Chapter 911: Ripples

The Supreme Council.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

As one of the Supremes, Primordial stood at the very peak of the universe. Throughout the boundless cosmos, there was nothing beyond his grasp, nothing he could not accomplish. He was like the absolute ruler of a world, its every law and rule could be shaped entirely to his will.

With such status and power, in theory, there should have been nothing left in this universe that could unsettle him. Yet after ending his communication with Li Pin, he sat in silence for a long time.

After a while, he took out an old manual. It was the earliest version of the Phantom Space Technique.

Li Pin had never kept his cultivation method a secret. Back when he killed Divine Emperor Yuan Jie, Divine Martial Emperor and the others had inquired about the Phantom Space Technique, so he had written it out for them.

However, that version was crude. While it mentioned the concept of the Liberation Realm, it was purely theoretical, with no real examples to back it up.

All the Supremes knew of this supposed realm, but none of them truly understood what it looked like in practice.

Even they believed it was just a concept and nothing more than a theoretical possibility. Just like how many Supremes believed there had to be a realm beyond their own, Li Pin's so-called "Liberation" realm was a concept derived from that very notion.

Back then, the Supreme Council had placed high hopes on the Phantom Space Technique, believing it might yield valuable insights, or even point toward a new direction. However, because they thought it was merely conceptual, they still had not rushed to descend upon the Astral World to speak with Li Pin in person.

"He... has really set foot on the path of Liberation?" Primordial murmured.

That path... it's real? Is it truly viable?

"How is that possible?" Primordial whispered to himself. "Li Pin... has barely been cultivating for three hundred years. How could he have done what countless Supremes, Highlords, and Transcendents have failed to do and truly carve out a path beyond the Supreme Realm?"

What Li Pin was offering now wasn't a simple direction anymore; it was a complete path, one that had taken full shape, allowing other people to follow.

After a long silence, Primordial took out a communication device used for daily contact and pressed a button.

Soon, the projections of four other Supremes—Genesis, Ordainment, Unbound, and Great Heaven—appeared before him.

Due to the current unrest in the Astral World and humanity's efforts to collaborate with nearby Supremes to forcibly intervene in the impending Eternal Oblivion Disaster, the number of active-duty Supremes had increased from three to five.

Ordainment and Unbound asked in succession.

"An emergency contact?"

"Primordial, what's going on?"

"Has something happened in the Astral World?"

Primordial took a deep breath and said solemnly, "We need to reassess our stance on Li Pin."

"Li Pin? Who's that?" asked Supreme Unbound.

"It's the true name of Origin," Primordial replied. "The one who forged his own path in the Astral World. A prodigy who might offer us insight into the future of cultivation. We've been looking into the Black Abyss, haven't we? All to verify the authenticity of Origin, of Li Pin's path. That will ultimately determine the value we place on the path he has laid before us."

Supreme Ordainment chuckled. "That kid, Origin, he has been making quite a stir lately. During the Ten Thousand Tribes Dominion War, he brought tremendous honor to the Human Race. You've probably sensed the recent shifts in Fortune, haven't you? Although Fortune tends to react with a delay, the scale of this fluctuation clearly shows that he's secured significant benefits for us humans."

Supreme Unbound's expression finally cleared up. "Him, huh? I've come across his name in several reports lately. He really is the most outstanding young talent our race has seen in years."

He smiled. "His chosen path... sounds remarkably convincing. Not long ago, we even ordered the forces under us to support his cultivation as much as possible, hoping he'd reach success sooner. I'm genuinely curious about how far he's come by now."

Supreme Great Heaven added with a hint of regret, "It's a shame communication with the Astral World has been cut off. The new batch of Tier Six Legends we've been nurturing hasn't had enough time. It will take at least another three to five hundred years before they'll be ready to stand firm in the chaos the Eternal Oblivion Disaster has caused. Otherwise, I'd have gone to the Astral World myself to guide his cultivation."

Those words made Supreme Primordial's expression shift subtly.

After a moment's pause, he finally said, "Great Heaven, there's no need for you to travel to the Astral World. If you want to guide him... you'll have your chance very soon."

"Very soon?" Great Heaven was taken aback. "What do you mean? He—"

Before he could finish, Supreme Genesis seemed to have realized something and exclaimed in shock, "He's broken through to the Supreme Realm?"

But he immediately shook his head. "No, that's impossible! He only just comprehended the laws of space and became a Sacred Monarch during the Ten Thousand Tribes Dominion War. Even if he later killed Divine Emperor Yuan Jie in the Abyssal Rift, that was likely due to the uniqueness of his path."

He trailed off, his gaze shifting to Primordial. "The uniqueness of his path?"

The other Supremes also fell silent and turned their eyes to Primordial.

Primordial didn't leave them hanging. He gave a firm nod.

Then, after calming his thoughts, he said, "Li Pin, the Sacred Monarch,

uh

, Divine Emperor, from our Sacred Flame Hall... well, perhaps..."

For a moment, he found himself caught in the same dilemma the Heavenly Emperors of the Astral World had once faced.

What title should I even use for Li Pin?

Still, he quickly set that aside. "His background, along with his remarkable talent, has kept my attention on him all this time. So when I sensed Sasha's sub-body, who's always been by his side, suddenly appear in the universe, I reached out immediately. And to my surprise... he really had left the Astral World and emerged in the universe."

The others had mentally prepared themselves, but their pupils still dilated involuntarily at the statement.

"What do you mean? How could he appear in the universe? Don't tell me—"

"Supreme," Primordial confirmed with a solemn nod. "He broke through the limits of the Astral World and stepped into the Supreme Realm. He was only able to emerge in the universe after transcending the Astral World."

Then he added, "You can confirm it for yourselves. Check the energy readings around that location. It's at the Jade Shell Galaxy, located in the White Moon Star Cluster of the Sea Emperor Star Region, within the Blue Crest Star Abyss. A few minutes before I made contact with him, there was a sudden spike of immense energy in that region. It was a clear sign of a high-tier lifeform descending."

They knew Primordial wouldn't joke about something like this, but the news was just too unbelievable. So much so that the four Supremes immediately issued verification orders on the spot.

With their absolute authority and vast networks stretching across nearly every corner of the universe, it didn't take long for the data from the Star Abyss region to be delivered right into their hands.

As they looked over the energy readings, which clearly indicated that a Heavenly Emperor-level being had broken through the Astral World and descended into the starry skies, a look of complete disbelief crossed the face of every Supreme.

They couldn't hold back their exclamations.

"It's real."

"How did he do it?"

"This is... unbelievable."

Seeing their reactions, Supreme Primordial suddenly felt a sense of balance. Earlier, he had blurted out,

"

How is that possible?

"

Now, with everyone equally shaken, it felt more... satisfying.

After all, shocking news like this was best enjoyed together. That way, he wouldn't feel out of place.

A chuckle escaped him.

The sound of his laughter finally pulled the others back to their senses.

Supreme Genesis was the first to speak. "This is indeed a cause for celebration. With the rise of another Supreme from our Human Race, it is both a moment of great joy and a glory to our kind."

"Li Pin's only been cultivating for just over three hundred years, hasn't he?" Supreme Unbound couldn't help but mutter. "To become a Supreme in just three centuries... that's absolutely unprecedented."

Primordial laughed and teased, "Great Heaven, didn't you say you wanted to guide Li Pin? Well, now that he's a Supreme, you can go all out without worrying about accidentally hurting him."

But Great Heaven didn't respond. Instead, he spoke solemnly. "Am I really the only one concerned about the path Li Pin is walking? To become a Supreme in just over three hundred years, his talent is beyond anything we've ever seen. For someone like him, someone who defies all conventional understanding, is it really so strange that he's managed to open a path beyond the Supreme Realm?"

At those words, whatever smiles or delight had been on the others' faces immediately froze. Their expressions, like Great Heaven's, gradually turned grave.

Supreme Unbound voiced the question they were all thinking, "So you're saying... his path might really lead beyond the Supreme Realm?"

Supreme Ordainment remained silent for a moment, deep in thought.

Then he said, "Rather than believing he reached the Supreme Realm so quickly

and

managed to forge a path beyond it, I'm more inclined to think he's inherited an extraordinary legacy. Something from the Ancient Astral World Era, one that directly points to a realm beyond Supreme. Or perhaps..."

He drew in a long breath. "Perhaps he's the reincarnation of a powerful being from that era."

As he spoke, he brought up a data file. It was a record showing how Li Pin's personality changed completely during his time on Gaia.

Supreme Primordial and Genesis exchanged a glance.

"A legacy from the Ancient Astral World Era... or the reincarnation of a powerful existence..."

They couldn't help but recall a conversation they once had with Supreme Regalheaven in the Violet Nightsky Palace.

Could Li Pin... be connected to that mysterious being Supreme Regalheaven spoke of? The one who created him? If so, once Li Pin recovers his full strength...

The hall fell silent. For a long time, no one spoke.

Eventually, Supreme Primordial broke the stillness with a deep voice, "There's no point in guessing. Li Pin is already on his way to the Supreme Council. Once he arrives, we'll ask him directly. All our questions will be answered then."

He swept his gaze across the room. "Please notify the other Supremes. One year from now, we will convene a full Supreme Conference to welcome Lord Supreme Origin. Together, we will explore the path that lies beyond the Supreme Realm."