Chapter 314 -314-Dao Discourse on the Universe
Chapter 314: Chapter314-Dao Discourse on the Universe
"I disagree."
Aldric’s tone was firm. The smile on his face suddenly faded, and his expression became extremely solemn.
"That Cosmic Imprint may seem harmless to High God-level powerhouses. It may even appear greatly beneficial."
"But in truth, its hidden drawbacks are just as fatal."
Everyone present possessed top-tier talent and extraordinary intelligence.
With just those words, the others immediately grasped the key point. Some even began to infer further implications.
"If the universe falls, then High God-level beings, God King-level beings, and Sovereign-rank existences will all perish along with it?" Duran asked tentatively.
"No!"
Ignatz frowned.
"Although a universe can perish, the myriad universes and the layered space-time universes will not. In theory, the will of the universe is eternal and undying."
"Although individual universes have limits to their lifespans, as long as the myriad universes and the layered space-time universes remain, those below the Sovereign rank are likewise undying," Corwin added.
"You are all correct," Aldric said in a deep voice.
"But you have all overlooked one thing."
"The laws of the universe are also known as the Great Dao laws."
"We engrave our life origin into the laws of the universe!"
"Does that not mean we will forever be bound by the laws of the universe, reduced to prisoners of the laws?"
Aldric sneered.
"Even Peak Sovereign-level powerhouses have theoretically transcended the restrictions of universal rules. But if they cannot retrieve the life origin engraved within the laws, how can they break through the limits of the Great Dao and reach the legendary supreme realm?"
"A Peak Sovereign, in theory, can only coexist with the Great Dao!"
"But they cannot surpass the Great Dao.
"Perhaps that is also why that realm only exists in legend, and why the Great Dao has become the end of the path."
The moment these words fell, the other three fell silent.
They carefully pondered his words. The more they thought about it, the more profound they felt them to be.
All four of them were existences only one step away from the Peak Sovereign level. The deeper their cultivation and the greater their strength, the more they felt that Aldric’s words struck directly at the core.
Peak Sovereign-level powerhouses were said to have transcended universal rules and existed independently beyond the laws. With a casual wave of their hands, they could open up new universes and evolve countless worlds and beings.
Yet even they were not the end of the Great Dao.
Because above the Peak Sovereign level, there was still another legendary realm.
But in the end, it was only a legend.
"Engraving one’s life origin into the laws of the universe is a trap?"
"Becoming a prisoner of the Great Dao forever?"
John understood, and his heart tightened with lingering fear.
If he had not heard this Dao Discourse, then after breaking through to the High God level, he would undoubtedly have taken the old path of engraving his imprint into the laws.
Now that he knew there was a hidden trap within, he naturally would not jump into it.
"But if I do not take this path, how should I continue forward and reach the end of the Great Dao?" John wondered.
At that moment, Corwin suddenly spoke.
"Other than engraving a Cosmic Imprint, there is only one other path."
"Reflecting upon the self," Ignatz said calmly.
"Proving the Dao through oneself," Duran added at the same time.
"Awakening the true self," Aldric also said.
"Exactly..." Corwin said. "Since proving the Dao through the laws will ultimately reduce one to a prisoner of the laws, then the only correct path is to begin with oneself."
"How does one prove the Dao?" Ignatz asked.
"Through strength," Aldric said calmly. "Merge the path of the soul and the path of the body into one, then use your own power to forcibly break through the shackles of the laws."
"This path is the most difficult," Corwin said with a frown.
"Even with my countless avatars, cultivating a single path is already extremely difficult, let alone merging two paths into one," Duran shook his head. "In my opinion, the difficulty of this path is no less than breaking through from Peak Sovereign to an even higher level."
"But once successful, one can reach the end of the Great Dao," Ignatz said.
John listened quietly from the side, his heart stirring slightly.
Proving the Dao through the self.
Proving the Dao through strength.
Only then could one escape the trap of the laws.
However, the prerequisite was to merge the path of the soul and the path of the body into one.
"My current main path is the divine soul."
"Although my physical body has always kept up with my progress, I barely have any techniques related to it."
He had always relied on spells and divine arts as his primary combat methods. The inheritance of the human race had never included a path of dual cultivation in both magic and martial power.
His physical body was not weak, but it had never been his main direction.
"If I can only choose one between the two..."
"What should I choose?"
John frowned slightly.
Should he become a prisoner of the laws and stop at the Peak Sovereign level?
Peak Sovereign was already the highest level of combat power across the heavens, space-time, and countless universes. It did not seem bad.
After all, the realm beyond it only existed in legend.
But if he chose to prove the Dao through strength, then he would have to cultivate both soul and body, multiplying the difficulty many times over.
The benefit was that he would not become a prisoner of the laws.
Once he succeeded in proving his Dao, he would be able to walk to the end of the Great Dao and glimpse the legendary realm beyond it.
John pondered for a moment, and a decision formed in his heart.
Becoming a prisoner was not what he sought.
To step onto the peak, overlook all living beings, and reach the unreachable end that countless beings could only look up to—
That was what he pursued.
"In that case, I choose the path of proving the Dao through strength."
John made his choice.
The instant that thought settled in his mind—
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
The four powerhouses in the Dao Discourse turned their gazes toward John at the same time.
They slowly stood up, smiles appearing on their faces.
"Your Excellency has made your choice."
"Once the choice is made, you must walk this path firmly. No matter how many difficulties you encounter, you must press forward with all your strength."
"Allow us to test Your Excellency’s strength," Aldric said with a smile.
"A Dao Discourse is still a discourse on the Dao!
"Just now, we discussed principles. Now, it is time to verify each other’s paths," Duran said as well.
"Who will go first? Or shall we attack together?" Ignatz asked.
John swept his gaze across the projections of the four peerless powerhouses, and a calm smile appeared on his lips.
"Come at me together."
Boom!
The moment his words fell, Aldric burst into laughter.
"Then we will not stand on ceremony."
Boom!!!
Aldric’s body trembled slightly, and behind him, the phantom of a vast starry river suddenly appeared.
The boundless sea of stars continuously poured energy into him, causing his aura to rise to an unimaginably terrifying level.
It was no weaker than that of a High God-level powerhouse.
Boom!!!
Corwin’s body shook, and radiant light erupted from him.
His body, which had refined the strength of half a universe, merely stood there, yet it already released a suffocating pressure so heavy it felt unbearable.
Duran smiled faintly. Amid a series of whooshing sounds, one million avatars appeared at the same time.
Every avatar possessed strength comparable to his main body.
One million avatars meant one million extreme peak demigods.
Immediately afterward, the strength of all his avatars poured into Duran’s main body at once, raising his energy reserves to a horrifying level.
Ignatz was the calmest of them all. Only transparent ripples spread around his body.
"Kill!"
Corwin cultivated the path of the flesh. With a thunderous shout, he charged toward John like a meteor.
"Die!"
Duran’s aura erupted. He extended both hands, and endless energy surged out from his palms like an overturning sky.
Boom!
The starry river behind Aldric suddenly unfurled like a scroll, pressing down toward John with overwhelming force.