Chapter 55: The Reckoning

Chapter 55: The Reckoning

This was the foundational Celestial Dao contained within the Divine Core of the Manhuang World.

Every chaotic realm’s Celestial Dao contained these "basic elements"—they might manifest as Earth-Fire-Water-Wind, or Metal-Wood-Water-Fire-Earth, or even simpler combinations like pure water and fire. Though some names seemed similar, their essences differed completely.

The Celestial Dao born from Divine Cores varied drastically between Primordial Chaos Realms. By the time they reached this world, they no longer operated under the same cosmic framework.

Take the Earth-type Celestial Dao as an example. This source world’s Supreme Rule refused to acknowledge it outright, twisting and reshaping it into the "Earth Primordial Laws." Without such modifications, Silver Robe Yuan Shen would never have been able to establish himself here.

The only reason Supreme Rule intervened was because Jiang Zhe possessed a native soul, his Divine Core’s unique structure held potential to evolve into a Primordial Universe, and this near-unique "Universe Manifestation" phenomenon warranted documentation.

According to Silver Robe Yuan Shen’s earlier perception, the Divine Core’s Dao principles had split into ten distinct paths.

The basics were Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind.

The middle layer contained four Celestial Dao, paired and interdependent.

The apex held the Chaos Celestial Dao and a bizarre "parasitic" Dao clinging to it, whose origins remained mysterious.

Beyond the foundational four, Jiang Zhe couldn’t yet comprehend the higher Dao principles, leaving them for future cultivation.

All this immense foundation within the Divine Core had been shattered, refined, and remade by the Supreme Rule.

Part became the Life Core, enhancing affinity with laws.

Part transformed into the "Internal Cosmos."

While similar to the "Internal World", the Internal Cosmos was far more advanced. The latter granted Domain Lord traits, while the former granted characteristics of a God-King-level existence.

Having studied Primordial Evolution in detail, Jiang Zhe understood that once his Law Comprehension matured, he could drive the Internal World’s evolution without relying on external energy.

The Divine Core’s immense foundation had become an uncharted chaotic universe, granting him complete self-sufficiency.

"The cultivation requirements of Primordial Evolution are ruthless. To take the first step, I must fully comprehend an entire lower-tier Primordial Law?"

"No wonder it’s a Supreme Rule-bestowed technique—its cultivation threshold demands Immortal Godhood from the start!"

"Four options lie before me… which to choose?"

Jiang Zhe fell into contemplation.

His main body and Silver Robe Yuan Shen were separate entities, capable of cultivating Primordial Laws independently.

"These four options seem distinct, but they’re really only two paths…"

The first path: choose Earth, Fire, or Water to cultivate the Spatial Dao.

"Without proper martial artist techniques to aid Spatial Law comprehension, this path will be bumpy. Its only advantage is high law affinity."

"Myriad Lines Flow? That’s a Mentalist technique. Silver Robe Yuan Shen is an energy-based lifeform without a soul—or rather, without Mental Energy."

After three cycles of reincarnation, his soul would decay and perish, with this fragment already scattered into the Divine Core.

In other words, Silver Robe Yuan Shen’s death would mean his consciousness dissolving, his life imprint erasing completely.

The second path: choose Wind to cultivate the Temporal Dao.

"Silver Robe Yuan Shen embodies Wind, while my main body wields Thunder. Combining Wind and Thunder, complementing each other, with the Time Law Impression Plate… this was already a clear path before entering the Virtual Cosmos Corporation!"

"But there’s no need to retrace overlapping steps!"

Jiang Zhe decided to push himself, assigning Silver Robe Yuan Shen to the Spatial Dao path.

Then, he casually severed their "Law Comprehension sharing channel." Let each cultivate independently—no interference.

Silver Robe Yuan Shen was stunned by this sudden maneuver.

"You’re truly a dog!" he spat.

With only law affinity to rely on, Silver Robe Yuan Shen had to grind through Law Comprehension alone, without a single decent cultivation manual.

He could only drool enviously at the two Law Engraving Plates in Jiang Zhe’s hands.

As for Yunmo Star’s martial artist techniques?

As Babata said, they were indeed subpar.

Orianna had already reviewed them—only the lower-tier law cultivation techniques were refined, and the few upper-tier manuals barely reached the level of Myriad Lines Flow.

Thus, Silver Robe Yuan Shen’s path was set: choose one of Earth, Fire, or Water, and cultivate alongside Spatial Dao.

As for Primordial Evolution, cultivation required first mastering a lower-tier law—patience was needed.

Later, Silver Robe Yuan Shen entered the World Bracelet, taking up residence in the Spire Summit’s grand hall for the foreseeable future.

Once arrangements were made, Jiang Zhe remained alone in the cockpit.

Orianna descended to the lower chambers to instruct the slaves on Earth’s customs.

Jiang Zhe lightly slapped his cheeks, sharpening his focus.

He retrieved a rusted copper furnace from his spatial ring, running his fingers over its corroded surface.

Jiang Clan’s cultivation philosophy had finally been corrected.

Why bother with Genetic Primordial Energy cultivation?

Now they focused on refining their hearts and minds, studying Striking Arts, and exploring law-related secret techniques…

If they diligently studied for decades, perhaps one day they’d suddenly break through from Artistic Conception into Domain mastery—what a windfall that would be!

Once Jiang Clan’s demand for "Slag" vanished, the furnace had remained in Jiang Zhe’s possession.

Now, with his comprehension of Time Law, he finally glimpsed the furnace’s secrets.

"Who designed this convoluted mechanism? Requiring mastery of both Temporal and Spatial upper-tier laws, plus Domain formation, just to complete the puzzle?"

"Almost there… let’s see what treasures lie inside."

After studying the furnace’s crystal core, Jiang Zhe stored it again, continuing to digest his Dream Realm gains.

After ten days traversing the Dark Universe, Jiang Zhe finally returned to the Solar System.

"29x power amplification!"

"36x psychic amplification!"

In the main cockpit, Jiang Zhe suddenly opened his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips as his piercing gaze softened.

With a thought, dark purple lightning surged through the cabin, his Lightning Domain enveloping the space.

"Five-layer Domain? Still room for improvement."

"My grasp of Storm Origin Law is solid. Just need to sketch it onto the Circuit Board for verification."

"But first, I must brief my family."

"Anna, message Elder Jiang. Summon all Stellar-Level cultivators from our family."

After sending the message, Orianna guided the ship into Earth’s atmosphere, landing in the Wilderness Zone three hundred li outside Lanling Base City.

Within ten minutes, four streaks of light descended into the valley, spotting the massive, newly-arrived disc-shaped ship wedged between two mountains.

The four froze.

They exchanged wary glances, muscles tensed, senses sharp.

Such a pristine Universe Ship…

Could it be Xiaozhe had become a traitor, leading us to betray our planet?

Only when Jiang Zhe and Orianna emerged to greet them did the four cautiously board the ship.

Jiang Zhe’s subsequent explanations left them reeling.

Faster-than-light travel. Dark Universe. 320,000 light-years. Black Dragon Mountain Empire’s Qiulong Star. Life planet prices. Cosmic-Level slaves…

Most details blurred past them, but the term "Cosmic-Level" struck familiarity—they’d seen the War God Palace’s footage of beings who could battle on white dwarfs, shattering continents with a single punch, ruling entire star systems as local tyrants.

But "slaves" with such power?

Seeing the two young slaves behind Jiang Zhe, their collar-bound overwhelming might undeniable, felt utterly surreal.

Could Cosmic-Level beings truly be enslaved?

What did that make them?

Yet Xiaozhe, who could command Cosmic-Level slaves, what status did he hold in the Universe?

Gradually, awe and fear mingled in their hearts.

Even Elder Jiang, skilled in emotional cultivation, flushed red, his body trembling slightly.

Jiang Zhe continued briefing them.

The four marveled at their new smart-bracelets, following tutorials to customize their AI assistants.

To prepare Jiang Clan for Universe integration, they’d first learn the Universal Common Tongue and basic cosmic knowledge, all under Orianna-monitored AI surveillance before entering the Virtual Universe.

As for others?

Jiang Zhe had no intention of letting them access the Universe yet.

After the Genius War, he’d encourage alien migrations to Earth’s Americas, securing vast territories for Jiang Clan’s expansion and other benefits.

"To achieve this, I must apprentice under a Cosmic Sovereign—or at least a Cosmic Nation Lord. Otherwise, Earth’s exposure would make holding this territory impossible."

Jiang Zhe brooded.

Jiang Clan’s second generation, including his father, were dismissed by Elder Jiang, leaving him alone with Jiang Zhe.

"Xiaozhe, even if Earthlings can’t access the Universe, can you help Hanxia?"

"Grandfather, rest assured. I'll send Jia Yi... Uncle Jia some cultivation resources and techniques. How he distributes them is his choice."

Such a low generation rank… Jiang Zhe sighed inwardly.

"Xiaozhe, what about the Beasts’ rebellion?"

"Grandfather, the Beasts must remain. Without Universe access, humanity needs pressure to grow."

"Ah, you’re right." Elder Jiang’s eyes dimmed slightly.

After a pause, he added, "You should inform Hong and Lei Shen about your plans."

Jiang Zhe nodded.

Hong and Lei Shen had roles to play in his schemes.

Elder Jiang continued, "You’re already nineteen. It’s time to find a partner."

Jiang Zhe blinked. "Hmm… huh?!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end