Chapter 928: Strike

In the Void of Chaos, some distance away from the universe, six figures roamed. Each of them radiated the aura of laws. Wherever their forms passed, existence was carved out from the void; wherever their gazes landed, the laws themselves shifted and changed.

At this moment, the six had gathered. Their inner spirits intertwined, allowing them to exchange thoughts.

"We're all finally here."

"The others... have they really gone into the depths of the Chaos? Are they truly not coming back?"

"So the decision is made?"

"No matter what, we have to try. It's either we get swallowed by the Void, or be erased by the power of Eternity. I've had enough of this aimless drifting, day after day, lost in confusion and haze."

"I agree with Miao Ya. Whatever the outcome, even if it means our end, we have to do something. Taking action is better than doing nothing at all."

Among them was none other than Creator Miao Ya, whose avatar had once fiercely clashed with Li Pin in the Astral World. That confrontation helped Li Pin grasp the power of reincarnation.

The fact that the other five spoke with Miao Ya as equals made it clear that they were the true forces behind the Astral Lord Council. They were ancient cultivators from the era of the Ancient Astral World, exiled by the mysterious power suspected to be Eternity.

One of the figures beside Miao Ya said, "I've looked into this universe. Its vitality still hasn't recovered from the great upheaval. Many have reached a level comparable to the Transcendent Realm, but only by taking shortcuts and merging with the universe's power. They are no match for us. With our strength, we can eliminate all resistance here."

Another, who identified himself as Yong Yao, echoed the sentiment. "I, along with Miao Ya, Tian Zhu, and Yun Ting, believe the time has come for us to return. After all these years, that terrifying presence has likely long since left. The fact that we're slowly awakening from our dazed state and no longer feel fear toward that universe is proof enough. This may be our best chance to come into contact with that power..."

While addressing the group, he turned to another among them. "Li, what about you?"

Out of all of them, the one known as Creator Li possessed the most profound and refined mastery over the laws. Even before their banishment from the Ancient Astral World, he had already been one of their most powerful members. After countless years of refinement and cultivation, his strength had risen to an unimaginable level.

Yun Ting seemed to have guessed something and said, "Li, are you still worried about that terrifying existence? In that case, why not lure

him

into the universe and let

him

clash with it head-on?

"If the power of Eternity has truly faded, we can reveal ourselves and join forces with the universe's experts to destroy

him

completely. That would not only resolve our crisis but also help us better integrate into this universe while avoiding war altogether.

"But if that Eternal power still exists... then we can use

him

to see its true nature for ourselves before making our next move."

"No," Li replied calmly, "We may have been driven out, but no matter what, this universe is still our home. A battle between us and its beings is an internal conflict. But if we bring in an outside force..."

Yong Yao's expression darkened. "But

he

's getting closer. If we hadn't shifted from the Transcendent path to cultivating under the current Creation system, he might've already caught us. Even so, at this rate, it's only a matter of time before he finds us and the universe."

"That's why we must enter the universe as soon as possible," Li said firmly. "We need to face the power of Eternity head-on, break through the illusions clouding our hearts, and sever the deepest threads of karma. Only then can we truly stand against

him

."

Yong Yao remained silent. He disagreed with what he saw as Li's overly sentimental moral stance.

Luring that terrifying existence into a clash with the universe's Eternal power, hoping for mutual destruction, was undoubtedly a dangerous gamble. But if things unfolded as Li envisioned, meaning they got to confront the power of Eternity directly, sever the threads of karma, and resolve the crisis through their own strength, that would be the best solution.

It was also the most dignified and foolproof path they could take.

Seeing that no one objected, Miao Ya said, "In that case... let's go."

The other five nodded in agreement.

Yun Ting said in a low voice. "For all these years, we've been drifting in the Void of Chaos, while our successors lived safely within the universe, inheriting the legacies left behind from the Ancient Astral World era. Now, it's time for us elders to test them, and to see how far they've come."

Tian Zhu smiled faintly. "All these years, we've weathered storms and hardship in the Chaos, while they grew up sheltered, like flowers in a greenhouse. The difference between us couldn't be clearer. Besides, like you said, we're the elders here.

"Us facing these so-called Supremes of the universe is no different from adults dealing with children. Let them feel the gap for themselves. Once they do, they'll naturally fall in line and join us in searching for the power of Eternity. As long as they're willing to cooperate, we can show mercy. We're not some evil force out to destroy the world."

Creation Miao Ya couldn't help but think back to the encounter his avatar once had with Li Pin.

After a moment of thought, he said, "Our cultivation goes back far longer than theirs, but the universe still nurtures its share of dazzling talents. My avatar, who supported the Astral Lord Council, once met someone like that. He called himself Origin, and his talent was extraordinary."

He paused briefly, then chuckled. "For a moment, I almost believed he was the avatar of the power of Eternity, or perhaps the successor of that so-called Eternal."

The others instantly turned their gazes toward Miao Ya, eyes filling with shock.

"The successor of the Eternal?"

"What do you mean?"

"At the time, it was only one of my avatars that descended. Its power was limited, so it couldn't truly grasp the greatness of the Eternal. Without enough insight or understanding, my avatar ended up projecting that greatness onto Origin instead. But..."

Miao Ya shook his head. "Now that our memories are gradually merging, and the image of the Eternal is becoming clearer, we can be certain that the Eternal's power far surpasses ours. Even if we sever all karma and take another step forward, reaching the realm of true Creation where we can forge all things... we still wouldn't come close to that Eternal. So, the attempt to link Origin with the power of Eternity... was likely just my avatar being overly paranoid."

The other Creators nodded, but their expressions remained thoughtful.

Creator Yong Yao spoke bluntly, "Even if it was just paranoia, it still gives us a direction to explore."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Our true purpose in returning to this universe was never conquest. We came to search for the power of Eternity. Our strength is already enough to challenge the entire universe. But if we can reach our goal through an easier path, why choose the hardest and most destructive one?"

Creator Yun Ting quickly caught on. "You mean..."

"Start with Origin," Yong Yao replied. "First, we show overwhelming power, one enough to suppress the entire universe. Then we announce that our target is Origin, who destroyed the Astral Lord Council. Let them hand him over."

A small smile tugged at his lips. "This universe might be able to resist us if all its forces unite. But as far as I know, its lifeforms have split into many races. They aren't truly united. With the right approach, we can deal with them more easily."

Creator Tian Zhu nodded slightly. "This plan makes sense. Once we display our power, we claim we're only here to seek revenge on Origin. The rest of the universe's lifeforms, fearing our strength, will likely hand him over. Then, when we accuse the Human Race of being involved and move to wipe them out, those who oppose them won't try to stop us. And when we shift our focus to their allies, the Intelligent Lifeform Race..."

He smiled. "As long as we don't go after them first, they won't rally together or risk everything to stop us. And by the time they realize they're next... they won't even have the strength to resist."

This plan was far from honorable. But since it could avoid the most intense and destructive war, one that might tear the entire universe apart, the other Creators still agreed. After all, destroying the universe was only a last resort in their search for the power of Eternity.

If possible, they hoped to keep the universe intact. Only then could it help awaken their buried memories and uncover the clues to Eternity's power.

***

These six ancient Creators descended with overwhelming hostility.

Somewhere in the vast universe, within the Violet Nightsky Palace, Li Pin's true body had just finished the first round of discussion with Supreme Regalheaven, Genesis, Primordial, and several others.

By the time the discussion ended, the way everyone looked at Li Pin had completely changed.

Supreme Primacy muttered, "So... beyond the Supreme Realm lies the understanding of reincarnation, the stabilization of the self, and the realization of one's karma, to perceive infinity within order?"

Li Pin nodded lightly. "That's right. No being can withstand the endless spread of chaos. But as long as karma exists, or rather, as long as order exists, then all growth and expansion will follow the laws of cause and effect. In that way, order can arise from chaos.

"And when that's combined with the stabilizing force of reincarnation, true infinite growth becomes possible, so infinite that even the concept of 'size' loses its meaning."

Supreme Genesis watched as Li Pin explained the transcendent realm beyond the Supreme Realm without holding anything back.

In the past, due to prior conflicts and personal pride, he had harbored a shred of resentment toward Fang Chen. But now, he could no longer deny it—Li Pin's openness and magnanimity were truly beyond reproach.

Even he, as a Supreme, could not help but feel sincere admiration, just like so many other Heavenly Emperors. He sighed from the bottom of his heart. "To have met Origin is truly our fortune... and the fortune of all living beings."