Self-Awareness world.
Willpower world.
Deity world.
After entering Tier 2, Mei had successively experienced three Tethered Missions. This meant her next assignment would be an Advancement Mission.
Tier 2 to Tier 3 Advancement Mission.
Hyperdimensional Space was bustling as usual. As the mission time approached, a group of Void Wanderers prepared for deployment, each awaiting their departure signal.
3—
2—
1—
As the countdown on the interface ended, the mission prompt immediately updated.
【Mission Type: Advancement Mission】
【Mission Difficulty: Tier 2】
Tzzz—
Immediately,
Mei's figure flickered, vanishing simultaneously with her cohort of Void Wanderers.
...
The desolate mountain still held a chilling dampness. Not far off lay a majestic city; one could clearly observe the bustling pedestrians and carriages within.
Her figure flickered through time. Mei appeared on the desolate mountain. Instantly, everything related to this world became accessible to her. Simultaneously, the power of All Concepts descended.
Mei, upon descending into this world, instantaneously permeated its past and future, becoming an eternal presence within it, free from all causal entanglement.
Unlike other Void Wanderers, although Mei descended at the same time as them, from that very moment of descent, she had existed since the world's inception.
The interface updated with a new prompt.
【Advancement Mission · Phase One: This is an exceptionally ancient and powerful world. Lacking extensive knowledge of it, and requiring caution, it would be wise to first join a sect. Proceeding afterward would not be too late.】
【Mission Reward: 2500 Points】
【Mission commencing】
...
【Name: Mei】
【Grade: Tier 2】
【Points: 1,367,600】
【Pet: Shiro ·LV50 (Tier 7)】
【Abilities: Primordial Daemon ·LV40, Limit Break ·LV10, Super Burst ·LV15, Veritas ·None】
【Items: Personal Spatial Storage ·Universe, Chapter of Gaia, Tyrant's Heart, True ·Death Substitute *1, True ·Source Annihilation *2, Tier 8 ticket *1, Demon-Quelling Manifestation...】
...
Joining a sect.
Mei temporarily ignored the Main Mission on her interface. All Concepts transcended the Past, Present, and Future, manifesting in her eternal form at the dawn of the chaotic primordial world.
Gloomy.
Quiet.
Profound.
The void was filled with chaotic, lawless primordial energy. The darkness was vast and limitless, occasionally pierced by streaks of divine light.
"Roar!"
Immense Taichu energy swept through, as if the body seamlessly integrated with the primordial chaos, its terrifying aura capable of crushing all heavens and myriad realms.
An aura absolutely not below Tier 7!
Such an aura…
Thousands of them ceaselessly pulsed within the primordial chaos!
Mei stood in the void, the power of All Concepts suppressing the chaos. Veritas absolutely surpassed Tier 7, and the 3000 Demon Gods were terrified.
"Hah, fellow friend has quite the skill!"
A dark light phantom emerged from the chaos beside Mei. Although wary of Mei's strength, it showed no fear or retreat.
"In the primordial chaos, there's a being like you. I've never encountered you before."
Mei said nothing.
She merely gave the dark light phantom a casual glance. Its strength was decent, among the best of the 3000 Demon Gods. Its true form was quite bizarre.
Very normal.
Innate Demon Gods were all grotesque.
The two stood silently in the void.
Waiting for something unknown.
The calculations for the primordial chaos were less than five days. After an unknown passage of time, a terrifying sound echoed through the chaos. Then, the primordial chaos churned ceaselessly.
This was a great battle.
The Innate Demon Gods were almost completely wiped out.
Amidst the blood and gore, Mei and the dark light phantom remained motionless. In the distance, a vastly imposing figure, radiating chaotic pressure, emerged.
Its huge eyes stared directly at Mei and the phantom, filled with arrogance and murderous intent. But after a moment of hesitation, that magnificent being ultimately retreated.
After an unknown further period of time.
Boom!
Suddenly, a flash of lightning pierced through all things within the Chaos. In an instant, the boundless gave rise to the ultimate, Taiji generated the Two Polarities, the Two Polarities generated the Four Symbols, and the Four Symbols generated all creation.
The majestic figure, using the power of the 3000 Demon Gods, exerted all its strength to cleave the chaos. Pure energy rose, turbid energy sank, and in the midst of the evolution of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind, a world took form.
At this moment,
That massive body finally withered and collapsed. As it fell, its flesh, blood, bones, essence, spirit, and soul all transformed into parts of the world.
Mountains, rivers, vast lands, lakes, the sun, moon, and stars all appeared.
Thus,
The world was opened!
At the dawn of the world, myriad Innate beings were born one after another. The essence, spirit, and soul of the world-creator nourished all things. Mountains, rivers, seas, grasses, trees, metals, and stones could all manifest Innate sentience at this time.
For a time,
The world teemed with life, and all things contended.
To the east, purple mists filled the sky. The first ray of light at the world's dawn transformed into an Innate being, its aura staining the mountains, its immortal essence misty, its flawless body untouched by dust or smoke.
To the west, mountains collapsed and the earth split. A colossal stone giant abruptly rose from the ground, shaking heaven and earth, scaring away flocks of birds and beasts.
To the south, an ancient tree transformed into a priest, enlightening flowers, grasses, and trees in the wild forest to become spirits. In a flash, it had already become a land of Monster Spirits.
To the north, a black ox transformed into a dark-faced brute, possessing three heads and six arms. Its enormous body seemed to prop up the sky and tread the earth, causing all creatures in its path to scatter in terror.
The creator of the world not only transformed into the rivers and mountains of the world. After its light extinguished, its entire being—blood, bones, essence, spirit, and soul—also transformed into various heavenly treasures within the world.
These were Innate treasures.
Streaks of light scattered in all directions. The Innate Demon Gods who had miraculously survived the great battle now wielded divine light and powers, scrambling to seize these Innate treasures.
The energy of slaughter filled the heavens.
All things were awakened.
A precious sword streaked through the void. Mei, moving at the fastest speed, pursued it, intercepting the sword before everyone else. The moment her hand grasped the sword,
The crowd of Innate beings and Innate Demon Gods immediately scattered like frightened birds.
The precious sword possessed sentience.
The moment it rested in her hand, Mei instantly knew its name:
Cloud Water Sword.
Forged from the raw slaughter energy of the world-creator, it was an Innate artifact, the world's foremost killing tool. Its power was immense; nothing short of a Taikyoku could resist its edge.
Tier 8.
This world was called Taikyoku.
If it was a Taikyoku realm, and if the world-creator had reforged Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind, possessing the power to reshape this reality, able to manifest laws with mere words, transcending Calamity, enduring myriad eons indestructible.
The sheer vastness of this world was incomparable to ordinary dimensions. Primordial chaos transformed into a round sky and square earth. The four extremes of this realm were immeasurably distant, beyond the reach of ordinary beings.
A flower representing a world, a leaf representing Bodhi. The size difference between ordinary universes and this Taikyoku world was immeasurable and incalculable in its totality.
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Only such a Taikyoku realm could endure its myriad eons indestructible; ordinary beings were mere dust. This demonstrated the terrifying power of the Cloud Water Sword, an Innate artifact.
It could wound a Taikyoku.
Furthermore,
That mere slaughter energy could transform into an Innate artifact capable of harming a Taikyoku within the world revealed just how astonishing the world-creator's power was.
It wasn't as simple as just being a Taikyoku of all things.
A gentle breeze wafted.
The world was vast.
In the primordial chaos, besides the Innate beings, the world was a boundless, ignorant expanse. Ferocious beasts rampaged, causing mountains to crumble, the earth to split, and seas to be filled by their actions.
Birds soared through the clear sky, their wings obscuring the sun and moon.
Killing energy permeated the world.
Suddenly, heavenly thunder crackled, and a sweet rain fell. Flowers, grasses, and trees sprouted. A strange, long snake with two horns meandered by, coiling itself around a tree branch.
Boom!
Heavenly thunder struck.
The long snake met it head-on, transforming into a Golden Dragon amidst the thunder. A clear, prolonged cry shook heaven and earth, its slender body, imbued with ethereal, ancient energy, piercing straight into the clouds.
"Screech!"
A sharp, bloodthirsty cry.
An unawakened golden eagle, controlling divine light, swooped down, leaving a golden trail in its wake, its speed like a streak of golden lightning.
Yet, despite its potent divine power, it was still a beast, unable to discern fortune from danger, ignoring the Innate beings who dared not provoke Mei.
Mei intended to test the might of the Cloud Water Sword.
Mei swung her sword.
In an instant,
Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind were reconstituted, returning to their Yin and Yang forms. Slaughter filled the world, striking fear into all things. A bright sword light flashed, effortlessly cleaving the beast.
With the Cloud Water Sword in hand, even without manifesting Demon-Quelling, Mei could unleash Tier 8 Taikyoku-level power. In the hands of a true Taikyoku, its power would only be greater.
A bewildered Innate being, passing through, unexpectedly witnessed this scene. It trembled in fright and hastily fled.
"There's great terror here; we shouldn't linger!"
Only then,
Did the Upgrade Task slowly arrive.
【Target detected】
【Authority installation in progress】
【Installation completed】
【Entering random selection】
【Random selection: Path of Taikyoku】
...
【Upgrade Task 1: Obtain Taiji energy, Path of Taikyoku completion 1/5.】
【Upgrade Task 2: Obtain Taesu energy, Path of Taikyoku completion 1/5.】
【Upgrade Task 3: Obtain Taishui energy, Path of Taikyoku completion 1/5.】
【Upgrade Task 4: Obtain Taichu energy, Path of Taikyoku completion 1/5.】
【Upgrade Task 5: Obtain Taiyi energy, Path of Taikyoku completion 1/5.】
...
This time, the Upgrade Tasks were vastly different from before; there were only 5 instead of the usual 10.
It didn't matter.
Mei was very satisfied with this immediate selection.
Path of Taikyoku.
The path to Tier 8.
This time, Mei only needed to complete 5 Upgrade Tasks to achieve ultimate completion of her Path of Taikyoku, attaining the position of a Tier 8 Taikyoku.
"Innate Five Primes."
The energies in the Upgrade Tasks referred to the five states of the world before it fully opened, collectively known as the Innate Five Primes. As long as Mei gathered all Innate Five Primes, she could step into Tier 8 Taikyoku.
The energy of the Innate Five Primes undoubtedly still existed after the world opened, but the world was vast, and the Innate Five Primes were transcendent, beyond the world's manifested forms. Even Mei couldn't easily locate them.
If the Five Primes' energies had transformed into spiritual treasures, or developed sentience,
That might make them easier to find.
Furthermore,
If Mei completed the Path of Taikyoku in this world and stepped into Tier 8, it meant that the potential of her as-yet-unmanifested Willpower Vessel would be further enhanced.
If Mei successfully manifested her Willpower Vessel at Tier 8, utilizing the Willpower Vessel to shatter all limitations via Ideal, she could leap directly into Tier 9.
The path to Tier 9...was within immediate reach!
"Fellow friend, what an incredible treasure you hold."
The dark light phantom, with whom Mei had become acquainted in the chaos, remained in its usual form, unwilling to reveal its true appearance. Its laughter was filled with carefree ease and boldness.
"How about I trade this gourd for the treasured sword in your hand?"
The dark light phantom held a red gourd. Its intrinsic strength was considerable; although it couldn't seize the Cloud Water Sword, it had acquired another Innate artifact.
Aside from the dark light phantom, no one knew what divine powers that gourd possessed. If one wasn't cautious, they could easily be caught entirely off guard.
Mei remained silent.
Her expression was perfectly placid.
In the stillness,
The dark light phantom then shook its head, displaying an exuberant expression: "If a trade isn't desired, then so be it. Besides, this world is vastly different from that primordial chaos. It is truly fascinating!"
It possessed mountains and rivers.
And myriad living beings.
The primordial chaos had always been utterly silent and profound; how could it possibly compare to such a vibrant realm? The dark light phantom, for one, had absolutely no desire to return to the chaos.
It was profoundly boring there.
Considering the world-creator,
The dark light phantom again addressed Mei: "Fellow friend, it seems our greatest opportunities lie within this world. If we can achieve ultimate completion, we might even ascend to become like that world-creator."
Mei still said nothing.
She merely looked up towards the nine heavens.
The dark light phantom seemed to sense something mirroring her gaze. Suddenly, boundless colorful light appeared above the nine heavens, and streaks of golden light descended, showering upon all living beings in the world.
After the old tree, transformed into a priest, enlightened countless flowers, grasses, and trees, the golden light showered down, and a golden halo of merit appeared behind him.
Instantly,
Auspicious clouds surged, and green lotuses bloomed.
At the same time, the old man's cultivation rose rapidly. The old man was slightly surprised but didn't pay it much heed, continuing instead to educate the spirits in the wild forests.
Compared to the old man's calm demeanor, some individuals' faces turned ashen. Not only had they failed to receive any merit, but they also showed a deficit.
"Hahahahaha!"
The dark light phantom laughed heartily.
"Fellow friend, it seems this merit system is a specific opportunity for beings like us. Entering this world means carrying merit. If you show a deficit, justice will certainly find you!"
Heaven gives birth to all things to nourish myriad beings, and beings must naturally return favor to the world. It's acceptable not to accumulate good merit, but if one audaciously creates evil karma, then don't expect to survive the next Calamity.
The merit and karmic debt bestowed upon this world were entirely different from ordinary karma. Once a living being entered this world, all their actions were clearly judged by the world itself.
Those who acted virtuously accrued merit.
Those who acted wantonly accumulated karmic debt.
Life and death during the Calamity would be determined accordingly.
Even a Taikyoku, capable of enduring myriad eons while remaining indestructible, could not escape merit and karmic debt. This was the world's inherent constraint upon all living beings, and simultaneously, a tremendous opportunity for them.
If one could seize it effectively,
This was an opportunity for transcendence!
At the dawn of the world, even without considering the surviving Innate Demon Gods, among the first cohort of Innate beings born during the world's creation, many had reached Tier 7.
How profound was the power of the world-creator?
The Innate beings nurtured directly from the world's very flesh, blood, bones, essence, spirit, and soul were naturally not inferior. They too possessed the qualification to contend for transcendence in this grand opportunity.
Merit?
However,
Mei paid it no mind.
If the world constrained living beings with merit, then naturally, living beings could not easily destroy this world. The greater the accumulated merit, the more one would uphold the world's established order.
Mei would not accept such restrictions. She possessed her own path to transcendence. Why should she be bound by this world's system, whether through merit or karmic debt?
She cared not at all.
Compared to the myriad beings and even future Taikyoku, from a certain perspective, Mei's situation could still be considered a form of transcendence; she was utterly unconstrained by the world.
Light flooded the sky.
As merit descended,
A faint, mysterious, and ineffable aura of the world emerged, something more profound than an Innate artifact, as if it were the very manifestation of the world itself.
The dark light phantom followed the source of the world aura with its gaze.
"This is?"
It didn't even finish its sentence.
Mei's figure had already vanished on the spot. Such divine power truly left the dark light phantom in awe. To be honest, from the chaos to the opening of the world, it hadn't encountered anyone more mysterious than Mei.
That one glance from the world-creator was certainly not out of fear of its mere Innate Demon God self.
It was out of fear of Mei.
Were there other paths to transcendence beyond the Taikyoku?
Clearly, though both were under Taikyoku, he didn't understand why Mei could suppress a group of Innate Demon Gods. This was a level the dark light phantom was unfamiliar with.
Taking a step.
Mei immediately located the source of the mysterious world aura. On the vast, desolate land, a luxuriant, emerald Ancient Vine tree abruptly sprouted, reaching to connect with the heavens.
It was like a pillar holding up the sky.
Broad leaves swayed in the wind, and tendrils hung down from the clouds. As it swayed, winds rose and clouds surged, emanating a soul-stirring aura. More importantly,
A trace of hazy, dusty energy lingered on the Ancient Vine. Amidst the swirling grey mist, the world itself trembled, as if resounding with the sound of the supreme Great World.
This grey mist was the root.
A profound glint flashed in Mei's eyes.
"Taiji energy."
The Boundless gives rise to the Ultimate; Taiji generates the Two Polarities. Taiji is the final stage of the Innate Five Primes; the energy it manifests is perceived as the root source of the world.
Unexpectedly,
She had already found one of the Innate Five Primes.
The Ancient Vine swayed violently, Taiji energy frantically trying to withdraw from it, not yet fully escaped. Seeing someone approach, it panicked as if startled.
For a moment, it was flustered, only managing to frantically and continuously retract itself from the Ancient Vine. Mei found this truly interesting.
As the Taiji energy fled in distress, the Ancient Vine swayed violently, its leaves rustling too fiercely, faintly revealing a round white object hidden within one of its leaves.
Just at this moment,
Streaks of divine light and auras arrived from all directions. First, an elderly man with the demeanor of an immortal master, then a young man like wind and jade, wielding a sword.
These two moved much faster than anyone else; they were the two Innate beings in this world whose cultivation was closest to Mei's.
The old man had a benevolent face.
"I am Immeasurable. May I ask the names of you two?"
Mei casually offered a name.
"Boundless."
The sword-wielding young man replied with a smile to the old man.
"Spirit Void."
Such Innate beings, from the very beginning of their manifestation, could observe and roam the river of time, undying even through Calamities. Thus, they were innately sentient and knew their own names.
They all possessed the power to traverse the Past, Present, and Future, bearing the eternal mark of eternity, including the Innate Demon Gods in the chaos.
Of course,
This only meant they could perceive the future to a certain extent. If too many people knew the future and actively interacted with it, the future itself would become unpredictable.
Only those standing on a higher plane could see more clearly. If one made a single wrong move, the orchestrator could become a pawn, falling into ruin.
Whoever could first achieve Taikyoku would first become the game-player of this world.
Immeasurable and Spirit Void were vaguely extremely wary of Mei. This person's cultivation surpassed theirs by a level, their strength unfathomable.
Hum—
Then,
Golden light showered down across the world. A middle-aged man, bearing a halo of merit, approached. With each step, golden springs surged from the earth, auspicious clouds gathered, and green lotuses swayed.
What a show-off.
Among those bearing merit in the field, he was not necessarily the only one, yet no one else shone so brightly. The man smiled and said, "Greetings, everyone. My name is Wheel."
At the same time,
Ten thousand streaks of light descended, and a gentle, graceful figure drifted by. Clad in mists and rainbow-hued silks, an ethereal, cool voice emerged from the hazy light.
"Azure, a pleasure to meet you all."
She was the Innate being born from the first ray of light in this world.
Azure.
Boom!
A bolt of purple lightning descended from the clouds, transforming into a human form. It was a man with sharp features, dressed in purple robes, his nature somewhat forthright.
"Violet Firmament, a pleasure to meet you all!"
This person's origin was significant; he was the Innate being formed from the first bolt of lightning during the world's creation, not to be compared with ordinary Innate beings.
However, all those who arrived here first, before the manifestation of Taiji energy, were extraordinary individuals. And those who hadn't appeared here did not necessarily mean they were much weaker than this group.
Before long,
As Taiji energy was about to fully manifest in the world,
Everyone's expressions grew serious, preparing to unleash their magical artifacts and divine powers at any moment. This was a crucial opportunity, not to be missed.
In this tense atmosphere,
Mei showed no fear of becoming a target. Ignoring everyone, she took a step forward, first manifesting the Cloud Water Sword and suspending it in mid-air. In an instant, Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind returned to Yin and Yang.
The sword aura was terrifying.
Absolutely irresistible.
Immeasurable and Spirit Void's expressions changed, and they decisively retreated. The others, a step slower, seemed somewhat discomfited. Even with magical artifacts and divine powers, they were almost wounded by the sword aura.
"What treasure is this, its power so astonishing!"
Violet Firmament exclaimed in horror.
This sword aura was fiercer than his Violet Firmament divine thunder!
Merely the descending sword aura forced all five of them back in discomfiture. Immeasurable and Spirit Void certainly knew the power of this treasured sword, but the true terror lay with Boundless.
Spirit Void's sword intent surged.
How formidable was this person's sword aura!
Mei ignored the others, her expression completely unperturbed as she stepped before the Ancient Vine tree, hooking the last of the Taiji energy that had escaped the vine into her palm.
No matter how frantically it scattered, it couldn't escape.
Taiji energy.
Acquired.
