistakes , you could comfortably place the items inside . But the more mistakes , the quicker the suitcase would fill up . By the point you reached the later stages of the Cosmic Cycle , the suitcase was already filled to the brim . Unfortunately , you couldn’t just take things out and repack the suitcase . At least not until he mastered Cosmic Extraction] , though Zac wasn’t sure that was how the method worked .

Luckily , there were many things Zac could do to make the process more efficient . The most obvious was to improve his skill in using Cosmic Forge] . The higher his skill , the more efficient the infusion . But that was just part of the equation . Improving your technique was the first of the three pillars you needed to maximize the result of Cosmic Infusion] . Or maximizing the result of most crafting methods , really .

The second pillar was a comprehensive understanding of materials . The better Zac understood the materials , both the treasure to extract and the tool you wanted to infuse , the better the result . Each material was unique and required him to adjust the extraction process slightly . Like how he needed to cut a precise incision in this branch and extract the essence from within . There were few shortcuts in accumulating this sort of comprehension . It required endless trial and error . He could somewhat sidestep that requirement for items resonating with his Dao , but practice makes perfect .

The final pillar of crafting was the recipe . Some pills required dozens , even thousands of herbs . But would you throw them all into the cauldron blindly? Of course not . Concocting a pill required exact order and timing to produce the optimal result . Any small changes and the pill might be reduced to toxic gunk .

It was the same for Cosmic Infusion] . The results would be vastly superior if he followed a - recipe . ’ For example , the Life-attuned Sundew Stalks] followed by the Beast Core of a Transcendence Larva could set a stable foundation to add more infusions . Reverse the order , and you’d have a mess on your hands . The interlocked essence would grow so unstable he could only add one or two infusions from that point .

Cosmic Forge] didn’t contain any finished recipes for creating multi-cycle infusions . Instead , it contained comprehensive sets of rules and concepts that allowed you to build a sturdy theoretical foundation . From there , Zac could either work on instinct or create recipes to allow him to craft High-quality items repeatedly . Zac was far from mastering these theories , but he had already started to get an intuitive sense of what materials were needed for proper progression . Of course , that was only for his own Daos so far .

In addition , he’d discovered a few tricks that helped . The most basic rule of Cosmic Infusion] was that the first cycle only required Low-quality items . That alone was quite impressive—the ability to create a Middle-quality item with only Low-quality materials . And that was nothing compared to the fourth cycle—the ability to reliably create Supreme-quality tools with only Peak-quality materials .

It wasn’t unheard of for a skilled craftsman , but you almost needed the stars to align to accomplish something like that . They’d have to enter a temporary state of enlightenment like when he created Pillar of Desolation] . And even then , it required a hefty amount of luck . Of course , the skill and planning required to accomplish something like that were undoubtedly staggering even for a top-tier method like Cosmic Forge] . Even the quest for Cosmic Extraction] only asked him to infuse two cycles and create a High-quality item .

Interestingly , Zac had long found that Low-quality materials were not just the minimum for the first cycle , they were the optimal choice . Zac had mountains of High-grade materials to practice with , but they contained too much essence and energies that were too complex . Using those kinds of materials right off the bat increased the complexity and difficulty without improving the result .

It was better to start at the bottom of the pole . Dirt-cheap attuned materials you’d only buy in bulk were optimal choice for the first couple of infusions . From there , you’d use better and better Low-quality materials until you used something right at the threshold of Medium-quality for the final infusion of the cycle .

Small streams floated from the essence blob in Zac’s hand toward the axe waiting on the workstation . They formed one mysterious pattern after another until the whole weapon was covered . At that point , the axe floated into the air and turned over , allowing Zac to coat the back . Sweat poured down Zac’s forehead as he strained his soul to maintain control .

Cosmic Forge] had confirmed his energy control with Void Energy was extremely high in contrast to his control over Cosmic Energy and Miasma . But using his Dao to complement the process put pressure on even his Three Fates Soul . To perfectly utilize his Dao , he had to infuse every single rune with a separate stream of Mental Energy . His current limit was fifty-four streams—twenty-seven streams from each of his two souls . Any more than that , and he’d get so slow and clumsy that it would do more harm than good . Still , it was a great step forward , and the practice even helped him with his Dao Braids .

Of course , he’d already found an alternative route in that regard .

A full hour passed as the branch grew increasingly withered while the axe started radiating an oppressive aura . Suddenly , the weapon released a weak shockwave that turned the branch into ash . A smile spread across Zac’s face as he grasped the axe out of the air .

A full Cosmic Cycle . The unadorned practice axe emitted an ominous aura of Death , and it was clearly sturdier and sharper than before . Scanning it with his senses found no major imperfections . The interlaced layers of Cosmic Forge] were mostly harmonious , though too many mistakes had been made for it to reach a second Cosmic Cycle . It was only halfway to finishing the quest , but it was still great progress . It had taken two full years reaching this point , though most of that time had been spent looking for items to feed his Omnitool .

Swinging it a few times , he felt far more in tune with the weapon than before .

What about now? - Zac asked into the air .

I told you . No bounty , - an exasperated Null answered . - None of your Void methods , no matter if we’re discussing your Body Tempering Manual or the Craftsman heritage , are worth any Mana . And no , I don’t know why . I applied and got denied . Try inventing normal things instead if you want that kind of bounty . -

Well , worth a shot , - Zac grunted .

Having reached this point , it was time to finally focus on that ominous feeling . It was like a blade had been trained at his neck for weeks , but he couldn’t pinpoint the source . At first , he’d thought he was being paranoid since things had run so smoothly lately . But the feeling wouldn’t go away , and he could tell something was afoot .

He walked out of his workshop at the bottom of Mount Illumination and began his ascent . As he walked , he opened his Status Screen to make sure he hadn’t gained any Mana for creating an attuned axe . No changes .

Mana : 41 , 023]

He’d barely averaged 1 , 000 Mana a month since getting his hands on Cosmic Forge] . And that was after running himself ragged . It wasn’t bad by any means , but it was quite a pathetic haul compared to getting almost 20 , 000 Mana in less than two months . Certainly , part of the reason for the slow climb was spending a decent chunk of Mana on the simulation array and Enlightenment Chambers to speed up his comprehension of Cosmic Infusion] .

However , the biggest explanation was that some of the zones had been beyond his skill to deal with reliably . Red Zones were no joke , even for him . Getting a Mana domain had helped a bit . Still , it wasn’t like a low-level barrier was enough to keep a Red Zone’s incredibly powerful and unpredictable environments at bay . Besides , he had only visited zones that weren’t aligned with his path .

The worst of the bunch was the Chrono Well , where he’d lost over a month’s worth of entrance fees without finishing the quest or finding an item for his Omnitool . He’d lost almost 5 , 000 Mana that month alone , and it wasn’t the only month where he’d tallied a loss .

Furthermore , the Mana fee was starting to get noticeable now that he’d entered the fourth echelon . It currently cost him 400 Mana a month just to retain his Mana domain . It was no wonder so few managed to go beyond 100 , 000 Mana . You had to push yourself quite hard to just break even , especially considering it got harder to earn Mana from duels at the higher echelons . One mistake that left you bedridden could cost you half an echelon’s worth of Mana .

Still , the fourth echelon in just over two years was well ahead of schedule . Catheya and Ogras were only on the second , even if they’d worked hard on both missions and bounties . They were still making improvements thanks to the various opportunities in the Perennial Vastness , and they were getting better at using Perennial Transformations] by the day .

Zac spent the next hour climbing back to the peak of Mount Illumination , inwardly grumbling at Null’s refusal to let him set up teleportation arrays at the foot or on the other mountains .

You have a message from Kruta the Second , - Null said just as Zac reached the crest .

Really? - Zac said with surprise .

Zac had kept in contact with the barbarian after they met in the Quarry . Kruta had come for a duel and to gawk when the rumors of his ability to swap between two races started to spread . Zac’s plan to pull in another round of Mana could only be considered half a success . His blueprint was just too eye-catching , so the guests realized what was going on after just a couple of duels when he visited Vastness City in his human form . The only reason he even earned 2 , 500 Mana from the scheme was that many , like Kruta , were curious about his situation and wanted to test the novel ability through duels .

Kruta had also joined him for two outings into Orange Zone battlefields Zac visited to recoup some of his Mana losses . The barbarian almost exclusively stayed in those regions because of his path , and it turned out he had a very useful ability . He was a Faith cultivator calling upon the spirits of his tribe’s ancestors . A soul whisp of some old warlord lived in his body , resulting in him being adopted by a warchief from the main tribe .

It was an interesting cultivation path , but that wasn’t why Kruta was such an asset on the ancient battlefields . The barbarian could actually commune with the lingering wills to some degree . Occasionally , the fallen soldiers took a liking to him and shared some secrets . Their two missions hadn’t resulted in any Supreme treasure , but both had walked away with massive rewards from the quest .

Had Kruta found a new opportunity? Was this why he’d been so unsettled over the past days?

Buddy , I have big news , - the message began . - Something is happening in the Stand of Saeward . The spirits are stirring like they’re about to rise from the grave , and weird tremors are releasing scary energies . I think something big is about to happen within a week at most . I don’t dare go alone , but maybe if I had a helping hand . . . You up for an adventure? -

Zac thoughtfully looked at the Communication Crystal for a few minutes . This seemed like a perfect opportunity , but his danger sense was tingling . He could almost feel fate gathering in the Stand of Saeward even if he’d never been to the restricted battlefield . Danger and opportunity appearing hand in hand . He’d never had this feeling when visiting the other Red Zones , even if a few of them had almost cost him his life .

There was something special about this one . Zac hesitated for over twenty minutes before finally recording a response . Conflict was the final key of the puzzle to forming his Cosmic Core , and items that could match the Calamity Core] and the Void Engine] didn’t appear every day . Not a single item he’d fed his Omnitool over the past two years was a match to those two treasures . He couldn’t back down now that an opportunity had presented itself .

Thankfully , he had a week . He’d trust his guts . This excursion would be exceedingly dangerous for whatever reason , so Zac needed to ensure he was prepared . His gaze slowly turned toward the empty patch of land on the opposite side of the peak . A great treasure right within reach .

It was time .

44

TRANSIENCE

Zac’s first entry into the hostile Red Zones was the Imperial Spire . The incredibly high mountain had seemed like a perfect place to start his collection of items . Even then , he had found himself at an impasse after pushing himself close to the peak . The final 2 , 500 meters were impossible to climb , at least for Zac , who lacked a Dao of Gravity .

So he started looking for a treasure at the maximum altitude he could stomach . But even after sixteen days , he had come up empty-handed except for a few more orbs . That was when he’d been given a poignant reminder of the importance of Luck .

He’d just changed form and applied a new set of talcum on his hands as day turned to night . The dust from the chalk had made him sneeze , prompting him to turn to the side . At that exact moment , he’d seen an odd flicker in the mountain wall a few hundred meters down . It looked like a shadow appearing out of nowhere . But the shadow was gone a second later , and the spot looked the same as the rest of the mountain .

Zac trusted his eyes and his gut and spent the next six hours reaching the spot , but he couldn’t find anything . Then , a few hours later , night turned to day , and Zac was surprised to see the wall suddenly disappear . The shift between night and day had deactivated a natural formation that exposed a hidden alcove . Inside , a small flower swayed . A flower even heavier than the Revolution Orbs that became the first fodder for the Omnitool .

Accruing Low to High-quality material was just a matter of having land , time , and resources . Peak materials were mostly things you had to take some risks to farm . However , materials considered beyond the - peak - could only be found by chance . And chance was governed by Luck and Providence .

Until that point , Zac hadn’t felt the need to rush himself when it came to Mount Illumination . Breaking into the ghost temple seemed incredibly dangerous , and he already had a lot on his plate . He’d pick up the Dharmic Treasure before leaving . But things changed after inheriting Cosmic Forge] . Zac suddenly needed to brave at least seventeen dangerous Red Zones , each with environments he’d normally have avoided in favor of realms better suited to his path .

The difference between being lucky and unlucky in a Red Zone wasn’t just a matter of thousands of Mana and finding valuable treasures or not . It could be the difference between life and death . Zac obviously wouldn’t trust his life to something as flakey as Luck , but it was better to have it than not . He definitely could have used some extra Luck inside the mind-bending maze of the Chrono Well .

Since then , Zac had started to prepare an assault on the hidden temple . He’d researched Mount Illumination and Heart Cultivation to understand the threat better . He’d climbed dozens of neighboring mountains to temper himself against different expressions of the Dharma . He’d been further tempered by near-death experiences , solidifying and improving his stability beyond what he gained from the Void Varja breakthrough .

Even his long crafting sessions seemed to have helped solidify his heart . Maintaining a Void State helped him control the Void Energy more fluently , and it removed any errant thoughts . The whole universe was pushed away except for the self and the materials . There wasn’t much point in waiting to gather more Mana , either . The protective environment of his manor didn’t stretch beyond the outer gates , and the trial itself seemed designed to circumvent the Mana domain’s protection .

He still would have preferred to wait a bit longer , but it looked like it was time to collect .

Zac made sure all his preparations were in place as he walked to the mansion’s gate leading onto the peak . He smiled a bit as he crossed the pebbled courtyard . The patterns almost looked like skill fractals by this point , even a Dao Tapestry representing his path . The Sangha’s love and the Dao of Samsara were greatly muted already . He’d say his courtyard was already halfway attuned to him . Even Catheya and Ogras could make short visits , though they couldn’t leave his manor without risking damage to their Dao Hearts .

He reached the gate , and it only took a steadying breath for his view to change . The ghost temple looked the same as usual . To this day , the immense Buddha and its terrifying aura hadn’t returned . But would things stay that way? Doubtful . Zac began his approach , relying only on his conviction to withstand the coruscating waves of Dharma and Samsara .

The peak was rapidly coming alive , with new features appearing with every step he took . It felt like paradise was descending on the mundane plane , but Zac was unmoved by the call of the cosmos . He was the solitary rock in a river , letting the waters flow by him .

Soon , Zac reached the midway point . The spiritual pressure was intense , as was the crushing weight of the Dao itself . But Zac maintained his speed . He’d already been able to reach this point during his first attempt . And while he hadn’t made any huge breakthroughs since then , he had made many small improvements that accumulated into something substantial .

Zac continued toward the small temple that felt impossibly vast from the immense Dharmic aura it exuded . Dozens of Bodhisattvas and Devas lined the side temples , and the chants of thousands of monks reverberated across the peak . Zac couldn’t make out any words , but their tones rose and fell , forming a grand cycle that wanted to drag Zac’s soul out of his body . If he let them , he’d enter the cycle of Samsara .

The main temple was lined by eight towering figures , four to each side of the stairs leading into the shrine . Oddly enough , Zac couldn’t make out what they depicted . It was like his brain couldn’t take in their forms . Besides , he didn’t dare look at them long . Each emitted an intense aura of holiness like they were the embodiment of truth and virtue .

When they first appeared , they resonated as the final guardians of this trial . But as Zac continued his approach , he started doubting whether that was the truth . Were they the guardians , or were they the goal? The distance between Zac and the eight was filled with the unavoidable sea of Samsara , and the chains of Karma Zac had accumulated acted as sinking weights . To reach the statues and step onto the right path , you’d have to sever the past .

No! Zac shook his head with horror from having his perception twisted even when he held on to the Void of his self . For a moment , the statues emitted an aura of pure devilishness rather than holiness .

Yet , he kept trudging on . Each step was a rebirth , where the Dao of Samsara tried to wash away his past and urge him embrace the new . Zac refused to let go .

Kayar-Elu . Root Compact . Six Profundity Empire , - Zac muttered , his monotone voice almost like a chant .

One word after another emerged from his mouth . Places , people , and concepts which held a special place in his heart . His words lacked the rhythmic cadence of Buddhist Scripture , but they created a counterweight against the immense pressure on his path and self . They became the anchors preventing him from being swept away , from giving up his self in exchange for liberation .

Each step felt like an eternity , but he’d eventually crossed three-quarters of the distance . The peak was gone already , replaced by an endless square . The gargantuan avatar still hadn’t appeared , but Zac could feel a vast presence form in the sky . But it wasn’t the Buddha . The groan of ancient wood joined the chants , and Zac’s mind shuddered as he saw a huge wheel appear behind the temple , stretching hundreds of meters into the sky .

The wheel of Samsara .

The moment it appeared , Zac knew he couldn’t hold back any longer . The wheel radiated ultimate truth and finality , and the whole Buddhist complex came alive . The Dao Surge , the Dharma roared , and the Void of Zac’s self teetered on the brink of collapse . Six array disks appeared , forming a protective circle around Zac just before a storm of Dao came crashing down from the wheel . They shuddered but held on , supplied and nourished by Zac’s Dao .

Meanwhile , Zac took out the Mind’s Eye Agate] and urgently fastened it to his back . The crystal was already covered with a golden web of fine chains , and over fifty small array disks were fastened at its intersections . The crystal groaned ominously , and a few cracks appeared but managed to soothe Zac’s heart and soul . The storm stabilized a moment later , but the danger of the peak had increased by 50% since the wheel’s appearance .

Zac’s perception started to bend . His mind told him the eight statues were the wheel , and the wheel was the statues . They occupied different spaces , yet they were one . The wheel slowly turned . Zac’s heart shuddered . He didn’t have much time . The arrays had given him a window of opportunity , and the temple was only fifty meters away . He took a few hurried steps but his vision lurched at the ten-meter line .

The statues towered over him to his left and right . They were only three meters tall , yet they felt like mountains looming over and pressuring him . Zac hesitated before gritting his teeth , and a small crystal appeared in his hand . The pressure drastically decreased , but Zac looked down at the Void Engine] with worry . It could subvert the Dao and Energy , but he’d long since learned it wasn’t without limit . It would slowly weaken if left unattended in too rich an environment .

And when pressured by the Buddhist Sangha? It would only last seconds . Time was of the essence , so Zac hurried his steps . The aura of providence was a beacon in the raging ocean of Samsara . Just ten meters away .

Unfortunately , Zac found another problem just as he reached the top of the stairs .

He could finally see the interiors of the temple . Until this point , they had been obscured like the statues he’d just passed . Now , it was on wide display , but that didn’t help Zac much . The temple was only thirty meters wide , but its interiors were the size of a city . It was a huge temple beyond compare , with hundreds of enormous shrines and statues erected .

Far in the distance on the opposite side , Zac could vaguely make out the enormous Buddha he’d seen in the sky . It sat at the main position of the temple , mostly obscured by a thick haze of incense smoke . Zac couldn’t even see its face as it was so far up in the sky , but he felt a huge presence staring down at him . In an instant , dozens of cracks appeared across the Mind’s Eye Agate] , and the Void Engine] flickered ominously .

Luckily , the feeling only lasted a second , and Zac breathed out as he took a step forward , still silently mumbling his anchoring words . But just as he was about to step into the gate , he found himself unable to so much as move a finger . Two huge Niō had appeared to the sides of the entrance , each looking down at him with scornful eyes . And then they spoke .

IS THE COSMOS ETERNAL? -

IS THE COSMOS TRANSIENT? -

The words rumbled like an angry sea or claps of thunder . The words were the Dao itself , and Zac groaned as a deluge of impressions swept through him . A universe moving toward infinity , slowly growing with each beat . A universe crumbling , each beat a little weaker than the last .

The two questions reverberated through Zac’s mind , the words only increasing in ferocity and power . There were more questions somehow superimposed on those two , clamoring for dominion over Zac’s soul . The words felt like grindstones intent on grinding his self to dust , sending a pure stream of consciousness into the wheel of Samsara .

Zac was about to go mad . His consciousness couldn’t withstand the timeframes and concepts conveyed . His Daos were shuddering , his path bending under the strain . The talismans were even less capable of withstanding the onslaught , all turning to dust without dampening the roar . Orange splinters fell like rain from his back , and golden links failed . Only the Void Engine] was unscathed , but it was essentially drained , so he quickly put it away before it was damaged .

Without his treasures , he was as exposed as a candle in the wind and felt the Dharma breach the Void in his heart . A primal fury took hold in Zac’s heart and pushed it back . He could tell those were questions without answers , traps meant to destroy his path . He wouldn’t give in . He wouldn’t be broken by something like this .

I don’t care! - Zac roared as he unleashed his bloodline and opened the floodgates to his Void Energy .

Zac couldn’t tell whether it was the determination in his words or the outburst of energy that created a massive shockwave . It was both tangible and intangible , spreading out with him as an epicenter . Large cracks appeared on the Niō , and Zac could suddenly move . He was about to flee before he was caught again , but a flicker ahead threw those plans in disarray .

The insides of the ghost temple had become unstable , flickering back and forth between two vastly different scenes . One contained the endless halls and the enormous Buddha , while the other was much simpler . It showed a normal temple that consecrated a chest without any engravings . No deity was displayed , but Zac sensed a hair-raising aura from the box .

In front of the shrine were three unadorned wooden cups , each holding a different fruit . Zac didn’t know why , but it was as though a world hid in each of those fruits , and Zac’s body screamed with both hunger and fear upon smelling their aroma . Finally , there was a small tray on the ground in front of the three bowls , upon which a string of Buddhist beads lay . It didn’t look exactly like the prayer beads he’d seen in the vision upon first arriving at Mount Illumination , but it wasn’t far-off .

The temple represented a power far beyond what he could deal with , but he could not back down when his target was just five meters away . He gritted his teeth and shot forward when the gateway led to the simpler temple . The temple tried to resist his entry , but he activated Void Zone] to force a path .

The whole temple shook , and the constant hymns gained an aura of reproach that bore down on him like a mountain . It was just like when he first tried to cheat with his Bloodline Talent to cross the peak , and Zac realized his Void Energy wouldn’t last more than a second under this kind of suppression . But the restrictions no longer held him , and a lot could be done in a second .

Zac leapt forward and snatched the string of beads from its plate . The temple shook as reproach turned into righteous wrath , and Zac groaned as bloody tears appeared across his body . The temple was trying to switch back to those vast halls consecrated by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas , but the presence of Void Zone] acted like a lynchpin keeping the reality in place . Somehow , the damage was transferred through the Bloodline Talent to Zac himself .

The fruits and the chest still stood there , but Zac sighed as he jumped out of the temple gates . They looked like great treasures , but Zac could tell they were traps . Dealing with the Sangha was to dance on a tightrope . You had to know when to back down , or you’d eventually get consumed . The world shuddered , and Zac found himself standing at the gates of his manor , looking at the ghost temple across the peak .

The familiar view made Zac’s mind short-circuit . There were no statues , no wheels in the sky . All was calm and tranquil , with not so much as a ripple in the atmosphere . He’d been prepared to fight his way back across the peak , but it suddenly felt like he hadn’t even set out .

Had it all been a dream?

The odd disconnect only lasted a moment before the smarting tears across his body confirmed his experience had been all-too-real . It was further confirmed by the sound of glass shattering as the agate on his back shattered , turning into a fine dust that spread around his feet . Zac sighed as he looked down at the sand . The Mind Eye’s Agate] had been a silent companion for over a decade , always guarding his back when he cultivated his soul . Today , it had made the ultimate sacrifice to keep him sane .

Zac’s eyes turned to the string of beads in his right hand with mixed emotions . Hopefully , it’d be worth it .

45

LUCKY BEADS

Zac was curious about his haul , but one thing took precedence . He closed his eyes and started scanning his body for any wrongness . Occasionally , Zac activated Void Zone] and would even start the first stance of the third layer of Void Vajra Sublimation] .

He’d seen just how deadly the secrets kept within the ghost temples were , and Zac knew he’d cheated by the end . With how abruptly everything ended , Zac wondered if he’d been caught in a trap the moment he left the small temple . And even if he hadn’t , he had to stabilize his soul and mental state . Only an hour later did Zac feel fully confident he was really back in his manor and not caught in a Heart Illusion . Neither were his Hidden Nodes acting up , which hopefully meant he hadn’t been marked or cursed .

Null , did you see how I returned to the gates? - Zac asked .

No idea . I was suppressed the moment you began crossing the peak . -

Zac slowly nodded , glancing at the distant temple that still stood there like nothing had happened . Was that perhaps the point? Sending him back here was a way to sow a seed of doubt in his heart , where he’d feel uncertain about what was real and what was a dream . Something like that could gnaw at one’s psyche for years , eventually turning into a Heart Demon that’d leave him exposed to future attacks .

The energies on the peak had returned to normal , but Zac still felt that terrifying Buddha staring at him from within the ghost temple . Standing in the gateway left him exposed , so he hurried back into his manor before his gaze turned to the beads . The prayer band he’d seen in his vision only had eighteen beads , but his one had exactly fifty-four . It was much too long to make a bracelet , appearing to be something you’d wear around your neck .

Most of the beads looked the same as the ones in the vision , made of wood and alternating between natural dark brown and painted black . The original bracelet also had one red bead , whereas this one had three silver ones interspaced between every seventeenth-bead cycle . Most importantly , the beads emitted a mysterious aura of providence .

It wasn’t the Dao of Karma or Samsara , but more like the intangible feeling of fathering fate Zac had sometimes sensed since his effective Luck surpassed 1 , 000 . Thankfully , it didn’t contain a sense of danger like the ominous sensation he’d carried the past two weeks . The beads simply produced calm ripples that could only be sensed with one’s heart . Zac had never seen a Fate-augmenting treasure before , but the prayer beads looked just like he’d expected . He only hesitated a few seconds before he put them around his neck .

He’d risked his life to get his hands on this thing , so not using it wasn’t an option . Especially since it didn’t emit the slightest hint of Dharma . The beads gave off a soothing rattle as they settled , and a mysterious ripple entered his body . The mountain’s incessant drone disappeared for a moment , but Zac could tell that wasn’t the main use of the beads . The sense of danger had grown clearer . If it had felt like an indistinct looming cloud before , it was now a sword squarely pointed at his back .

Zac opened his Status Screen to make sure , but the row detailing his Luck hadn’t changed . Zac wasn’t surprised . It wasn’t like his other tools altered his Status Screen in any way . The exact effect of the beads was difficult to quantify , but Zac didn’t believe they acted like an increase to his effective Luck , at least not in the way he expected . He had gained significant boosts to his attributes before , and the experience wasn’t like this .

It felt more like the beads acted like a translator and amplifier of the intangible feeling his Luck generated . For some reason , he was almost certain another guest was targeting him now . Before , he hadn’t been sure and felt it could have been related to some danger hiding in the Stand of Saeward . Unfortunately , the improvement wasn’t enough to give him a suspect .

Was it Kruta? Was he trying to lead him into an ambush with his message? Or had he become an unwitting pawn? After all , it was no secret that Zac had a Branch of the War Axe , and a big event on a conflict-based battlefield had a high chance of drawing him out . Zac shook his head , putting the matter aside . Perhaps the sensation would grow stronger after he left his secluded mansion .

Getting a better understanding of the Lucky Beads] , as he’d named the prayer band long ago , Zac absolutely felt the trade-off was worth it . The Mind’s Eye Agate] had been a huge help for his Soul Cultivation , but its usefulness had been , unfortunately , reaching its end . Its calming and stabilizing effect wasn’t needed since he’d begun cultivating his heart—he had no problem entering a powerful meditative state with a single breath .

The same was true for the Mental Energy it emitted . It wasn’t enough for the fourth layer of the Nine Reincarnations Manual] . Zac had everything needed to practice the next reincarnation , it just required way too much energy . It was essentially useless practicing the method until he got a Cosmic Core , and by that point , the agate would have been too low-graded to help .

Zac still hurried back to the manor gate , and a small wind kicked up as Zac dragged the dust from the Mind’s Eye Agate] into a container . It had lost much of its spirituality , but perhaps he’d find some use for it in the future . He was about to return to his study , but he noticed the prayer beads were gone .

What the hell? - Zac swore .

He entered a Void State and breathed out in relief upon seeing the beads were back . However , Zac almost swore again when he found he couldn’t touch them . The beads were as intangible as the ghost temples , refusing to blend with the real world . Did that mean he wouldn’t be able to take them off in the future?

The Sangha’s gifts aren’t always easy to decline , huh? - Null giggled .

You knew this would happen? - Zac asked .

Nope , - the guide said . - But I did know treasures dealing with Fate are generally a bit odd . Most have restrictions and unusual , or even dangerous , side effects . -

You’re saying this might be a cursed item? -

No , it should be something good . Otherwise , it wouldn’t have been placed as a hidden prize at a top-tier starting location . Not all of them come with drawbacks . -

Zac thoughtfully nodded , an idea coming to him . He activated Void Zone] , prompting the beads to reappear . At the same time , Zac felt their effect drastically weaken . He tried taking them off and it worked without issue . Only then did he equip them again and let them return to their illusory state .

Having dealt with everything , Zac spent the next couple of hours further stabilizing his mind and going over his next step . Knowing he was being targeted didn’t change his opinion about heading to the Stand of Saeward . On the contrary , it only increased his desire to go . If someone was planning on killing him , what better place to deal with the threat than a battlefield rife with the Dao of Conflict? He’d essentially have a home-field advantage .

Still , Zac wouldn’t have felt such a palpable sense of danger if the plot didn’t have a real chance of doing him in . Gaining the beads hadn’t changed that fact , so Zac needed to prepare something else . It was a bit early , but he saw no better opinion . Whoever targeted him had probably investigated him thoroughly . He had hidden some of his cards well , like the Remnants , but he still felt exposed . Zac was in the light while they hid in the dark , and some of these guests had incredible means .

It was better to add some new tools to his belt , so Zac approached the teleportation array . This time , Zac turned into a wiry human he’d killed last year in a Red Zone , and he even wore the assassin’s items before activating the teleporter . A familiar bridge appeared on the other side of the gate , and Zac entered the Keys of Ascension . Zac inwardly grimaced at the thought of spending 500 Mana an hour , but he expressionlessly crossed the bridge .

The price was steep , but how could some Mana compare to his life?

He soon reached the odd construct and infused the Daos of Conflict and Life . Meanwhile , he imprinted the purpose of his visit and held onto it as he entered the confusing maze of twisted dimensions . This time , he wasn’t led to a fiery temple . Instead , he found himself in an abandoned square under a tumultuous sky . Judging by the deep scars on the walls , it had either been a battlefield or a sparring area . Perhaps a dueling spot where warriors fought to the death .

Even if the warriors were gone , there was an intense lingering aura of Conflict . It far eclipsed the Bloodwind Planet’s atmosphere , though it lacked the corrosive bloodthirst you encountered on most battlefields . The truths were pure , aiming right at the heart of Conflict , and Zac felt a primal urge to start swinging his axe as he looked at the scars .

Conflict was not the only truth that held sway in the small square . It was completely overgrown , with hundreds of vines covering the walls and ground . No two vines looked the same , but they all shared one feature . They radiated a terrifying amount of life force .

Usually , his Draugr vision carrying over to his human form was a boon , but today it was a detriment . The vines were almost blinding , like their insides were filled with liquid Life . The plants slithered and danced like snakes . It mostly seemed random , but they occasionally formed complex patterns that triggered something in Zac’s mind . They mimicked the truths of Conflict in the scars , occasionally creating echoes of Zac’s path .

Only a small circle in the middle was cleared out from the vines . It was the same size as the invisible fire from his previous visit . Though there was nothing of the sort , just a densely engraved gemstone floating in the center , an emerald that had seemingly absorbed the environmental Daos for millions of years .

Zac had always been curious whether the Keys of Ascension had all these rooms ready to go or if it generated them with his Daos as a blueprint . Seeing the cultivation chamber , Zac leaned toward the latter . It just felt too attuned to his purposes for it to be happenstance .

He took a step forward , and a raging storm of impressions filled Zac’s mind . Each scar was a well of endless truth , and every vine suddenly told him a story . Some spoke of valor , of victory . Others of brutality and bloodshed . Some even spoke of defeat but contained an iron will to rise again . Zac wasn’t sure if he was hallucinating , but it looked like the dancing vines recreated battles between those who had left the marks .

His mind was filled with the Dao , and the atmosphere urged him on . Every step filled him with the inspiration of a hundred battles , and every breath came with a cleansing wave that swept away all his confusion and hesitation . Soon , he reached the central circle and spread his Soul Sense through the whole square . The vines were almost putting on a show , leading him toward the answer he’d been looking for .

Zac had been resistant until now , wondering if he was acting too soon . But he wasn’t . This little square was the final key to the puzzle . It was time for him to create a skill from scratch . And it would be for his human side .

To this day , there was undeniably something missing in the skillset of Edge of Arcadia : it completely lacked any integration with Vivi . In contrast , he’d just gotten Love’s Bond] when evolving to E-grade , and it had been a major inspiration to Fetters of Desolation . His first skill , Blighted Cut] , even required him to use chains .

His two combat styles had been harmonized after figuring out his path in the Orom World , but the result meshed better with his Draugr class . Since day one , Alea and her chains had been an integral part of his Draugr toolkit . Meanwhile , Vivi was a much later addition .

He’d barely stepped into the path of Pure Life when he evolved , and it’d be years before he crystallized his Evolutionary path . In other words , Zac wanted to add a skill that incorporated the thoughts and concepts of how his Evolutionary Stance used armaments . Doing so would have multiple benefits . First of all , it would better tune his skillset , and thus class options , to his path . Secondly , it would allow him to create something that was missing in his class .

A persistent skill .

Edge of Arcadia was currently carried by a couple of incredibly destructive skills with long cooldowns . Hit fast , hit hard , and leave nothing behind . But when he’d expended Arcadia’s Judgement] , Rapturous Divide] , and Arcadian Crusade] , he didn’t have much to rely on except Nature’s Edge] and his high mobility with Earthstrider] and Ancestral Woods] . A persistent skill would broaden his toolkit significantly .

He wasn’t planning on shifting the focus of the class , though . Zac still liked Edge of Arcadia’s explosive nature ; it suited his personality . He rather wanted to form a persistent skill that filled the same function as Vivi . To restrict and force openings . After all , his opponents were only growing more powerful , and it was becoming harder and harder to land his finishing blows . Life and Conflict . Rebirth and destruction . Zac didn’t want a cage like Profane Seal] . He wanted a tidal wave of violence that cut off all escape .

Zac had tinkered with a Skill Fractal for almost a decade since he started working on his blueprint . Some of the Lost Plane lake water had gone into setting a foundation , and he’d filled in the gaps over the years since . Now that he sat surrounded by the warrior vines , something crystallized . It wasn’t exactly what he’d planned for , but it was close . And better . Zac didn’t hesitate at all in following the surge of inspiration . This was why he was ready to pay so much , to the point he risked being pushed down an echelon . This was a chance to push his skill to become something uniquely terrifying and deadly .

In fact , he wanted to go even further .

Two inlaid boxes appeared in Zac’s lap . Inside one was a slightly dried mushroom he’d found in the caves at the bottom of the Twilight Chasm . It looked like it was dying , but it exuded a vast aura of Life . Not only that , it voraciously swallowed the ambient energy in the square to rapidly regenerate .

The other box held a single stalk of grass . It was almost half a meter long and looked more like a sword than an herb . Zac felt like he would be split apart just from looking at it , and the vines near the circle shied away . At the same time , his blood and adrenaline surged like he’d swallowed a berserking treasure . Every cell in his body urged him to take action , to grab the stalk and split the Heavens themselves .

The stalk was one of the best Natural Treasures Kruta had found during his travels on the battlefields . Kruta had been worried about his insufficient funds after missing out on the Fate Kernel , so Zac had taken the opportunity to buy the stalk and some other Conflict-attuned materials . It helped improve his stockpiles of Conflict-attuned materials , which were vastly inferior to his accumulations for Life and Death . Zac had initially planned on keeping the stalk as a main material for his Core Formation , but he realized the stalk had another use—to force inspiration .

Two minutes passed , and the mushroom had recovered to its original state after having been stowed away for the better part of two decades . It was an inferior alternative to the bulbous treasure he’d used to create Pillars of Desolation] . However , between his far stronger foundations , the environment , and his improved Daos , Zac hoped to recreate the miracle of that day .

He’d accumulated for decades , all to get his hands on a second Supreme Pathbound skill .

46

RECREATING A MIRACLE

It was a shame Cosmic Infusion] didn’t work when you wanted to extract the essence of Natural Treasures for personal use . Zac opted to rely on his tried and true method of cramming things down his gullet . It hadn’t failed him yet .

Zac wound the stalk around the mushroom before cramming it into his mouth . An explosion of three distinct flavors greeted him : an earthy yet delicious flavor from the mushroom , a minty taste from the stalk , and iron from his mouth filling with blood . The stalk was incredibly sharp and had opened dozens of wounds , but Zac ignored the sting as he chewed and swallowed .

The effect was immediate , and Zac’s mind expanded to the size of a galaxy . The very Heavens could have been descending to greet him , and he raised his hand to touch the Dao . Of course , the Heavens weren’t actually there , but moving his fingers through the energy-dense environment was enough to fill him with inspiration and new ideas .

The Evolutionary Soul in Zac’s aperture lit up like a Christmas tree and began to spin furiously like a motor pushed into overdrive . The Inexorable Core couldn’t withstand the pressure and was pushed to the side , hiding away while its sibling went crazy . Zac did nothing to stop the madness . He was fully occupied with running his plans and ideas through the filter of his temporary enlightenment .

And the momentum of decades of preparation combined with a raging sea of synthetic insight urged him on . Zac securely held a corner of the Dao in his hand with utmost clarity that shed its light on all points of hesitation . He couldn’t wait any longer . He needed to create , to usher an expression of his vision into the world .

Dozens of mental streams entered the large emerald , and Zac located the mysterious space within . He had no idea whether the emerald was a Natural Treasure or an array , but it was far beyond his Fractal Framework Arrays] .

The gemstone empowered and improved every stream of consciousness , and Zac had never felt so in control of his mind . Each string became a master artisan’s brush , and an intricate tapestry of patterns started to appear within the arranged space . The emerald was incredible , a tool truly worthy of his undertaking . It didn’t only hold the patterns in place while Zac added to the fractal , it nourished and perfected them .

Zac was filled with visions of destruction as he engraved the first sections . Golden roots of endless potential breaking out of the ground , the seas , and the sky . They were everywhere where life existed . They weren’t guardians or adjudicators . They were an expression of the primal truths of evolution . Rebirth through destruction and survival of the fittest . They cut down all opposition with ruthlessness and an efficiency worthy of a hardened veteran .

Cutting , stabbing , binding , consuming . Anything that entered his domain was prey , nourishment to his path . More patterns joined the first , like petals unfurling on a flower . He needed speed . He needed regeneration . He needed unyielding persistence . The more you gave , the more you’d get back . Right now , it was almost impossible to exhaust his Cosmic Energy in his human form , wasting the potential of his unusually large energy stockpiles . This skill would change that .

In seconds , whole sections of the Skill Fractal were finished thanks to his sudden ability to multitask . Furthermore , Zac constantly received detailed feedback telling him of imbalances and imperfections . One man and a gemstone formed a perfect partnership as increasingly complex patterns appeared on the fractal .

It took a mere fifteen minutes for the Skill Fractal to gain as many patterns as some of his simpler skills , yet he hadn’t even completed a fifth of its final form . In fact , he didn’t know exactly how the final fractal would look—some sections his inspiration had him add were completely new . Zac kept going with increasingly manic fervor , uncaring that small cracks had begun to form on the emerald’s surface .

He soon felt drained . Creation did not come without a price . The shards in his mind had driven that point home . However , the cosmos yielded to his desire , and a storm of energy was dragged into his body to fuel the process . One vine after another withered and collapsed , and the scars lost some of their radiance . But with their sacrifice came further inspiration . They were soldiers laying down their lives for a greater cause .

The influx prompted Zac to make a few changes , improving the previously prepared sections . The huge spiral in his mind groaned from exertion , but a beam of pure Mental Energy erupted from the Inexorable Core and nourished its sibling . Another hour passed , and the Skill Fractal approached its mature form . A form that was very different from the prototype blueprints he’d prepared back on Earth .

However , Zac wasn’t possessed by the almost delirious state when he created Pillar of Desolation] and added patterns far beyond his understanding . Everything had a purpose , working together to drag his vision out of his mind into reality . Finally , only the impartment remained .

Zac’s heart rippled from nervousness , but he forged ahead with his plan . If he stopped now , he’d walk away with a powerful Peak-quality skill . However , it wouldn’t reach the level of Pillar of Desolation] . For that skill to exhibit such monstrous power , it required one special ingredient : Oblivion . Back then , the idea to incorporate it had come naturally . This time , he’d have to take a controlled risk .

He extracted a wisp of Creation Energy from his body , and the withered vines in the square thrashed with hunger . Thankfully , something kept them from entering the meditation circle , allowing Zac to channel the capricious energy through the pathway on his shoulders and then into the emerald .

New cracks and odd distortions appeared across the gemstone , but it managed to curtail the untamable energy as it was dragged toward the Skill Fractal . Zac didn’t try to use the energy like a brush to add specific patterns . He only led it toward a section meant to house whatever it created while maintaining a steady vision of his goal . The wisp crossed the fractal like a small rock dropped into a pond , leaving ripples in its wake .

Small transformations took place wherever it passed , and Zac could tell it wasn’t completely random and unhinged . The whole emerald shook ominously , but it forced the Creation Energy to create following the rules of the Skill Fractal . The cracks grew deeper , but Zac forcibly prevented the emerald from cracking by holding it together with his Mental Energy .

A set of runes completely foreign to Zac appeared and seamlessly fused with the rest of the Skill Fractal . Zac spent the next minute analyzing the patterns and estimating whether the new addition had created any imbalances . No matter how he looked , it seemed perfect . The skill was fully formed .

It appeared the emerald agreed , or perhaps it simply couldn’t withstand the process any further . The large gemstone shattered , releasing a mysterious ripple of elevated Daos . At the epicenter , the Skill Fractal hovered , still protected by the special space . Zac surrounded the fractal with a blob of Mental Energy before dragging it into his body .

Meanwhile , he cut off a section of his pathways on his lower back , opening up the skill slot just behind where his Cosmic Core would be . The Skill Fractal was slotted in place , and Zac spent ten minutes connecting his pathways with the skill . Slotting a completely new skill without the System’s help was quite painful , but it was nothing compared to other things Zac endured over the years .

The final connector was fused , and Zac exhaled with relief upon feeling his Cosmic Energy smoothly pass through the Skill Fractal . At the same time , a refreshing surge of energy swept into his cells , filling him with power . He felt as though he’d gained a new limb and knew the formation was a success . The skill worked and could be activated without any trouble .

Now , the question was just how good a skill he’d created . Zac eagerly opened his Skill Screen and found the new entry .

E] Primal Edict - Proficiency : Middle . The fate of the world is dictated by the deadliest predator . Upgradeable .

Zac nodded with satisfaction . He’d already suspected as much during the formation process , but confirming the skill had reached Middle Proficiency from the get-go was still nice . Though he’d been able to stop much earlier in the process , he , the square , and the emerald had more to give . Since he would have to use the skill with his life on the line very soon , Zac opted to push himself .

It was impossible to say exactly how Primal Edict] would work without using it first , but it should be an explosion of vines appearing to rip everything apart . Not only that , but he added multiple sections at his height of inspiration that should create synergy with many of his other skills . The naming sense also hinted it was a creation more in line with Evolutionary Stance than drawing upon the mythos of Arcadia .

The big question was what kind of changes the infusion of Creation had lent to the skill . Another uncertainty was whether the skill could be considered at the same grade as Pillars of Desolation] . The Skill Screen , unfortunately , didn’t provide any hints in that regard , but the surge of power he’d felt before indicated there was another place he could check . Zac opened his Status Screen , where more answers waited .

Name : Zachary Atwood

Level : 150

Class : E-Epic] Edge of Arcadia

Race : D] Human - Void Emperor (Corrupted)

Alignment : Zecia] Atwood Empire – Baron of Conquest

Titles : The Second Step , Singular Specialist , Apex Attainment , Runic Progenitor , Grand Achievement

Limited Titles : Tower of Eternity Sector All-Star – 14th , Equanimity , Big Axe Gladiator , The Final Twilight – 1st , Gates of Rebirth

Dao : Branch of the War Axe – Middle , Branch of the Kalpataru – Middle , Branch of the Pale Seal – Middle

Core : E] Duplicity

Strength : 31 , 300 Increase : 164% . Efficiency : 372%]

Dexterity : 14 , 173 Increase : 121% . Efficiency : 259%]

Endurance : 26 , 880 Increase : 155% . Efficiency : 372%]

Vitality : 25 , 558 Increase : 153% . Efficiency : 389%]

Intelligence : 4 , 429 Increase : 115% . Efficiency : 259%]

Wisdom : 9 , 495 Increase : 122% . Efficiency : 272%]

Luck : 777 Increase : 134% . Efficiency : 289%]

Free Points : 0

Nexus Coins : D] 13 , 253 , 160

Mana : 41 , 023

Just as expected . The surge of power before wasn’t just the result of restoring the energy circuit in his body . It came from an influx of Attributes Points awarded by the System .

Adding another skill to improve his lethality was the biggest reason he’d created a new skill , but it wasn’t the only one . He’d been waiting to claim the Runemaker] title since he first upgraded his initial set of skills back in the Twilight Ocean . It was the reward for creating a Peak-quality skill from scratch and the final readily available title he could gain before breaking through .

That specific title hadn’t appeared on his Status Screen , but Zac knew that was good news as he focused on the title .

Runic Progenitor : Create a pathbound Supreme-quality skill while still in E-grade . Reward : Base Attributes +100 , Luck +10 , All Attributes +10% , Effect of Attributes +10%

The difference in phrasing was only a single word . Runic Erudition] had said - form - a skill , while Runic Progenitor] said create . It didn’t seem like a big difference , but Zac knew how much greater the difficulty had been . Forming Pillar of Desolation] was a great achievement , but it ultimately built upon the signature skill of an Epic class : Profane Seal] .

The foundations required to create something from scratch were far greater , which was also shown by the fact the new title was far better than Runic Erudition] . Zac hadn’t risked his life as he had for some of his other top-tier titles , but getting it was only possible through a series of lucky encounters .

Truthfully , Zac knew he was a bit lucky . He originally planned on visiting Red Zones from all seventeen Dao Peaks before creating his skill . Being inundated in those environments had broadened his understanding of the Dao as a whole , and he hoped to use that understanding to control the Creation Energy at the final step . Now , he had been forced to create the skill early , which partly left things to chance .

That wasn’t the only thing . Without the lake water , he would never have reached his current attainments in fractals . Without access to a region like the Keys of Ascension , he wouldn’t have managed to push the skill from a Peak-quality to supreme skill . Luck and hard work had come together to create another miracle .

Getting a second Supreme Pathbound skill was exactly what Zac hoped for . Of course , he didn’t quite know how to feel about the fact that neither of the two supreme skills used his axe as a base . Instead , they were supplementary skills designed to fill similar purposes . Still , Zac couldn’t complain . This was exactly what he’d aimed for .

Better yet , the good news didn’t end with a supreme skill and a top-tier title . Runic Progenitor] had even brought a friend .

Grand Achievement : Gain 50 Titles while in E-Grade . Reward : Effect of Attributes +6%

Runic Progenitor] was his fiftieth title when you included Limited Titles , the Pathstrider] title , which marked him for - further training , ’ and the weird hidden title for the Terminus . Reaching the milestone awarded him a companion title to Achievement Hunter] . It was named similarly to his stacking Luck-based titles , where he got a second title instead of replacing his old one with a slightly better variant .

The net gain was significant , especially thanks to the double injection of efficiency . Gaining 10% and 6% respectively meant his effective attribute pool had been boosted by almost 17% . It was a huge improvement , especially considering how overbearing his raw attributes already were . Add to that both an increase and flat attributes , and his combat strength should have increased by roughly 20% in just under two hours .

With such an improvement , his skills would become even harder for his enemies to deal with . His defenses would become unbreakable , his attacks unstoppable . A smile tugged at Zac’s lips upon seeing the 777 Luck on his Status Screen . If such an auspicious number couldn’t help him get the last pieces needed for his Core Formation and Omnitool , then nothing would .

Zac was just about to close the Status Screen when he noticed a final change . Or rather , lack of change . His Mana was the same as before he entered the Keys of Ascension .

I got a bounty? - Zac whistled .

Yup! Not bad , - Null confirmed . - The peak reward for new skills is 2 , 500 Mana . Getting 1 , 000 is quite rare . -

Such a good skill only awarded 1 , 000? - Zac grimaced .

Well , these bounties are different from your blueprint evaluation , - Null said . - It’s based on novelty and a new application of Dao . But the System and boss are both so ancient . What’s really new under the sky? The Dao evolves and changes a bit , and the young thousands of generations help fill the gaps . Getting 1 , 000 is already quite generous , and I think it’s completely thanks to your Dao of Life . You know , less than 5% of guests manage to get this kind of bounty during their visit . -

Well , it’s better than nothing , - Zac agreed .

Zac’s head felt like both mush and a squeezed-out rag after pushing beyond his limits for over an hour . He just wanted to lie down and sleep , but he took a Soldier Pill and got up on unsteady legs . In twenty minutes , he’d be charged for a third hour , and Zac wanted to be gone before then .

Zac couldn’t resist trying to snatch a few of those mysterious vines . They’d withered during his skill formation , but they were already starting to radiate powerful waves of Pure Life again . They’d make great materials . Unfortunately , when Zac cut one off , it turned to ash while all its brethren hid underground .

Thank God he hadn’t tried that before beginning the skill creation .

Zas shook his head and began his descent toward the exit . The return was much more difficult to endure . His mind was exhausted , lowering his defenses against the constant impressions around him . He almost stepped off the path a few times but left in one piece . Zac hurried over the bridge and returned to his mansion , where he fell into a deep slumber .

He only woke up a full twelve hours later , feeling mostly refreshed . Two new messages were waiting for him , both from Catheya and Kruta . Zac sent a message to Kruta before activating the teleportation array . It opened , but he didn’t step through . Instead , Catheya walked over , radiating a mist of chilled Miasma to shield her from the Pure Life on the peak .

Hello , beautiful , - Zac smiled .

I knew it . You have the face of a child who’s up to no good . Vastness City is abuzz , and people are rushing toward the battlefield you’ve talked about , - Catheya said , a helpless smile tugging at her lips . - What have you done this time? -

47

THE STAND OF SAEWARD

Zac was about to share his prepared excuse , but he sighed and shook his head before leading Catheya into his study .

It’s nothing much . My senses are just telling me someone is targeting me . I just got the Fate-augmenting prayer beads , and they only made me more certain . -

Target you? Who? - Catheya frowned . - Nerven Serku? Didn’t he enter seclusion a few months ago? -

It could be him , but I don’t think so . He never really cared about his followers and only made some trouble to save face . I have a hard time imagining him going after me personally over some minor grudge . He’s much too careful for that . -

Can your feeling just be from the fact something is happening in the Stand? - Catheya asked .

Only in the sense that I think someone is preparing to ambush me there . -

Well , both your personas have made some waves , but I can’t see someone specifically targeting yo— - Catheya said , suddenly freezing and looking up . - Ultom . -

You think? - Zac said , his eyes narrowing in thought .

Clashes are rarely premeditated here . A situation like the Calamity is one thing , but this sounds different . If people know you’re a sealbearer , it’s a completely different matter . -

My blueprint does contain many theories based on that place , - Zac said .

More than that . We’re talking about an Eternal Heritage , a matter important enough to make Supremacies emerge from their sealed states . If they’re willing to pay the price , they can probably find clues one way or another . -

Zac grimaced and slowly nodded . The array his mother had left him did have some special means to obscure his fate , but she’d warned him it would only work on Autarchs . It had seemed more than enough back then , but that was before he became embroiled with the Left Imperial Palace .

It’s just a theory , though , - Catheya quickly added .

As far as motives go , it’s a good one , - Zac agreed . - But it doesn’t help me solve the situation . -

What will you do? -

I’m heading in with Kruta in half a day to start looking around , - Zac said .

You’re still going even when you think someone is plotting to kill you? - Catheya groaned . - I knew it . -

You know I have to , - Zac smiled . - It might be my only chance to get the kind of item I need . Besides , it seems a good place to deal with this threat . -

I hate that I can’t join you , - Catheya sighed as she leaned her head on his shoulder . - I’m just 4 , 000 Mana short . -

In contrast to Catheya , Zac was quite happy with how things had played out . She was powerful enough that she wouldn’t become a liability , but he’d still rather deal with this alone .

We still have the Everfrost Isles to look forward to . I’ll be relying on you then . - Zac smiled before turning serious again . - Can you do me a favor? Stay inside your manor while I’m out this time . They might target you and Ogras to get to me . This is doubly true if this matter is related to the heritage . -

Fine , - Catheya said . - But I’ll get the annoying shadow and do some research first . We’ll see if we can find anything out of place . Do you want me to ask for reinforcements? -

No , - Zac said . - For all we know . . . -

I get it , - Catheya sighed . - Be careful , alright? -

Catheya left a while later while Zac scoured the reports again . Normally , he’d travel the markets before heading into a Red Zone , but he was unwilling to expose himself and his recent gains in case someone was keeping watch . He was using his aura-hiding bracelets and the aura modulator , but you never knew .

Unfortunately , Catheya and Ogras came up empty-handed after half a day’s investigation . People were stirring , and the gate to the Stand of Saeward had been opened dozens of times already . It wasn’t hard to figure out this would become a bloody affair , even if you ignored the threat hiding in the shadows .

It was troubling not even to be able to narrow things down , but Zac couldn’t just sit around . The longer he waited , the more thorough his enemy’s preparations would be . He needed to move swiftly and drag his enemies out of the shadows . If nothing else , Kruta had already sent him three messages , proving the barbarian was getting impatient .

Since when were you so slow-footed? - Kruta complained when a hooded Zac finally appeared in his storefront .

Sorry , I had some things to deal with before we headed out . Besides , no one forced you to sit around . -

I’d rather be late than miss out on your uncanny luck , - Kruta said as the gate appeared . - Well , let’s do this . -

Zac nodded , and the two appeared in front of a simple hut standing atop a gargantuan skull . The skull had once belonged to a bloodthirsty Beast Emperor , and it still emitted fierce waves of carnage . It drenched the hut in a bloody aura , though Zac could tell it had been changed somewhat . It felt protective rather than threatening after being altered by the Mana domain . Not protective of Zac , though , but of Kruta .

A huge beast could have been eying him , ready to strike in case their ward was attacked .

Zac ignored the feeling and turned to his travel companion . - Is everything prepared? -

Don’t know how necessary all this is , - Kruta muttered as he took out two small bones .

Just humor me , - Zac said as he curiously looked at what the man was doing .

One of the bones looked like a fang , while the other was a densely inscribed plate . Kruta placed the fang on the plate , and the primal scribbles crawled onto the tooth . In just seconds , it was completely covered with a set of engravings .

You know , - Kruta said , grimacing as he pushed the tooth into his neck like a syringe . - Scurrying around like a rat might end with you getting targeted by the cats . -

Zac only smiled as green scales appeared across Kruta’s face as he transformed into a lizardman . The bone disk was an interesting transformation treasure that allowed the barbarian to take on features of beasts he’d felled . The tooth was imbued with a temporary array , and the array was then injected into Kruta himself . It allowed for a transformation beyond even what Million Faces] could accomplish .

There , - Kruta muttered as he looked down at his hands with disgust . - Should last two weeks . -

Sorry , this isn’t my style either . I’ve just created too many enmities over the past years , - Zac sighed .

That you have , - the orc guffawed .

It’s only temporary , I promise . -

So , do I pass inspection? Can we go? - the barbarian huffed .

In one hour , - Zac said .

It’s so weird , - Kruta snorted as he thumped down on a large shinbone . - Your path is straight , but you’re so crooked and paranoid . Is that why you grew a second shape? -

Maybe , - Zac laughed as he sat down . - I just want to make it harder for our steps to be followed . If the two of us emerge in disguises right after I enter your mansion , you could put two and two together . -

Whatever , - Kruta grunted . - So , you know about the Stand? -

Well , only what the reports are saying . The three dangers and all that . -

Right , - Kruta said . - Things are changing , though . Normally , I’d be confident talking down the Hero Souls , but I can’t make any guarantees any longer . I traveled the outer fields last week . The spirits are angry , almost descending into madness . It’s probably even worse in the depths . -

Did any of them hint at what’s going on? -

Well , - Kruta shuddered . - Few can communicate , especially now . But the few that do all say the same thing . - He’s coming . ’ Over and over . -

He’s coming? - Zac muttered . - Who? Saeward? -

Maybe , or whoever forced him to make his stand , - Kruta said . - Judging by the anger in the Hero Souls , I’m leaning toward the latter . -

The Hero Souls were the lingering spirits of Saeward’s armies . Millions had died during that ancient battle . And while the bodies had turned to dust , their will remained . It mixed with the environment , forming transient spirits called Hero Souls . Hero Souls often minded their own business , patrolling the lands as though they were still alive .

However , some had been formed with quite a bit of resentment and acted like vengeful ghosts . Others were mostly sane but still confused the guests with their enemies and attacked . Eventually , they’d destabilize and disappear . They weren’t true spirits like Spectral cultivators . It was more accurate to call them physical memories that had occasionally been twisted over the eons .

The Hero Souls were generally the least perilous of the three dangers , especially if you avoided emitting any killing intent around them . Someone like Kruta could even get help from their kind . Unfortunately , it looked like that old knowledge no longer held sway . The Hero Souls were the most numerous inhabitants of the Stand . If they were turning feral , they’d pose a huge threat .

What about the other two? -

I didn’t run into any of the puppets . But the energy of the land is rising . They’ll be able to absorb more power , unleashing deadlier force . Some buried under the earth might even wake up . I think the same will be true for the fortifications . -

That’s just great , - Zac sighed .

The puppets once belonged to the mysterious force that attacked and eventually defeated Saeward and his army . They were pure killing machines , some equivalent to Late Hegemons in strength . The more intact ones even possessed lethal skills .

There was only one puppet for every thirty Hero Souls at most , but you were probably better off meeting a group of hostile spirits . The puppets were apparently incredibly hard to deal with . They were made entirely from D-grade materials and thus extremely difficult to damage . Worse , they were seemingly immortal . Even if you managed to grind one to dust , it’d reform not much later . Incredible Dao attacks were required to destroy such an intangible repair array .

The final threat was the War Fortifications . All kinds of array towers and contraptions were strewn across a battlefield the size of a country . None of them were fully functional , but that only made them more unpredictable . A seemingly inert stone pillar could suddenly unleash a sea of fire that swallowed everything for miles in every direction .

Destroying them was even harder than the puppets and liable to bring disaster upon your head . Since they didn’t hold any valuables , most opted to simply skirt around anything that looked suspicious .

Do you have any ideas for an attack plan? - Zac asked .

Well . . . - Kruta slowly said .

What? -

I’ve just seen how sneaky you can be , - the barbarian shrugged . - I’m afraid you’ll take my ideas and run . -

Don’t worry , I’ll only ditch you when you can’t keep up any longer . - Zac winked , but the barbarian was clearly not joking around . - I’m kidding . What do you propose? -

First , let’s discuss the spoils , - Kruta said . - I get the Mana bounty , provided we manage to seize whatever item’s waiting at the end through cooperation . -

Just like that? - Zac said with a raised brow . - Do you want to duel again? -

I know you’re a bit stronger than me , but strength is not the only factor . I can commune with the Hero Souls , which will increase our success rate more than a strong arm . More importantly , I have the key to solving the Stand . -

Zac didn’t immediately answer . Not getting the bounty wasn’t a big deal , but giving up on the item itself was a problem . He needed an item to match the Calamity Core] in quality , which would definitely be a defining treasure of the battlefield .

To be clear , I just want the Mana . I have everything I need for my breakthrough , and I know you are looking for attuned treasures . We split the other spoils six parts to me , four to you . If both want a specific item , we can barter for it , - the barbarian added . - And I promise , you won’t leave disappointed if you follow me , and we survive . -

What if we get split up or are placed in a situation where we have to contend against each other? - Zac asked .

Then I still get 10% of your spoils , - the barbarian grinned . - Finder’s fee . -

You can have the Mana , but I want it if the bounty treasure has an attunement of Pure Conflict . I’ll pay 1 C-grade Nexus Coin for it , - Zac said . - As for the sixty-forty split and a finder’s fee , your ghost-talking isn’t enough . You’ll have to prove this key of yours is worth the extra loot . -

Ghost-talking? My grandma would whoop you until you sang like a canary if she heard you speak like that , - Kruta laughed . - I guess your terms are fine . Well , what do you know about Saeward? -

Except that he died , nothing , - Zac said . - The scrolls don’t mention it . -

Not died , - the barbarian whispered as he leaned closer . - Disappeared . -

What? - Zac said .

There are no mentions of Saeward dying anywhere , - Kruta explained . - In fact , Saeward’s army had the upper hand . Then , their War Array suddenly crumbled , and Saeward was gone . A few of the Hero Souls remembered the confusion , the betrayal . Even with Saeward controlling the war effort , they were barely winning . With him gone , things quickly deteriorated . -

He fled? -

Maybe , - Kruta said . - But I personally don’t think so . I think he either was ambushed or had to act quickly to stop a looming threat . -

So . - ? Zac prompted .

Well , I haven’t figured out the details yet , - Kruta shrugged . - But I think the key to solving this riddle is discovering what happened to Saeward . -

That’s not much of a key . -

Well , this is , - Kruta said as he took out a thick hide .

It was painted with black ink , depicting two raging armies locked in battle . Zac frowned as it wasn’t some ancient artifact from the battlefield . It was newly drawn , probably by Kruta himself . But suddenly , Zac felt himself get sucked into the drawing and saw how the armies and fortifications stretched out in front of him . The artistic depiction transitioned into a vast strategic overview of the whole battlefield . Additionally , the armies were moving , following patterns and strategies Zac couldn’t decipher .

I’ve studied the Stand for years : the armies , their movements . The world has become an echo of their paths and history . This understanding will help keep us safe in a world that’s about to go mad , - Kruta explained . - Well , safer , anyway . -

You’ve drawn a map of the whole thing? -

No , - Kruta said with a shake of his head . - But enough to have figured out a path to where we need to go : the command center . -

From where Saeward presumably disappeared? -

Exactly . If we’re lucky , we might not just walk away with some naturally born treasure . We might walk away with the wealth of a High-grade ancient cultivator . -

What? - Zac asked .

Think about it . Saeward disappeared , and his army was slaughtered . But why are the puppets still walking around aimlessly? Why didn’t the victors collect them? Why can you find broken Spatial Rings and Spirit Tools all over the battlefield? Saeward might have been ambushed , or he might have ambushed whoever is now returning according to the Hero Souls . It doesn’t matter .

I think both fell into some hidden spot or pocket space . Perhaps Saeward even managed to drag his enemy into his Inner World . In that case , we’re dealing with two ancient masters , their heritage and wealth untouched for eons . Since the Ruthless Heavens govern these worlds , they’ll surely have formed troves . -

What does this have to do with the surging energy in the zone? -

I can’t say for sure , - Kruta said . - But I know this . Until now , it has been impossible to reach the heart of the zone . The Hero Souls guarding the command center are extremely aggressive , and the fortifications form a death trap for E-grade cultivators . If there’s a trove , then it’s still intact . But with the surge of energy , the battlelines are being redrawn . The puppets are mounting a new attack , which might create an opening . That is the key to sneaking inside . -

Zac had to admit , he could feel the call of adventure . Unsolved mysteries , ancient troves? Not to mention , it would be hard to successfully launch an ambush on him in the depths of the Stand . With the powerful Hero Souls and puppets crawling across the place , you were liable to attract more attention than you could handle .

Or was that what the enemy was planning to use against him?

Zac shook his head . There was no way to know how things would play out . He could only remain vigilant and try to stay based on the changes on the battlefield .

How do we know your theory is correct? -

Well , there are no guarantees . But I’ve been thinking about that message , - He’s coming . ’ I think it means the hidden realm is returning to the surface . Or perhaps some seal hiding the location of Saeward’s battle is failing . It’s the trapped energy from Saeward’s fall that’s being released , causing the battlefield’s awakening . -

Well , there’s a lot of guesswork , but I think you’re onto something , - Zac said .

And no more than five people have spent as much time as me in the Stand . Of them , only I have gotten the clues from the Hero Souls , - Kruta proudly said . - And that’s why Kruta gets 60% . -

48

HERO SOULS

Fine , - Zac smiled . - You get 60% if we both reach the trove . -

Don’t forget the finder’s fee , - Kruta grinned .

Are you trying to lead me into the lion’s den before scurrying back to safety? - Zac said with a raised brow .

No , but I know my limits . I’ll do what I can , but this isn’t a war for the survival of my tribe , - Kruta said , his eyes narrowing . - But you , you have that madness in your eyes . The madness that will lead you to greatness or ruin . I’m betting on the former . That way , I’ll walk away with some goodies . -

I don’t know if I agree , but fine , - Zac snorted , looking thoughtfully at his companion .

There were no guarantees , but Zac’s instincts told him Kruta wasn’t part of the plot against him . The sense of doom hadn’t changed at all when Zac entered Kruta’s manor . If anything , it had weakened slightly after they’d reached an accord . As such , Zac felt bad about potentially dragging this man into a conspiracy .

Remember your words . You’re not here to risk your life . So if you see things going out of control , don’t worry about me and just flee . -

What trouble are you cooking up , shapeshifter? - Kruta said suspiciously .

Hopefully , nothing . But some enmities from the outside can reach even these realms , - Zac said . - It’s not worth dying over someone else’s grudge . Now , how will we reach the command center without getting ourselves killed or in trouble with the others? -

Kruta didn’t look surprised or shocked . Instead , he just nodded like it was a matter of course . - The Dao of Conflict is Heaven’s Path . More so than the other peaks , perhaps . Don’t worry about me . Worse comes to worst , I’ll drag all the Hero Souls in the region down on my enemies’ heads . And don’t worry about reaching the command center , either . Kruta’s got it all planned out! -

They spent the next hour going over routes , hiding spots to regroup , and tactics . Kruta had a wealth of experience collected during his nine years in the Perennial Vastness , much of which had been spent in the Stand and similar battlefields . Knowledge you wouldn’t find in any publicly available information package or the manor scrolls .

From there , Kruta activated his teleportation array , leading to one of the cheaper Green Zones . The moment they stepped through , Zac activated the pillar again , leading them to the teleportation square in Vastness City . It was a small trick not to emerge from their storefront , and it allowed them to enter the Stand of Saeward after just spending seconds in the city .

It was Zac’s first visit , and the missives weren’t enough to prepare him for the incredible resentment in the air . Although , resentment wasn’t the right word . This wasn’t the unadulterated anger , bloodlust , and irreconciliation that had poisoned the Bloodwind Planet . Those feelings were all there , but they were subordinate to the blazing sun of an endless fighting spirit .

Zac felt like he was standing among millions of soldiers roaring in defiance , the ground trembling from their auras . War was brewing . A war for survival , a war for supremacy . It was the fundamental law of progress , and you found it manifest everywhere , from nature’s cycles to conflict between men . Kruta was right . Conflict was Heaven’s Path .

His whole Soul Aperture trembled , and the Dao Avatar for his Branch of the War Axe danced in the empty space of his mind , right between the two huge soul spirals . The avatar and Spiritual Void] were greedily feasting on the rich truths around him , but the absorption affected his mental state .

Still , it wasn’t enough to affect Zac’s senses . He took a calming breath and found his center , holding onto the Void in his heart . He couldn’t let himself be controlled by his Dao or swept up by the storm around him . He always had to be the driving motivation behind the conflict . Otherwise , it’d just devolve into violence and madness .

After stabilizing his mind , Zac made another discovery . The threat of death had grown more palpable . He still couldn’t pinpoint the source or time , but it was clearly related to this realm . His enemies were already here , which could be considered a good thing . Catheya had compiled a partial list of those who’d entered , and he could treat every person he met as a potential enemy .

Zac looked around and found Kruta staring at him oddly .

What’s wrong? -

Ah? - Kruta coughed . - It was weird . I felt you become a Hero Soul for a moment there . I guess your path resonated with the lingering will of the fallen . -

Something like that . -

That’s good , - Kruta nodded . - The better you harmonize with the battlefield , the less trouble will come your way . Either case , looks like you can keep your wits about you . I guess I won’t have to worry about you losing your sense of self . -

Worried I’ll become the fourth danger? - Zac smiled .

Other guests losing their minds , - Kruta said with a wry shake of his head . - I’ve not heard of it happening over the past decades , but who knows now that things are like this? I already feel the amount of resentment growing . -

Zac nodded . Kruta might really be onto something with his theories . The Hero Souls were the only ones who could generate resentment in the Stand , and it made sense if their anger came from the resurgence of their enemy .

The environment wasn’t this corrosive before? - Zac asked .

It’s only a bit worse here at the entrance , - Kruta explained . - It’s much more noticeable further in . So don’t let down your guard , or the war madness might take you . -

The zone was quite beautiful for an ancient warzone . The Stand of Saeward seemed to have occurred on a meteor soaring through space . It was shrouded by a perpetual night sky , though it wasn’t that dark . Nebulas and radiant stars drenched the world in ethereal light , creating an ambiance that belied the dangers .

Oddly enough , the stars moved unpredictably in the sky . It was one thing if their position moved as a result of the world turning , but this was different . Almost as if the stars were soldiers forming small armies . These armies moved in different directions , clashing with other groups . It was a stellar war , and Zac’s mind trembled taking in the scene . There were truths hidden in the movements . Or was it just a result of the Dao being rampant?

Best I can guess is that the sky is made up of at least five Heavenly Layers , - Kruta commented . - They are like painted glass panes placed on top of each other , each showing a different set of stars . It looks like they are crashing toward each other , but I’ve never actually seen them collide . It’s like they pass right through each other . -

Zac slowly nodded , memorizing the piece of intelligence . You never knew what information would prove useful in these hostile worlds . What was for sure , though , was that it would be impossible to map a path using the stars . Ventus might have been able to do it , but the numerologist’s storefront disappeared five months after they met . Proof he had either succeeded in breaking through or died—the Perennial Vastness never told which it was .

The land wasn’t the sparse rock you’d expect from a world hurtling through space . Neither was it quite what you’d expect from a still semi-active battlefield . Blue knee-high grass covered the ground , and bushes and small trees weren’t an uncommon sight . There were some bare sections far in the distance , no doubt a result of one of the three dangers . But with the extreme energy density and ample Dao , the plants would quickly regrow .

No guests loitered by the entrance , but they only managed to run five minutes before three warriors appeared to block their path . Zac looked at them one by one , his features hidden beneath his hood . He’d once more taken on the visage of one of the people who now lay in his Corpse Sack . The three strangers were all powerful , though that was to be expected in a place so dangerous it had an echelon requirement . Looking at them , even Zac felt a small pang of danger .

However , this danger was fully disconnected from the hidden sword trained at his back . In other words , they didn’t have good intentions but weren’t connected to the conspiracy . His Lucky Beads] were already proving their worth . He wouldn’t fully trust its signals since some treasures and skills could counter them , but having them sharpening his sixth sense was incredibly useful .

Three strangers appearing out of nowhere , - Kruta grinned as a baleful aura started leaking from his body . The grass rustled , and it almost sounded like swords colliding as a bloody haze was released from the grass . - The grass has grown parched and hungry over the eons . -

Zac said nothing , but a nasty two-handed sword appeared in his hand as his killing intent joined Kruta’s . He didn’t want to fight so soon and this close to the teleportation gate , but it was like the whole world urged him on . Not fighting felt like holding his breath . It was fine for a bit , but it wasn’t a natural state in the Stand . A desire for battle couldn’t be ignored , and veins started appearing on the newcomers’ foreheads . None of them seemed to have a matching Dao with the realm , and they had much worse resistance to the whispers of war .

Yet , they didn’t attack .

No need to draw your weapons! - a man in the middle said , his voice hoarse . - It’s the realm that’s playing tricks on us! We are just looking for people who wish to form an alliance . Small groups stand no chance against the established coalitions . If we join forces , we’ll⁠— -

Thanks , but we’re still going to explore it on our own , - Kruta lazily interjected .

The warrior hesitated a second , but a cold gust swept through the grass before he could act .

Eight ancient warriors appeared out of nowhere . They were not fully tangible humanoids , and some of their body parts shifted in and out of reality . Armor covered every inch of their bodies , so it was impossible to tell whether they were actual humans or some similar species . Zac’s eyes widened a bit as he quickly retracted his aura . He hadn’t expected to see Hero Souls this close to the teleporter .

All eight wielded identical gear and weapons , but they were definitely not some cannon fodder troops . Each had a towering aura matching that of Peak Hegemons with mountains of corpses under their belts . Swirls of resentment and ferocity surrounded them , and Zac sensed how the realm protected and nurtured them .

However , something was off about their strength . Most likely , they had been Peak Hegemons before falling , while they only had the energy equivalent of Early Hegemons right now . They were ultimately just memories , unable to bring forth the full strength of their true selves .

Still , seasoned veterans who were once a full grade higher were not easy to deal with , especially when reinforcement could appear out of nowhere when it came to these Hero Souls . Kruta had already restrained his bloodlust as well , but the Hero Souls still stopped between the two groups . Their stares were quite unnerving , not giving off the slightest hint of whether they were friendly or about to attack .

Cycle your Dao , - Kruta whispered , and Zac let his Branch of the War Axe course through his body .

The effect was immediate . Every Hero Souls ignored him and Kruta and turned toward the trio , who were incapable of harmonizing with the Conflict in the region . The guests backed away , not daring to speak out of fear they’d be attacked . These Hero Souls , all things considered , were relatively weak , but there were eight of them , along with two hostile guests . Fighting would be quite dangerous .

A moment later , the trio was gone , followed by four of the Hero Souls .

Boring , - Kruta muttered . - They had two more hiding in the distance . They probably wanted to lead us into an ambush , but they’re gone now . -

That doesn’t mean they’ve given up , - Zac commented .

True . Preying on solitary warriors is the only thing those kinds of people can accomplish in this type of event . - Kruta snorted , looking at Zac with annoyance . - Of course , this could have been easily solved while also awarding us some Mana . -

Two hours . Then we let loose , - Zac smiled .

That was the best Zac could come up with on such short notice . He’d expose himself after they’d left the starting reaches of the Stand . The farther they headed , the harder it would be to set up a complex ambush—the Stand was too dynamic a region for preparing a bunch of arrays . You couldn’t even lie in ambush for too long . The puppets could sense static energy accumulations and head in your direction .

Conversely , the worst-case scenario was if the enemy stayed by the entrance . They could masquerade as any random coalition if they did , and it was much easier to set up a lethal trap that would be difficult to avoid . He needed to drag the enemy into the depths , where chaos reigned supreme—his home turf .

Fine , - Kruta scoffed , turning to the lingering spiritual warriors .

The barbarian bowed with a reverent expression , something Zac felt wasn’t faked . - Esteemed warriors , Kruta the Second greets you . Are you willing to answer a few questions of mine? -

The Hero Souls looked at Kruta for a few seconds before turning away , heading back toward the depths of the battlefield .

Well , didn’t attack us , at least , - Kruta shrugged . - Pretty good outcome as things go nowadays . Let’s go . -

The two sped off , making use of the starting region’s relative safety to utilize movement skills . Soon after setting out , they heard a scream and an eruption of energy . The Hero Souls had attacked the trio .

An odd storm was brewing above their heads . Dozens of what could be defined as spatial tears had opened up , dragging energy and Dao into the beyond . However , there were no actual tears . The energy was imploding onto itself , creating a shockwave that further stirred up the area . The phenomenon looked a bit like beating hearts of Pure Conflict , and the hearts were beating faster and faster .

See those clouds? - Kruta laughed . - They’re why you have to finish battles quickly and move on . Conflict breeds conflict . It’s an insatiable fire . New souls will be born while there’s conflict and energy , and I’ve never seen this place run out of either . They’re like catnip for the puppets too . We should get out of here . I didn’t expect such a big cloud to appear right at the entrance . -

Zac nodded , and the two ran deeper into the Stand . Powerful ripples erupted behind them , and Zac shook his head . The ambushers had been forced to release skills , but it hadn’t been enough , judging by the continuous eruptions . Releasing so much Cosmic Energy was like pouring gasoline on the fire . It was one thing to use a movement skill to cross large distances occasionally . If you started peppering offensive skills with lethal intent , you’d feed into the conflict of the realm itself .

Such was the danger of the Stand of Saeward . It was easy to get into a fight but hard to extricate yourself . There was a reason this place was not only a Red Zone but one with minimum requirements to enter .

Danger , right! - Zac suddenly warned as his mind screamed of peril .

Zac stepped left with Earthstrider] , but his vision turned white , and his muscles stopped listening to his commands as a sea of lightning bolts swept through him and continued for another five hundred meters . The agony continued for a whole minute before relenting , at which point Zac was left panting as he angrily glared at an inconspicuous mound in the distance .

Not a fan of that one , - Zac grunted .

Really? I feel all loosened up , - Kruta grinned , cracking his neck . - Wait - til you see some of the things waiting for us further in . Good thing both of us are meaty , - cause we’ll lose a few layers of skin before we’re through . -

That’s just great . - Zac exhaled , then swirled around upon sensing a powerful energy fluctuation shooting toward them .

Bad things rarely come alone here , - Kruta grunted as he took out his twin swords . - What’s a Red Cap doing this close to the entrance? This place is really going out of control . -

49

RED CAPS

Zac looked at the creature rushing them at a speed Zac couldn’t match without using Earthstrider] . It appeared eerily similar to the Hero Souls , except this puppet was clearly fully corporeal . The full-body armor was similar in design , except it seemed to be made out of a light black ceramic alloy with a red helmet .

Red Caps were the weakest puppets , named after their bloodred heads . They were the equivalent of Early Hegemons , though their durability was one grade higher . Above them were the Blue Cloaks , and then came the White Sigils . White Sigils were solidly in Middle D-grade and almost impossible to destroy .

Finally , there were the very rare Golden Champions . If you saw one of those puppets , you were better off running for your life than fighting it . Even a coalition would have trouble taking down one of those things . By the descriptions , Zac wasn’t the least confident in his ability to tangle with them , even if he went all-out .

Let me deal with this one . I’ll show you how it’s done , - Kruta said with excitement written all over his face .

Kruta’s two swords hummed with the Dao of Conflict , and they started to absorb the ambient Dao in the air . The weapons looked like a mix of messer swords and butcher’s cleavers . They were barely a meter long and had a width of around two hands . They were single-edged , and a thick line of runes ran along the back of the blade .

As ambient Dao pored into the swords , the first rune by the handle lit up , prompting the swords’ auras to rise marginally . Kruta had large amounts of orcish blood pouring through his veins , but his gear was far more exquisite than what Zac saw from his brethren in the Big Axe Coliseum . The swords were a rare dual Spirit Tool of extreme quality , and Zac suspected they had an equivalent or even greater spirituality than Verun’s Bite] .

A spectral projection appeared behind Kruta’s back as he readied himself for battle . It was only a bit larger than Kruta and even looked similar except it was a pureblood orc . It was the ancestral soul whisp Kruta the Second had been born with—the original Kruta . He emitted a heart-palpitating aura that reminded Zac of the Hero Souls . Zac felt like he looked upon an old monster like Be’Zi , but the projection’s actual aura was only at Kruta’s level .

The barbarian shot forward , forgoing finesse as he crashed into the puppet . A shockwave turned the already scorched grass in the surrounding area to shreds . The ripple was followed by dangerous waves that would rip apart any F-grade cultivator . Even Zac was forced to take a few steps back to avoid getting cut . Kruta had become a violent hurricane as he launched an unceasing barrage of strikes on the Red Cap .

As he moved , so did the avatar on his back . It almost looked like Kruta had grown a second set of arms , and two translucent fists grabbed at the weapons in Kruta’s hands . The swords shuddered as they formed spectral projections , turning two swords into four . Zac wryly smiled , remembering thinking the barbarian’s style was full of odd holes when they first met .

Much of that could be explained by the fact that Kruta couldn’t rely on his signature technique in a martial duel . In the real world , Kruta never fought alone . He had his ancestor , Kruta the Great , to aid him . They were two halves of a whole ; one couldn’t exhibit his true strength without the other . It was like fighting with one arm behind his back for the barbarian .

The imperfections in Kruta’s blueprint were the real deal , though , an unavoidable side effect of the man being a bit of a fighting idiot . Then again , Zac’s accomplishments in that arena would have been even worse if he hadn’t stumbled onto a lake’s worth of liquified comprehension . However , those gaps were mostly fixed by now , largely thanks to monthly duels with Zac .

Cracks started to appear on the puppet’s ceramic armor from Kruta’s no-holds offensive , but it was no slouch . It seemed to possess almost a bestial instinct , and its sword was a blur as it fended off the constant swirl of attacks . It couldn’t be considered fighting at the level of the Integration Stage , but its movements were based on a powerful set technique without any clear weaknesses .

There were probably no more than ten people back home who could deal with the Red Cap in a martial duel , even if the puppet’s attributes were restricted to its opponent’s level . It was only at the peak of the Formation Stage , but it made no mistakes as far as Zac could see . Every attack , evasion , block , and dodge were incredibly efficient . Meanwhile , its incredible durability allowed it to fight aggressively , trading blows for blows and coming out on top .

Zac was perhaps even more impressed by this than Kruta’s dominant display . Just how skilled had the puppeteer been to create something like this? To create tens of thousands of them , even?

If Kruta had only fought with two arms , they would likely have been locked in a stalemate . However , those cracks appearing across the puppet after just seconds of fighting were telling . Meanwhile , Zac noticed matching runes had started lighting up on the spectral warrior and Kruta . They matched those on the swords and seemed to imbue him with further strength , and his swings grew increasingly ferocious .

The skills , the Dao , the combat style , and the weapons . They were all connected and in perfect harmony . The weapons were likely forged for Kruta specifically , taking into account his path and talents . That was one aspect where Zac couldn’t compare to established factions . Hopefully , he’d get there by the end of Hegemony .

A pang of danger warned Zac the Red Cap wouldn’t give up without a fight , and a huge blast of cutting blades erupted before Zac could warn his companion . The storm was similar to his Nature’s Edge] though far more condensed . Most Peak E-grade cultivators would be ripped to shreds if caught in such a domain , but Kruta only roared .

The scream was empowered by Cosmic Energy and Dao , though Zac wasn’t sure it was a skill . A pure wall of power crushed the cutting blades and allowed him to continue dismantling the puppet . However , a third party joined the fray just as Kruta cut off one of the Red Cap’s arms—four Hero Souls who had already drawn their weapons .

They’re feral! - Kruta swore , but Zac didn’t need the warning .

These new arrivals were different than the ones they’d encountered before . They carried intense amounts of resentment , making their armor appear mottled with blood . Rather than heroic warriors , they felt like vengeful ghosts .

You deal with the puppet , - Zac said as Verun’s Bite] appeared in his hand . - I wanted to test these guys in either case . -

Let’s compete for who finishes first , - Kruta grinned .

How is that fair? - Zac laughed as he moved between Kruta and the Hero Souls . - Your guy is halfway done already . -

The lingering effect of the lightning field was gone , and his muscles had long since stopped spasming . Four vines shot out from his back , forming wide arcs that targeted the Hero Souls from the side . He essentially created a funnel , herding them toward himself , making sure none targeted Kruta .

Remember to use our Dao of Conflict , - Kruta reminded from behind , just as the puppet began gathering energy again . - Ah , this bastard has another domain? -

The Hero Souls were only fifty meters away by that point , their swords turning into bloody arcs as they ripped apart Vivi’s vines without stopping . New vines grew to replace what was lost with the help of the Branch of the Kalpataru , each ferociously digging at the vengeful memories . A few vines managed to sneak past the ghosts’ defenses , but Zac noted the effect was only decent . Imbuing your attacks with Dao was usually enough to deal with intangible beings like elementals and ghosts , but the Hero Souls were a bit special .

A few of Vivi’s lashes slammed into the Hero Souls with full power , and they reacted as a normal cultivator would . They either blocked or had to bear the brunt of the attack using their armor . Other attacks passed right through their bodies like the warriors were nothing but projections . It even looked like the Hero Souls knew , or perhaps even controlled , when they were corporeal and when they were just memories .

Imbuing the vines with his Dao of Life only had minimal impact , just like the missives explained . You couldn’t damage them when intangible , but you disturbed whatever held the memories together . It would quicken their disintegration if you just kept at it . A few Daos were more effective than others , such as the Daos of Time and Emotions , but the most effective was the Dao of Conflict . The Dao of Conflict didn’t disrupt the Hero Souls , it locked them in and forced them to stay corporeal .

Zac stepped forward , his perception shifting as he became one with his path . The ancient battlefield was no longer just the ruins of an ancient struggle . It had become a lesson in the fundamental laws of the universe .

The Hero Souls moved like veteran soldiers rather than beings who had lost their rationality to bloodlust . They tried to flank Zac and surround him , but Zac was an army of one . Verun’s Bite] sang , empowered by the law of evolutionary progress and the soothing breath of the world . Attacks were averted , and defenses were breached .

The Hero Souls were like hyenas trying to nip at the heels of a far greater predator . Zac worked methodically to disrupt their cooperation and damage their forms . As he moved , a huge weight lifted off his shoulders , and he attacked in accordance with his Evolutionary Stance .

The past years had been spent under the yoke of hostile and opposing Daos . His technique and convictions had been under constant attack by truths that were often far more refined than his own . Now that the encouraging winds of Conflict had replaced the suppression , he felt like he’d been reborn .

There was a fluidity to his motions he hadn’t felt before , a deeper connection to his technique . The years of suffering had brought a reward beyond treasures and Mana . Being exposed to so many concepts had refined him . A rough gemstone had been polished , just like how endless tribulations had refined his blueprint in the simulation array .

Swirling winds of War formed a small arena around Zac and the Hero Souls as he tried to break through the iron wall of swords and shields . It was slightly disruptive , fighting with beings that weren’t fully tangible . A scream of danger accompanied a failed block , where the Hero Soul’s sword passed right through Verun’s Bite] to strike at Zac’s neck .

Simultaneously , another warrior stabbed at him from the left , blocking off his path of escape . Zac didn’t mind . Instead of dodging or backing down , he pushed forward . A hand imbued with the Branch of the War Axe ripped out a chunk of mottled armor while Zac cut off the attacker’s hand . Meanwhile , Vivi formed a web of death , stabbing at the slits in the Hero Souls’ helmets and forcing them to back down .

It didn’t change the situation much . The severed hand regrew , only costing the Hero Soul some of its accumulated energy . And they had a lot of energy—it would take over a minute to exhaust the Hero Souls in this manner . Of course , this was while Zac only fought according to his Dao without using it . Zac would have liked to experiment with his techniques and Daos some more , but he couldn’t mess around in the Stand .

The group from before was a poignant reminder of that .

The axe-wielding Dao apparition was already teeming with vigor because of the environment , and it released a dense stream of Dao that coursed into Verun’s Bite] . Meanwhile , a dense Dao Field empowered by Spiritual Void] covered the combatants , making the Hero Souls appear as mortal men . The memories could no longer phase through his attacks , and each collision destroyed significant amounts of energy .

The previously ferocious spirits flickered precariously in just ten seconds , and the battle was over in another five . These Hero Souls were ultimately not a match to Zac’s technique , even when he restrained himself to hide his most recent gains . Of course , just like the Red Cap , these were just the lowest forms of souls wandering the Stand .

Impressive , - Kruta nodded , a pile of scrap already lying by his feet . - Your axe is doing almost as much work as my four swords . I’ll have to ask my elders if they can help me reach that state when I return . -

And you’re sure we can’t collect the puppets? - Zac asked .

They’re only alive thanks to the unique environment , - Kruta said with a shake of his head . - Their arrays fail , and the armor turns more brittle than mortal material after you bring them out . -

Then let’s go before that scrap heap reforms , - Zac sighed .

They set off again , just in time . The battle had lasted less than a minute , yet Zac could feel how the Dao of Conflict had grown agitated in the area , concentrating on their location . If they stayed , problems would soon follow .

The sky rumbled as they ran , and a gout of lava erupted in the distance . Danger awaited around any corner , and there was a palpable sense of things bubbling under the surface . It wasn’t just because of the increasingly thick Dao of Conflict , either . Fate was gathering at the heart of the realm . In a place like that , gathering Fate meant danger . It also meant opportunity , and Zac felt a smile creep up his lips .

Like I said , you have the madness , - Kruta laughed . - But don’t get cocky . Soon , we’ll have to use our skills to deal with our enemies , creating a far nastier response . I’ve almost been sent off to my ancestors a few times in here already . -

I know , - Zac nodded . - It just feels nice to be in a place resonating with you . -

Then why do you keep taking those suicidal missions in places that don’t welcome you? -

We all have our methods to progress , - Zac shrugged .

Another two hours passed without encountering any large issues . Kruta spotted a far off cultivator , but he was moving toward the entrance . He flashed away when he was spotted . Zac got better and better at fusing his Dao Field with the environment , but they were still attacked by puppets , towers , and Hero Souls every ten minutes or so . Kruta already had a constipated look after having one attempt at communication after another rebuffed by the Hero Souls .

Eventually , they reached the edge of the grassy plains , where a xeric tundra replaced it . The region looked far less hospitable than the ethereal grass , but it provided far more coverage in the form of hills , escarpments , and tor formations as large as skyscrapers . Of course , there was a good chance that many of those boulders hid lethal arrays , but they made it a lot harder to get spotted from a distance .

This is the entrance to the real battlefield , - Kruta commented as he pointed at a twenty-man Hero Soul squad flying in the distance .

In its lead rode a warrior atop something like a twin-tailed tiger . The captain was clearly much stronger than their subjects , and Zac guessed it was the equivalent of a Blue Cloak Puppet .

From here on out , we might meet stronger enemies , and the fortifications can actually hurt us . You , anyway . -

You do have pretty thick skin , - Zac said . - Didn’t even flinch when you ambushed the Hero Souls while talking about how you admired them . -

Bah , those things were all long gone . My ancestor hasn’t been able to connect to a single one , - Kruta said , settling an expectant eye on Zac . - So , are we finally done skulking around? I bet we’ll encounter more people now that we’ve left the starting zone . -

Fine , let’s swap , - Zac agreed after some final deliberations .

Soon , Zac stood in his original form without trying to hide it . Kruta followed suit , extracting all the scales across his body with the same bone as before .

And if we meet any people? - the barbarian asked .

Rob or kill , depending on their actions , - Zac confirmed .

Good! -

They entered the tundra following Kruta’s map , doing their best to avoid the larger squads . It was still impossible to avoid the random stragglers , and it always felt like they were one step away from disaster . They’d barely avoided one squad of Hero Souls before they were forced to dismantle a trio of Red Caps .

But the scene was nothing compared to what they stumbled onto after traveling for two hours . Puppets , hundreds of them , pouring out from two spatial gates . Most were the Red Caps , but they also spotted almost a dozen Blue Cloaks . There was even a White Sigil leading them , and Zac shuddered at the menacing aura it emitted . They formed orderly squads as they marched toward the depths of the Stand .

Against this army , there was only escape . Even if they managed to destroy all these things , it would be by exhausting all their skills and attracting half the Stand to their location .

Wow , - Zac whispered from within the emergency isolation array Kruta had prepared as they slowly backed away to hide behind a rock formation .

Well , I haven’t seen that before , - Kruta agreed . - I wonder where they’re coming from . -

What should we— - Zac said , but he stopped upon feeling a weak ripple .

It was so minute it could just have been a small fluctuation brought by the disturbance of the massive army , but Zac’s gut told him otherwise . More importantly , the sense of danger that had haunted him for weeks flared up .

This was no coincidence . His enemies had found him .

50

HUNTER AND PREY

The ripple was gone as quickly as it came , giving no hint of where it originated . Judging by Kruta’s expression , he hadn’t noticed it at all .

What is it? - the barbarian said with a raised brow . - Surely , some parading puppets isn’t enough for you to lose your composure? -

It’s not that , - Zac grimaced as he tried to pinpoint the source of the ripple . - Remember what I said before? -

Your enemies? - Kruta said with a low voice , his eyes darting back and forth .

I’m afraid so . This might be the time we split up . -

And let you hog all the fun? - Kruta scoffed . - I don’t know you well , but I can feel you’ll be the key to this event . I’m not letting you sneak off alone now . -

You might come to regret it . -

What regret? Getting a few more people to fight? More fun for Kruta , - the barbarian guffawed . - Besides , if things get out of hand , I’ll just flee . I won’t say I’m invincible , but pinning me down here is almost impossible . -

Zac looked at Kruta for a few seconds before slowly nodding . - Thank you . I’ll do what I can to take on the heat , but don’t overdo it . -

No need for all that mushiness . I’m guessing you have a plan in place . -

Well , not really , - Zac said , scratching his chin .

What? -

I mean , a wise man once told me , - What’s the use of calculating and thinking when you’re an idiot?’ - Zac coughed . - So , I just figured I’d drag them into the heart of the zone and deal with it there . The more chaotic , the better . That way , it’ll become a brawl , and I’m pretty good at those . -

Kruta blankly stared at Zac , then he started laughing . - Good advice! I like it! -

Zac thoughtfully looked in the direction of the puppet army . - What about those guys? Will they create a problem? -

Our old path isn’t reliable if those soulless things can pop out of nowhere , - Kruta hummed as he took out the map and made some adjustments . - Well , we could take a bit of a detour . Should be some empty pockets now that they’re gathering . -

Zac nodded . - How much time would that add? -

The Stand is not that big , as far as zones go . We’ll reach the center in two days , provided we don’t get caught up in this mess . Detours shouldn’t add more than half a day . Or . . . -

Or what? - Zac asked .

Or we stalk the puppets from a distance , - Kruta shrugged . - White Sigils have very strong perception . If we get attacked by your enemies , they’ll probably get pulled over . If not , we can drag the fight to the puppets . The puppets should also act as a magnet for the Hero Souls , and they’re heading right where we need to go . -

Sounds good , - Zac said . - How do we avoid getting discovered by the puppets , though? Can’t they sense our energy? -

Uh , - Kruta said , blankly looking ahead . - Well , we’ll just be careful and work hard on harmonizing with the environment? -

Alright , whatever . We’ll just have to run if they start swarming us . -

The two opted to keep a ten-minute distance from the puppet army as they ran along a ridge . The puppets followed a straight path , which was quite easy to follow . After a few hours , Zac and Kruta even ran ahead to avoid any nasty surprises . Occasionally , the White Sigil sent out scouts in their direction , but Kruta was quite sensitive to the changes on the battlefield . Every time danger approached , they got out of the way in time .

Others weren’t as lucky . An eruption of energy made them stop and nudge closer to the puppet army , where they spotted a trio surrounded by frenzied puppets . Over a dozen broken puppets lay on the ground , but the cultivators were still in desperate straits . They tried to break out , but the Blue Cloak puppets had created a barrier . On top of that , dozens of Red Caps were in the way .

Suddenly , a shroud of mist was released from the White Sigil’s helmet , and space veritably exploded as it flashed forward . The cultivator tried to move out of the way , but the puppet was too quick . The commander pierced straight through the guest’s hastily erected defense before goring her with its lance .

A spectral hand appeared beneath one of the two remaining cultivators , dragging him into a mysterious portal that looked like a small pond . The final man tried something similar , but the White Sigil was already upon him . A Dao-empowered stab forcibly interrupted the escape treasure , and the poor man died a moment later . Had this been a Green Zone , he could have called on his guide to send him out of the Perennial Vastness .

But this was a Red Zone , following the law of the jungle you’d see in the wild . There were no safety nets . You’d have to get out on your own .

Let’s go , - Kruta sighed , inching back to avoid being dragged into the misfortune of others .

A storm of Hero Souls had already hit the flank of the puppet army , though Zac could tell the puppets were far superior . Luckily , the White Sigil either hadn’t noticed them , or hadn’t bothered pursuing . It focused on the incoming Hero Souls , and the army began moving ten minutes later . By that point , the broken puppets had already mended enough for them to walk on their own .

The two avoided getting hounded by the puppets , but their journey wasn’t without headaches . The puppet army was a beacon for the Hero Souls , just like Kruta suspected . Some ran straight to their deaths , while other squads changed course upon discovering Zac and Kruta . They were constantly forced into fights , turning them into unwilling meat shields for the puppet army .

Zac was on edge , targeted from every direction . After the first ripple , he hadn’t seen a hint of the enemies hiding in the shadows . That didn’t mean there wasn’t anyone looking or following him . An assassin or scout who could reach the Perennial Vastness wouldn’t have much difficulty avoiding Zac’s scans . Even the steady Dao Heart he’d tempered through endless struggle started to fray from the uncertainty .

Knowing he’d been exposed put him under a lot of pressure , and he was afraid to display the limits of his attributes or his technique . The few times he was forced to use skills , he even opted to delay the activation or integrate the skills with his infighting in a suboptimal way . It left him with a few wounds , but it was worth it if his floundering could create some openings down the road .

Kruta didn’t share Zac’s misgivings . The barbarian had a grand time fighting and constantly chattered about the treasures waiting for him at the end of the rainbow . By the time a few hours passed , Zac had heard over thirty theories . Some were quite normal , like them finding the corpse of Saeward along with his Spatial Rings . Others were more out there , such as Kruta’s suggestion the whole event was a coronation trial . Whoever reached Saeward’s resting place would become the king of the empire Saeward once ruled , gaining endless riches and vast armies .

Another one who enjoyed herself was Vivi . The increasingly powerful Hero Souls had already cut off or shredded miles’ worth of vines , but she wasn’t deterred . She even seemed to enjoy the challenge , though she was a bit miffed the Hero Souls had no bodies to consume . It was almost as though she’d returned to her youth since absorbing the energies inside the Gate of Life . She hit harder and faster , and her vines regrew quicker .

It was like the vines had gone through a full Cosmic Cycle and improved a stage , yet Zac found it hard to be enthused by the transformation . Her powerup wasn’t the result of a real breakthrough . It was more like all the nutrients he’d provided allowed her to return to her former glory . But that came at the cost of her lifespan . Vivi was essentially pushing herself beyond her limits , hastening her demise .

When Zac got her , Heda said she’d live for another century , two if lucky . But her life force was like a flickering flame , and Zac doubted Vivi could live on for even half the lowest estimate . It filled him with a sense of powerlessness , as there was nothing he could do . He hoped to prove Heda wrong through his Luck and fortuitous encounters . To change Vivi’s destiny as he had Verun’s . It had proven futile . The treasures he’d provided only gave temporary reprieve and the strength to keep going at her current pace .

Not only that , but Vivi transmitted most of the nutrients to Haro .

The Heavenrender Seed , in contrast , was a seed no longer . Haro had finally transformed into a dual-affinity sapling after absorbing Zac’s Daos of Life and Conflict for over a decade , along with enough treasures to bankrupt a D-grade clan . It only reached his knees inside the Worldring and couldn’t yet utilize the vast amounts of energy stored in its body . Still , it emitted an incredibly fierce aura . Even now , it happily gobbled the Dao in the environment , showing no signs of being satiated .

A full day passed in this manner , and things reached a point where Zac wished someone would just attack him and get it over with . Had he overestimated his attractiveness as bait? Were they really planning to target him on his return , only sending some scouts to track his movements and report back?

An hour later , there were finally some developments , but not how he’d hoped . First , they found a second puppet army to their left , sandwiching them between two squads . When they decided to break away from the puppets that had trailed them for the past day , they realized these two armies weren’t the only ones . There were over five armies in front of them , one of which was over three times the size of the other ones they’d spotted .

And there’s another one , - Kruta said twenty minutes later , whistling as they observed an eighth puppet army walking through a canyon . - We might be able to pass them by , but we’re in trouble if we get discovered . The squads are too bunched-up . I fear they might be able to communicate . -

Even if we pass this squad , there’s probably another one waiting beyond , - Zac sighed . - Probably not worth it . -

I wonder how many squads there are , - Kruta muttered . - If the whole Stand is spawning them like this , we’re talking about an army in the tens of thousands . -

More importantly , we’re getting boxed in , - Zac commented . - We need to make a decision , or we might end up in the middle of a hostile legion . -

Kruta nodded and took out his map . - If we head to the right of the original group , we’ll enter the minefields after two hours . I doubt there’ll be puppet armies in there . Their energies would trigger one pillar after another . We should avoid that if possible . However , going left would put us closer to the Edge . We wouldn’t be boxed in by puppets there , but we’d end up with our backs against the wall . -

The Edge wasn’t an actual cliff but a vast river that could be considered one end of the Stand . The river itself was made from liquid metal and contained shocking amounts of deadly eruptions of the Dao of Conflict . There were even dangerous beasts hiding in the depths . As far as E-grade cultivators were concerned , it might as well be the underworld river since crossing it meant death .

The only reason the Edge wasn’t considered the fourth danger was that it was static , and cultivators could just avoid it . There hadn’t been any reports of surges or creatures emerging from the waters , so you could walk along its shores without issue . It was simply the edge of the Stand , hence its name .

Most Red Zones had these limiters , and the general consensus was that they were intended to keep the guest out of the far more dangerous sections of the Perennial Vastness . For example , the true dangers of the Calamity were far beyond what even Hegemons could withstand .

I have fished for treasures in the calm banks . Let me tell you , that water is no joke . In the inner regions , we won’t last more than a few seconds if we’re forced inside . -

The Minefield isn’t much better , - Zac muttered . - Especially now that the region is waking up . -

I think our safest bet is to slow down for an hour or two and let all these squads merge , - Kruta offered . - Then we can follow their tail . -

Zac grunted as he looked at the empty horizon behind them . They were roughly one hour ahead of the first puppet army , using them to shore up their rear . To stop and let them pass . . . was perhaps the most dangerous option of all . He could feel it . The main fate of the region was gathering ahead , but a dangerous wind of uncertainty was coming at him from behind .

Stopping is not an option , and the minefield is too unpredictable , - Zac said . - We’ll move toward the Edge . -

If you say so . -

They traveled diagonally toward the river for the next four hours , narrowly dodging one squad after another . There really were thousands on the move , all of them heading toward the heart of the zone . One wrong step would result in a cascade of deadly disasters . The two had tried to get a glimpse of what they were walking toward , but turbulent winds shrouded the central Stand .

Oddly enough , they met fewer and fewer Hero Souls as they progressed . Their best guess was that all the memories in the region had been dragged toward the center , possibly to stave off the puppet attack . Zac could only imagine what kind of war raged beyond the horizon . It felt as though they were walking through a memory where the ancient battle was being re-enacted .

Knowing the Edge was nearby filled Zac with a small sense of safety , and they sped up on their way to the center . Eventually , they reached the obscuring shroud , and they looked at each other hesitantly .

That’s it? - Zac asked . - Didn’t you say it was almost impossible to reach the inner reaches of the Stand? We just strolled here . -

I . . . I don’t know , - Kruta said . - I expected things to get worse , not better . Something in the center must be siphoning all the energy . I bet things are very different on the other side . -

Can you deal with it? - Zac asked .

Look who you’re talking to! - Kruta scoffed . - I am a future war chief . How could I lose my mind on the battlefield? -

Fine , should we check things out? -

What about your enemies? -

Looks like they’re not coming . . . - Zac glanced back .

Still nothing .

Then let’s fish in the muddy waters and deal with the rest later , - Kruta said eagerly .

The storm wasn’t deadly like what Zac encountered in the Calamity , but it was still extremely unsettling . Vision was only a hundred meters , and energy signals were completely muted . At any moment , they could run into a troupe of puppets . The barbarian eventually slowed down and looked around hesitantly .

This is a Warhaze Array , - Kruta said as he took out a bone . - Stay close or we’ll get split up . -

They continued for another hour , at which point the ground started rumbling . The vibrations were slight and erratic , and Zac could picture the source—powerful attacks colliding , making the whole world tremble .

War , - Kruta muttered with a mix of excitement and trepidation .

After another ten minutes , the haze started to give way . A sudden pang of danger made Zac drag Kruta out of the way , just in time to avoid a massive pillar of flames . It was over ten meters across and contained enough force to incinerate a Hegemon . The two shared a look before continuing .

The energy was a punch to the face , and Zac was forced to stop and enter a Void State . The killing intent alone was enough to drive one mad , yet it paled by the storm of Conflict that filled the air . A few steps later , the world came into focus , and even Kruta couldn’t help but gasp .

The world had gone mad , with hundreds of massive eruptions going off every second . There were tens of thousands of puppets storming a far larger army of Hero Souls , and the battleline stretched farther than Zac could see . Both sides were empowered by the environment , constantly unleashing powerful attacks that could pass as skills . Floating above the sea of puppets were hundreds of White Sigils , and Zac’s heart lurched upon spotting no less than ten Golden Champions .

Even then , the Hero Souls weren’t overwhelmed . The puppets had their champions , but so did the ghosts . Their battles shook the skies , and the fallout from one of those duels nearly incinerated them . And the Hero Souls were constantly getting reinforcements from an enormous , moated castle behind their lines .

There was no doubt about it . That was the command center . A cloud of Conflict so pure Zac couldn’t even look at it hovered above the towers . The energy in the castle was so dense it looked like a solid pillar . But how did that help them? Zac sighed and looked at the impenetrable wall of destruction between them and their goal . There was no muddy water to fish in here . There was only death .

Battlements roared and space itself cried , unable to withstand the unending fury . It felt like the dimension itself was barely hanging on .

Was this how a war between Hegemons looked?

What should we do? - Kruta whispered as they backed away . - That’s not a conflict we can get involved with . -

The Warhaze Array muted the deafening clamor , and the previously ominous shroud now provided a sense of safety . However , that only lasted a second before Zac’s eyes widened in alarm . If they couldn’t sense such a massive war through the haze , then didn’t that mean . . .

Wait , - Zac whispered . - We’re⁠— -

The world shuddered as a huge pillar of light slammed down , sealing them in a cage two hundred meters across .

Trapped , - Zac sighed .

51

CANDOR

Zac swore as one rune after another sprung up around the shield , and he shot toward the closest wall . A herculean swing slammed into the wall of light , but Zac felt like he was fighting the whole world . His attack only left a discoloration that was soon washed away . Breaking through this thing would require far more energy . A moment later , the pillar had closed , forming a solid dome .

He should have expected as much—these people were obviously prepared . They must have scouted ahead to know there’d be such a good location to launch an ambush . Between the haze and the barrier , who’d notice even if they unleashed their skills to the fullest?

Zac’s eyes lit up at the thought . That’s right . They were only a hundred meters from the shroud’s edge . They’d been even farther in when they almost got blasted by the pillar of fire . It was only a matter of time before another attack from one of the Golden Champions or White Sigils reached this section , and the barrier was a huge target .

But just as the hope was born , it was murdered . The dome was moving , dragging them away from the edge of the haze .

This is new , - Kruta curiously muttered as he was forced to jog along . - Movable and sturdy . Should we break out? -

That question was likely what his enemies had planned . It would be troublesome if his captor planned to drag him over to the region through which the puppet reinforcements would arrive .

Can you tell what direction it’s moving? - Zac asked .

Kruta fiddled with a few bones for a couple of seconds before nodding . - Out and toward the Edge . -

So away from the puppets , - Zac sighed with relief . - For now , let’s see what they have planned . But if they move too far . . . -

Then they’re dragging us into a trap , - Kruta said before laughing . - Well , another one , I guess? -

You two are quite laid-back , - an unfamiliar voice drifted from the haze .

The next moment , a party of fifteen people appeared through the shroud , and Zac noted with interest that the dome opened a hole to let them inside . It separated bidirectionally , meaning wandering puppets would have to fight their way through . The pillar stopped , and the area was sealed as soon as the new group entered .

The one who had spoken before was a beautiful woman in the front . She was a human , and Zac was surprised to see her complexion reminded him of Karz . She had olive skin , golden eyes , and a mane of blonde hair . She was decked in gear resembling white templar armor , where only her head was exposed .

Her breastplate was made of solid white metal , while the other parts were protected by chainmail . Golden scripts covered every inch of her armor , all radiating a pure light that could only belong to the Peak of Taiji . A golden crown inlaid with seven jewels was atop her head , each emitting a frightful aura .

Her gear gave off a familiar feeling—like the black armor Uona wore during their final battle . It had proven incredibly difficult to break through , to the point Zac had been forced to kill her with the Remnants . And this armor gave off an even greater pressure . Was it a War Regalia? It was the first time Zac had seen an E-grade cultivator able to power such a thing . Even he couldn’t , at least not anything he could get his hands on .

With the large cape behind her back , she reminded Zac of his Arbiter of the Abyss] transformation . However , this woman held a very different aura . She emitted the pressure and air of an empress , and Zac was almost filled with a desire to kneel . The Conflict in the air was curtailed and turned into a sword against her enemies . She was a beacon of light in this world of falsehood , her mere presence showing the path .

Such a powerful Mana domain . She had to be a ninth-echelon guest , at least .

Behind her were fourteen people , ten of whom wore identical equipment . They looked every bit the part of soldiers in an army as the Hero Souls , and the runes on their equipment indicated they came from the same faction as the young woman . All of them had a glowing rune behind their back , where streams of power entered the leader .

A War Array , and a very potent one at that . When fueled by ten powerhouses at the same level , the effect likely eclipsed most Berserking Methods . It was also the answer to how she could use War Regalia without sacrificing much of her own energy capacity . The warriors were not just batteries , though . They all had auras that would place them in the upper tiers of all guests . One by one , they weren’t a threat to Zac . Together , they’d be a headache .

Finally , there were four mages or clerics hiding behind the meat wall . Their features were covered in hoods , but their hands were held in different mudras . Zac couldn’t be certain , but he believed they were chanting something under their breath . Most likely , they were responsible for maintaining the barrier , while possibly assisting with the War Array . After all , four runes floated behind their backs , matching the four runes that covered the cardinal directions of the dome .

There was also a string of energy connecting them to a fifth rune placed just beneath the tip of the dome . An identical , inverted version hovered outside the shield like a mirror image . Both emitted a powerful Dao of Conflict . Zac glanced at the runes suspiciously . Something about them was odd—it didn’t seem like the Dao of the guests . It was rather the path of the Stand . Had they stolen a corner of this realm’s Dao and used it to harmonize the domain with the environment?

Did it allow them to use the ambient energy to power the barrier? If so , then it would be extremely difficult to crack open .

He’d known his enemies would be dangerous—why else would he have felt this looming threat for weeks? Even then , the situation was far more troublesome than his projections . Being confronted by fifteen people normally wasn’t a big deal for him , but it was different in the Perennial Vastness . The leader alone gave off a pressure that told him he’d have to go all-out . Worse , all her followers had dense auras of elite warriors tempered by blood . They weren’t the kind of glasshouse elites he’d occasionally run into here .

That wasn’t the only issue . Zac was drawing a complete blank . He was certain he’d never seen her before , and her appearance didn’t match the description of any famous high-echelon guests who ran the more powerful coalitions . Who was she , and why was she targeting him? Was it really related to Ultom?

However , the drastic change in Kruta’s demeanor told Zac everything he needed to know .

That’s Valsa Planur , - Kruta said with undisguised fear . - Of all the guests , why her? We’re in trouble . I⁠— -

Don’t worry , - Zac said , glancing at the light dome . - I’ll get you out of here . -

I’m sorry , her origins are too scary , - Kruta sighed . - Contending with her has ramifications beyond this realm . -

I understand , - Zac nodded . - I’ll⁠— -

The roaring sound of a forest sprouting from the ground drowned out Zac’s words . He was gone the next moment , entering the closest tree of Ancestral Woods] before it was fully grown . As he stepped into one sprout , he simultaneously emerged right behind a clump of three guards . Their swords were already ripping toward Zac’s throat when he emerged , but a golden domain strained their movements .

A set of pillars emerged from where Zac once stood as though they’d appeared out of nowhere . Both appearance and position were made possible by starting the activation with Cosmic Energy , then instantly finishing the process with Void Energy at the exact moment suppression would have the greatest effect .

Four vines slightly delayed the incoming attacks , and two small delays were all Zac needed . A condensed scar four meters long ripped right through the warriors before they had a chance to react . From there , it didn’t continue toward the other guards or even Valsa herself . Instead , it shot toward the solitary rune of Conflict floating in the middle of the dome . A shockwave of Void and Dao-empowered leaves created utter chaos that prevented any interruption .

Zac was working against the clock . He could feel the storms of Cosmic Energy surging in the surrounding enemies , like ancient beasts awakening from their slumber . A flash forward and the activation of Void Zone] strangled the Dao and the energy of the mages , who found themselves at his mercy .

Two enemies fell in the blink of an eye , but a scream of deadly danger warned him time was up . Zac tried to move out of the way , when a glowing sword pierced right through the protective barrier of Empyrean Aegis] and tore a huge wound in his side . Eight attacks were right on the heels of Valsa’s strike , and Zac was forced to eat two as he desperately held Valsa back .

It felt like he was caught inside a beast’s maw , with the remaining enemies collapsing upon him . Valsa’s attacks were fast and ruthless , and he was alarmed that he couldn’t match her in either speed or strength . Zac had a hard time imagining her raw attributes were as high as his , but that War Regalia of hers likely provided both offense and defense . Just dealing with her pushed Zac and his technique to the limit , but there were also seven warriors tacking on the pressure .

Avoiding everything was impossible . He blocked what he could while Vivi worked overtime , but it wasn’t enough . He could only prioritize the strikes , making sure lethal attacks were demoted to grievous wounds and that crippling wounds didn’t hurt anything that would directly weaken his combat potential . Organs and innards could be regrown , but he couldn’t lose a leg or his axe arm . That would be the nail in the coffin .

Zac’s body screamed in agony , but a bloody smile spread regardless . This was the kind of situation where fate and paths were tested . It was at the edge of life and death where your convictions crystallized into something greater , where you could glimpse what waited beyond . Zac wanted to test out the properties of the armor , but he had a hard time staying alive , even with less than a second passing .

Waves of murderous intent flooded the surroundings as he stepped forward to fight fire with fire . But he was yanked back , dragged away from a surprised-looking Valsa . It was Vivi who had wound herself around a nearby tree , and Zac entered its trunk after shooting out a burst of Void-generated fractal leaves . Simultaneously , Rapturous Divide] reached the rune in the sky .

Zac appeared right next to a surprised Kruta , inwardly shocked at the wretched state of his body . He’d known these people would be strong , but he hadn’t expected to almost get himself killed by an opening exchange .

A loud rumble shook the whole domain as the spatial blade of Rapturous Divide] ripped into the large golden rune . With two of the mages executed and the remaining duo forced to create shields to block Nature’s Edge] , the rune flickered ominously . Large scars appeared on the dome , but Zac inwardly swore upon recognizing the damage was only temporary . It was just enough for Kruta to turn into a streak of light that shot right through one of the exits , fleeing west .

Hold out! I’ll bring reinforcements . ’

Zac made no sign he’d heard Kruta’s voice , but he still felt some warmth as he turned back toward the armored woman . There were no guarantees Kruta was telling the truth , but Zac believed him . Kruta would try to drag a puppet army to their side . Of course , he wouldn’t bet his life on Kruta succeeding . This was his mess , and he had to rely on himself to clean it up .

His opening gambit was a success . Zac had two goals with his ambush : thin out the number of supporting warriors and provide Kruta with a way out of the cage . He’d considered going for a Void-summoned Arcadia’s Judgement] right out the gate , but his instincts told him it would backfire .

That strategy had served him well before , but these people were too powerful . He’d already been given a taste of the leader’s power . She would have been able to mitigate much of the skill’s damage by herself , and the rest were strong enough to survive the aftershock . Ultimately , Arcadia’s Judgement] was too slow even when activated with Void Energy , and it was better to keep his finisher in the pocket for a time when it simply couldn’t be stopped . By using Rapturous Divide] , he dealt a significant blow without expending too much force .

Surprisingly , the enemies weren’t following up on the initial exchange . They stood like statues , except for one of the mages who sent healing waves to those cut by Nature’s Edge] . Taking a breather was fine with Zac . He was covered in wounds , and the one on his side was especially sinister . This Valsa had at least one Late Dao Branch that was currently wreaking havoc on his organs .

Luckily , his body was incredibly good at dealing with these matters , and the Kill Energy of five dead elites was already pouring into Surging Vitality] . Seeing how desperate the situation was , Zac also fixed some of the more problematic wounds with small amounts of Creation Energy . For a few seconds , no one said anything , until the armored woman spoke up .

I wonder how you accomplished that just now . You carry surprising secrets , - Valsa said , glancing in the direction Kruta fled . - You might have been able to escape if you joined your friend . -

Why would I escape? - Zac said as he cracked his neck . - You’ve been targeting me for a while now , and I finally have you in front of me . -

Oh? You knew? - the woman said , a small smile spreading on her lips . - How embarrassing . -

As far as I know , we have no enmity toward each other , - Zac continued . - Want to explain why you’re here? -

Zac was curious about the answer and had everything to benefit by stalling . Apart from his rapidly healing body , there was Kruta , who was hopefully bringing chaos to the battle . He also needed to find the weaknesses in the dome . Those runes had so perfectly fused it with the realm that Zac wasn’t sure the puppets would attack it . He was also no closer to figuring out what powered it or how it could move .

Without dealing with that , he was trapped . Reactivating Ancestral Woods] with Void Energy was useless if Valsa could just move the domain to his location .

At least their operations had to be costly . Whether it was the array or the War Regalia , they had to drain large amounts of energy every second . The more time they wasted , the better his position would be .

I think you know , - she said . - The Left Imperial Palace is emerging . Some are fated . Others have to seize fate . -

Then you’re just a greedy thief , - Zac sighed .

A thief? - Pealing laughter echoed through the square , and Zac was surprised by the shocking killing intent the followers suddenly emitted .

They hadn’t so much as frowned when he killed five of their companions . Now , they looked ready to eat his flesh and drink his blood? These people were extremely loyal . Making them scatter after killing a few more wasn’t an option .

Perhaps in your eyes . But the pillars were made by the Empire . They belong with us . Your individual fate cannot match the Imperial Destiny . -

So you’re from one of the traitor clans , - Zac said , putting two and two together . - That explains some things . -

We did what we had to survive . How does that make us traitors? - a hint of sharpness touched her voice . It looked like she was about to continue , but she looked at the sky . - Ah , here we are . -

At first , Zac didn’t understand what she was talking about . Then , the haze above the dome was dispersed by a radiant glow . It was like a morning sun had risen to drive away the gloom , even if the view was still the familiar night sky of the Stand of Saeward . The stars moved about , and no attacks were raining down from above .

Then , he saw it .

Zac’s eyes widened as the stars rearranged themselves , forming an enormous rune in the sky . It wasn’t an array , it felt more like a fundamental law of the universe taken form . This was far beyond the scope an E-grade cultivator could accomplish , yet Zac’s instincts told him this wasn’t an illusion . That thought alone was incredibly terrifying . Was one of the old monsters in the Perennial Vastness working with his enemy?

Candor .

That was what the rune meant . Not in the standard Multiverse alphabet but rather in the script of the Limitless Empire .

Under the Imperial Edict of Candor , justice will prevail , - Valsa smiled . - There can be no duplicity . -

52

EDICT

Duplicity? Zac frowned as he had a worrying premonition , and he knew the situation had gone from bad to worse the moment Immutability of Eoz] woke up . It was trying to purge something from his body . Judging by its persistence , it wasn’t going well . Zac sent a tendril toward the Specialty Core at his center , where his fears were confirmed .

Sealed .

An intangible barrier surrounded the Duplicity Core , utterly sealing its activation . Zac couldn’t tell how the barrier worked or even which Dao it belonged to . Like the enormous rune in the sky , it felt like law rather than Dao .

It took us some time , but we eventually deduced the trick to your transformation , - Valsa smiled . - You’re truly a marvel . The Undead Empire really went all-out for this pillar’s ascent , modifying a Duplicity Core to such an extent . Even your path is harmonized with the Ultom Courts . Creating a being such as yourself must have been quite an undertaking .

Still , a modified Duplicity Core is still a Duplicity Core . Nothing is without weaknesses . Thank you for staying put while the Edict found its way here . -

So that’s how it was . He’d wanted to waste time to exhaust their energy , but she was also stalling . The good news was that she seemed to have misunderstood his origin , though that could be a ploy on her part . He’d half-expected her to divulge some pieces of information after displaying a few facets of his bloodline during the initial clash .

Immutability of Eoz] was still trying to burn through the seal of his Duplicity Core , but it showed no progress , even with Zac using his Dao as a wallbreaker during the conversation . It looked like he’d be stuck with only one class for this battle , which definitely wasn’t within his original plan . He’d planned to go all-out until his Cosmic Energy and skills were exhausted , at which point he’d swap and finish off the beleaguered enemies .

Was his current strength enough? It had to be enough . This imperial wasn’t backing down now that she’d made her move . In comparison to Ultom , what did the Perennial Vastness matter?

Zac’s heart thumped with realization . Valsa shouldn’t even be here , she had no reason to . She came from one of the peak factions in the Multiverse . Yet she’d scrounged up enough tokens for a small army of deathsworn . It had always been about Ultom for her . It was possible she wouldn’t even bother breaking through in this place . He , Ogras , and Catheya would be under constant threat so long as she was alive .

She couldn’t be allowed to leave this realm .

There was no room to hold back , no room for mercy . With the seal in the sky , he would have to put all cards on the table . A storm of Cosmic Energy entered the newly minted fractal on his back , prompting the whole cage to rumble . Meanwhile , a ripple spread through Zac’s Soul Aperture as his Evolutionary Core began spinning .

A construct emerged from the heart of the core , like a submerged statue being dragged out of a lake . Zac’s eyes met Valsa’s , and he could tell she had the same feeling . Both believed themselves the predator before their prey . One way or another , one of them would be proven right today .