Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1578 We Don’t Have That Kind of Time

Orion's eyes held an unshakeable determination as he nodded.

"Commander, if I use my imperfect god-forged physique as a vessel, augmented by The Chapter of the Profane and the Fel Fruit... do you believe I could confront a ruler who has solidified a Divine Kingdom and is poised to enter the fourth stage?"

This was the core of Orion's inquiry.

He held no genuine interest in The Chapter of the Profane or the Profane Lands themselves.

For Orion understood that with sufficient strength, any individual or power bloc would crumble to dust before him.

Commander Thresh remained silent, his head bowed in deep contemplation.

Orion patiently awaited his response, unhurried.

He was keenly aware that he was no ordinary Demigod, defying conventional measurements against fourth or sixth-stage experts.

In truth, Orion was uncertain of his own power's ceiling, knowing only that if his instincts declared something achievable, he would make it so.

Yet, faced with Insect Queen Moriphara – a colossal entity comparable in size to a small asteroid – Orion's confidence faltered.

He was unsure of his ability to achieve victory.

Furthermore, the mere thought of the dozen or so Demigod-level Insectoids in her service sent a shiver of dread down anyone's spine.

"Your ultimate objective extends beyond merely defeating the Insect Queen, doesn't it?"

Commander Thresh finally broke his silence, emerging from his thoughts. A wry smile touched his lips as he looked up at Orion.

Orion offered a nod, followed by a shake of his head.

"Upon vanquishing the Insect Queen, my aim is to claim absolute dominion over the Titanion Realm. I intend to reshape its fundamental laws, transforming it into an ideal sanctuary for the Stoneheart Horde's prosperity."

"Much like your Valkorath Realm, Commander. A domain where outsiders dare not tread."

Orion realized now, with stark clarity, what he hadn't grasped before.

The Valkorath Realm was not merely a territory subdued by brute strength; it was a world entirely under the Commander's command, its very essence molded to his will.

The most evident proof lay in the Valkorath Realm's ability to alter its cosmic coordinates at the Commander's whim, rendering it impervious to external threats.

Orion's prior inability to perceive this was a consequence of his limited strength and perspective.

Now, however, his gaze was alight with unadulterated envy.

"Moreover, by controlling the Titanion Realm, Clown and Witch will be prevented from tracking me. They won't be able to easily betray me or undermine my domain."

To be candid, Orion harbored no resentment towards Clown when he initially lured the Insectoids to the Titanion Realm. In fact, a part of him had been secretly thrilled.

The Insectoid invasion presented conflict, yes, but it was also a trial by fire.

Through this intense crucible, the Stoneheart Horde would achieve greater strength and amass considerable resources. For an expansionist like Orion, this was precisely the catalyst he sought – a beneficial development.

However, as formidable factions such as the Cult of Four and the Profane Lands began to infiltrate the Titanion Realm, both overtly and covertly, Orion began to experience a palpable sense of peril.

Beings like Clown were impossible to defend against; no matter the fortifications erected, they would invariably find a way through.

Consequently, Orion felt an urgent need to claim the Titanion Realm as his own and convert it into his personal Divine Kingdom.

He desired to rewrite the realm's laws, manipulate its cosmic coordinates, and set both the Titanion Realm and the Stoneheart Horde upon an entirely new course.

The crucial issue was that another entity was already pursuing this exact objective.

That entity was none other than Insect Queen Moriphara.

The God-Devouring Insectoids had grown progressively more formidable through ceaseless cycles of invasion and assimilation. If Orion allowed the conflict to persist at its current rate, he and his Stoneheart Horde were destined for defeat.

The most optimistic outcome would involve a forced evacuation of the Stoneheart Horde from the Titanion Realm just as the Insectoids achieved total victory.

To thwart Insect Queen Moriphara's assimilation of the Titanion Realm, Orion was compelled to embody divine power itself. He needed to merge with the realm's laws, wresting control from the Insect Queen to seize ultimate Authority over the domain.

Until this juncture, Orion had lacked the capacity to integrate with the world's laws.

The advent of The Chapter of the Profane and the Fel Fruit had finally presented him with this singular opportunity.

"Clown... Witch..."

Commander Thresh uttered, the names echoing as if striking a resonant chord within him at that precise moment.

"The page of The Chapter of the Profane you possess is a mere fragment from a dark grimoire. It is akin to a divine artifact; it originates from a god."

"The instant the dark god who possesses that grimoire awakens, they will inevitably seek you out to retrieve their lost pages and regain their strength."

The Commander fixed Orion with a stare, his gaze as piercing as a sharpened blade and as blazing as a roaring torch.

"Should you merge your god-forged physique with The Chapter of the Profane, the fundamental nature of your divine flesh will render the scripture an inseparable part of you. It will become impossible to simply detach them."

"This means you will be making an unending, sworn adversary out of an obscure dark god. Have you truly wrestled with this decision?"

The Commander spoke with utter seriousness, elaborating extensively on the perilous consequences to ensure Orion did not act impulsively.

"Commander, for reasons I cannot articulate, I am gripped by an overwhelming sense of urgency. I am perpetually plagued by the feeling that time is slipping through my grasp."

It was a perplexing declaration. Orion himself couldn't grasp its meaning, but Commander Thresh understood. Nevertheless, the elder offered no elucidation.

"If I were to adhere to conventional cultivation techniques, I haven't the faintest idea how much time it would take to ascend from the initial Demigod stage to the sixth."

"But I am certain it would require an unbearable eternity—an epoch so vast I might fall into a profound slumber and awaken centuries later, oblivious to the eras that have passed."

"Much like an ancient entity such as yourself, Commander!"

Orion met Commander Thresh's eyes directly. In Orion's perception, the man before him had always stood as an embodiment of unmatched, monumental grandeur.

The Commander had never known the sting of defeat. Every strike he delivered was clean, definitive, and crowned with unwavering triumph. This was the reality in the past, the present, and most likely, the future.

"Commander, we simply lack such an extended timeframe."

Thresh remained in silent contemplation, offering no counterpoint.

"Consuming worlds, vanquishing worthy adversaries to accelerate my growth—this is the path I must tread now. It represents our most expedient route to formidable power."

"And I am confident that in your estimation, Commander, such deeds would scarcely be deemed malevolent."

These were the genuine sentiments resonating within Orion. His present aspirations would undoubtedly be condemned as pure wickedness by any sanctimonious saintess or tender-hearted soul.

"Heh... Lad, are you attempting to test my resolve?"

The Commander emitted a chuckle, a soft, dismissive sound tinged with utter indifference.

"Young man, were you merely a nascent Demigod relying on your divine endowment, attempting to intertwine with a world's foundational laws to contend for Authority would be an act of sheer folly, akin to suicide."

"However, if you integrate your god-forged physique into the process... forget a being on the precipice of the fourth stage; even against a genuine fourth-stage combatant, you would possess a sixty to seventy percent probability of prevailing."

The Commander pivoted, stepping away from the precipice's edge and returning to recline within the confines of his opulent tent.

"Proceed. So long as you successfully subdue the Titanion Realm and lay claim to that Insectoid's Divine Kingdom... to oblivion with the Profane Lands. Even should that dark god decide to confront you in the future, I shall stand as your bulwark."

These pronouncements were delivered with casual ease by Commander Thresh as he leaned back against a mound of thick pelts, his legs crossed in a relaxed posture.

"My gratitude, Commander!"

Orion executed a profound bow. This was precisely the affirmation he had journeyed to Blade's Edge Peak to receive.

The Chapter of the Profane was intrinsically linked to a dark god, and Orion was resolute in preventing his own avarice from precipitating his comrades in the Champions Alliance into ruin. The Profane Lands were undeniably a fearsome entity, and he had harbored doubts as to whether even a formidable figure like the Commander could withstand their onslaught.

Now, Orion possessed his definitive answer.

With that understanding, he turned and departed.

Observing Orion's receding figure, Commander Thresh retrieved a drinking horn and took a deep, substantial draught of ale.