Time Core

Before departure, White Night held a mobilization meeting at the Cosmic Peace Alliance headquarters.

He stood on the high platform, looking at the neatly arranged Alliance members below, his voice firm and strong: “Fellow compatriots, we once jointly defeated the Essence Devouring Creatures and protected the peace of the universe.

Now, the universe faces an unprecedented crisis again; the power of nothingness is about to devour our home.

But I believe that as long as we unite and move forward hand in hand, no difficulty can stop us! Finding the time core and repairing the Void Rift is not only our mission, but also our promise to all living beings in the universe!”

“For the universe! For peace!” The Alliance members shouted in unison, their voices deafening, filled with firm belief and determination to win.

Wind Howling Silver Wolf stood beside White Night, its silver body covered with a faint golden layer of cosmic energy, its wolf eyes gleaming with fearless light.

It knew that this would be a more difficult battle than fighting the Essence Devouring Creatures, but as long as it could fight alongside White Night, it would have no fear.

Liu Ruyan also prepared all the elixirs and supplies. She walked to White Night and handed him a “Concentric Pill”: “This elixir can connect our consciousnesses, allowing us to perceive each other's state no matter how far apart we are. If you encounter danger, be sure to contact me immediately.”

White Night took the Concentric Pill and nodded solemnly. He knew that this journey to the Multiverse to find the time core was not only about the survival of the universe but also about the future of all civilizations.

He must succeed, and can only succeed.

Three days later, the elite squad led by White Night, aboard a modified spacetime shuttle, slowly departed from the Cosmic Peace Alliance headquarters, heading towards the Multiverse.

Outside the ship's window, faint purple nebulae and a brilliant starry sky intertwined, forming a magnificent cosmic painting.

But the squad members had no mood to appreciate the beautiful scenery; everyone's heart was filled with anticipation and tension for the future.

The spacetime shuttle traveled rapidly through the universe, greatly shortening the travel time with the help of the Star Source Federation's space-folding technology.

During this period, they encountered several small-scale cosmic turbulences and attacks from unknown creatures, but under the joint efforts of White Night and Wind Howling Silver Wolf, they were all easily resolved.

Half a month later, the spacetime shuttle finally arrived at the boundary of the Multiverse. When the ship's body passed through the spatial barrier of the Multiverse, White Night could clearly feel that the Spacetime Law energy within him resonated strongly with the surrounding environment, as if an invisible force was guiding them towards the Time Law Academy.

“According to monitoring data, the Time Law Academy is in the 'Time Starfield' ahead,” said a spatial technology expert from the Star Source Federation. “However, the flow of time in the Time Starfield is extremely chaotic. In some areas, one day is equivalent to one year outside, and in others, one year is equivalent to one day outside. We must be careful to avoid being affected by the time disorder.”

White Night nodded and activated the ship's time stabilization device: “Everyone take a Spacetime Pill and activate your personal time shields to ensure your time flow remains consistent with the ship. Silver Wolf, you are responsible for vigilance. Immediately notify me if you detect any abnormal time disorder.”

“Understood!” Wind Howling Silver Wolf let out a low growl, silver light flashing in its wolf eyes, and began to closely monitor the surrounding time fluctuations.

The spacetime shuttle slowly entered the Time Starfield, and the surrounding scenery instantly changed. The originally brilliant starry sky became distorted, the light of the stars flickered on and off, and the passage of time seemed to lose its regularity. The clock hands on the ship sometimes spun rapidly, and sometimes ticked slowly.

“Time turbulence ahead!” Wind Howling Silver Wolf suddenly issued an alert. A huge black rift appeared in the space ahead, with chaotic time energy flowing within it, capable of instantly tearing apart any matter that approached.

White Night immediately adjusted the ship's flight trajectory, while also releasing the Spacetime Law energy within him, forming a faint golden time barrier around the ship. The moment the barrier touched the time turbulence, it emitted a harsh “sizzling” sound. The chaotic time energy was sorted out one by one, forming a safe passage.

“Continue forward!” White Night ordered. The spacetime shuttle followed the safe passage, successfully passed through the time turbulence, and approached the Time Law Academy.

After another three days of navigation, the outline of the Time Law Academy finally appeared before everyone's eyes. The academy floated in the center of the Time Starfield, composed of countless suspended islands connected by transparent time bridges. The entire academy was enveloped by a faint golden time barrier, emanating rich Spacetime Law energy.

“That's the space-time stele!” White Night pointed to the highest island in the center of the academy, where a huge black stone stele stood, exactly the space-time stele from his memory. The Spacetime Law energy contained within the stele was even richer than he remembered, clearly indicating that the time core was within it.

But just then, the spacetime shuttle's monitoring system suddenly issued an alert: “Warning! High-intensity time energy fluctuations detected! A large number of 'Time Phantoms' have appeared around the Time Law Academy, and these phantoms are aggressive!”

Everyone looked out the porthole, only to see countless blurry figures suddenly appearing around the Time Law Academy. These figures included cultivators, cosmic creatures, and even creations of civilizations that had already gone extinct.

Although they were just phantoms, they could unleash real time energy attacks, rushing towards the spacetime shuttle.

“These are the time remnants accumulated by the Time Law Academy over long years, activated by time disorder, forming aggressive Time Phantoms,” White Night said gravely. “Liu Ruyan, you are responsible for maintaining the ship's time shield; expert, adjust the ship's flight trajectory to avoid the phantom attacks; Silver Wolf, we will work together to eliminate the approaching phantoms and clear a path for the ship to the space-time stele!”

“Understood!” The squad members immediately took action. Liu Ruyan released her spiritual power, injecting it into the ship's time shield, making its light even more brilliant; the spatial technology expert quickly adjusted the ship's flight parameters, weaving through the gaps between the phantoms; White Night and Wind Howling Silver Wolf leaped out of the ship, releasing Spacetime Law energy and Extreme Cold Spiritual Power, beginning to clear the surrounding Time Phantoms.

White Night's Spacetime Law energy formed a faint golden light blade, each swing of which could turn large areas of Time Phantoms into nothingness; Wind Howling Silver Wolf's Extreme Cold Spiritual Power froze the approaching phantoms, causing them to lose their attacking ability. The two cooperated seamlessly, like two bolts of lightning weaving through the Time Phantoms, clearing a safe passage for the spacetime shuttle.

The spacetime shuttle slowly approached the central island of the Time Law Academy along the passage. When the ship docked on the island's platform, White Night and Wind Howling Silver Wolf had also cleared the surrounding Time Phantoms and returned to the ship.

“Finally here.” White Night let out a sigh of relief, his gaze fixed on the space-time stele not far away. The stele was covered with ancient time runes, which, nourished by time energy, glowed with a faint golden light, as if narrating the mysteries of time.

The squad members successively disembarked from the ship and walked towards the space-time stele. When White Night's hand touched the stele, the space-time stele suddenly erupted with dazzling light, and countless time runes flew out from the stele, forming a huge time vortex around him. Within the vortex, blurry images appeared—scenes of the Immortal Law Alliance battling the Essence Devouring Creatures, images of the Time Guardians protecting the time core, and the instant the Void Rift formed ten thousand years ago… “These are memories of time.” Star Fall's voice suddenly echoed in White Night's sea of consciousness. “The space-time stele is transmitting information from ten thousand years ago to you. Only by understanding this information can you retrieve the time core.”

White Night closed his eyes, concentrating on sensing the information transmitted by the time vortex.

He saw the glory and destruction of the Immortal Law Alliance, saw the Time Guardians sacrificing their lives to protect the time core, sealing it within the space-time stele, and saw the Void Civilization's steadfastness and dedication over ten thousand years... When the last image disappeared, the time vortex suddenly contracted, transforming into a faint golden energy stream that flowed into White Night's body.

He could clearly feel that the Spacetime Law energy within him resonated strongly with the time core in the space-time stele. The stele began to vibrate slowly, and a tiny crack appeared in its center, from which pure time core energy flowed.

“The time core... finally found it.” White Night's heart was filled with excitement. He reached out his hand, extending it towards the time core in the crack.

When his hand touched the time core, the core suddenly erupted with dazzling light, transforming into a faint golden stream of light that merged into his body, perfectly integrating with his Cosmic Golden Core.

[White Night successfully obtained the time core, and his Cosmic Golden Core evolved into a “space-time golden core,” gaining mastery over the “Spacetime Law,” allowing him to freely control the flow of time and space.]

The moment the time core merged with the Cosmic Golden Core, the entire Time Law Academy erupted with dazzling light, and the surrounding time disorder gradually disappeared, with the time flow in the Time Starfield returning to normal.

Evidently, the extraction of the time core not only did not disrupt the balance of the Time Law Academy but instead restored its former order.

“We succeeded! We successfully obtained the time core!” Liu Ruyan exclaimed excitedly, her eyes sparkling with joy.

White Night opened his eyes, feeling the powerful Spacetime Law energy within him, filled with confidence. He knew that the mission to find the time core was complete. Next, they needed to return to the edge of the universe, rendezvous with other forces, activate the Balance Array, repair the Void Rift, and protect the survival of the universe.

“We should go back,” White Night said to the squad members. “Our companions at the edge of the universe are waiting for us, and the crisis of the Void Rift still needs us to resolve.”

The squad members nodded in agreement, following White Night onto the spacetime shuttle. The ship slowly departed from the Time Law Academy, heading towards the edge of the universe.

Outside the ship's window, the scene of the Time Starfield gradually receded, but the hearts of the squad members were filled with hope for the future and firm belief.

They knew that an even more difficult battle awaited them. But as long as they united and moved forward hand in hand, no difficulty could stop them from protecting the universe.

After a month of navigation through the universe, the elite squad led by White Night finally arrived at the void defense line at the edge of the universe.

From afar, a colossal dark purple barrier stretched across the edge of the universe, behind which lay a bottomless black rift—the Void Rift.

Wisps of black power of nothingness occasionally overflowed from the rift, corroding tiny holes in space wherever they passed, demonstrating the terrifying nature of this power.

On the defensive line's position, Mechanical Emperor and Aila were leading the defense forces in frantically reinforcing the barrier. When they saw the spacetime shuttle slowly approaching, excited smiles appeared on their faces, and they immediately led the core members to greet it.

“Chairman White Night, you're finally back! Did you get the time core?” Mechanical Emperor asked impatiently, blue technological light flickering in his eyes.

White Night nodded, extending his hand. Faint golden time core energy condensed in his palm, resonating strongly with the surrounding void core energy and Nebula Core energy: “I did not fail my mission. The time core has been successfully obtained. Now, we can activate the Balance Array and repair the Void Rift.”

Star Fall also walked out of the command tent on the defense line. He looked at the Time Core energy in White Night's palm, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes: "The three core energies are finally gathered. But to activate the Universe Balance Array, we need to inject all three energies simultaneously into the 'Balance Node' at the center of the Rift. During this process, the Power of Nothingness will be provoked and launch a fierce attack. We must be fully prepared."

Over the next three days, all troops made their final preparations for activating the Universe Balance Array.

Engineers from the Mechanical Race and the Star Source Federation deployed 360 "Energy Towers" around the Void Rift. Powered by the three core energies, these towers could form an impenetrable Energy Barrier during the activation of the Balance Array to resist attacks from the Power of Nothingness.

Liu Ruyan led the Pill Master team, setting up dozens of temporary Alchemic Furnaces behind the defense line, refining "Void Resistance Pills" and "Energy Gathering Pills" day and night.

Void Resistance Pills form a transparent protective film on the cultivator's body surface, resisting the erosion of the Power of Nothingness; Energy Gathering Pills rapidly replenish the Spiritual Power and energy consumed by the cultivator, ensuring sustained output during battle.

Green Pill Flames and purple Void Energy intertwined within the Alchemic Furnaces, filling the air with the fragrance of medicinal pills, adding a hint of vitality to the tense pre-battle preparations.

Wind Howling Silver Wolf worked with the cultivators of the Void Civilization to familiarize itself with the characteristics of the Power of Nothingness. The Void Cultivators injected their own Void Power into Silver Wolf's body to help it adapt to this special energy. Silver Wolf also shared the combat techniques it summarized during actual combat. After three days of integration, Silver Wolf was able to skillfully use combination techniques of Void Power and Extreme Cold Spiritual Power, even temporarily freezing the flow of the Power of Nothingness, providing crucial tactical support for the defensive battle.

White Night spent most of his time studying the activation details of the Universe Balance Array. Together with Star Fall, he repeatedly simulated the energy injection process on a Virtual Sandbox based on ancient records of the Void Civilization, adjusting the output ratio of the three core energies. The simulation results showed that the Balance Array could only operate stably when the energy output of the Time Core, Nebula Core, and void core maintained a perfect ratio of 1:2:3. If the ratio became unbalanced, it would not only fail to repair the Void Rift but could also trigger an energy explosion, accelerating the Rift's expansion.

"The key to energy injection is 'synchronization'," White Night said, pointing to the energy trajectory on the Virtual Sandbox. "I will use the Spacetime Law to control the rhythm of energy output. The Mechanical Emperor will use technological devices to precisely adjust the energy intensity of the Nebula Core, and Senior Star Fall will control the output of the void core. The three of us must maintain absolute coordination; a mistake by any party could lead to complete failure."

Star Fall and the Mechanical Emperor nodded simultaneously, and the three clasped hands tightly. Pale golden Time Energy, cyan-green Nebula Energy, and dark purple Void Energy converged in their palms, forming a three-colored intertwined energy flow—proof of their energy resonance and a crucial foundation for activating the Balance Array.

On the eve of the final battle, the defense line at the edge of the universe was silent. Most cultivators and Cosmic Warriors did not rest; some were wiping their weapons, others were cultivating to solidify their realms, and still others stared at the bottomless Void Rift in the distance, their eyes filled with anticipation and determination for the future. White Night stood alone at the highest point of the defense line, gazing at the brilliant starry sky, holding the star core key in his hand, feeling the pulsation of the space-time golden core within his body.

"Time Guardians, ancestors of the Immortal Law Alliance..." White Night murmured inwardly. "We will definitely complete the work you left unfinished, protect this universe, and ensure your sacrifices were not in vain."

Early the next morning, when the first ray of cosmic light illuminated the defense line, the order to activate the Universe Balance Array was formally issued.

"Attention all troops! First Echelon, activate the Energy Towers and form the Energy Barrier! Second Echelon, follow me to the Balance Node and prepare for energy injection! Third Echelon, patrol the defense line to prevent flanking attacks from the Power of Nothingness!" White Night's voice echoed across the entire position via the Communicator, carrying undeniable authority.

"Understood!" Members of the various units responded in unison, and the operation swiftly commenced.

The Mechanical Race engineers and Star Source Federation warriors of the First Echelon immediately activated the 360 Energy Towers. Pale golden, cyan-green, and dark purple energy surged from the tower peaks, intertwining in the air to form a massive three-colored barrier that enveloped the entire Void Rift.

The moment the barrier formed, a massive amount of the Power of Nothingness surged out of the Rift. The black energy crashed against the barrier like a tide, emitting a "sizzling" corrosive sound, and the barrier's light began to flash violently.

"Increase energy output! Don't let the barrier be breached!" the captain of the First Echelon roared, injecting all the energy from his Energy Gathering Pill into the Energy Tower. The barrier's light stabilized once more.

White Night, Star Fall, and the Mechanical Emperor led the Second Echelon, boarding a spacetime shuttle and flying toward the Balance Node at the center of the Void Rift.

The moment the shuttle passed through the Energy Barrier, everyone felt intense pressure—the concentration of the Power of Nothingness was ten times that of the defense line. The shuttle's Void Energy Shield dimmed at a visible rate, and even after consuming the Void Resistance Pill, they could feel a slight stinging sensation on their skin.

"Five minutes until arrival at the Balance Node!" The voice of the Spatial Technology Expert was tense. "But the Power of Nothingness in the Rift is getting stronger; our shield can only hold for three minutes at most!"

"Silver Wolf, it's your turn!" White Night commanded. Wind Howling Silver Wolf leaped out of the shuttle, erupting with silver Extreme Cold Spiritual Power and dark purple Void Power. The two energies merged into a two-colored storm, carving out a safe passage in front of the shuttle.

"Charge through!" White Night shouted. Protected by the storm, the spacetime shuttle sped toward the Balance Node. The Power of Nothingness along the way was frozen or dispersed by the storm, significantly reducing the pressure on the hull, and the shuttle successfully docked in front of the Balance Node.

The Balance Node was a massive rock suspended in the center of the Void Rift. Its surface was covered with ancient Cosmic Runes. These runes perfectly matched the diagram of the Universe Balance Array and served as the crucial carrier for activating the Balance Array.

White Night, Star Fall, and the Mechanical Emperor stepped onto the rock simultaneously, each standing at one of the three critical positions of the runes.

White Night placed his hand on the rune's "Time Zone," while Star Fall and the Mechanical Emperor pressed down on the "Void Zone" and "Nebula Zone," respectively.

"Begin energy injection!" White Night's voice rang out. The space-time golden core within him rotated rapidly, and the pale golden Time Core energy slowly flowed along the runes. Star Fall also released the energy of the void core; the dark purple energy flow intertwined with the Time Energy on the runes. The Mechanical Emperor activated the Energy Regulation Device he carried, precisely injecting the Nebula Core energy into the rune's "Nebula Zone."

Guided by the runes, the three energies flowed along fixed trajectories, gradually forming a massive Three-Colored Vortex above the Balance Node—this was the prototype of the Universe Balance Array. As the vortex spun, it began to slowly absorb the Power of Nothingness from the Void Rift, converting it into pure Cosmic Energy, and the Rift's expansion speed visibly slowed down.

"It worked! The Balance Array is running!" the Mechanical Emperor shouted excitedly, his eyes shining with light.

But just then, a black energy pillar suddenly erupted from the depths of the Void Rift. Carrying world-destroying power, the energy pillar slammed violently toward the Balance Node. This was the "Spear of Nothingness," condensed from the Power of Nothingness, its most ferocious attack form, capable of destroying any known defense.

"This is bad! It's the attack of the Lord of Nothingness!" Star Fall's expression changed drastically. "Ten thousand years ago, the Power of Nothingness, led by it, nearly devoured the universe. It was later sealed deep within the Rift by the Immortal Law Alliance. I didn't expect it to be awakened by our Balance Array now!"

The consciousness of the Lord of Nothingness echoed in the void, carrying icy killing intent: "Insignificant beings, how dare you attempt to repair the Rift and prevent this Lord from devouring the universe! Today, this Lord shall have you perish along with this universe!"

The moment the black Spear of Nothingness struck the Balance Array vortex, the Three-Colored Vortex trembled violently, its energy trajectory became chaotic, and the previously absorbed Power of Nothingness erupted again, surging back toward the three individuals. White Night could feel the space-time golden core within him suffering a severe impact; the Time Core energy output became unstable, and the Balance Array was on the verge of collapse.

"Stabilize the energy output! We cannot let the Balance Array collapse!" White Night's voice carried Spiritual Power Pressure. He forcefully stabilized the energy flow within his body while using the Spacetime Law to slow down the attack speed of the Spear of Nothingness. "Silver Wolf, lead the Second Echelon to attack the energy source of the Spear of Nothingness! First Echelon, increase the output of the Energy Barrier to contain the Power of Nothingness!"

Wind Howling Silver Wolf immediately led the cultivators and warriors of the Second Echelon to launch an attack on the energy source of the Spear of Nothingness. The cultivators released their Innate Spiritual Power and Void Power, forming streaks of Light Blades, while the warriors used Technological Weapons to fire energy beams. The dense attacks rained down upon the energy source.

The First Echelon also increased the output of the Energy Towers. The light of the three-colored barrier surged, firmly resisting the counterattack of the Power of Nothingness, buying time for the three individuals at the Balance Node.

White Night, Star Fall, and the Mechanical Emperor seized the opportunity to adjust the energy output ratio, slightly increasing the Time Core energy output to compensate for the energy deficit caused by the interference of the Power of Nothingness. Through their efforts, the Three-Colored Vortex stabilized again, beginning once more to absorb the Power of Nothingness and even slowly counteract the attack energy of the Spear of Nothingness.

Seeing this, the Lord of Nothingness let out an angry roar. More Power of Nothingness poured out of the Void Rift, forming a massive black palm above the Rift, which swept toward the Balance Node. Everywhere the palm passed, space was utterly torn apart, even cosmic light was swallowed, and the entire universe seemed to plunge into darkness.

"Everyone, attack the black palm with full force!" White Night's voice echoed across the entire position. "This is the true form attack of the Lord of Nothingness. As long as we repel it, we can fully control the Balance Array!"

All troops on the defense line attacked simultaneously: the main cannons of the Psionic Fleet, the Collective Spells of the cultivators, the energy beams of the Technological Weapons, the Void Power of the Void Cultivators... Countless attacks converged into an Energy Torrent that pierced the heavens and earth, slamming violently into the black palm.

"Boom!" The moment the Energy Torrent collided with the black palm, the entire universe seemed to tremble. The black palm was struck by the Energy Torrent, and cracks appeared on its surface. The Power of Nothingness flowed out like black blood, and the palm's attack speed visibly slowed.

"Now! Increase the Balance Array's energy absorption!" White Night seized the chance, releasing all the Spacetime Law Energy within him, guiding the Balance Array's Three-Colored Vortex to spin rapidly, fiercely absorbing the Power of Nothingness from the black palm and converting it into Cosmic Energy.

Under the Balance Array's absorption and the troops' attacks, the black palm gradually became transparent, finally dissipating completely into the void. The consciousness of the Lord of Nothingness let out a shrill scream and vanished entirely into the depths of the Rift, having clearly suffered heavy damage and temporarily losing its ability to attack!

...