Nexus Ascension: My Comprehension Defies the Heaven Chapter 491: Origin Will, Addressing the elephant in the room

The flow of time came to a complete halt as a female figure materialized before Grey.

"Why have you arrived here?" Grey inquired, tilting his head.

"To prevent you from undertaking a foolish action."

"Your ignorance regarding your own existence is truly profound," the figure stated.

"You and Tian Yuan are fated to form contracts. Without harnessing my power or the Dao of Time's essence, every instance of time travel you perform will irrevocably damage the world."

"You two are the sole beings with access to the law of time," the Origin Will declared, emitting a sound akin to a pained sigh.

"My fortune is truly abysmal. To think there are two Fateless Ones in this world. Haaa..."

"Does this imply you are willing to bestow your power upon me, allowing me to manipulate time?" Grey's eyes lit up with joy. "If I borrow your power or seek assistance from the Dao of Time, it should not create divergent timelines, correct?"

The theory of divergence was applicable only to those who wielded the law of time. Borrowing power directly from the primordial source circumvented these consequences. It would not be his actions, but rather those of the creator (the Dao of Time) or the entity capable of wielding the creator's power (the Origin Will), that would be in effect.

"Absolutely not." The Origin Will fixed Grey with a grim expression.

"What the deuce? Then I shall employ time stoppage." Grey's own expression turned severe.

"You..." The Origin Will was rendered speechless. "Should you do that, everyone you know will perish. I will not permit such an action; I shall expel you from this universe. Tsk, tsk."

"You possess the ability to do that?" Grey's eyes widened in astonishment.

[Indeed.] Fragment's voice interjected, taking over from the Origin Will.

"Then why are you opposed to granting me time-manipulating abilities?"

"The Heavenly Dao will seek to eradicate this world as a primary consequence. Does that suffice as a reason?" the Origin Will questioned, her tone laced with clear irritation. "You should possess greater knowledge than anyone concerning the Heavenly One. Not the one under your dominion, but that entity which sustains Tian Yuan, the very being overseeing all of endless reality."

"My, you are quite impudent. How can you refer to the Heavenly Dao as 'that entity'?" Grey expressed his bewilderment.

This Origin Will certainly possessed a distinct personality, did she not?

"I am unconcerned. While it may be difficult to acknowledge, I am an ancient existence from the era predating your Heavenly Dao."

[And who might you be again?]

"Scram!" the Origin Will retorted sharply, clearly incensed. "Is this the recompense I receive for remaining loyal to your cause when others have long since defected?"

[Ahem. My gratitude?]

There was not a trace of genuine appreciation in Fragment's voice.

"..." The Origin Will's expression darkened. "I shall obliterate this universe and end my own existence."

"Compose yourself." Grey was taken aback. "Why are you so prone to melodrama?"

"I feel profoundly insulted, having awaited its arrival for so long while my brethren urged me to switch allegiance." The Origin Will gritted her teeth.

"What benefit do you gain from switching sides, regardless of which way you lean?"

"Er. Our world possesses sufficient historical depth to ascend to a higher universal tier. Many of my sisters have already transcended into higher worlds, yet we remain several echelons behind. The Heavenly Dao promised its assistance should I align with them too."

"Is that so? A lack of skill, perhaps," Grey quipped. "This is the consequence of failing to show proper deference to a Fateless One."

"Screw you. It is precisely because of you and Tian Yuan that I am unable to find rest. I have maintained vigilant observation over both of you, anticipating any potential alteration of fate or timeline disruption that could precipitate world-ending consequences."

"And you, of all beings, are the one who has wrought the most profound changes to fate. Hmph. Furthermore, you still have the audacity to petition me for time-altering powers? Go implore the Dao of Time yourself."

"You are utterly incompetent." Grey clicked his tongue in mild disdain.

"You... I shall forcibly eject you from the universe." The Origin Will gestured dismissively, but Fragment intervened just in time.

[Were you truly contemplating banishing him into the external chaos?] Fragment's voice resonated with stern disapproval.

"No." The Origin Will offered a casual shrug. "I merely intended to subject him to a five-minute descent into a black hole. I am well aware of the perils of provoking a Fateless One."

"It is indeed commendable that you are finally addressing the obvious presence, which is me," Grey declared, unceremoniously flicking his hair backward with an air of arrogance. "Now, bestow upon me the power of time."

"No." The Origin Will regarded him with a blank expression, sticking out her tongue in defiance. "As I have already informed you, I cannot grant it. To do so would invite repercussions from the Heavenly Dao that governs all of existence upon our world."

"Very well," Grey sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. "I shall engage in discourse with the Dao of Time."

"Do as you see fit, but ensure your actions do not veer into recklessness."

"I wish to achieve at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep."

Grey gave a slight shrug as the temporal stream resumed its normal flow.

"Alright, Fragment. I believe that suffices; we should conserve our remaining power for future exigencies."

[You are correct.] Fragment promptly severed the Heavenly Mandate, reverting to its prior quiescent state.

Grey stood there, the gazes of everyone around him fixed upon him in utter speechlessness.

"You... how do you manage to summon the Heavenly Dao repeatedly? I initially thought the first instance was pure luck, a consequence of your sainthood. But it seems to have no real connection."

"I am the elephant in the room," Grey stated, nodding with a somber expression.

"..." A ripple of bewildered glances passed through the crowd upon hearing his words. Had this fellow lost a marble after felling two rank-8 powerhouses? Was this some sort of post-battle side effect? Even Fragment harbored similar thoughts. Why did Grey keep insisting he was the elephant in the room?

"Allow me to introduce Fragment," Grey gestured towards Fragment. "It *is* the Heavenly Dao."

"WHAT?!" A collective gasp escaped those who had been unaware of this revelation.

"You don't mean..."

"Precisely, that is exactly what I mean," Grey confirmed with a simple blink.

"Regardless, we should depart from this place. I have matters that require my attention."

At that moment, Xia Qingyue stepped forward, offering a respectful bow to everyone present.

"Thank you, Grey. I truly mean it. Had it not been for your intervention, events would never have unfolded this favorably."

"I never held faith in miracles prior to meeting you. However, since our encounter, you have consistently defied my expectations and those of the world, ceaselessly accomplishing the impossible." Xia Qingyue lifted her gaze, bestowing a sincere smile upon Grey.

"In such a public setting! This is mortifyingly embarrassing."