Defiance of the Fall Chapter 1434: Fuxi

The rise of the Limitless Empire in the nascent stages of this Era presented a dual nature: both advantage and drawback. It was solely because the Heavens were in their infancy and possessed limited strength that they could be dominated. Conversely, with so few Dao Peaks reaching completion, the challenge lay in constructing a flawless System.

Fuxi's mantra, a technique possibly conceived to address this very predicament, sought to decipher the essence of Dao by scrutinizing the shadows cast by the Void. Some might contend that deriving Dao from the Void was an unnecessarily convoluted path, akin to seeking inspiration from the sun's rays instead of focusing directly on the source.

However, this method possessed distinct applications. One such use was the precise alignment of particular Daos and Voids, forming the bedrock upon which Fuxi Hall was established. The underworld would have inevitably crumbled much sooner had Fuxi not devised calculations for pathways and compositions ensuring a stable, enduring exchange between Void and Dao.

Furthermore, this technique served to bridge the deficiencies in an incomplete Dao. This approach bore a resemblance to Mox's strategy of concealing himself within the fractures of unfinished Dao Peaks. Zac harbored the suspicion that Mox played a role in refining Fuxi's mantra through the intervention of that malevolent deity.

Evidently, the Void could not serve as a substitute for true Dao or accelerate the reconstruction of shattered peaks. The residual echoes from the Void could only illuminate existing or past Daos, lacking the capacity to reveal future iterations. The Grand Dao undergoes transformations between successive Eras, rendering the Dao of the Past incompatible with the current Heaven. This is analogous to how cultivation methods from prior Eras are no longer effective in the present.

Despite these challenges, the Limitless Empire managed to establish the Hollow Court. Whether driven by foresight or sheer necessity remains unclear. Zac theorized that the Peak of Chaos posed a significant obstacle when constructing the eight pillars designed to subjugate the Heavens. Between the Outer Courts, all seventeen Dao Peaks were represented, potentially excluding the Peak of Man. These were interconnected via the Imperial Road, forming an intricately complex apparatus intended to exert control over the entirety of the Heavens.

The question then arises: how did they intend to incorporate an uncontrollable force such as the Dao of Chaos?

Zac posited that the First Garden may embody the Dao of the Era's genesis, while the Ninth Hell signifies its ultimate conclusion. The Ninth Hell's existence being impossible suggests it is not yet its designated time. Concurrently, the disparity in the number of Gardens and Hells could naturally reflect the inherent asymmetry and discordance characteristic of the Peak of Chaos.

The act of balancing the scales served as the empire's method for imposing equilibrium and order, even if only temporarily. Fuxi's Mantra functioned by gathering the Dao of Cosmic Death from various Eras to simulate the genuine article. The subsequent phase involved its complete integration with the Era of Order. This could involve a method linked to the Margrave and the Inverse Peak, or perhaps a supreme treasure associated with death.

The current state of the Ninth Hell likely stems from the failure of this integration process. The artificial death has reverted to its original condition, transforming into a corrupted Dao encompassing multiple Eras. This predicament is directly linked to the Primo and Zac's assigned mission. Within every piece of information Zac has gleaned about the Primo lie the clues, provided he knows where to seek them.

The Primo first made his appearance among the undead races during the tumultuous Dark Ages. Prior to that period, he was conscripted by the Limitless Empire to aid in the System's construction. As part of this undertaking, he was compelled to relinquish an artifact crucial for his cultivation.

The Limitless Empire eventually disintegrated, yet the Primo endured. He rallied the Divine Races, guiding their search for a sanctuary as the Dao began to collapse. Ultimately, they discovered the Heart of the Empire, a death-aligned Eternal Heritage that subsequently formed the bedrock of the Undead Empire.

Currently, the populace within the lower echelons of the empire believes the Undead Empire comprises five Divine Races, with the enigmatic Founders constituting the fifth. In actuality, the Founders are merely pawns or replicas of the Primo, whose true physical form resides in seclusion within the deepest recesses of the Heart of the Empire. Collectively, these replicas are known as the “Eternal 108.”

When viewed through the lens of the additional context Zac has acquired, a different narrative emerges. The Primo was openly active across the lands during the Dark Ages, but became progressively more secluded as the Era advanced. Based on accounts from Tavza, the Primo's authentic form has not manifested during successive generations of Supremacies. Could this indicate not a decline due to age, but rather a strategic necessity?

If the Primo indeed serves as the Realmlord of an artificial domain, drawing its Dao from preceding Eras, he might exist as a being only partially assimilated into the Era of Order. Such a state should logically confer distinctive advantages. A’Zu and Be’Zi were compelled to expend considerable effort converting their acquisitions within the [Waking Nautilus] into usable forms. The Primo, however, might possess the ability to directly harness power from the Heart of the Empire, enabling his sustained existence throughout this time.

Of course, there were consequences to balance the advantages. While not being in sync with the Era’s Dao held no sway during the Dark Ages, the Primo endured increasing suppression as the Era advanced towards its Zenith. Remaining within the Heart of the Empire would only exacerbate this effect. If the Primo’s true form were to manifest now, it might face the same fate as Jalach.

Connecting these observations, it became clear that the Primo’s artifact should be the core of the Ninth Hell, a supreme treasure enabling the Death of the past to merge with the present Era. By reclaiming it, the Primo would be made whole. This would eliminate the need to diffuse his essence across a hundred avatars and allow direct communion with the Heavenly Dao of the Era of Order. If this assessment was accurate, it provided a perfect solution, fulfilling what Jalach had sought to achieve with the [Pasho’Har Bell].

However, certain elements remained elusive. For instance, the Primo’s precise origins were still vague. Was he a being from a preceding Era, thus possessing a unique qualification to govern its Death? Or was he a Realmlord from another Lower Plane, or perhaps born during the Empire’s creation of the Ninth Hell? Furthermore, what was the role of the Nine Gardens and Eight Hells in this grand scheme?

Their prior understanding was not entirely mistaken. The Hollow Court had indeed leveraged the power of the Lower Planes to erect the Fifth Pillar. Yet, Zac was convinced there was more to the story. He theorized that their peculiar connection served as a third crucial element, instrumental in maintaining the stability of the Ninth Hell long enough for it to have relevance. Fuxi’s mantra alone would not have sufficed.

Zac had dedicated himself to contemplating these intricacies since his arrival in the mirror realm, driven by more than mere curiosity. Fuxi’s mantra held significant potential as the key to resolving the issues within his Inner World. Fuxi Halls itself represented invaluable research material for his conceptualization. Where else could one find a realm that was an equal blend of Dao and Void?

Comprehending the mantra and its connection to the Ninth Hell was also vital for the completion of his mission. Two weeks of diligent exploration had solidified certain convictions. Firstly, the Primo’s treasure was irrefutably adrift. The Primo’s feather had shown notable reactions on three more occasions over the past weeks, albeit only for brief moments. The nucleus was likely moving at a velocity beyond Zac’s current capabilities.

Intercepting it via a strategically positioned dimensional tear presented a possibility, but it was fraught with peril. By the time Zac traversed the tear, it might have already vanished beyond reach. Depending on the vastness of the Ninth Hell, he risked depletion of his spiritual energy before he could find his way back. He had, however, uncovered a far more promising approach than aimlessly scrambling about.

To achieve this, Zac needed to augment his theoretical insights with practical application. By employing the Fuxi Mantra as a meditative technique, he had managed to subdue the corrosive effects of the Ninth Hell within his own being. Although Zac’s incomplete proficiency was insufficient to achieve complete integration with the Ninth Hell, it granted him the status of an indifferent observer.

Maintaining his current state, Zac examined the currents of death through the intricate patterns of Fuxi’s tapestry. Distinctive formations began to manifest. Deaths, each bearing unique markers, coalesced and fragmented in an unceasing cycle, striving in vain for equilibrium. Beyond the transformations of the Dao, vast, obscured pathways were evident, directing the perpetual flow of energy.

The underlying principles were no different from the cyclical processes occurring within his Quantum Space. However, these unseen currents adhered to regulations that eluded Zac’s comprehension. With each fragment of refined Enlightenment gleaned from [Purity of the Void], Zac drew nearer to his unifying solution.

Ten minutes into his focused observation, Zac abruptly opened a vortex and transitioned through it, covering a dozen miles in a single stride. No trace of the Imperial Flames was detectable on the other side, yet Zac could intuitively discern their direction by analyzing the energy currents. He made certain the vortex would remain stable before redirecting his focus to his intended objective.

A fractured tower drifted silently a yard away, its damaged exterior coated in a slick, putrid film of death. The ravages of countless ages failed to conceal the scars of conflict. The tower had been destroyed long before its remnants were deposited within the desolate expanse of the Ninth Hell. And it was not devoid of inhabitants.

A surge of purple energy erupted from a fissure. It was denied the opportunity to exhibit its power before a flash of gold momentarily pierced the oppressive gloom. A cluster of vines emerged from his Worldring, ensnaring the disembodied creature before it could drift away. Its appearance resembled something from the deepest ocean trenches: a twelve-legged crustacean adorned with a multitude of tendrils extending from its posterior.

With satisfaction, Zac stowed away the beast. Although it was merely a Late D-grade Undead Beast and on the weaker side, it was only the second native of the Fifth Hell he had encountered. Examining its body composition and attunement could provide valuable data. Still, it was merely a bonus. His true objective was the tower itself.

Zac was not precisely certain what he sought. Anything that could help him refine his understanding would suffice. Zac had a partial grasp of the equation needed to calculate the trajectory of the Primo’s treasure, but he was missing one or two variables to complete the calculation. A diagram detailing the Ninth Hell’s Dao or an Information Jade containing a more structured impartation of Fuxi’s mantra would be ideal.

There was little of value within. The assault that had fractured the tower had eradicated most of its spirituality. Drifting within decaying death and its subsequent transformation into a lair had further diminished its essence. The sole item showing potential was a fractured array disk, the size of a washbasin. Though it was broken beyond repair, a decent number of engravings remained.

The patterns were founded upon the Dao of Death, with subtle indications of the Inverse Peak. Observing it did not trigger an immediate flash of recognition, but it represented another shard of the puzzle. Zac returned through the Void Vortex not long after, yet he was not prepared to relinquish his pursuit. He discovered three unexplored ruins over the span of three hours: two structures adrift and a destroyed vessel hurtling through space at exceptional speed. Zac did not dare enter the latter due to its ominous aura, only managing to scan it for clues as it sped past.

As much as Zac desired to continue, he could not. Maintaining the vortices within Ninth Hell was quite draining, as was visualizing Fuxi’s mantra. He had not truly mastered it, and its clarity diminished the longer he moved away from the statue. Consequently, another hunt concluded with incremental gains rather than a significant breakthrough.

Zac returned to the memory and proceeded toward his next destination. His daily routine had remained largely unchanged since he settled in the mirror realm. He dedicated the majority of his time to meditating before Fuxi’s statue, followed by a few hours exploring Ninth Hell for any leads. Afterward, he would either visit the mountain or venture underground in search of Natural Treasures and Dimensional Rifts.

It took two hours to reach the miniature mountain, by which time he had already recuperated a substantial portion of his depleted Void Energy. Surrounding the mountain was a domain of pure Faith attunement, a rare exception within the mirror world.

The luminous sigils marking the domain’s outer perimeter radiated a repelling force, preventing all-out conflict with the Void. The effect was not flawless, and a ceaseless stream of Void Energy directed itself against the wall of Faith. Zac paused beside a crudely constructed platform floating just outside the domain, situated directly within a major Void Energy current.

Zac placed the [Fuxi Mountain Gate] upon the platform, resting on a small altar. Through a process of trial and error, Zac had devised a method to create an energy backdraft using his vortices, enabling the [Fuxi Mountain Gate] to steadily siphon a portion of the passing Void Energy. The effect was far from as potent as when it absorbed the [Twilight Eclipse], but it was a free and inexhaustible source. It served merely as an appetizer.

Judging by his internal timeline, he had arrived precisely on schedule. Zac ascended to a neighboring mountain, poised to retrieve the mountain gate at a moment’s notice. He soon detected a faint stirring of life emanating from the mountain’s depths, soon to be supplanted by death. This ebb and flow intensified in frequency and strength until the golden arrays flickered ominously.

Containment was shattered just as Zac caught a fleeting glimpse of Chaos. A potent surge of ancient Death engulfed the chaos mote and any residual traces of life. This was not the Death native to the Ninth Hell, at least not in its present form. It was the artificial Death Zac was endeavoring to replicate by visualizing the mantra.

Zac resolutely drew upon his reserves of refined enlightenment, marshaling the runes in his mind’s eye one final time before they began to fade. All the while, Zac felt the Primo’s feather stir within his pocket.

The sudden disruption shattered the tenuous tranquility surrounding the miniature mountain. Immense quantities of Void Energy surged inward, transforming the streams of energy into C-grade Rivers. One of these rivers faltered as it flowed past, its strength being pilfered by the unassuming mountain gate. Order was restored within a few minutes, at which point Fuxi’s runes dissolved from his consciousness.

Zac brushed the dust from his robes and returned to the platform with a contented grin. He doubted he would ever tire of this spectacle. Should all else fail, he would at least depart the mirror realm with a well-nourished Void Treasure. He had not yet encountered any C-grade Void Treasures, but each session near the mountain yielded an energy supply comparable to finding one.

It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, allowing Zac to shoulder some of the faith mountain's load. As a result, the mountain's faith had continuously grown stronger. Though it didn't directly aid Zac, he mused that cultivating some good Karma couldn't possibly harm him—particularly since the mountain represented the final missing piece of his plan.

The mountain itself was hollow, yet any form of entrance remained elusive. Zac had exhausted numerous methods in his attempts to breach its interior, even resorting to excavating a tunnel from beneath. The underlying reason was quite straightforward: the artificial death phenomenon didn't materialize from nothing. The mountain, or perhaps a mechanism concealed within it, maintained a direct link to the Primo’s Treasure, leading to occasional overflows due to its compromised state. The fleeting glimpses of chaos served as further corroboration; Ogras had detected the same anomaly in the vicinity where Tavza had vanished.

While venturing into the boundless expanse of Ninth Hell served as his contingency, the daily eruptions from the miniature mountain constituted his primary objective. His strategy was simple: gain access to the mountain, then await the next eruption to connect with the Primo’s Treasure. This entire endeavor invariably led back to Fuxi’s guiding principle. The Faith-attuned scripts adorning the small mountain clearly differed from any others he had encountered. Zac had already identified certain resemblances between Fuxi’s runes and the artificial Death itself.

With a little more effort, he felt confident he would uncover a hidden entrance or a critical weakness. He had already transmitted the discovered patterns to his other self, seeking a second perspective on the enigma. In the meantime, loyal helpers were diligently working on other fronts. Zac stepped inside the Faith-attuned dome, retrieving his communicator. It was a fortunate discovery to ascertain that the mountain served as a small nexus, enabling a signal within the Void Realm.

“How are things progressing on your end?” Zac inquired.

Ogras responded.

“Certainly, it possesses the potential to ignite something,” Zac conceded.

Zac harbored a strong conviction that Tavza's actions prior to her disappearance held vital clues. He deemed it highly improbable that she had plunged blindly into the dimensional rift. As an adept Formations Master, accomplished Archaeologist, and scion of a preeminent Faction, she had most likely devised a strategy without solely depending on Fuxi’s mantra. Unearthing these hidden insights might provide the crucial missing elements for his own intricate equation.

Approximately ten minutes elapsed, and Zac found himself in complete agreement with Ogras. It genuinely seemed as though Tavza was deliberately toying with them.

Ogras questioned, making no effort to conceal his profound skepticism.

“… Not at this precise moment,” Zac admitted. “It might be integral to the overall pattern; I simply cannot grasp the underlying mechanism.”

Ogras stated.

“At least another month will be required unless a significant breakthrough occurs,” Zac sighed. “Perhaps longer. Gauging the timeline is challenging given these unfamiliar concepts.”

Ogras remarked.

Zac directed his gaze towards Fuxi’s statue before nodding thoughtfully. “I believe your assessment is accurate.”