The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 1440 1440: Strange Energy

Klaus materialized within his soul sea, floating above the nine radiant stars.

The Paragon of the Nine Stars grinned at first, gazing upon the gradually expanding stars destined one day to jolt the entire universe and the broader multiverse.

Yet, after just a few minutes of marveling at the nine stars, he turned his gaze to a green glow that had emerged far off in the distance.

He approached it, halting when roughly 100 km away as a formidable force pushed back against his movement.

"That's strange," Klaus murmured, his eyes narrowing. "This is my soul sea. No thing here should possess the strength to repel me."

Uncertain of its identity, he instantly recognized it surpassed his comprehension. The immense power radiating from it demanded respect, far from dismissible.

"Icon, do you see this?"

[Yes, master,] Icon materialized and perched on his shoulder, lollipop in mouth as always. Though capable of physical manifestation, she favored her system form most times.

"Do you recognize what this is?" Klaus inquired.

Across his vast lifespan, this marked the initial encounter with such a phenomenon. Utterly clueless, he summoned the specialist.

One certainty lingered: it stemmed from Lady Danika. While consuming her blood, he detected an inner transformation beginning.

Thus, she triggered it; yet its nature and the barrier to approach remained mysteries.

Icon extended her finger ahead, dispatching a soft light toward the green glow. Klaus observed from aside as it swiftly neared. Moments later, Icon gestured, summoning an interface.

Displayed there, Klaus watched her analyze the green light's origin. He remained silent, patiently awaiting. After twenty minutes, the interface shifted, revealing an envelope.

Icon selected it, unveiling another panel filled with multiple question marks. Klaus creased his brow, a faint smile forming.

Both he and Icon grasped the implication of those question marks.

"Seems we're not meant to identify this," Klaus whispered, with Icon affirming via nod.

[Indeed. Even scouring the Senior's memories yielded nothing. Still, it emits a distinct energy type, unrelated to Star Qi.]

"Explain further."

[Consider Spiritual Qi and Elemental Qi—they differ yet fuse with Star Qi into novel forms. Law Qi and Blood Qi follow suit.

Star Qi reigns supreme as an elevated energy beyond this existential plane, outclassing all others. One might call it a superior tier, if such exists.]

"Wait, Icon," Klaus lifted a finger to pause her. "By your words, Star Qi eclipses even Law Qi. So what sets this apart to prompt your remark?"

[Simple, master. Star Qi excels by absorbing other energies to bolster itself. Thus far, master has merely boosted strikes with it.

Devote effort to probing Star Qi and fusing energies, and its might becomes boundless.

It creates a void containing all energies, averting adverse reactions. Think of it as a vessel uniting them seamlessly.]

Klaus nodded quietly, thrilled by this vital insight. Yet another part pondered the perils of energy fusion, recalling past strains merging Spiritual Qi with Star Qi.

If that proved arduous, merging myriad alluring laws would prove exponentially riskier.

"How does my Star Qi connect to this novel energy?"

[Simulations merging Star Qi with it consistently failed, suggesting equal or superior stature.

Further tests pending, but evidence points to an emerging energy variant.]

"Cosmic energy, perhaps?" Given its timing post Lady Danika's blood—suspected cosmic bearer—it fit as culprit.

To his astonishment, Icon shook her diminutive head, savoring her lollipop.

[No cosmic energy. I detected hers flicker during intimacy. This differs entirely.]

"Peculiar. I anticipated cosmic energy; that might've eased concerns. But ignorance of this unknown stirs unrest."

With this enigma housed in his soul sea, tranquility eluded him amid uncertainty of outcomes.

[No cause for master's alarm. I shall vigil and prevent harm.]

Klaus nodded. Lingering unease persisted, yet Icon's reliability reassured him.

[Advice: as it arose from Lady Danika's blood, persist in imbibing it. Revelation looms soon; then we delve deeper.]

Klaus nodded.

Though self-reproach lingered for exhausting Lady Danika, necessity prevailed, especially with her urging more later.

Concluding discussion with Icon minutes later, he reopened external eyes and rose. Lady Danika slumbered, so a brief look preceded his departure.

Exiting the mansion promptly, a presence registered leftward mere meters out.

"You've emerged at last."

"Old man, were you awaiting my exit?" Klaus replied, facing King Alric, vigilant over the mansion past week.

Without full mansion scan, awareness of Klaus's week-long pursuits prompted divine sense placement outside, teleporting instantly upon exit.

"Coffee time available?" King Alric proposed; Klaus agreed.

"Billions of years sans shared tea makes this fitting—a fine new beginning."

King Alric nodded; together they departed mansion bounds toward the city.

Billions of years prior, post-Magnus's return, they traversed worlds sharing coffee repeatedly. This fresh Klaus chapter yearned for old-man bonding time.