Chapter 314: The Pinnacle
Chapter 314: The Pinnacle (End of Chapter)
After the Church of Lust 'withdrew', the Order Church, as per routine, inquired about Ampere City and the surrounding viscount territories.
With that, the matter was put to rest.
Lin Yuan's life returned to its usual tranquility.
In Dragon Hill City, Lin Yuan sat cross-legged in the center of the cultivation field.
"Time Rules. Our human civilization's top scholars have deduced 2,173 time rule models based on the essence of time rules."
Lin Yuan pondered. Compared to the nearly ten thousand space rule models, there were far fewer time rule models. However, in terms of comprehension difficulty, the latter was far more challenging.
Moreover, even if one comprehended all 2,173 time rule models, it did not mean they had fully grasped the essence of time rules.
To truly master time rules, one had to take the final step themselves.
The 2,173 time rule models merely provided a direction for evolvers to follow in their quest to understand time rules.
"I haven't recovered to the ninth tier yet, so I can't open a spatial layer, but my understanding of time rules has definitely improved."
Lin Yuan felt a sense of wonder as he realized that in the past hundred years, he had comprehended over a hundred time rule models and was approaching a'minor achievement' in his understanding of time.
This depth of insight was something that only a tenth-tier evolver should possess.
Additionally, Lin Yuan's insights into space rules had also deepened.
Fully grasping the entirety of space rules did not mean one had reached the limits of their understanding; space rules were vast and infinite, with numerous facets. The understanding of space rules by the strongest beings was on an entirely different level compared to that of ordinary ninth-tier evolvers.
The manual left behind by the Master of Demon Jade Tower, Interpretation of the Void, provided Lin Yuan with a different perspective on the essence of space rules, and he benefited greatly from it, gaining new insights with each reading.
"Hmm?"
"Are they all here?"
Lin Yuan's gaze swept the area, and he noticed a large number of Dragon Hill Clan members gathered at the edge of the cultivation field, looking at him with fervent admiration.
Thin, invisible, and illusory strands of power began to converge on Lin Yuan.
"This world is indeed suitable for the path of faith." Lin Yuan was aware that the power gathering around him was the faith power of the Dragon Hill Clan members directed at him.
This would have been extremely unimaginable in the main universe of the main world.
In the human civilization of the main world, there were evolvers who attempted to walk the path of faith, but they found it challenging to gather faith power. However, in this world, it was much easier.
"It's a pity that faith power relies too much on sentient beings. If they were to perish, the gods who relied on faith as their foundation would also lose their source of power," Lin Yuan shook his head slightly.
Compared to the path of faith, he still preferred to concentrate power within himself. Even if he spread the path of evolution, it would only make his ultimate leap easier.
However, not spreading the path of evolution didn't mean Lin Yuan couldn't ascend to the twelfth tier.
Lin Yuan's thoughts wandered as he looked at the increasing number of Dragon Hill Clan members.
To better spread the Martial Arts Cultivation Method, Lin Yuan would explain its key points and essence to the Dragon Hill Clan members from time to time.
"That's our Clan Head!"
"The Clan Head is so powerful! Just looking at him makes my heart race."
"Of course, our Dragon Hill Clan's Clan Head is renowned as the strongest fourth-level knight in the surrounding viscount territories, and he has the potential to become a fifth-level grand knight in the future."
One by one, the members of the Dragon Hill Clan whispered excitedly. Many of them didn't cultivate the Martial Arts Cultivation Method, but they had come specifically to catch a glimpse of Lin Yuan.
Over the past hundred years, Dragon Hill Ridge had thrived and prospered, attracting the attention of several surrounding viscount territories. These territories joined forces and sent over a dozen fourth-tier peak knights to Dragon Hill City to pressure the new Dragon Hill Viscount.
However, these fourth-tier peak knights were no match for Lin Yuan; he defeated each of them with a single punch, not giving them any chance to fight back.
After that incident, the several viscount territories no longer had any designs on Dragon Hill Ridge. In their eyes, the Dragon Hill Viscount's strength was infinitely close to that of a fifth-level grand knight, and it was only a matter of time before he crossed into that realm.
What the fourth-tier peak knights from the viscount territories didn't know was that the Dragon Hill Viscount they had encountered was a formidable existence comparable to a true god.
Time passed.
In the blink of an eye, two hours had gone by.
Lin Yuan's lecture was coming to an end, and the Dragon Hill Clan members around him were completely engrossed in his words.
With Lin Yuan's understanding of the essence of power, even if he wasn't skilled at teaching disciples, his description of the Martial Arts Cultivation Method was spot-on, capturing the very essence of cultivation and power.
The Dragon Hill Clan members may not have fully understood everything on the spot, but they at least had a vague comprehension, and they knew that they would gain new insights once they returned and reflected on his words.
In the sky above Dragon Hill City, a slightly distorted space appeared.
Several figures stood there, observing Lin Yuan intently.
The three figures at the forefront had their auras restrained, but they were undoubtedly sixth-level legendary knights, the empire's last line of defense.
Perhaps the most powerful empires on the Plateau of Myriad Countries had seventh-level demigods sitting in their ranks, but the vast majority did not possess demigods. The sixth level was the limit for most.
Seventh-level demigods usually had two choices: to pledge allegiance to a true god or to secretly spread their faith and attempt to ascend to godhood themselves.
"Lord Fabian, the Martial Arts Cultivation Method originated from that Dragon Hill Viscount," a young man with golden hair said respectfully to the eldest of the group.
Fabian was a legend in the empire, a sixth-level peak legendary knight, and he even had the potential to ignite the divine flame and ascend to the seventh level as a demigod.
"In my opinion, the Martial Arts Cultivation Method is nothing special. While it can accommodate the majority of bloodlines, it falls short when it comes to specificity. How can it compare to our imperial family's cultivation method?" said another young man.
After the Dragon Hill Clan publicly shared the Martial Arts Cultivation Method, it quickly spread and eventually reached the imperial family.
Fabian immediately recognized the importance of this cultivation method, realizing that it could bring about a revolution in the way knights cultivated. Without hesitation, he brought a group of people to Dragon Hill City to observe the Dragon Hill Viscount secretly.
"You should say, how can our imperial family's cultivation method compare to the Martial Arts Cultivation Method?" Fabian glanced at the young man and shook his head. "This Dragon Hill Viscount has limitless potential, and there's a high chance he will reach the seventh level."
Upon hearing this, the others were left stunned.
They had never heard Fabian give such high praise to any knight before. Limitless potential? A high chance of reaching the seventh level?
Goodness gracious.
Were these words really coming from the usually aloof Fabian?
"You don't believe me?" Fabian asked calmly, his attention still focused on Lin Yuan below.
He couldn't see through Lin Yuan's strength or detect anything unusual, but just from listening to Lin Yuan's precise description of the essence of power and cultivation, he could sense that this Dragon Hill Viscount's future achievements would far surpass his own.
At least, when Fabian was this age, he only knew how to wield power; his understanding of the essence of power was far inferior to that of the current Dragon Hill Viscount.
And the higher he cultivated, the more Fabian realized the importance of understanding the essence of power.
After all, only a sixth-level Legendary Knight could live for five centuries.
"The Martial Arts Cultivation Method must be immediately disseminated throughout our royal family. If we delay any further, the surrounding empires will catch up to us," Fabian said thoughtfully.
For years, there had been constant debate within the imperial family about how to approach the Martial Arts Cultivation Method. But now, after personally witnessing the Dragon Hill Viscount, Fabian had made up his mind.
Blocking information or restricting the method to the imperial family alone was unrealistic. Many knights within the empire, as well as those from neighboring empires, had already learned about the Martial Arts Cultivation Method and were studying it.
The reason there hadn't been much movement yet was that they were still researching the method.
"Alright," the knights behind Fabian responded.
Within the empire, Fabian's authority was second only to the Order Church, and his word was absolute when it came to internal decision-making.
"Also, promote this Dragon Hill Viscount immediately. Elevate his title to Count and grant him additional territories from the surrounding areas, as well as the lands of several viscounts, to be added to the Dragon Hill family's holdings," Fabian continued after a moment's thought.
"Yes," the others replied, glancing at each other.
It was clear to them that Fabian's regard for the Dragon Hill Viscount was unprecedented. To directly promote the Dragon Hill Viscount to Dragon Hill Count was an unprecedented move in the history of the empire.
Moreover, the Dragon Hill Viscount had not yet established any notable achievements.
It was common knowledge that any count within the empire could pass down their title and inherit their lands eternally, and their rights to their territories superseded even those of the empire itself.
"Let's go," Fabian said. "It's time to return."
With a final glance at Dragon Hill City below, Fabian and his entourage departed for the imperial capital.
Fabian, the sixth-level peak Legendary Knight, was unaware that as soon as he left, the Dragon Hill Viscount, Lin Yuan, glanced at the spot where he had been standing with untraceable eyes.
"Smart move," Lin Yuan thought to himself.
Fabian's group could not escape Lin Yuan's perception. Not only that, but Lin Yuan had heard every word they had spoken.
Lin Yuan had anticipated that the spread of the Martial Arts Cultivation Method would attract the empire's attention. After all, compared to other cultivation methods for knights, the Martial Arts Cultivation Method was unique and could replace most of the existing methods.
Initially, Lin Yuan had thought that the empire might take some measures, such as trying to control him, the Dragon Hill Viscount, as the source of the method.
However, it was evident that the empire's leaders were not short-sighted. Upon realizing that they couldn't contain the method, they had promptly joined in, even going so far as to woo Lin Yuan with rewards and promotions.
Lin Yuan couldn't help but feel somewhat favorably towards the imperial family after this series of events.
"My two projection clones have already begun infiltrating the churches," Lin Yuan said, his gaze drifting towards the distance.
Although the Plateau of Myriad Countries was called "Myriad," the number of empires that existed within it far exceeded ten thousand.
Lin Yuan sent his projection clones to collect 'god crystals,' targeting churches that were located at a considerable distance.
He wasn't going to steal from his own backyard; the current empire he resided in was called the 'Slan' Empire, the faith territory of the Order God.
Facing a god-level existence, Lin Yuan remained cautious and wouldn't dare to provoke one of the main gods.
In a distant empire, far removed from the Slan Empire, was the faith territory of the 'Starry Sky' True God, and the Starry Sky Church was the most revered institution within that empire.
Starry Sky Church.
Countless believers knelt in worship, their ethereal faith power converging towards a statue of the Starry Sky True God. From there, it was transmitted to the True God himself, who resided in an ocean of light.
Deep within the church.
The Pope gazed happily at the accumulating god crystals before him.
"It seems my god is very pleased. To bestow so many god crystals upon us is truly generous," the Pope thought joyfully.
God crystals contained incredibly pure energy, not only useful for supplying divine power but also greatly beneficial for cultivation.
The amount of god crystals the Starry Sky True God had bestowed this time was enough to sustain the cultivation of all the church's fifth-tier and above experts for hundreds of years.
"If I could consume these god crystals, perhaps I could attain the seventh tier and establish a divine nation. Then, like my god, I could enter the ocean of light and achieve eternal existence," the Pope mused, his eyes glued to the crystals, a spark of greed igniting within him.
Just then.
A figure appeared silently beside the Pope, its features blurred and shrouded in mystery.
"Hmm?" The Pope turned, not recognizing the figure, but before he could react, his expression changed drastically. "You are..."
Before the Pope could finish his sentence, his consciousness plunged into darkness. When he awoke, he discovered that the god crystals accumulated by the church over millennia had vanished.
"Who did this?!" The Pope of the Starry Sky Church shouted, his eyes bloodshot with rage. How could so many god crystals just disappear?
Outside the church.
Lin Yuan's figure reappeared.
"Not bad," Lin Yuan murmured, glancing at the newly acquired god crystals. He nodded slightly, satisfied with the haul.
Although the quantity wasn't overwhelming, consistency was key. Along his journey, he had raided dozens of churches, amassing the god crystals they had hoarded over the years.
"Keep going," Lin Yuan urged himself. He knew that speed was of the essence.
He had to gather enough god crystals to reach the ninth tier before the gods realized what was happening and reacted.
Time passed.
In the blink of an eye, a decade went by.
During these ten years, Lin Yuan's projection clones traveled across half of the Plateau of Myriad Countries, raiding countless churches of various true gods.
Lin Yuan was only interested in the god crystals; he didn't harm the believers.
His primary goal was to minimize the fallout and avoid a direct confrontation with the gods. Killing believers or high-ranking church officials would be akin to declaring war on the gods, which would hinder his god crystal collection efforts.
Dragon Hill Ridge.
In an underground cave.
Lin Yuan gazed at the pile of god crystals amassed before him.
Taking a deep breath, he shattered the crystals, absorbing them into his body. In an instant, his inner world expanded, and the spatial layers became more robust and vast.
With his experience of ascending to the ninth tier in the main universe, Lin Yuan's breakthrough to the ninth tier in this world was smooth and silent, without any noticeable signs.
A subtle, fleeting aura permeated the air.
No one knew that in the small corner of the Slan Empire known as Dragon Hill Ridge, a being equal in power to the twenty-four main gods had been born.
(End of Chapter)
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