Defiance of the Fall Chapter 1426: Peak

The boundary between past and present blurred as the vision concluded. The sensation of rumbling skies, a memory that preceded his slumber, swiftly brought Zac back to awareness. He jolted to his feet within the hidden vault, deep beneath the earth, preparing himself for a cataclysm that never materialized. The tribulation he had sensed just before losing consciousness left no trace. Only a faint Heavenly essence lingering in the air served as confirmation that he hadn't imagined the premonition.

With the immediate danger of a Void-enhanced tribulation averted, Zac’s focus couldn't help but drift to his bloodline vision. Much like preceding fragments of Karz’s experiences, this vision offered scant answers while posing a multitude of new inquiries. These pressing questions, however, would have to be deferred. He hadn't forgotten the primary reason for undertaking such a perilous endeavor. Although accelerating his bloodline advancement would undoubtedly yield significant future advantages, the breakthrough itself was fundamentally a stepping stone towards a greater objective.

A quick mental assessment revealed that he had been unconscious for approximately an hour. The absence of any sensation akin to an overflowing keg was a positive sign, and a preliminary examination yielded further encouraging news. His audacious gamble had paid off in ways Zac hadn't dared to anticipate. An ethereal pressure permeated his Quantum Space, which had notably contracted.

Furthermore, the influx of energy from the Cosmic Sea had diminished substantially. By activating his bloodline, he had managed to cease it entirely. Zac didn't sustain this particular state for long. His Quantum Space, still vastly exceeding the expected dimensions, had become more resilient due to the minor compression resulting from his breakthrough. This was undoubtedly linked to his Duplicity Core, which persisted in drawing power.

The circumstances were more favorable than anticipated. If the situation demanded it, Zac felt confident in his ability to destabilize the subspace and utilize spatial forces to compress his Cosmic Core. The pertinent question was whether such a drastic measure was even necessary. Surprisingly, the pressure generated by his bloodline’s awakening had already accomplished half the task. The core was less than half its initial size compared to an hour prior, with distinct segments exhibiting signs of natural consolidation.

The core, still in a distended state, required further compression, and the window of opportunity was narrowing. With the immediate threat of his core being overwhelmed by extraneous energy resolved, the remaining challenge was the duration of his breakthrough. He had deliberately prolonged the process to allow his Quantum Space to destabilize naturally, a period now extending over a month. His Cosmic Core was beginning to lose its inherent pliability. Each passing moment would exponentially increase the difficulty of the final compression.

Finding no pending matters requiring consolidation, Zac promptly deactivated the seal on the hidden treasury. By the time he emerged, the external upheaval had subsided, yet the surrounding district was virtually unrecognizable. The majestic ruins that had withstood the final days of the Limitless Empire were obliterated by his breakthrough. Vast craters and corrupted scars marred the landscape. His Void Vortices had absorbed not only the stored treasures but also a mountain of raw materials necessary for his ascent.

A significant portion of the devastation stemmed from malfunctioning arrays, mirroring the chaos previously witnessed at the Centurion Lighthouse. Zac carefully traversed the ravaged terrain, making his way back to the memory domain of Dome Lake. The location of his breakthrough remained pristine, untouched by both celestial forces and the external pandemonium. Intriguingly, its Imperial Faith seemed amplified compared to its previous state.

Passing through the protective barrier, Zac entered the tranquil environment of Dome Lake’s restorative mists, the harsh surroundings replaced by an immediate sense of calm. He proceeded directly to his island, where a profoundly agitated toad awaited his arrival.

“Maniac! What in the blazes have you been doing?!”

“I informed you, I needed to advance my bloodline. You're aware my breakthroughs tend to be somewhat tumultuous,” Zac responded, perplexed by the toad's extreme reaction. While the external situation was dire, it shouldn't have been enough to completely unnerve an experienced individual like Esmeralda.

“That’s not what I’m referring to! What did you do to provoke the Heavens so severely? How are you even alive?” Esmeralda demanded, her voice laced with disbelief. “I've witnessed Dao Defenses draw far less animosity than you managed to attract.”

“There was genuinely a tribulation?” Zac questioned, a frown creasing his brow.

“Are you implying you were oblivious to it? Is that even conceivable? Just observe!” Esmeralda exclaimed, initiating a playback of a recording.

The initial segment displayed a sky shrouded in ominous clouds, significantly more intense than those he had encountered a month earlier. The image flickered erratically for a few moments. Upon stabilization, the Left Imperial Expanse now bore two new colossal structures at its core. Neither bore resemblance to the pillars of the Outer Courts. One was a gargantuan monolith constructed from Tribulation Lightning, while the other manifested as a sharp geyser of blood. Though the recording failed to capture their true auras, Zac involuntarily took a step back from the unsettling spectacle.

“What in the world was that?” Zac exclaimed, instinctively turning his gaze towards the actual occurring events. Both colossal pillars had vanished, yet something undeniably remained. Flickering lights ascended from the ground, resembling a pillar on the verge of materializing. This spectacle reminded Zac of the Transformation Docks before the memory domain had achieved stability. “Is that the Left Imperial Palace? Why is it appearing now?”

“How would I know?” Esmeralda retorted with an eye roll. “All I know is that the Heavens briefly diverted their attention to you. Then, it surged towards the continent’s heartlands. Actually, the Mercurial Court was spared the brunt of it. The vast majority of the tribulation clouds seemed to originate from the Hollow Court. It felt as if we were merely an afterthought.”

“How can you ascertain that from this distance?” Zac inquired, his bewilderment growing.

He had already exchanged a few words with his other half. His human aspect was confined to the isolated mountain peak and could not investigate further, but the situation was under control. He was unharmed, and the enigmatic Void Tree had vanished. His counterpart would have certainly alerted him if there were any indicators of world-ending tribulations stemming from his location.

“The magnitude of the accumulation was sufficient to influence the entire continent,” Esmeralda stated. “The Heavens were intent on destruction, but they failed to complete their objective. The blood spear emerged from the south. It dissipated the majority of the tribulation clouds, and calmness was restored shortly thereafter.”

“The South? The Indomitable Court?” Zac pondered, a nebulous image of Joanna’s master surfacing in his thoughts. He shook his head. “All of this must wait. I need to finalize matters with my core.”

On the opposite side of the continent, Zac was diligently probing his C-grade Void Emperor Bloodline. The unexpected advancement had materialized unexpectedly, presenting a wealth of details to uncover. Some aspects aligned with his expectations, while others diverged.

Bloodline [C - Corrupted] Void Emperor, [D] Children of Draug - Eoz

Talent Force of the Void - 99%, Void Zone, Void Mountain, Earthly Dome

Bloodline Nodes [D] Void Heart, [D] Spiritual Void, [D] Purity of the Void

Nodes [D] Adamance of Eoz, [D] Conviction of Eoz, [D] Immutability of Eoz, [D] Alpha Link, [D] Omega Link

The most significant surprise was that his Void Emperor Hidden Nodes remained at D-grade. Although their functionality appeared to have seen a minor improvement, it was far from a true evolution. For instance, the purification space of [Purity of the Void] had expanded by a third, and there was no sign of new features awakening. The situation was quite similar for the other Hidden Nodes.

Zac discerned that this was linked to his current status as a Hegemon. The nodes required a fully developed Inner World to unlock their genuine C-grade potential. Fortunately, this limitation did not seem to impede his Bloodline Talents. [Force of the Void] had surged to an astonishing 99%, which could potentially be attributed to the substantial disparity between his Late D-grade cultivation and his C-grade bloodline. Setting aside all other factors, Zac was now sufficiently capable to assist Esmeralda with the heist.

[Void Zone] had undergone both qualitative and quantitative enhancements. Its operational range now extended to nearly 100 meters, and the intensity of its nullification effect was markedly more potent. As before, this increased power demanded a significantly higher energy expenditure. Furthermore, Zac detected an unusual fluctuation emanating from the domain, best described as anti-gravity.

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While further testing was necessary, Zac believed that [Void Zone] had acquired the capacity to counteract the gravitational pull of a Monarch’s world. This newly acquired capability would be crucial when confronting C-grade cultivators, particularly while he remained a Hegemon.

The enhancement to [Void Mountain] was a direct improvement to its infusion capabilities. Additional experimentation would be required to determine if any other changes had occurred. Based on the Bloodline Vision, the primary addition was likely connected to his Inner World in the future. For the present, Zac could confirm that none of his upgraded abilities offered any benefit to his Core Formation.

Everything culminated in his new ability: [Earthly Dome]. Zac had finally acquired a skill that closely mirrored Karz’s original version. There was no need for acclimatization, as he was already intimately familiar with its functions. Zac extended his left hand, and a small, stable Void Vortex materialized above it.

His new Bloodline Talent was, in essence, an old one with added functionalities. It granted him the ability to generate vortices freely. He had possessed the technical capability to do so previously by pushing his bloodline to its absolute limit, but that method was fraught with numerous constraints. There were instances where his attempts to create a vortex had failed. Even when successful, Zac lacked precise control over the vortex he had manifested.

Those shortcomings vanished upon acquiring [Earthly Dome]. He possessed the ability to conjure or displace them with a mere thought, and the reach was phenomenal. The dome, living up to its name, established an unseen territory. As far as Zac could discern, vortices could be generated anywhere within its confines. While it fell far short of the world-encompassing expanse of Karz’s Heavenly Dome, it could encompass his home island several times over.

The capacity to freely manipulate these vortices technically rendered [Earthly Dome] a viable offensive ability. However, employing them in such a manner was fraught with peril. The vortices were akin to spatial portals leading to a Monarch’s Inner World, with the crucial distinction that they would transport adversaries into Zac’s concealed Void Realm. This realm remained beyond his dominion, and there was no predicting the trouble a trapped foe might instigate.

The talent’s intended function leaned closer to Karz’s, yet a significant divergence existed. Karz’s Heavenly Dome had the faculty to draw pristine spirituality from the world’s Nexus Veins. In contrast, his [Earthly Dome] targeted physical substance, mirroring the process of his bloodline advancement. The sole disparity lay in the enhanced degree of command.

Thus, while Karz’s talent impelled him to remain stationary and steadily absorb sustenance from the cosmos, Zac was compelled to do the inverse. [Earthly Dome] would truly demonstrate its prowess when he traversed resource-abundant locales like a consuming swarm, devouring all within its grasp. This suited Zac perfectly and could prove instrumental in rapidly progressing through the Monarchy stage.

The enhanced command over the void vortices yielded an intriguing secondary effect. A second vortex materialized beneath the initial one, and Zac released a stone through it. Shortly thereafter, the identical stone plummeted from the upper vortex. This cycle persisted, with the stone gradually accelerating until it disintegrated. The cause was not velocity, but rather repeated exposure to the Void Realm’s erosive forces.

Although the Void Realm remained unmastered by him, Zac could still ascertain the termination points of the vortices. By positioning these exits adjacent to each other on the far side, he had effectively created a spatial conduit. No, it was superior to a mere spatial gate—it was a passage traversing the Void, thereby inheriting its distinctive characteristics.

Given Zac’s immunity to the Void’s erosion, he would not endure the same detrimental effects as the stone if he were to enter the vortex. Instead of forcefully breaching barriers by augmenting himself with [Void Mountain], Zac could simply manifest a Void Gate and instantaneously transport himself for dozens of miles.

Furthermore, Zac no longer needed to depend on abilities such as [Abyssal Drive] to infiltrate secluded caches. He was even spared the necessity of locating fissures to slip through in an ethereal state. Intact vaults protected by active formations proved futile against [Earthly Dome], provided their barriers did not significantly surpass Zac’s cultivation level. Esmeralda would likely be driven to distraction upon discovering this.

Most critically for Zac’s present situation, the Quantum Space nestled within his Duplicity Core was considered an integral part of his newfound domain. He could directly establish a vortex within it, effectively circumventing the Specialty Core’s lockout.

An initial test swiftly dispelled Zac’s exhilaration from his recent triumph. While he could indeed create an aperture into the Quantum Space, it did not function like the physical unlatching of the Duplicity Core’s mechanism. He could project his mental probes through it, provided they were infused with the Void, and the same applied to physical objects. However, Zac failed to re-energize the Judgment Plateau’s arrays.

Zac surmised the issue was linked to the fundamental nature of [Earthly Dome]. An intangible force, such as the energy comprising an array, could not be translocated; only corporeal items were transferable. Zac glanced at the scorched spires encircling him before sighing. He would have to transport an entire mountain peak through a void vortex if he wished to leverage its arrays in this manner.

Undertaking such a feat was naturally unfeasible, whether due to the constraints of his bloodline or the potential repercussions. Even if it were possible, it would ultimately serve no purpose. The arrays were dependent on the Imperial Faith and the energy supplied by the Left Imperial Expanse to function.

“All of that, and I’ve reverted to explosions?” Zac lamented, his face etched with reluctance.

He could indeed deploy a few explosives, disrupt the surrounding space, and utilize the released energies to finalize his breakthrough. Such a crude conclusion to an otherwise magnificent core formation would invariably leave an imprint on his core. Moreover, there existed the hazard of triggering unforeseen alterations within the Duplicity Core, which was still engrossed in its ongoing process.

Choosing inaction was not a viable option, even with his distended core comfortably accommodating the transformed subspace. For one, there was no certainty that the space would revert to its original dimensions once the Specialty Core concluded its operation. Secondly, the compression was not solely intended to ensure the core’s containment within his body.

The fragmented parts of the Duplicity Core had yet to fully meld together, leaving it in a more unstable condition than even after his mid-battle breakthrough. Activating more demanding abilities caused pieces to detach, threatening to disintegrate the entire structure. Only when the core achieved a solid, unified state would it function as intended.

Zac clenched his jaw, gazing at his Duplicity Core with evident frustration. He blamed this troublesome object for his predicament. The Specialty Core had acted with capricious independence since its inception. He vividly recalled the near-catastrophe when it began siphoning Miasma. Though Zac had managed to overcome the unexpected challenges it presented, the constant struggle had worn him down.

For once, he resolved to assert control.

What was there to dread? Given the elusive nature of the Specialty Core's mechanisms, determining the safest course of action was impossible. Therefore, he might as well pursue the path that promised the best possible result. Zac commenced by severing the Duplicity Core's energy supply, hoping this would initiate a cancellation protocol and unlock the latch. If not, the seal would still be compromised, as it would be forced to seek an alternative power source.

The exertion of his bloodline's inherent might was effortless, akin to flexing a muscle. However, this was only achievable within his own physical form and when channeling [Void Mountain]. Consequently, he was currently incapable of overwhelming opponents with the pressure of a C-grade Bloodline. Fortunately, the immediate situation involved no adversaries, only a defiant Specialty Core.

Within mere minutes, the effects became apparent. Deprived of cosmic sustenance, the Duplicity Core attempted to draw energy from Zac. Yet, under the oppressive influence of the Void Emperor's C-grade suppression, both the Cosmic Core and Soul Aperture were rendered inaccessible. To worsen matters, Zac began assaulting the seal from within the Quantum Space, hastening its deterioration.

After half a day, the Duplicity Core began to vibrate ominously. Unsure of its next action and unwilling to wait and discover, Zac recognized that his persistence had yielded results. Although the latch had not opened as anticipated, its contours had finally reappeared. Swiftly, Zac directed a volley of mental tendrils towards it from within, simultaneously pulling from the exterior.

The passage grudgingly yielded, opening with a sluggish movement as if its hinges were corroded. With all preparations complete, Zac was ready. He ingested a pill and affixed a talisman to his abdomen. A potent surge of power erupted from the pill, while a vibrant essence of Life emanated from the talisman. Simultaneously, from across the continent, a corresponding stream of death energy flowed into the Quantum Space.

The three core-igniting treasures, each corresponding to one of his Daos, represented the finest items in his cache and were reserved for this crucial moment. They streamed into his Cosmic Core, rekindling its dwindling luminescence. A dazzling radiance illuminated the Quantum Space as the Cosmic Core experienced a resurgence. At this juncture, four ancient sigils, reminiscent of those used to deflect tribulation lightning, materialized around the core.

A formidable wave of Imperial Faith inundated his core, subjecting it to immense pressure, not much less than that of a collapsing universe. An identical formation had been conjured by his Draugr counterpart, effectively doubling the effect. Zac felt as though billions of individuals were fervently praying for his success, their collective will so potent that reality itself was compelled to comply.

His core diminished by fifteen percent instantaneously, without any indication of damage, and the ar