Defiance of the Fall Chapter 1428: Taking Stock

A span of six days elapsed without the slightest incident, and the process of reconstructing his pathways unfolded with exceptional smoothness. For the first time, there were no damaged sections that necessitated a complete redrawing when upgrading the fractals. Due to its diminished condition and Zac’s Law-attuned body in the Early Stage, the Four Desolates were ultimately unable to inflict any lasting harm upon him. He made a full recovery within the ensuing month, and the breakthrough in his Bloodline caused him absolutely no adverse effects.

While no new unforeseen events transpired, the passage of time allowed Zac to solidify his understanding of two crucial points. Firstly, the luminous signals, which they had inferred as indicators pointing towards the Left Imperial Palace, showed no signs of receding. On the contrary, each passing day brought them nearer to coalescing into a fully formed pillar, akin to the Outer Courts. Zac projected that it would take no more than an additional three months before its complete formation.

Whether the emergence of the Left Imperial Palace signaled the conclusion of the current trial phase remained uncertain. It was highly probable that the Outer Courts would remain accessible for some time longer. After all, some individuals had not even achieved halfway completion in forming their halos. With a multitude of unresolved threads of fate, Roan and Wartorius would need to be thoroughly irrational to instigate an premature conclusion.

Zac harbored a strong inclination that the Left Imperial Palace would simply unveil its gates, much like the Outer Courts, thereby presenting its own distinct array of prospects for those deemed fortunate by destiny. For instance, Zac still possessed the Limitless Merit, stored within the Wendimar Clan's token. This superior merit held the potential to grant access to the Empire's most elite reserves, a resource that Zac was particularly keen on utilizing before the trial's conclusion.

Regardless of the ultimate disposition of the Left Imperial Palace, Zac resolved to complete his objectives before the three-month deadline. All preparations were in place for the acquisition of [Second Singularity]. Idiche had even offered them a glimpse into the future, furnishing him and Esmeralda with a rudimentary map guiding them to the sanctum where the Supreme Natal Treasure was housed.

The matter concerning the Primo’s treasure presented a more significant quandary. A full week later, there was still no indication of Tavza's whereabouts. Fortunately, this situation did not constitute a matter of life or death, unlike his mission within the Mercurial Court. A reasonable chance of rectifying the circumstances persisted, provided that the An’Azol Descendant ultimately managed to secure the Primo’s treasure.

The fact that Zac was the sole descendant of the Eoz branch served as the critical nexus connecting him to the Abyssal Shores. As Tavza herself had stated, she had no justifiable reason to withhold the treasure from him once it was confirmed to align with the objectives of the Abyssal Shores. Should this particular arrangement falter, the shores would likely still invest some effort into safeguarding Zac’s nascent empire.

Moreover, there remained a possibility that all his existing dilemmas would be resolved by the time he emerged from the trial. The intersector war had already ceased on the outside, and the small Atwood Empire now stood vastly superior to even Zecia’s C-grade factions. If the System intended to grant any entity a renewed chance at existence, it was undoubtedly them.

Nonetheless, obtaining the Primo’s treasure represented Zac’s most advantageous course of action. His recent encounter with the Void Tree and the baffling disappearance of the tribulation served as a stark reminder that boons from ancient entities invariably came with hidden caveats. It was exceedingly easy to become ensnared in complexities far beyond his current comprehension.

Instead of placing his trust in the magnanimity of the Abyssal Shores or any other ancient power, he desired to forge a fair exchange with the Primo: the treasure in return for an assured sanctuary, perhaps facilitating the relocation of the Atwood Empire to an alternate sector of the Multiverse. This approach would allow him to continue his cultivation pursuits unburdened by existential threats.

The other noteworthy observation was the indication that the Duplicity Core's sealed condition was not a permanent state. It was actively accumulating power, and this accumulation had accelerated exponentially after Zac finalized his Core Formation. In addition to the constant siphoning of the Cosmic Sea's rootless energy, the Duplicity Core was increasingly consuming substantial quantities of Dao, Vigor, and Peak D-grade energy.

Zac would be disingenuous if he claimed he wasn't apprehensive as he sensed the convergence of fate. The Duplicity Core was rapidly approaching a critical juncture. He had only managed to survive by sheer hope and a desperate plea when it went rampant during his D-grade breakthrough. Dissociating himself into two entities had been a shot in the dark, and his survival of that ordeal was attributable more to serendipity than strategic foresight. He could not perpetually rely on such fortunate turns of events.

What if the Duplicity Core sought to reintegrate him into a single physical form once more? If such a necessity arose, Zac was prepared to transport his human aspect to the Mercurial Court with the assistance of [Fuxi Mountain Gate]. This would entail forfeiting the opportunities offered by the Hollow Court and the Primo’s treasures, as a return journey would be impossible. However, this alternative was preferable to having his very being rent asunder by quantum forces. Should all other options prove futile, Zac resolved to forcibly suppress the Duplicity Core until it was thoroughly subdued and maintain its containment until he could access Kayar-Elu’s research within Sanctuary.

On the seventh day, the Duplicity Core unleashed its power. Zac’s heart leaped as cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, though his fear subsided when shimmering flakes began to peel away. Beneath, new, perfect pathways emerged, precisely mirroring his Daos. Just as before, the Duplicity Core residing within his Draugr body pulsed with a blend of Death and Conflict, while the one integrated with his human form resonated with his Evolutionary Path.

Yet, this sense of relief was fleeting. In mere moments, Zac realized that while the Duplicity Core still honored the correct Daos, its pattern no longer perfectly aligned with his Cosmic Core. Previously, its intricate pathways had always flawlessly tracked his own, a crucial factor making his Core Formations significantly smoother than those of other cultivators.

What had caused this divergence? What did these subtle alterations signify? It wasn't a matter of grade, as the profound truths etched onto the Duplicity Core already surpassed Peak D-grade, preparing it for the Monarchy stage. On the contrary, Zac perceived the concepts embodied by the Specialty Core as a degree less profound than those of his true core. Even so, the new additions felt strangely, uncannily familiar.

The Technocrat Core provided the revelation before Zac could even formulate a conclusion. It emitted an overwhelming pulse, violently severing the Quantum Space’s connection to the Cosmic Sea, thereby officially concluding his Peak D-grade Breakthrough. But this was merely the prelude. The pulse was all-encompassing, an invisible wave permeating every fiber of Zac’s being.

The potent wave swept through him, largely unnoticed, until it violently struck his Soul Aperture. For a disorienting instant, Zac perceived a double reality as a searing pain, akin to a hammer blow, struck his soul. The agony intensified as extraordinary energies materialized from seemingly nowhere, flooding every corner of his aperture. Simultaneously, Zac's re-formed Cosmic Core was bathed in a luminous light of profound meaning, imbuing the stored energy within with an even greater depth.

A second, more powerful pulse exacerbated the torment, and Zac felt an immense, irresistible draw. It was as if a singular black hole had spontaneously formed at the core of his being, voraciously consuming Zac's entire existence. Zac forcefully suppressed the primal urge to resist, to defy this alien will. He already grasped the unfolding events. Instead of fighting, he deliberately guided his soul towards the unknown.

Absolute darkness descended, only to be abruptly banished by a blinding light, and then, the pain… vanished.

Upon awakening, Zac was enveloped in a sensation of profound comfort. It was unlike the feeling of achieving Cosmic Alignment. Instead of harmonizing with the Four Laws, Zac felt an unparalleled completeness, a state he hadn't experienced so deeply since his bifurcation into two distinct bodies. It echoed the profound tranquility he'd entered during moments of intense enlightenment, such as when he glimpsed the future trajectory of his Techniques during his fierce confrontation with Naruk.

For better or worse, his separate bodies had not been forcibly reintegrated. Zac shifted his focus inward, directing his attention towards his Quantum Space. It now measured thirty percent smaller than before, and it continued to contract at an imperceptible, glacial pace. More critically, his Cosmic Core was no longer an isolated entity. The subspace now teemed with stardust forged from pure truth. At the heart of these celestial mists resided two distinct stars: one a deep, impenetrable black, the other radiating a vibrant gold.

This celestial arrangement defied the natural order. The smaller stars were ensnared by the gravitational embrace of a colossal world, forming a geocentric cosmos. These stars emanated the light of their Daos onto the planetary body, orchestrating a perpetual cycle of night, imbued with deathly stillness, and daybreak, heralded by vibrant life. In reciprocal exchange, boundless spiritual energy surged from the planet, eternally fueling the suns for their cosmic ballet. Zac then redirected his focus to his psyche. As anticipated, it was absent. His Soul Aperture had seemingly vanished, or more accurately, had become one with the Quantum Space that now housed his Cosmic Core.

This presented a scenario remarkably similar to that of a Monarch. Once their Inner World was meticulously forged, it became their ultimate nucleus, with their Soul Aperture subsequently relocated to the very center of this newly created domain. It could be metaphorically described as the cultivator becoming the sentient spirit of their own personal world.

This circumstance served as another formidable reason why vanquishing Monarchs proved such an arduous undertaking. Both their physical and spiritual essence were securely concealed within the profound depths of a self-contained subspace. While their physical form remained an essential conduit to the mortal world and the very fabric of the Heavens, their true elimination necessitated a direct assault upon their Inner World.

Zac, however, had not yet reached that definitive stage. There existed stark divergences between Zac’s current predicament and the natural state of a Monarch. Most significantly, his soul was not truly ensconced within a fully established subspace. Targeting his soul had not increased in difficulty compared to before; in fact, its unusual placement might serve as a disorienting surprise to any potential aggressor.

Furthermore, the Cosmic Core and the Soul Cores had not yet undergone a complete fusion, transforming into a true, singular world. It was merely the respective spaces that had become unified, and even this union remained imperfect. An intangible veil of separation persisted between the soul aperture and the Quantum Space, as though their perfect integration had yet to be fully realized. Acting on a sudden intuition, Zac brought forth his Status Screen.

Name Zachary Atwood

Level 225

Class [D-Arcane] Evolutionary Precursor

Race [C] Human - Void Emperor (Corrupted)

Alignment [Zecia] Atwood Empire – Viscount of Conquest

Titles [...] Exalted Destiny, Atavistic Defier, Valiant Viscount, Cosmic Entity, The Third Step

Limited Titles Tower of Eternity Sector All-Star - 14th, Equanimity, The Final Twilight - 1st, Gates of Rebirth, Void Road, Chosen of the Empyrean Chalice

Dao Earthly Dao of Defiant War - Middle, Earthly Dao of Reborn Life - Middle, Earthly Dao of Sealed Death - Middle

Core [C] Evolutionary Core

Strength 495,413 [Increase: 256%. Efficiency: 567%]

Dexterity

Endurance 265,106 [Increase: 226%. Efficiency: 594%]

Vitality 309,849 [Increase: 240%. Efficiency: 643%]

Intelligence 55,793 [Increase: 176%. Efficiency: 363%]

Wisdom 121,594 [Increase: 179%. Efficiency: 381%]

Luck 2,249 [Increase: 219%. Efficiency: 488%]

Free Points 1,000

Nexus Coins [D] 87,831,997

The Status Screen remained largely unchanged from a week prior, following the successful formation of his core. Although the attribute gains from Hegemony were not as dramatic as in preceding grades, reaching the pinnacle of this stage did offer certain advantages. Primarily, the raw attribute boost from attaining level 225 was equivalent to five levels, affecting both free points and inherent gains. With Zac possessing two classes, this effect was quite significant. Furthermore, a new entry appeared on his titles display after a prolonged period of consistency.

[The Third Step: Reach peak of D-grade. Reward: Luck +10, Base Attributes +1,000.]

This title offered no surprises, mirroring the effects of previous ones. The title granted upon unlocking his final node in E-grade had bestowed 10 points to all attributes and 90 to Base Attributes. Such low-tier titles offered little to Zac at this juncture. The true advantage of achieving Peak Hegemony lay in the vastly superior energy density and transmission provided by his enhanced core.

The solitary alteration was the designation under “Core,” which shifted from D-grade to C-grade Evolutionary Core. This change did not confer any additional attributes. Proceeding onward, Zac consulted his bloodline screen once more.

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

Talent Force of the Void - 66%, 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, [C] Origin Point

The reduction in [Force of the Void] from 99% to 66% was not a recent development; it occurred immediately upon the completion of his Core Formation. In terms of sheer volume, it still represented a substantial enhancement. Possessing 66% Void Energy from his Peak D-grade Cosmic Core was more than threefold the total capacity of a 99% Late D-grade core. It remained uncertain whether he could sufficiently nurture his Bloodline to restore the percentage back to 99%.

The significant change was observed within the Hidden Nodes section. While Zac had anticipated this, he still felt a pang of disappointment that the majority of his nodes remained at D-grade. He had harbored a faint hope that his transformation would persist after the Duplicity Core concluded its process. In a way, his hope was realized, but only concerning his Technocrat nodes.

Just as his Soul Aperture and Quantum Space had merged, so too had [Alpha Link] and [Omega Link] combined into a C-grade Hidden Node named [Origin Point]. Zac hoped the term “origin” did not allude to his Selvari lineage. Based on his observations, it appeared not to. Recalling the singularity that drew in all of Zac’s cultivation, the name suggested a return to a fundamental source. His path now centered on a singular focal point.

“Thank goodness I altered my approach with the [Nine Reincarnations Manual],” Zac murmured as he exited the screens.

The original [Nine Reincarnations Manual] was designed for the nine to nurture the one, implying that practitioners would align their soul predominantly with either Life or Death, reducing the other element to a secondary function. This outcome was unacceptable to Zac, who sought mastery over both Daos equally. Consequently, he chose to forge a new path by establishing two Soul Cores instead of one.

This decision led to considerable delays in his Soul Cultivation but ultimately preserved his life. The seamless fusion of his two Quantum Spaces was primarily due to their pre-existing state of harmony. Had he followed the original cultivation method or utilized an unaligned Soul Nurturing Manual, a conflict between the spaces would likely have ensued,much like when the Duplicity Core attempted to integrate Life and Death during his Hegemon transformation. The lesser space, in Zac's situation, his Soul Aperture, would almost certainly have collapsed.

The new array of runes adorning the Duplicity Core was a product of merging his Soul Cultivation with the pathways of his Classes. The reason Zac perceived them as somewhat inadequate was likely attributable to his underdeveloped Soul Cultivation. Although his soul possessed superior strength compared to the average Peak Hegemon, this was largely a consequence of fortunate circumstances and rigorous combat. His actual proficiency in the [Nine Reincarnations Manual] was rudimentary, akin to the Early D-grade level.

The continually shrinking expanse of Zac's Quantum Space was directly tied to the inadequacy of his soul's strength. It was currently incapable of sustaining a microcosm of such magnitude, thus prompting an automatic recalibration to a state of equilibrium. Though somewhat disheartening, this adjustment did not impede Zac's cultivation or his prowess in combat. The realm's size remained comparable to the Inner Worlds wielded by the Monarchs he had encountered during the trial. His Cosmic Core and Soul Cores felt dwartish and insignificant, akin to mere planets adrift in the vastness of outer space.

Zac dedicated the subsequent hour to experimentation, after which he finally found a measure of peace. The recent alteration yielded more advantages than drawbacks. The concentrated essence of Dao and Qi facilitated a much more fluid control. Zac could now effortlessly harmonize his Qi as it flowed from his core, marginally reducing the activation time for his skills.

The synergistic effects of [Void Emperor Apotheosis] had experienced a notable enhancement. His Soul Cores, in particular, reaped substantial rewards as they were directly invigorated by the potent Qi emanating from his Peak D-grade Cosmic Core. Zac found that his nebulaic clouds would slowly accumulate strength from his core's emanations, even without active cultivation.

Despite being almost imperceptible, the gradual erosion of the spatial integrity persisted as a point of concern. The channeling of his bloodline proved ineffective in halting this degradation. While vigorously circulating his Soul Cores at their utmost capacity could temporarily stabilize the realm, Zac recognized that such an intense state was unsustainable in the long term. The sole viable solution appeared to be an unwavering focus on fortifying his soul until it possessed sufficient strength to encompass the entire realm.

One lingering enigma remained, one that Zac could not unravel through solitary contemplation. Consequently, he emerged from his secluded cultivation to seek the guidance of his mentor.

“What is your assessment? Have I attained the Half-step Monarch stage?” Zac inquired, having fully elucidated his circumstances.

“I… I have no clue. Can’t you ever do things the conventional way?” Esmeralda quipped with a tone of weary exasperation, fixing her gaze upon Zac. “Here, circulate your Qi and deliver a punch towards this.”

A spatial field materialized between them, and Zac promptly complied with her directive. He experienced an overwhelming sensation of being ensnared in a nightmarish predicament, akin to attempting to flee while remaining immovably anchored. Esmeralda had conjured a spatial expanse spanning a mile within that confined area. To dismantle it, Zac would be compelled to deploy his Daos to counteract hers.

“There are no discernible traces of a Monarch’s domain,” Esmeralda observed, her voice a low murmur after she dissolved the field. “Although you haven’t technically reached Pseudo C-grade, you should likely regard yourself as a Half-step Monarch concerning your cultivation level. The space you’ve established forms the bedrock of your Inner World. Allowing it to remain in its current state for too long could jeopardize its future potential for expansion.”

“How much time do I have?” Zac