Previously on Nexus Ascension: My Comprehension Defies the Heaven...
Alissa and Aerin gain entry into the World Tree's realm, followed shortly by Grey. Once inside, Alissa and Aerin find themselves unable to use their powers due to the world's laws, while Grey can still use his. Grey carries Alissa as they descend into the realm, landing safely. Their arrival is interrupted by a system-wide warning: a Paragon has been detected nearby, causing extreme concern for Grey and the Spirit Ancestor.
No sooner had the Spirit Ancestor spoken than a colossal shadow descended, eclipsing the World Tree's radiance.A man with a sharp goatee, hollow eyes, and an impassive face emerged. His right hand was a marvel of metallic intricacy, resembling a circuit board with pulsing lights coursing through its artificial veins."How did mortals breach this hallowed ground?" his voice boomed, echoing through the expanse.'This is not good. That is a Paragon,' the Spirit Ancestor's urgent telepathic warning flooded their minds. 'I shall endeavor to shield you all. Alan Benson, lend me your strength?''Affirmative,' Alan responded, assuming a defensive posture. This particular clone of his had attained the eighth rank."Are you not the progenitor of the Esper path?" the Paragon inquired, a flicker of surprise crossing his features upon recognizing Alan."I am Shroud Heaven. One of the Paragons," the man declared, his tone dripping with overt arrogance."What is your purpose in venturing here, Shroud Heaven?!" the Spirit Ancestor demanded, their voice tight with vigilance."My intention is straightforward. I seek an individual."Shroud Heaven gazed upon them placidly before projecting a holographic image into the air.Instantly, Grey's and Alissa's expressions hardened.The projection depicted Lin Fang."I am in search of this man. He has eluded me for some time and, astonishingly, has infiltrated this domain. My pursuit has thus far been fruitless.""And what is the reason for your pursuit?" Grey inquired calmly, his voice devoid of any discernible fear.Shroud Heaven faltered at Grey's question. His gaze swept over Grey, and a sneer of contempt contorted his face."A fifth-rank insect. Who granted you leave to address me? You are less than an ant in my world. Even the dust there possesses greater vitality than you."As he spoke, he casually gestured with his circuit-like hand. A wave of ethereal energy surged forth, streaking directly towards Grey.Witnessing the imminent danger, the Spirit Ancestor and Alan sprang into action, unleashing their respective powers to erect a multi-layered barrier before the Paragon's onslaught.Yet, the Paragon's attack pierced through their defenses. The protective barrier remained intact, but the translucent strike passed through it as if it were mere air, continuing its relentless path toward Grey."My newest clone can wield a measure of Ascendancy Valor. Against such power, your paltry worldly forces are insignificant. Your shield, forged from those same worldly forces, was consequently bypassed," Shroud Heaven explained, his voice unwavering as the attack hurtled towards its mark."Grey, move!" Alissa cried out, her eyes wide with panic at the sight of the deadly strike. Out of concern, she froze time.The world stilled around them, every element suspended in place, as Alissa focused on Grey, who remained unaffected by her temporal manipulation."You are being reckless. Why did you not employ your time-stopping ability?" Alissa admonished Grey, pulling him aside while shooting him a reproachful glare and a heavy sigh."Because it was unnecessary," Grey replied with a smile, gently patting Alissa's head. He had augmented her time stop with his own temporal laws, extending the duration of the frozen state."Have you forgotten that I too can halt time?" Grey teased with a soft grin.A peculiar warmth bloomed within Grey. Alissa's reaction to him being attacked demonstrated the hidden depths of her care for his well-being, despite her typically aloof and cool demeanor."It seems I am indebted to you, Alissa. I will treat you to a meal once this ordeal is concluded. Agreed?" Grey smiled, the golden symbol of the Heavenly Mandate glowing on his forehead.The last time he invoked its power against the gods, it was solely for suppression; no direct attacks were launched, leaving him with residual energy to execute a few more maneuvers.'Are we prepared, Fragment?' Grey queried mentally.'We are primed and ready,' the Fragment's eager voice resonated from within his Lesser Heaven Space.Without awaiting Alissa's response, a majestic celestial force erupted from his being.Boom!The temporal stasis shattered like fragile glass as a column of golden light pierced the heavens. The surrounding world trembled as the Fragment surged into the deepest reaches of the cosmos, merging with the Heavenly Dao and assuming dominion over the entirety of reality and the higher planes beyond.The Spirit Ancestor and Alan stood frozen, awe-struck by the descent of celestial might and its integration with Grey. He was enveloped in a golden aura, radiating a potent suppression that bore down heavily on their souls.'So this is how he vanquished the eighth-rank cultivators of the Immortal Sovereign Palace,' the Spirit Ancestor mused, a dawning realization illuminating his features. His own powers quivered under the immense heavenly resonance emanating from Grey in powerful waves."An ancient fragment of the Heavenly Dao, is it?" Shroud Heaven remarked, unfazed. He regarded the cosmic spectacle with an air of practiced indifference, as if such occurrences were commonplace.
"You must be quite naive if you believe you can halt my Ascendancy Valor with the Heavenly Dao's might, especially an incomplete form of it. It simply cannot access the Ascendancy Valor it purports to hold. Therefore..."
BOOM!
A fearsome power erupted from Shroud Heaven. His intricate, circuit-like hands blazed with lethal energy as he unleashed a torrent of attacks upon Grey.
The assault morphed, taking the shape of a roaring dragon, a fiery phoenix, and a colossal Kun, all tearing through the heavens directly at Grey.
Witnessing this, Grey remained unperturbed. He extended a hand, conjuring a golden barrier to meet the onslaught of monstrous forms.
However, at that precise moment, the Fragment's voice echoed.
[This is not good, Grey. I doubt the heavenly power can stand against this Ascendancy Valor.]
"What?" Grey's expression darkened as he forcefully halted time once more. The Ascendancy-powered projections hurtling towards him froze mid-air, suspended.
"Think, Fragment. If the heavenly power is insufficient, what else can succeed?" Grey pondered deeply, his brow furrowed.
He found himself in a precarious situation. The instant he resumed the flow of time, the Paragon would continue its advance, and so would the deadly projections. Since these projections were fundamentally forged from Ascendancy Power, conventional defenses were doomed to fail against them.
Then, an idea sparked in Grey's mind.
It was a daring, almost reckless notion. Yet, he recalled an energy that had previously managed to disrupt the very fabric of reality – the Axiom Power.
"Will it truly work?" Grey murmured to himself.
[What are you contemplating?] the Fragment inquired, its tone laced with disbelief. [What makes you assume it can resolve this predicament? My heavenly power was useless, let alone this nascent power you wield.]
"Do you have any alternative suggestions?" Grey questioned through gritted teeth.
[Indeed. Retreat?] the Fragment proposed. [We could utilize this frozen moment to withdraw.]
"And then what? Only for the Paragon to track us down to our new refuge?" Grey countered. "Your remaining energy reserves are almost depleted. A few more actions, and your reserves will hit zero. How far could we possibly flee? I wager we wouldn't even escape this plane of existence before he apprehends us."
The Fragment fell silent, confronted by the stark logic of Grey's argument.
Without awaiting a response, Grey prepared to initiate the time-stop again. It was a gamble, but his core, his intellect, and his heightened, enlightened intuition all strongly suggested that this Axiom Power held the potential to shift the balance.
"Channel your remaining energy to bolster my Axiom Power. My current physique cannot withstand the strain alone. You will need to fuel this process."
