Defiance of the Fall Chapter 1424: Coronation

Innumerable Dragon Veins sprawled across the primordial wilderness, channeling their boon of extended life toward the surface world. They truly formed the bedrock upon which civilizations stood. Be they humans or beasts, once basic needs found fulfillment, a hunger for greater depths stirred. When fleeting mortal endeavors lost their appeal, seekers turned to the starry vaults above or the depths within themselves.

Dragon Veins unlocked the mysteries of cultivation, reshaping ordinary dirt into revered Holy Lands that charted the road to Eternity. Far beyond rivers and fertile ground, these veins dictated the rise of cities and beastly lairs. At least, that stood as the intended order.

Directed by a celestial Heavenly mandate, wisps of spiritual essence peeled away from the veins, embarking on solitary journeys. Meager alone, they multiplied into hordes. Endless wisps converged in unison, spanning inconceivable voids to heed the summons. Brooks joined to form rivulets, rivulets swelled into seventeen colossal rivers.

Nearly every facet of the Heavenly Dao gained presence there. Such a phenomenon proved scarce amid a Cosmic Order where domains bowed to particular Heavenly Kingdoms. All headed to an isolated peak mantled in mystical mists. The mount shared its largesse with nearby lands, birthing a miniature realm harmonious with the Boundless Path.

Seasons cycled and years flew by until alteration struck. The forceful pull morphed into a subtle draw, lightening the load on the Dragon Veins. The unseen canopy over the broad territory steadily pulled back toward the mystic mountain. With the field's contraction, Karz’s foggy awareness honed itself once more. Once the canopy hugged solely his mountain, full awareness returned.

“Five hundred years, gone in the blink of an eye,” Karz muttered, his stare drifting afar as he adjusted to time’s relentless march.

This seclusion marked his longest yet, though it still rang hollow. He’d have pressed on save for his soul hitting its brink. Further strain might shatter his ego, surrendering his gains back to the void.

Karz’s eyebrows knit as he examined his realm’s evolutions. Gains lagged further, bereft of quick cures. Longing swelled for bygone eras, just after forging his Inner World. Power had climbed since, but the realm shrank in scope. Such stagnation might stem from the perils of roots taking hold.

His Heavenly Sigils merged into his Inner World the instant he crossed that pivotal line, marking him distinct from standard Void Heralds. Fellow Void Heralds’ Inner Worlds amounted to partial realms of confined breadth, shackled by their masters’ Dao grasp and settings. Karz evaded such binds.

Karz knew his prowess fell short of the genuine article. His Grand Dao bowed to the wisdom woven into the Heavenly Sigils, whereas real Celestials tapped the Heavens’ might directly. Even so, it chiefly served as a gimmick yielding modest perks. Take, for one, how his Inner World cultivated and sustained Natural Treasures spanning all seventeen Heavenly Kingdoms.

Of greater note, the sigils formed the base for the power Karz stirred post-ascension. Imitating Heaven’s Mandate through them, he could project his domain over vast gulfs. Per Laondio, it lagged Supremacy vastness, yet eclipsed Void Herald potentials by leaps.

Karz dubbed this power his Heavenly Dome, rendering it pivotal to his cultivation journey. Elevating the Heavenly Sigils proved gruelingly tough upon reaching Perfected Lord. Needed components scarce graced auctions, forever under prying eyes. Though sigils birthed Heavenly Treasures at will, such displays invited probing queries.

A few lingered in the Serene Sea Sect’s vaults, but familiar woes persisted. Covetous elders wielded premium goods as lures for grunt work. Karz might stomach ages of labor, yet wanted ties for elite tasks. Barred from better paths, he braved the Thousand Beasts Ridge’s perils or hauled goods to remote bazaars for sale.

The Heavenly Dome overcame these limitations by enabling him to draw energy from Dragon Veins spanning enormous distances. Although their spirituality lacked the profound, refined truths found in Natural Treasures, it delivered pristine essence drawn straight from the Cosmos. Earthly Taint held no threat for him. The very power that introduced him to the world of Cultivation had intensified over time, allowing him to neutralize any impurities with ease.

With sufficient Dragon Veins as nourishment, his Heavenly Sigils advanced gradually yet reliably. This formed a reinforcing loop. As the sigils strengthened, Karz expanded the reach of his Heavenly Dome further. He no longer had to battle Beasts or rival Daoists to propel his cultivation forward.

After countless years of exhausting himself, Karz embraced this slower rhythm gladly. None but a fool would hazard their life when safer paths to advancement existed. In bygone eras, such brazen plundering of spirituality from Dragon Veins in every direction would have spelled Karz's doom. These veins served as the lifeblood of powerful factions, who would detect anomalies swiftly. Even Laondio's concealment efforts couldn't prevent sleuths from eventually tracking the streams back to their hideout.

The massive calamity struck at precisely the perfect juncture.

Sages dubbed it the conclusion of a Minor Cycle tied to Heaven's renewal. The completion of a Heavenly Kingdom unleashed cataclysmic shifts in the River of Destiny. Dynasties bound to the ancient regime watched their providence crumble. Sects disintegrated, clans tumbled, and whole species vanished. The resulting turmoil created the exact opening Karz and Laondio required.

As the Serene Sea Sect crumbled, its Sect Master bequeathed his treasures to his favored disciple, Laondio Evrodok. Rather than rally those assets for a resurgence, Laondio guided Karz and a band of faithful retainers deep into Thousand Beasts Ridge. They had remained concealed ever since, even as the world clawed back toward stability.

And why surface? The disaster ravaged far beyond Cultivators alone. Numerous ridges stood abandoned, while fresh ones proliferated like mushrooms after a downpour. By striking at the ideal moment with deft bladework, they claimed a sacred haven worthy of a Celestial. Their stronghold had flourished ever more gloriously since, emerging as a brilliant jewel within the ruins of old Thousand Beasts Ridge.

Emerging from the concealed cave at his palace's rear, Karz teleported straight to his observation platform. The vast city spreading across his mountain's slopes had swelled markedly during his seclusion. Mortals now wandered the thoroughfares openly—a scenario unimaginable when they first entered the Grand Expanse.

This sight sparked no delight in Karz; irritation surged instead. From lavish estates to the shanties fringing the city, all leeched off his own constraints. To harvest potent spirituality, the Heavenly Dome demanded a vast expanse. No matter his hunger, Karz simply couldn't absorb the full torrent alone. He claimed only a sliver for himself, scattering the remainder across the domain.

This also honored the law of equivalent exchange. To sidestep Heavenly retribution, Karz purified the energy just enough before releasing it beyond the mountain. In this manner, he restored what he harvested, upholding the Heavenly Cycle.

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A firm knock at the door snapped Karz back to the moment. He hadn't concealed his return, so his steward lingered nearby. Benion appeared unchanged from five centuries past. Clearly, he'd surmounted the barrier to become a Lord. Karz nodded faintly in approval. He'd offered only sparse guidance through the years, yet few rivaled his deep comprehension of the Heavenly Dao.

Should Benion still falter in breaking through amid the estate's enriching aura, Karz might as well swap him out for a swine.

“Come in,” Karz said.

“Congratulations on your successful cultivation, Emperor Evrodok,” Benion said with a deep bow.

The atmosphere chilled across the observation deck as Karz turned slowly. “What did you just call me?”

“I’m sorry, my Lord!” Benion dropped to his knees beneath Karz’s lethal glare. “Please punish this servant as you see fit!”

Karz drew a deep breath to quell the urge to strike without thought. Benion had managed the estate for two thousand years as the prior steward's direct heir. His devotion was unwavering, and Karz sensed his bewilderment rang true. Thus, another hand pulled the strings behind that dire title.

“Did you need something?” Karz said, quashing the mounting disquiet.

“The Grand Chancellor has requested an audience at your convenience.”

“I understand,” Karz grunted. The odd title was unfamiliar, yet only one individual could possibly claim it.

Was it finally time?

Karz ripped open space itself and materialized above a modest woodland bordering his mountain. In stark contrast to the revered fame of his peak, this forest lay largely ignored by the city's ordinary folk. Just a handful were aware of the pavilion nestled at its heart, and even fewer recognized the inhabitant within.

While Karz's star of providence ascended during his stint in the Serene Sea Sect, Laondio watched his own genius halo dim. Laondio's master himself attributed it to the boundaries of his destined path and shifted focus to grooming him as the upcoming Sect Master. Only Karz grasped the real story. As Laondio withdrew deeper into obscurity, his abilities swelled into something truly terrifying.

Their city's ongoing safety and unchallenged state owed itself plainly to Laondio Evrodok. His escalating prowess in swaying human minds and altering history's flow allowed Karz to boldly siphon from numerous Dragon Veins. With fresh owners claiming them all, nobody noticed the minor dip in output. Nor did anyone bother probing the odd traces under the Thousand Beasts Ridge.

On certain days, Karz pondered whether the mild-mannered scholar had orchestrated the massive disaster. After all, the Kingdom of Man had achieved flawless completion. Now, with the slate wiped clean and veterans erased, even Void Heralds could seize vital cultivation treasures. Laondio stood as the supreme victor in Fate's contest, with advantages cascading to Karz as well.

Karz remained unaware of Laondio entering seclusion, and that held true today. Yet the man wasn't tinkering with gadgets this occasion. Laondio positioned himself in front of a stele bearing two inscribed characters. They radiated grandeur and potential that aligned perfectly with Karz's tastes, reigniting a spark of his faded enthusiasm. Nonetheless, Karz spared the stele just a quick look before turning to his longtime ally.

“What’s this about, then? Possession?” Karz demanded as a halo formed from eleven supreme swords materialized behind him.

Every sword bore a Heavenly Sigil. The remaining six merged flawlessly into a supreme rune upon Karz’s brow. Six incarnations marked his present ceiling. Bolstered by his sigil-infused blades, he could fell even Divine Heralds.

This day justified his relentless cultivation push over endless years, without a single pause. For good or ill, Karz remained bound to Laondio’s chariot. Lacking his support, Karz's progress would stall completely. He'd long anticipated the reckoning, and readiness was essential.

“Ever the pessimist,” Laondio remarked with a resigned head shake. “I’m perfectly content in my own body, thank you.”

“If so, why does my servant believe my name is Evrodok? Evrodok, even,” Karz snarled.

“Benion and the other youngsters might not protest being called servants. Still, doesn’t it diminish your bond unnecessarily?” Laondio chided mildly. “Why hide the tenderness beneath that iron shell? You’re fully capable of taking disciples, and you’ve got the knack for it.”

“I don’t see you heeding your own words with that Indra girl,” Karz noted, advancing a step. “And quit dodging. What’s going on here? What plot are you brewing now? What’s the Limitless Empire?”

“It’s yours, if you desire it,” Laondio grinned.

Karz scrutinized the stele intently for any snares. Detecting none, he expanded his inspection across the entire courtyard. “What do you mean? Planning to adopt me and hand over a sham empire?”

“Sham? Your subjects await right past the treeline,” Laondio chuckled. “Recall our first encounter?”

“Clinging to that fantasy? The Cosmos is brutally unjust,” Karz snorted, tracing Laondio’s line of sight. “What right does a mortal hold to chase Eternity? Most of the rabble you’ve collected will perish in my next seclusion.”

“But some will endure. And those who left too soon will have ignited hope's flame in their heirs,” Laondio replied softly. “You’ve already savored the rewards of their labor.”

Karz conceded that Laondio’s side endeavor offered real gains. After fifty millennia of grueling cultivation, his estate ranked as a Holy Mountain. The younger devotees especially offered prayers to the “mountain god,” and their incense sustained Karz's sense of identity amid his mind's vast expansion into the Heavenly Dome.

Rare and extraordinary treasures somehow always ended up in the city, no matter the method. Fortunate adventurers hauled their bounties to the markets, while clans moved in with their Dao reserves. A celestial stone once plummeted from the heavens and crashed directly onto Karz’s doorstep. Such occurrences would seem ordinary enough, except for their unnaturally high frequency. Laondio pulled at the threads of fate itself to collect providence.

“The groundwork is laid. Land, allies, riches, and legacy—we possess it all,” Laondio declared, giving a nod toward the stele. “We’re nearly prepared to reveal ourselves to the world, and I hope you’ll stand as the Empire’s cornerstone. No one captures our vision more perfectly than you.”

Karz stayed silent, directing his swords toward his longtime comrade instead.

“My friend, I confess I’ve harbored a hidden agenda in aiding you all this time,” Laondio grinned, unfazed by the hostility aimed his way. “But it’s not what you imagine. Though I’d love to claim all the ancestral offerings for myself, I must hold back. Some powers won’t tolerate my goals, shoving me into the darkness. With you in the spotlight carrying my banner, we’ll split the triumphs equally.”

“Someone hunting you down? The Selvari maybe? They surely resent a cultivator with such a fearsome affinity to the Kingdom of Man stirring trouble in the colonies. Word is they’ve appeared nearby lately,” Karz inquired suspiciously.

“Just a few overseers inspecting their stakes, nothing serious,” Laondio chuckled casually. “Rest easy—the Selvari won’t hinder our plans.”

“The Cosmos’s overlords pose no issue? How reassuring,” Karz retorted, sarcasm thick in his tone.

The revelation had stunned him: the Grand Expanse, steeped in ancient legacy, vast territories without end, and endless prospects, turned out to be merely a distant outpost of a colossal force from across the stars. The Serene Sea Sect lacked the standing to deal with the Selvari’s mighty houses, yet Karz understood that the expanse’s top sects all sent tributes.

Karz doubted the Technocrats would loosen their grip on the continent post-cataclysm. They’d simply prop up fresh lineages to extract gains. The sole reason they avoided full domination was the region’s isolated position.

“Their path leads nowhere, I guarantee it. It might have ruled as the Kingdom of Progress in past cycles, but this era belongs to Man,” Laondio affirmed with absolute confidence.

“Why dream up an empire when you must hide in the shadows? I don’t want that scrutiny either,” Karz grumbled. “What’s faulty with the current path?”

“Stagnation won’t suffice—for the Cosmos or for us,” Laondio replied. “Your Dao demands vast resources to advance, and I sense you’re nearing a bottleneck. You’ve witnessed how the city extends your reach like limbs. An empire stretches even further. Someday, it will span all realms of being.”

Twenty minutes of quiet passed before Karz let out a sigh. “What exactly would be required of me? You know administration isn’t my strength.”

“Do you take me for a fool?” Laondio laughed. “Haven’t I assembled skilled subordinates exactly for that? More aides will arrive shortly too.”

“Then what’s my role? Perch on a throne looking imposing?”

“You need only accomplish one task: grow unrivaled and personify the Empire’s essence,” Laondio stated. “None but the mightiest beneath the Heavens can claim the title of Limitless Emperor.”

“Limitless Emperor?” Karz echoed softly, eyes fixed on the stele. “That has a nice ring to it.”