Nexus Ascension: My Comprehension Defies the Heaven-Chapter 357: The God-Like powers of Creator Invocation and the contract
With the conceptual framework established, there was only one thing left to decide.
Which level governed which aspect of power?
For the Foundation Tempering Realm, the structure was quite simple. The six levels would cycle through the automated process of gathering, refining, purifying, and strengthening. With the Nexus Ascension Scripture already possessing the necessary functions to facilitate this, making it a reality was a straightforward task.
By the sixth level, a cultivator would be able to reach the Master of Energy Realm. This stage integrated the body with energy, granting a substantial increase in physical strength. It was comparable to a full one-level boost in the standard system. Furthermore, it would allow one to fly freely.
That was correct. There was no need for the Law Transformation nonsense or waiting for high-ranking wings. As long as one had reached the sixth level of the Foundation Tempering Realm, they would be able to step on air.
There was also abundant Qi and Blood strands, and a mind sharp enough to lift a rock by the end of it all.
After that came the Shattering Realm.
For this stage, Grey intended to add an extra, crucial step. The transformation aspect would still be present, but he was going to impose a new rule upon it.
Instead of passively waiting to break the genetic markings like the cultivators of the main world, he would make it so that the power felt earned. One would have to shatter their body, energy, and mind continuously, strengthening the foundation with each genetic transformation.
There would no longer be the Hidden Rules of Evolution belonging to the main world descending to bestow power. His path was already beyond such things, and it would no longer pay any heed to those external laws.
Hence, the process of "Shattering" was born.
However, regarding the specifics of the shattering process and how exactly it resulted in getting stronger, he hit a mental block.
"How will I make the shattering process actually work?" Grey appeared deep in thought.
The shattering process had to one hundred percent guarantee a massive increase in strength, energy, psionic energy, and soul power. But how was he going to ensure that outcome?
He was not the Hidden Rules of Evolution. He could not just command the universe to grant power. As far as the laws of reality were concerned, shattering oneself usually meant certain death, not coming back stronger.
"The answer lies in your Creator Invocation."
Suddenly, the Fragment appeared in his inner space.
"The Creation Invocation?" Grey’s eyes widened.
"That is correct."
The Fragment floated closer, its presence ancient and knowledgeable. "From what I know, its existence is far more important than you realize. You have not been fully utilizing it. In fact, you have not even tapped into a fraction of its potential because you were following the Hidden Rules of Evolution of the main world till now."
"The Creator Invocation Seal is there for you to bring in rules that you can set. You can make them a reality as long as you can control the Seal."
Grey was stunned when he heard the Fragment’s words. His Creator Invocation Seal had actually been limited all this time?
"What do you mean by control it?"
"Hm." The Fragment appeared thoughtful. "The effect you want for the Shattering Realm is destruction followed by reforging with the intent of gaining strength. Correct?"
"Yes," Grey nodded.
"Then, enter the Creator Invocation Seal and attempt to make a contract with the Dao of Rebirth."
"Huh?" Grey was baffled. "Contracts?"
"That is right, contracts. Did you think it was just going to lend you power for no reason? It will state a condition, and you must pay a price in return for using the Grand Dao that governs the concept of rebirth itself."
Grey paused. For a moment, he thought this Fragment was gaslighting him. But on the other hand, wasn’t this guy a literal fragment of the Heavenly Dao? He could not lie about the nature of the universe.
Grey hesitated no further. He focused on the Creator Invocation Seal that resided within him, the very seal he had thought had no other purpose. It turned out it had more utility than he ever expected.
The Fragment wasn’t joking. The instant he acknowledged its true existence and willed himself to enter it, his sight shifted.
The next moment, he was standing in a plain, black space. High in the "sky" of this realm, the symbol of the Nexus flashed with lightning.1
To his surprise, he realized that there were multi-colored roots or paths extending from the center. Two of them, to be exact, were wrapped around the symbol of the Nexus and connected to two shining stars in the distance.
The instant his eyes fell on them, his comprehension stirred.
[By observing the paths within the Creator Invocation Seal, you have identified them as the Hidden Rules of Evolution of the Main World.]
Grey immediately became dumbfounded.
"So, my Creator Invocation actually had the influence of the Hidden Rules of Evolution attached to it."
Grey’s expression turned deadpan. With a wave of his hands, he severed the connection. The two roots immediately diminished and faded into nothingness.
Grey already knew what would happen from this action. People who were currently cultivating the Nexus Path would most likely lose their cultivation instantly. But it was fine. He was going to create a new one, superior to the old. That was his original intention either way.
"But can I visualize the Foundation Tempering Realm here?"
The instant he thought of that, the symbol of the Nexus stirred, and a new path formed in the void.
"Oh, I can." Grey’s lips twitched in amusement.
This time, the path was completely purple in color. There was no presence of the Hidden Rules of Evolution. He was no longer following its twelve-level system after all.
This one had six.
"Now, it is time to conceptualize the Shattering Realm," Grey mused.
The Shattering Realm would have six genetic markings. He would reduce the number from twelve to six by compressing the information into just six dense stages. With the Chaos Modularization Art, it was effortless for him to restructure the data.
"On the other hand, can I conceptualize a system-like window where people following my path can choose their specialization before they reach the Shattering Realm?"
This was a crucial feature he wanted to implement. Most people would not be interested in focusing purely on one path.
He could offer an option for the Primordial Human Transformation, bolstered by the buff from the God’s Cellular Structure. Of course, he was not going to give them the full perks of a god, just the cellular structure. That alone was already close to perfection.
If people wanted to go a pure magic route, utilizing multi-casting and the Modern Magic Origin Imprint available for use, he would allow them to choose the set of genetic markings that would evolve the Shattering Realm into a Mage Path.
Then there was the Immortal Sovereign Technique he possessed, which was excellent for a pure energy path. He would grant them the Three Meridian Physique. This way, they could focus on healing or wood techniques, or become an Elementalist with special immortal spells.
As for the Mind Path, he did not have much material yet. Perhaps he would enter the starry sky later to find more techniques and incorporate them into the system.
He also left an option for an "All-Rounder." Naturally, they would receive all the Origin Imprints containing the specific set of data. In the end, he only left that as a way for the evolvers to feel a freedom of choice to follow the path their heart truly desired.
Grey immediately sorted the data streams. The following moment, the Shattering Realm was born within the space. Additionally, the visual representation of the Shattering Realm split into many divergent paths.
Seeing this, Grey’s eyes brightened. It worked!
This meant someone entering the Shattering Realm would actually see a system window pop up to guide their evolution.
For a second, Grey did not know what to say. He was effectively playing god. But on the other hand, he was stuck in a world with an already finalized set of levels and ranks that he had no control over. He could not be blamed for wanting to seize control.
Now, thanks to the Lesser Heaven, his path had reached new heights.
With the structure built, Grey focused on the most important thing.
The Dao of Rebirth.
For the Shattering Realm to actually work—to allow someone to break themselves and survive—there must be a higher power at play. He had to form a contract with the Dao of Rebirth.
Grey began to try to sense the Dao. From what the Fragment had conveyed, he just needed to will it to sense its existence and then initiate a contract.
As for what the terms of the contract would be, he did not know for sure. But one thing was certain. The price would be high.
Taking a deep breath, he began to focus his entire consciousness on the dao of Rebirth.
I’m leaving a picture for the symbol in the comments
